I love the giant trees of Redwood National & State Parks. I seriously think of them on a weekly basis and always try to find a way to get back to them. I love standing under them, hiking with them, and driving very slowly through them. Enjoy a few photos of the drive along the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. (Photos from August 2017)
This Monday, I encourage you to go learn about something you know little about. Knowledge can be powerful and is certainly helpful. If you’re into public lands, go learn about the Native People who were there first and their ongoing struggles to access the places of their heritage. If you’re into politics, go learn something about the opposing view to see where you can meet them if a compromise is necessary. Go learn the facts about energy, money, culture, whatever! I feel now, more than ever, we need to keep ourselves educated and fresh for the path forward. We don’t all have to agree, but we should want to understand. From understanding can come respect and love. We’re not all the same, but we are tied together because we live together. Here’s to learning more, understanding further, and working together to make life for one another better overall.
I don’t claim to be an expert on any topic I suggested, nor have I learned enough myself about everything I’m curious about in the world. I’m reading, listening, and asking questions to gain understanding. It is time consuming and you have to want to do the work to gain knowledge. Do a little at a time, take it piece by piece. Get yourself educated on a topic and see how you feel - empowered? helpful? Who knows. Good luck!
I found this prompt, maybe from Cait Flanders, maybe from somewhere else? I have no idea at this point because I saved it so long ago. Either way, 2018 was not exactly what I had hoped. It started strong, and had a lot of highlights, but ultimately I’m glad to usher in 2019. I’m ready for a new Outdoor Society calendar and ready for the “clean slate” that is a new year.
1. What makes this year unforgettable?
Visiting Mount Rainier National Park and seeing the mountain from many different angles and times of day
Getting a new job
Losing a grandparent. It was a weird whirlwind, all over again. Never gets any easier.
Visiting Alaska for Christmas into the new year
Visiting Washington’s Olympic Peninsula twice and getting to experience the difference in seasons
Meeting a few outdoor people I admire and respect so much
2. What did you enjoy doing this year?
The 31/52 hikes I did get done
Visiting Tahquamenon Falls
Being able to travel around the country and see the natural beauty
Our annual trek to New Mexico for camping and hiking in the Santa Fe natural forest
My annual BFF trip to Utah
Spending downtime at home with my other half, our Texas friends and family, and our pets
Family moments that were calm
3. What/who is the one thing/person you’re grateful for?
I’m grateful for travel. Travel is the one thing I can do with my other half, family, friends, and all of the outdoor people I am thankful for.
4. What’s your biggest win this year?
Getting a new job that is seemingly better for me as a whole. A job where I work on a team of people my own age and do work I enjoy. A job that is setting me up for the future in ways beyond money, setting up a career, and pushing me forward. I don't mind getting up for work these days.
5. What did you read/watch/listen to that made the most impact this year?
The Year of Less by Cait Flanders was one of the most inspirational pieces of literature I’d had in my hands in a while. This book goes beyond financial advice and offers so much varied life advice. If you're looking for something uplifting and real, look no further.
Love Simon - I know it may seem cheesy, but the movie made me feel like a teenager all over again and feel all those misguided feelings of being closeted and hiding. It reminded me that those feelings don’t just go away. It was a cute movie that made me feel powerful things.
Said the Whale released an album in 2017, but it carried on with me in 2018 along with their new singles this year. This band makes music that makes me feel things to my core. I get emotional while listening, but not in an annoying way. I sing along, I bop along, but almost always feeling SOMETHING when I listen. Great band.
6. What did you worry about most and how did it turn out?
I always worry about money. I've worried about money since I was a kid, but still don't know how to manage it well. I got a new job and I have a budget, but I still spent more than I brought in and that's the ongoing battle. December was a better month, and January should continue the trend as I've adjusted the daily and monthly goals to help.
7. What was your biggest regret and why?
Not completing my 52 Hike Challenge 2018. I feel like an absolute failure in some regards, yet part of me is says “better luck in 2019.” I hiked as much as I wanted to, or could, and that is something. I could have tried harder, could have battled the heat, could have found trails unaffected by the Texas rain, but I didn’t. I had 31 GOOD hikes and that’s what I need to focus on. I will complete 2019, mark my words.
8. What’s one thing that you changed about yourself?
My outlook on life has changed. My motives for doing things has changed. I’m focused on experiences and memories. I want to see everything, do as much as possible, and live life as much as I can before my end. More action, less contemplating.
9. What surprised you the most this year?
How much I loved solo trips. I knew I would like them, but hot damn do I love them. I love traveling and sharing memories, but solo trips are AHHHHHMAZING.
How terrible I am at making real life outdoor friends. My fear of rejection and my own self doubt really held me back in 2018.
10. If you could go back to last January 1, what suggestions would you give your past self?
FINISH your hikes.
Don’t get dragged into your darkness.
Don’t give up on those fitness and food goals by March!
Eat more balanced
Be nicer to people
Stop whining about doing things
Plan ahead and get annoying chores and tasks done during the week
Go out and meet people. I'm good enough and people will not just reject me…
Enjoy some scenes from December 2015. Enjoy the forest, or at least some photos of one… The Ocqueoc River and falls are minutes from my childhood home. I know this is probably more river than forest, but I think it satisfies the tree quota!
I’m looking back to July of 2016 and a spontaneous trip up to Michigan. This was during a transitional period for me when I was working a contract position that was seven days on and seven off - which was great for road trips! Part of me misses that schedule but I don’t miss that job nor do I miss the hours, but I do miss seven days off in a row. That summer we went to Michigan a few times, went to the Redwoods, and plenty of local excursions. Enjoy some photos from the family cottage in rural Northern Michigan and think back to a good time!
Christmas can be a joyous time of year, but remember your experience isn’t the same as that of someone else. Be kind to one another, maybe even more now than other days of the year. I’ve always been lucky, even when I couldn’t be with my friends and family on the day, we were able to celebrate another day. I’m not a religious person, so my take on Christmas is bright lights and gathering together to enjoy some food and drinks. Do what’s right for you, find your own happiness! If you need me (or someone in general), I’m an email/text/call away!
In following the the theme for this week, I’m going to share some outdoor photos from our trip to Michigan for Christmas in 2017. Enjoy the winter wonderland! I hope you get a chance to sneak out to the forest soon! (Bonus, dogs included at no extra charge haha!)
Last year we made the trek to Michigan to spend Christmas with my family. This year, we’ll be heading up to Alaska to see my other half’s family. Next year, I swear I’m staying in Texas. Here’s a look back at a few highlights from that trip last year. Whatever you celebrate, or don’t, I hope you have a great couple of weeks ahead.
I didn’t get to stop and see everyone on this trip, but I did get to see a lot of people. So thankful to have the problem of too many people and not enough time.
And, of course, the family time was nice. It was the last Christmas with our grandfather, so I guess it was meant to be that I finally got up there for a holiday. The kids were fun and everyone was happy to see us out-of-towners.
I’ll miss everyone this year, but we’ll get to see more family so it’ll be alright! Happy Holidays!
Always use your best judgment when taking a leap - both physical or metaphorical - because you can’t change your mind halfway through without consequences. I’m not the most private person, but there are certain aspects of my life I do not openly throw around because of past experiences, assumptions, or whatever. I work hard to maintain a professional style wherever I work, but as you start to bond with coworkers “life stuff” just becomes part of the standard conversation. This weekend I let my guard down a little and let them all in on part of my life I don’t volunteer to just everyone. I work with some good people, close to my age, who live in a modern world so I felt it wouldn’t be a total disaster. So far, so good. Maybe I’m the one who made a big deal out of something as simple as who I love, but when you have had to live in true fear you’re always a little cautious.
I’m not here to tell you how to live your life, good grief I’m still learning. I’m just saying, if you feel safe enough or well enough, taking leaps can lead to some good things on occasion. If you can, take a leap and see where it takes you.
One of my favorite places to escape to on a quick weekend journey is the Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico. There are endless campgrounds and plenty of good views to go around. The trees are tall, the air is a little thinner, and the skies are GORGEOUS in any weather. I’m thankful to have such beautiful places within 9 hours of my house. I’ll drive all night to get to camp in the SFNF for an evening because it is just that wonderful. Where do you like to escape for the weekend?
Sunset in the Santa Fe National Forest
Bright morning hike in the Santa Fe National Forest
Rain on the horizon in the Santa Fe National Forest
It was ArtPrize 2010, a city wide art festival, and my dear friend Ashley and I had made the rounds. These are some photos from the afternoon/evening in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I lived in Grand Rapids from 2003 to 2011 and I genuinely miss the city. These photos take me back and make me think of all of the good times, as well as all of the learning experiences, I had while moving from adolescence to adulthood. Do you have a city or hometown you miss? Would you ever move back? I’d move back to Grand Rapids in a heartbeat, if the situation was right. If you ever get a chance to go to Michigan, I highly suggest hitting up the great food and brews/wines in Grand Rapids.
Kenai Fjords National Park is somewhere I’d like to revisit for a bit longer than we did. I loved hiking up to see the glacier, but I’d like to spend more time there and see even more. Beyond that, I remember the trail to the glacier and the little bit of forest it went through. There were creek crossings, glacier runoff creeks, and tons of greenery. Enjoy a couple of photos from the forest on the way to the glacier. Happy Forest Friday!
It was the winter of 2015 and I had some time on my hands. We had already visited Alaska for Thanksgiving and though why not run through Michigan and Minnesota around Christmas. We visited my family in Rogers City and then up through the Upper Peninsula. One of the best places we stopped was Tahquamenon Falls on the east end of the peninsula. The path was snowy and icicles were prominent, making it all even more beautiful. Enjoy a few photos and escape into the winter wonderland that is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
December is easily my favorite month. From my birthday, to winter, to the various holidays, and the best weather here in Texas. I’ve been a slacker, been really struggling to get out and stay motivated. Here are some December goals:
What are your goals this month!? Any fun travel plans? Let me know in the comments or start a conversation! Happy December!
Back in 2015 I visited my Dad’s property in Northern Michigan and took these photos. Enjoy a little escape to the snow covered woods behind my childhood home. I hope the winter ahead brings plenty of forest adventures!
Three years ago, for Thanksgiving, I went to Alaska to celebrate turkey day with my other half’s family. I was recently laid off from my job, had no prospects, and thought it was a good time to make a trip. I had never been that far from “home” and I was completely excited. I had no expectations for the trip - but was hoping for snow. We arrived to a cold, wintry scene in Anchorage and it only got prettier each day.
As we prepare to head back up there in December, I’m hopeful for more snowy adventures. Enjoy some photos form my first time in Alaska.
I’ve been in a funk. Not a “hide in a dark room” kind of funk, but in one nonetheless. I’ve been buying useless shit to feel joy instead of doing things to bring me joy. I’ve been avoiding the outdoors and finding any excuse to stay in bed all morning instead of soaking up the good weather. I recently suffered from a stomach bug, which brought all of this up to the surface.
I had to spend 3-4 days in bed and resting to realize things aren’t great in my head. I’ve had no urge to do anything, haven’t felt good about my body, and certainly haven’t felt productive. My weekly blogs have suffered, but I’ve lacked creativity anyway. I feel this year has been a series of these bad spells, worse than many of the years before. Thinking back, it’s pronab much like 2005 which was easily one of the worst years on memory. When I think about, 2014 wasn’t great either because years like 2006 and 2015 exist where I look back and seem like I was living out of body and out of sorts. It was kind of a depression hangover fueled by selfishness and crazy decisions about life. So many parallels between those years. I am much more level headed these days, so hopefully the rebound is more level also. I’m hopeful I’ll rebound into nature and good choices again.
I am working on a plan to “get to my happy place” over the next few days. I need to exercise, for both physical and mental health. I need to eat a little better, so my clothes fit again. I need to stop spending and work out a strict budget. I need to figure out 2019 and what we have to save and prioritize for thought the year. I have a lot to figure out, but I know building a routine will help my brain and I look forward to regular, thoughtful posts.
I had all sorts of anxiety about work this week. It’s my second week at a new job, and it was an information overload during week one. I wasn’t totally freaking out or anything, but I wasn’t jumping out of bed with excitement to go in to the office. I heard some of the guys come in around 7am so I thought I’d shoot for 730 to test the water so to speak. Simply waking up at 6 has me less anxious, despite the uncertainty about the new job. I slept better, even after getting to bed late. While I lose the half day Friday I once had, I often just drank the afternoon away and ended up feeling gross. I’m looking forward to more sleep, a steady routine, and still having fun. Yeah, I won’t be able to fly out at 1pm anymore, but I will likely be more well rested to maximize the hours I do have.
I'm still going to spend my weekends the same way, I’ll just have to fly/drive through the night on Fridays again to make it happen. The beauty is, I can fly in Monday mornings and just come in later if necessary as work allows. Here’s to flexibility and maybe getting enough sleep!
What would you do with an extra hour of sleep? Are you a weekend warrior? If so, what are your tricks?
Being an adult was not explained to me, and I’m sure it wasn’t explained to you. Choosing a job, or career path, was something that was sensationalized and it’s not nearly as glamorous as I thought it would be as a kid. There is a certain joy in finding something you love, though, and I think I’m getting closer to it as I make my way through life. Here’s to the changes, having the luxury to change, and having the support to change. I’ve never really left a decent job because I wanted to try something new, but when the opportunity presented itself I though I’d try. It may work out, it may not. I have good feelings about it all, really, but I’m no fortune teller. There’s always give and take when it comes to life, and I’ll be sacrificing some aspects for others, but I think it’ll be alright. I want to learn more and do more, so as I age I’m continuously employable. I didn’t always have the ability, skills, or luxury to change jobs to gain more experience. I’m grateful for the privilege. Not everything works out and not every bit of hard work is rewarded, but it’s the positive experiences that keep us all going forward. Happy Monday!
My “little sister” and I were texting today about a family friend who makes her own schedule and is living the life we want for ourselves someday. I got to thinking, this could be my reality after a few more years of whatever it is I’m doing. Get a little bit further down the road, work towards finding that sweet spot, and eventually have the ability to work and do what I want. Even if it doesn’t work out that way, the goal is there and the motivation is real. Working from home, from the road, from anywhere is appealing to me and I’m officially taking steps to make it happen.
What are you doing to achieve your goals? What will it take for you to get there?
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