Summer Bucket List: What Did You Check Off?
A Cape Cod Hospital oncology nurse shares her journey of climbing the highest mountain in Maine and hopes her passion for adventure will inspire others to explore the outdoors.
On her 43rd birthday in July, Nicole Vardakis reached new heights.
The oncology nurse at Cape Cod Hospital, along with her husband, Chris, and sister, Mariel, climbed Mount Katahdin, the northern end of the Appalachian Trail and the highest mountain in Maine at 5,269 feet.
The mom of three says she has always loved to hike and immerse herself in nature. “I love the simplicity of hiking, and it helps me to reconnect,” says Nicole, who brought minimal equipment, including good hiking shoes, a backpack, plenty of water and healthy snacks. “I think it’s so important to have a bucket list—especially in our jobs because we get so wrapped up in caring for others and we don’t always take time for ourselves.”
The adventurous trio camped out the night before at the base of Mount Katahdin. They began their 12-mile hike at 6:45 a.m. and returned just before 10 p.m. Throughout their journey, Nicole said her nursing skills came in handy a couple of times—she helped a hiker along the way who had sprained an ankle, and she assisted her sister who developed blisters on her feet and experienced exhaustion. “The rocky terrain was definitely difficult and dangerous,” says Nicole. “It was unreal. It was the most grueling and physically challenging thing I’ve ever done.”
She hopes her love of nature will inspire others to explore the outdoors and get moving. Nicole is already thinking about her next big adventure—hiking Mount Washington or the White Mountains. “Working in oncology, I work with patients who struggle to walk their dog or get the newspaper,” says Nicole. “I feel so fortunate to be healthy enough to climb mountains and push myself to do hard things. I love the mental challenge, and I can’t wait to do it again!”
What did you check off your bucket list this summer? Perhaps you traveled to a new place or tried an outdoor exercise class, such as beach yoga! Did you dig your toes in the sand while digging into a new book or hop on a bike to explore scenic paths? We’d love to hear about your summer activity or adventure and feature your photos in the September edition of The Pulse. Please send photos (and a sentence or two) about your summer bucket list item to pulse@capecodhealth.org by Sept. 15.
