A Journey Through Maine, Motherhood, and Meaning with author Chelsea Diehl
Every once in a while, life nudges us to pause, look around, and ask, “What’s next?” For Chelsea Diehl, that question turned into a year of adventure—100 of them, to be exact. Through muddy boots, roadside snacks, and shared trail laughs (and meltdowns), she set off to reconnect with herself, her family, and the beautiful state of Maine she now calls home.
That journey became Just Up the Road, a book that invites us all to explore with curiosity and a willingness to get a little lost sometimes. We recently sat down with Chelsea to talk about her experience, what Maine has given her, and why bringing kids (and snacks) along for the ride is part of the magic.
Here’s a peek behind the scenes of her story:
You spent a year completing 100 adventures to figure out your next chapter. Why did you think adventure, particularly in Maine, would help you find what you were looking for?
Being active has always been the best way for me to collect my thoughts, strategize, and work through challenges. Additionally, ever since moving to Maine in 2019, I vowed to explore all of the state I get to call home, not just my comfy corner of it. Combine that with my complete inability to sit still—and this became the perfect way for me to spend my transition year.
Chelsea Diehl with daughter Harper
Just Up the Road is a love letter to the state of Maine. If Maine were a person, what would you tell them?
I’d tell them that I’m grateful. That so much of what I have accomplished or cherished has been a direct result of them.
Your daughter, Harper, is often your travel buddy. It can be a lot to take a child on an adventure. What are the benefits of taking your child on an adventure, and what’s one piece of advice you like to give parents or parents-to-be?
We started hiking and exploring with Harper when she was really young. And full disclosure: it was, at times, tortuous. Lots of stops, whines, and piggyback rides. But we pushed through those early days, and now it’s one of our favorite ways to spend time together as a family.
My biggest piece of advice is to meet them where they’re at. Do they want to pick up cool rocks all the way up the mountain? Groovy, get them a little bag to do so. Snacks as bribes? Absolutely, bring more than you think you need. Are they lagging behind and feeling unmotivated? Give them a walking stick and ask them to play trail leader—they can point out all of the upcoming roots to be wary of tripping over.
And at the end of the day, some of our greatest memories are adventure days gone wrong—so, even if the day is a fail, you got some outside time and will have a funny memory for the future. You can do it!
Harper, Chelsea Diehl’s daughter
You mention it took a community to write this book. How would you describe the Maine community? Why is it important to you to have a community, especially with a young child?
I think everyone in Maine is cognizant of the fact that we all share the same secret: we know Maine is the best place to live and how freaking lucky we are. And that luck radiates off of everyone in this community and ties us together.
The community I find myself in is generous, humble, and adventurous. Plus, it’s small and close-knit—everyone knows everyone, which makes it feel like we’re all in this together. It’s tough for us to go to dinner, on a walk, anywhere, really, without recognizing someone—which makes my daughter feel so comfortable, loved, and supported. She has a support system bigger than she might even realize—which, as her parents, is the greatest gift. Pretty lucky.
Chelsea’s story reminds us that adventure doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Sometimes, it’s a short walk with a long snack break. Sometimes, it’s letting your kid be the map reader, even if you go the wrong way. And sometimes, it’s realizing the best kind of magic is the kind we make together—one muddy boot, snack pouch, and wonder-filled moment at a time.