what am i even doing here?: an introduction

The year is 2018. We speak in memes. Tamagotchi's are back. All food is rainbow colored. Recycling is finally cool. Everyone and their sister is starting a blog...and here I come jumping on the bandwagon! But in all seriousness, is it so much to ask for a girl to want to express herself? Writing and photography isn't something I've identified myself with in some time now and I kind of want that back...badly. I was an avid writer in high school, bopped around with some short stories in college, and along the way it managed to disappear entirely from my self identity. The same thing happened with my photography, and I miss having a creative outlet. Be nice, because we're going to see if I can still do this thing.

About Me
You could check out the about section of this site, but you're here so let's do this. I'm Katie. I'm a graphic designer by trade, a runner by choice, and a klutz by nature. I'm an ENFJ, 25 year old, textbook millennial (but who really needs labels, ammi right?) living just outside of Denver, Colorado. I work for an amazing outdoor gear company in Boulder as a graphic designer and love it more everyday. 
I'm gaga over all things outdoors. I'm a gear junky and love to ski, hike, backpack, climb, mountain bike, and am up for trying so much more. I have a deep affliction for adventure photography and taking photos of the outdoor activities I enjoy doing, and adore the people I meet through it. The outdoor community has some of the nicest,  most passionate people in the world, and I find myself in disbelief that I get to be a part of it every day of my life.
I'm a passionate runner and am currently training for my first marathon in May. Trust me, you're going to hear all about it. After my marathon in May, I'm running the Chicago Marathon in October and attempting to qualify for the Boston Marathon (eek!). Again, trust me, you'll hear about it. I'm an Oiselle Volee member and a Momentum Jewelry ambassador. Trust me...you'll hear all about those too.
I'm a loving dog mom but a total cat lady at heart. Just ask my dog; the cat can do whatever she wants (obviously because she's my precious angel munchkin floof love). I have a strange obsession with raccoons (those hands!). I love salads all day every day but will seize the opportunity for a cookie break any time it's presented...I'm looking at you Tollhouse frozen dough log. My daily Pinterest routine consist of me looking up workouts and healthy recipes in the morning, and rapidly deteriorates to looking up dessert recipes by noon. I can't dance. I'm afraid of trains and elevators (how do I even get anywhere). I think I'm hilarious, so buckle your seatbelt.

Why "Freckled Steps"?
I don't know, you try naming a website. If you have better ideas, please. My ears are open.
I know I could've just used my name, but there's no fun in that. So what the heck is a freckled step anyway? This may sound dumb, but this is where my head is at.
Take a journey with me back to Kindergarten, before I was known as "short". Where my innocent, sticky fingered, runny nosed classmates always noticed my freckles first; most specifically the two big ones right under my left eye. My freckles were, and still are a defining factor of me (although my 5'1'' broad shouldered stature has kind of overtaken that as time's gone on). Granted, my classmates may have been making fun of me for them, but let's be real I was too oblivious to even notice. My freckles are freeking great.
So, simply put, the name is representative of my journey. My steps through creativity, my steps throughout the world, my steps through training, whatever. The name is representative of me and my journey. (Again, my ears are OPEN)((but I also just bought a domain name so please just go with it))

Goals
What am I expecting to get out of this? Honestly, as I've said, this is more of a creative outlet for me than anything else. I really miss writing. I miss taking and sharing my photos. These things defined me so heavily about a decade ago, and now that there are so many accessible outlets online to share these things, I want to get back into it. Digitally experience my life and get to know me. 

I wish I could tell you exactly what I'll be posting on here, but the honest truth is, I don't know yet. I will tell you it won't be recipes for dressings or your quick Tuesday night dinner, or even how to knit the perfect sweater. Sorry, but I burn toast on the daily and I have a man for those types of things anyway (teehee). But each post will be an adventure. I may post about nutrition and workouts then flip to politics or outdoor ethics. Hell, I may just tell you about my week. Whatever I need to get out of my system is what you're going to get. I'm not sure what this will turn into. I don't know if this site will stay broad or begin to focus on a certain niche. As of right now, it's a mystery. But in the end, this is for me; my creative outlet. Figuring that stuff out is my journey to take and it's your choice whether or not to trudge along with me.

With that, welcome to you and thanks for letting us take this journey together. Cheers! +