Tuesday Truths (Thoughts?)
On Tuesdays, I’m going to probably overshare a little more about me. Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can. This is quickly devolving into just Tuesday Thoughts and I’m not mad at that.
I can be an out and proud gay man without attending certain gay events. Full stop.
Concerts in bars, small venues, or outside venues are my favorite kind of concerts to attend. I’ll go to a stadium show, but smaller venues are way better in my opinion.
Beyonce is talented, but I don’t gravitate towards her music like I do other big voices like Kelly Clarkson or Kylie Minogue.
I must live close to water. New Mexico was kind of rough, but there was a man made lake I guess.
The older I get, the less I like grapes unless they’re wine. I always buy them with good intentions, but ya know…
I’m more likely to save for and invest in something of higher quality (such as a certain laptop or article of clothing or boots) instead of replacing them more frequently.
Vegas is only fun for about 3 days
Standard bathtubs are shit. Give me a shower stall any day of the week. (a shower stall and giant tub would be ideal, but I ain’t rich)
**This was not a lake, but it was pretty cool
Tuesday Truths
Sunrise chasing.
On Tuesdays, I’m going to probably overshare a little more about me. Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can.
I never care if people visit my website - I just care if they are moved by something I write. I write for myself and if it reaches someone, I’m happy. I just like to write, even if it’s not written well.
I love when a group of work friends all bring a little something different to the chat. A good variety of crazy is a healthy balance. Shoutout to my girlies from Vine O&G. #poopselfie
I’ll almost always take a cool, cloudy, rainy day of a sunny and hot one. The relentless sun of Texas (ten years) ruined me and I just can’t summer anymore. I need shade, clouds, or a cool body of water anymore.
My default is to watch old, familiar shows that I’ve probably watched many times over watching new shows. Current obsession: Home Improvement (I’ve powered through 4 seasons in a week)
Lake Superior is the best Great Lake - it’s literally in the name. BUT, it is also the coolest and freshest. Just sayin.
Breakfast food is the best food and is good all day. French toast? Pancakes or waffles? Bacon? Sausage? YES. Just yes. All day.
Moose are cooler than elk. No further comments.
If I have to pick a sport to watch, I’ll pick hockey. If there is no hockey, I don’t mind having baseball on in the background. I don’t love sports, but I could go to either of those live games.
Pineapple is okay on my pizza. The yellow delight is good with ham or bacon.
Tuesday Truths
View from the family cottage as the sun sets
I’m usually late. I know, it can feel disrespectful, but I mean no harm. I’m bad at time-management and most of the time I think there is more than enough minutes to get there.
I despise corn on the cob. SORRY NOT SORRY. Fresh corn, if it’s off the cob, is just fine.
I’ll never choose traditional chicken wings - give me adult chicken nuggets or nothing
Night drives will always hold a special place in my heart. They were therapy, they were a means to an end, and they got me through truly boring stretches of road much easier and seemingly faster.
I always knew, even despite wanting to be in the PNW so badly, that I’d end up back in the Great Lakes region eventually. Eventually is sooner than I could have imagined.
Olympic National Park will forever be my favorite and that belief has only been reinforced living an hour or so from many parts of it.
I don’t love deep water. I will swim in water over my head, but sometimes it freaks me out and I need a floatation device.
Chili should have beans and that’s final.
I will drink about 10x as much water if I have a container with a straw. It’s just science.
Great Lakes get ready, there will be a big boy in a speedo next summer gracing your beaches.
Tuesday Truths
On Tuesdays, I’m going to probably overshare a little more about me. Some of this may be common knowledge, but to those who are new, hello and welcome to the shit show. Also, gratuitous photos of myself at the end because I can.
If I’m getting coffee, it’s more than likely going to be iced. The time of year and outdoor temperature rarely matter in this choice. I am impatient and do not like waiting for scalding hot coffee to cool down.
Halloween is fine, but I’m more of a “fall guy” than a “Halloween guy” but I love watching scary movies. Winter/Xmas is more my jam and I’ll Griswold the shit out of my house, too.
I’m a morning person - I like to get up early and get going on stuff for the day. I get more work done, more writing, and more household tasks done before noon.
Sunrises are superior for me. I’ll say yes to a sunset, don’t get me wrong, but I’ll be more excited about a sunrise.
Saying yes more than no doesn’t mean I’m a yes man - I’m still making informed decisions out here. I want to experience more things and meet more people, so saying yes opens those doors. Is it always a great choice? NO. Do I learn from the questionable choices? ALSO NO. (kidding, of course I do)
If it’s between a road trip and a flight, I’ll probably drive. Now, there are exceptions to the rule, but I find driving more convenient most of the time. Stopping along the way or taking a scenic route isn’t an option when flying, so I do enjoy car travel more.
Revisiting somewhere I love is my travel guilty pleasure. Many of my visits are brief, so I enjoy going back and taking more in a second, third, or fourth time. Along with this, if I can take someone to a magical place for the first time and I’ve already been there, I’m so in.
My job is not who I am. I am not one of those people who IS their job or their job IS them. It is simply something I do every weekday to make money and survive. I like it, I like my coworkers, I like the subject matter, and I am lucky.
If I’m the driver, I like to stop to take pictures in front of signs or I crane my neck to look at the sights. I love to see what’s going on and I’m always looking out the window on a road trip - safely, most of the time.
Cha-cha-changes!
Where to begin? Life is always changing, flowing like a river. I’m currently in the river, flowing down stream and seemingly swirling at the moment but headed to a dry spot. Sometimes the river flows fast and other times it’s just a trickle, and you swirl down the stream, but the point is to flow along with it no matter what. I’m sure there are great poems or essays about being like the water and flowing, or something, but if you’re reading this you get my version.
I’ve moved to Washington, found myself single, lost my grandmother, met some new friends, and have a new car all in six months. A LOT of life changes happened and that river was raging. This is all after a whirlwind year or so of realizing I haven’t been my best self while questioning how and why I got to where I am. Glacial melt, flowing with force, ice cold and speeding down the mountain.
Fast forward to the summertime, and the beginning of the mass visits. I’ve had more unique visitors since March than I did in my entirety of living in Texas which was 10 times longer. I have a few more on the books through October. Pair that with trips of my own doing, and I’m a busy guy. I’m welcoming the swirls as my raging river has turned into a summer trickle.
Sometimes the river dries up. Have you ever got everything you wanted, or what you think you wanted, and it not feel quite right? Living in the Pacific Northwest was always a goal for me, and that started way back in 2008. I now live in the Pacific Northwest - positioned outside of my favorite national park and forest as well as hours from so many others. It felt right at first, but slowly started to feel off.
I’ll be honest, maybe it’s just not the right time to be here. That sucks, and the reality of it seems to go against all I’ve fantasized about for over a decade. The reality is, I inherited part of a family cottage in Michigan. My dearest friends, who are essentially family, live in Minnesota. I have many great friends all over the Great Lakes region, and a ton of family too. I need to be near the cottage to help with and to enjoy it, and I want to be nearer to the friends and family who’ve always supported and loved me unconditionally.
This spring, I’ll be making the trek east and moving to Duluth, Minnesota. I’m not sure of the details right now, I just know this will be a good place for me both physically and mentally. I’m positioned within a day’s drive of the family cottage and the family who lives near it, I’ll be near the most Superior Great Lake and my friends who are family, and as close as I am now to a major airport hub. It’s not a hard decision, and it surely isn’t a new idea. I’ve loved Duluth since I first visited in 2004. I can’t wait to hike, camp, cross-country ski, and road trip all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. There’s so much life to be had, no matter where I am.
Flow down the river and see where it takes you - it may just be the Great Lakes. HA. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you outside. - Mike
#TBT - Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a special place in Utah that I got to experience with my BFF Molly. I haven’t been in almost 6 years, but I’d love to go back. Enjoy a little throwback this Thursday.
The trail along the rim, out to Spectra Point and beyond, was interesting because it felt like you could just slide right down into the canyon at parts. It was a wild, quick visit and I would like to go back and see it again.
Molly and I on the the Spectra Point Overlook
Hoodoos and natural arches, oh my!
So, walking on this mount at Spectra Point was a little freaky - you’re above the railings and can see down into the canyon
Bristlecone Pines - ancient trees that grow wild and forever
A panorama at 10,000 feet.
Water is Life
Water
Calming.
Just sitting near it calms me.
Listening to it calms me.
Watching the ripples distracts me.
Watching it shimmer in the sunlight mesmerizes me.
Water is my happy place.
Dreaming of the Northwest
If you’d like to listen to me read this vs. actually reading it, play this video.
I’ve had the Pacific Northwest on my brain every day for the past month, at least. Living in the desert has me thinking more and more of the places with trees and water.
My favorite band is playing in Portland, Oregon on the first Wednesday in November so I bought a ticket to the show. I then found myself looking at plane tickets and rental cars, booking each one of those as well. I haven’t requested the days off of work yet, but I have a nonrefundable rental car so I’m going.
I will fly in to Portland in the early afternoon before the show and then go see some music and then I’ll vanish from the city for a while. I love the food, the beer, and the people I know in Portland, but I don’t usually fly to the PNW to see people… I fly there to go hide out in the trees.
I plan to visit family for holidays this year, so i figure this could be my last quick long weekend out west for the year. It’s proving to be more difficult to take a “quick” weekend to Seattle or Portland from here in New Mexico versus when I lived in DFW. I used to grab a Friday evening flight and then catch a Sunday night/Monday morning flight so I had a full two days and didn’t miss any work.
I hope to be back near a major airport or closer to nature sooner than later. I’m not far, here, but I’d like to be even closer as in living among it or within an hours drive of some treelined water.
Ever since first visiting the Pacific Northwest in 2008, I’ve been hooked. I felt home, I felt safe, and I vowed to live there someday. Now, the world is ending and I’m wondering if I should make that someday more sooner than later.
Life has me torn right now. I have family who I’d love to be close to, but I have dreams of living in the cool, green woods of the northwest. If I moved to to a city near Seattle or Portland, I could easily fly back to Detroit like I did when I lived in Dallas/Fort Worth. It would be a bit more difficult to drive there, but it would be living the dream. If I moved back to Michigan, or nearby, I would still have great trees and water to play around in and be close to family and friends whom I miss dearly.
I realize the privilege I have even debating this. If I find a remote job, I could visit my family for weeks at a time without even using PTO. I could easily navigate between the two and still live both dreams. I’m often caught in a daydream. I want the ease and convenience of living near family, but I want the adventure of living somewhere I have only visited. I’ve got some time to figure this out, thankfully.
*the future is all hypothetical, if anyone from work reads this*
Annual BFF Trip - Washington State
I recently flew to Seattle to meet my BFF Squad for a long weekend of adventure. Every year, we get together to take an adventure - a camping trip, a full on road trip, or destination adventure - to hang out and catch up. Seattle is one of my favorite places to go, mostly for the area around it, but also now for what the metro area has to offer. We explored, got the views, found the beers, and had a great time. Our Chrysler Pacifica minivan took us from the airport to a Mariners game and then onward to the Olympic Peninsula. Enjoy some photos from our trip. I already can’t wait to get back to my happy place in the northwest. This is my general take on the trip, with my views. My friends may have other opinions, which is okay.
Day 1: Seattle
I arrived a night earlier, because the flight was better so I settled in and got the rental minivan
Had a total Dad/Minivan vibe and I was okay with it
Our hotel for Night 1 was the Embassy Suites near T-Mobile Park
The hotel was perfectly located for easy food and access to the Mariners game
The prices were not bad, but parking is not included (pretty typical, really)
Tourist sites visited
Pike Place Market - the gum wall, various eats and drinks
Ghost Alley Espresso is pretty delicious for coffee
Discovery Park (lighthouse, beach views, and a view of Rainier)
Gas Works Park - very neat art and views of the city
Fremont Troll - classic little creeper under an overpass
Kerry Park - excellent views of the city and Rainier (cute neighborhood too)
Breweries Visited
Fremont Brewing - easily one of the group favorites for the trip with a wide variety and an amazing patio
Optimism Brewing - another instant favorite with a delicious variety and big, open space and the coolest gender neutral bathrooms I’ve ever seen
Had an excellent dinner at Two Doors Down (scrumptious burgers and great beers/ciders on draft) near the hotel/stadiums
Attended a Mariners game - was a bit sunny, but lovely
Ran in to my friend Fredi from Texas who was in town and spent a while catching up - such a nice surprise
The day was long - lots of driving, walking, drinking local beers, and sunshine so we hit the hay pretty early
Day 2: Our Venture to the Peninsula
We decided to find some lighthouses as part of our adventures which included beach visits to the kind of beaches that required sweatshirts (the best kind)
We hit up a few breweries and cider places as well
I shared my favorite cider place Finnriver Cidery & Farm with them and they loved it for the food and drink
Port Townsend Brewing for a brief sampler (excellent porter and stout)
Propolis Brewing was a different breed of beer and I was here for it - sours, fruity, spruce tips, SO GOOD (easily one of my new must-visists)
Discovery Bay Brewing - such a fun patio and tasty beers
We stayed in Port Angeles at the Olympic Lodge - fun story, Molly and I stayed there in 2009 with our friend Kevin on one of our road trips
We had dinner at the local pub Joshua’s (again, a revisit for Molly and I and pure nostalgia)
Definitely not as I remember it - less daylight next time
It was another long day of driving, beaches, beers, and sunshine
Day 3: Olympic Peninsula Exploration
We started the day with drive through coffee from a coffee hut - so good
This is an essential for coffee lovers when in the PNW
Iced coffee is better, always, fight me
Ventured around the peninsula through Forks
Stopped at the Tree of Life and soaked up the fog on the beach
Made our way to the Maple Glade Rain Forest to take in the greenery of the Quinault area
Had lunch at the Pacific Inn Pizza (another revisit after years)
I’ve not taken most of my besties here for mediocre food (at best)
Stopped out at Rialto Beach - nice and cold/windy!
Came back to town to have a beer at Barhop Brewing
Cheesy bread looks GOOD
Made the decision to go up to Hurricane Ridge
the views and sunset were phenomenal
Met some fun people who painted rocks and left them in public places
Dinner at McDonalds because everything was either over an hour wait or closed
My only gripe w/ Port Angeles
The Holidays (Happy Summer!)
I know today is not the first day of summer, but we’re into it and that’s exciting for a lot of people. This is now the time to roam for some kids and teachers, the months when vacations happen, and the weekends at the lake that just go by too fast.
For me, the holidays were always about scheduling a day to be with the family and friends and it wasn’t always on the official date. My dad worked shifts, my mom worked retail, other family members had similar situations, etc. so we always found a random day that everyone could gather for whatever holiday it was nearest. When I moved away to college, I’d have to work through the holidays, so we’d have Christmas at New Years and that was fine, too. For me, now more than ever, it’s about getting together with people you care about - family or not - and enjoying that moment.
Having a date for Christmas or a birthday is cool, but why not do those things without an occasion? Why do we have to wait for a calendar to tell us to reach out and have a day to celebrate togetherness? My goal in 2021, as it has informally been for years, is to celebrate life more intentionally on the days we can make work.
It’s fair to say I think most calendar holidays are bogus. With such a wide array of religions and lifestyles here in the USA, I’m pretty sure calendar holidays are simply placeholders for days off for certain industries. Yeah, I like Christmas, but I’m not a Christian so I kind of use it to celebrate Winter in general. So, even if the calendar holidays aren’t your jam, make them your own if you don’t want to completely ignore them. I think the first day of Fall is a good reason to have a feast instead of the idea of Thanksgiving the way it is portrayed. I think we need to practice gratitude all year, and vocalize it more, rather than waiting until that one weekend in November. Instead of being total asshats with fireworks and idiocy, why not focus more on ways to help improve your country and help others while still gathering and having fun too.
It’s nearly Independence Day here in the US and I’m using my free day off to head to the Great Lakes area to visit my friends (who are family) and my family. I’m going off the grid on the 4th to a cabin with people who mean the world to me, and probably not seeing any major fireworks. I’m spending the following week catching up with friends and family at the lake - hopefully enjoying every damn minute we have together because I just live too far away right now. I don’t know where I’ll be on Labor Day, Fall/Winter Equinox, Thanksgiving weekend, my birthday, or Christmas, but I’m sure as hell going to try to spend those days thankful to be alive with people I enjoy being around. Celebrate life every day, any way you can. You don’t need a holiday to have an excuse to get together and enjoy life. If you need someone to celebrate life with, hit me up. We’ll have a celebration just because.
First Mountains and New Hope
A Life Outside Podcast
I started to write this months or years ago and finished recently for my appearance on A Life Outside Podcast. I was honored to join two authentic adventurers to talk about new places and the hope that comes with the adventure through life. Go give it a listen, if you’re into podcasts, or check out their website if you prefer to read. Enjoy!
This is my first clear view of the mountains leaving Denver. Imagine this, in person, driving 70 mph.
The trip I begin the story with was included in my series about the four trips that really started my fire for adventure. Read all about them by clicking through the photo below.
First Mountains & New Hope
Do you remember the first time you saw a mountain? Maybe you were lucky enough to be born near one, or maybe you traveled across the country in your 20s like I did to see the snow capped majesty. I grew up, and spent my entire life until my mid 20s, in the state shaped like a mitten, surrounded by the Greatest Lakes in the world. We didn’t have mountains, in the traditional sense, so I had never witnessed the glory of something like the Rocky Mountains or the Cascades. In college, I met a few adventurous souls who hadn’t seen much either and we made it our mission to cross this country and see as much of it as we could.
“We crossed into Colorado early in the morning, hitting Denver after sunrise. The Coors Brewery, in Golden, was still closed, so we kept pushing west and that’s when it hit us - the mountains. We’d been seeing them as we crept around the north side of Denver, but there they were right on the road in front of us. We had the perfect weather for seeing mountains for the first time - sunny with blue skies and mild temps.”
That’s an excerpt from my journal; it goes on to detail the excitement surrounding mountain tunnels and other delights. As I mentioned, it was one of the most sensational moments of my life. My buddies and I all grew up in MIchigan, with limited travel before college. My family “vacationed” close to home, so I got excited to see a new town or a different Great Lake. The only mountains I had viewed up to this point had been in books, on Encarta 96 Encyclopedia, or road atlases. I grew up with rolling hills, forests, many lakes, and open fields. I went to college in the early 2000s and new friends were met and many of them were adventurous in spirit like myself. We neared the end of our college experience and hadn’t done much over the various spring breaks. Two of my closest friends, even to this day, and I made a plan to road trip to Colorado to see the mountains and meander our way down from there.
It’s amazing when you meet people who want to adventure in similar ways but also haven’t seen much (if any) of the places you want to see. The trip in 2007 across the country was full of firsts. Mountains, ocean (for me), palm trees, and the desert landscape. The mountains were not necessarily the thing on the trip I was most excited about. I rarely visited an actual big city, had never rented a car, crossed multiple state lines, been west of the Mississippi, or really much of anything. When we arrived in Colorado, we were underwhelmed by the east side; it was cow country and flat. But, the second we hit Denver, I felt the grand presence of the Rocky Mountains. (the photo at the top of this is my first “real” view)
Fast forward to 2020. We enter a pandemic, and go on lockdown. How do adventurous souls cope with lockdown, we plan. I got a little tipsy one night with some friends over zoom, because why not, and we booked flights to Seattle from our respective cities for later in 2020 when we thought it would be safe to travel. As the pandemic evolved, we had times when we thought the trip wouldn’t happen, even having one of the friends backing out with respect from the rest of us. I still planned. I planned until I couldn’t plan anymore because it kept the hope alive that I would adventure and see new things - new mountains. I booked refundable airbnbs, some nonrefundable campsites, and made backup plans for the backup plans. My Google doc was lengthy, with options for rainy days and trail closures. I got excited about backup plans because it meant not a moment would be wasted if this adventure happened. Guess what, it happened. It was the part of 2020 when it felt like things were turning around, and we traveled as safely as possible. The trip started with new-to-me trails in the Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, near North Cascades, and an ocean view Airbnb. The days went on and evolved, including a hike on the famous Skyline trail on Mt. Rainier for the first time ever as well as showing my dear friend the special places I learned about from friends and their guidebooks years before.
For me, trips mean hope. Hope to see new things, hopes to learn more, hopes to live in this world the best way I know how. Planning these trips gives me hope that there is a future, there is a tomorrow, but also keeps me grounded in today. It took an evolution of travel over 15 years to learn how to love life a little more, push out the negative as best I can, and focus on the excitement of now and tomorrow. I moved to New Mexico from Texas this year and the hope has been renewed within me. There’s more to see than weekends available, and for the first time in ten years I feel truly hopeful again.
My 10 Favorite Outdoor Spots in Texas
Ten of my favorite outdoor places in Texas
I’m listing ten of my favorite spots to hang out outdoors in Texas. These locations are in no particular order. Texas was home for nearly ten years, and it wasn’t until the past few that I really got out there and explored. I’m glad I did, but I’m also looking forward to the natural wonders of New Mexico.
Caprock Canyons State Park
This park has great trails but make it a point to hike to Fern Canyon if you can, it is worth it
I’ve hiked and camped here and can testify that it is quiet and pleasant, but tent camping is pretty close together
Many of the camping areas don’t have good shade, and a lot of the hiking doesn’t either, so don’t forget that sunscreen and extra water
You can read about my one hike or that other hike or that nature writing challenge I did
TX State Parks Website
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
I believe some people call it the “Grand Canyon of Texas” and it is pretty cool, but people gotta slow down
The initial descent into the canyon feels like you’ve left Texas
Trails and camping in this park are great - with plenty of variety
Read about my hike there or my other blurb about it or my other hike write-up
TX State Parks Website
Big Bend National Park
This is a broad location, given the size, but I’m saying the whole place is worth it every time
Camping in the Chisos Basin was the coolest - watching the sun come up over the mountains
Hiking in Santa Elena Canyon area was a highlight for me, as well as pretty much everywhere else
I have not had the privilege of backpacking, but it’s on my list and I’ve heard good things
National Park Service Website
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Another vast location I’ve had limited, but good, times at is this little gem
I hiked a couple of trails, while sick one weekend, and fell in love because I watched the sunrise and the moonset all in the same time frame.
I can’t wait to be located closer to these so I can explore further
Go in the morning, watch the mountains turn gold from a west Texas sunrise and you will NOT be disappointed
Read about my hike here
National Park Service Website
Big Thicket National Preserve
Big trees, creeks, boardwalks, sun through said big trees.. a magical place
I visited in the winter and fell in love, imagine the other seasons
I hit two areas - Beech Creek and Turkey Creek - both offered plenty of space to walk amongst the trees. (Beech Creek is a small chunk, and a short trail)
National Park Service Website
Tyler State Park
This location was an instant favorite - tall pines, pleasant drive from DFW, and quiet enough
I remember the trails being a little confusing, but nothing too bad
Looks like a great place to camp, though I haven’t had the opportunity - gotta plan way (up to weeks or months) ahead in Texas to reserve a spot
Colorado Bend State Park
My friend Amanda shared this place with me and I am so glad she did.
This place has it all - lush waterfalls, open trails, and places to swim
I visited early in the morning, for a half day, but would love to get back someday as there is so much left to explore
Fort Parker State Park (kayaking)
The park on land seemed alright, I didn’t spend much time there.
I kayaked from one point, across the lake, and down the river
I saw birds, enjoyed a breeze, and would recommend it for anyone looking for a variety kayak that includes open water and a gentle river
TX State Parks Website
Martin Dies Jr. State Park
I never though Texas could look so magical with moody fog and cypress swamps
The kayaking looks phenomenal, I’d return just for that
The trails were nice and the vegetation was the highlight for me
TX State Parks Website
I’m going to give an honorable mention to Sea Rim State Park because it was a spectacular place that overwhelmed my senses in a good way. It’s on the Gulf of Mexico, has kayaking inland with plenty of birds to look at, and just makes you feel so small and unimportant in a good way. The reason I’d say it’s not in the top 10 is because of the location; you have to drive through ugly infrastructure to get there. TX State Parks Website
Places I’m still interested in visiting:
Hueco Tanks State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park
Devil’s River State Natural Area
Davis Mountains State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Dropping the Bullsh*t
First, I’m writing this for myself. If you don’t want this kind of content, don’t read it. Second, I’m writing this to have some sort of reference point that is not my personal journal since I have several journals floating around because I’m bad at being consistent. Third, I’m fine and will be fine. Life is truly good, even if it’s got some little spots that really fucking suck.
I’ve been trying to figure out what’s good and what’s not for me in my life. I’d spent years tracking my exercise and steps as well as sleep. I love data, in theory. I love data when I’m doing regular exercise and getting regular sleep. I don’t like looking through the data when I’m sleeping 2-3 hours per night or being so overwhelmed mentally I’m too tired to do anything in the form of even a long walk.
I’ve tried to track daily things since February, and have had a bad record of doing so. I’ve recently updated my info and it’s just very bleak compared to years past. I feel it in my body, I feel it in my brain. I’m foggy. I’m slow. I’m a little more plump than usual. I’m just not feeling very myself. My body is over it and so is my brain. My brain, though, is a little asshole too. It’s not as though I don’t want to go for a walk, run, bike ride, or hike, it’s my brain being like “just lay on the couch and eat ice cream” so it all snowballs out of control.
I’m making myself go to the trails this weekend. I want to get some fresh air, challenge myself a bit, and get my dog out and acclimated to hiking again. I want to pick up the trash along the way and fulfill my duty as a Groundskeeper for 2021. I want to be outdoors with people I enjoy in a place away from the office hell of home or work.
I feel myself coming out of whatever it was holding me back. I feel a little more fresh, but still a little foggy. I’m trying, and pushing myself. I’m journaling my thoughts and feelings. I’m taking note of my moods, my foods, my drinks, and my time.
Things I have not given up on (maybe the only things truly getting me through)
Looking for the moon each morning
Getting lost in a sunrise
Watching the sun set over the horizon
Going out to see the stars (and moon) on the last dog walk of the night (they’re much more clear here in New Mexico)
Sleeping - it’s not always great, but it always happens eventually.
Things I will try harder to do, despite any of the bullshit in my brain
Take that dog for his 4 mile daily walk
Restart Couch 2 10K YET AGAIN
Get over to the apartment gym for some rotations
Make better food choices at home
Drink less alcohol (hasn’t been a problem, but certainly not always the best choice)
Hike every weekend again
Maybe bike to the office in my new small town
Here’s to a better March and a better outlook for 2021. Here’s to getting back to a routine, back in my groove, and back to reality. Here’s to balancing work and life and having some weekend adventure. If you need me, reach out - no matter my state I’m always here.
Top 10 Things I learned about Texas
If you haven’t heard, I’m leaving Texas. I’ve been here since March 31, 2011 so I’ve learned a few things in ten years. Here’s a list in a David Letterman style from 10 to one. Don’t come at me, this is just fo fun and in good spirits. Texas was (is) good to me. I met some nice people, had many great times, and rediscovered my need to be outdoors. DFW is a great hub for travel, Austin has great food, and the numerous small towns are quaint at to look at as you pass through. Enjoy!
10. There are no REAL seasons. It can be hot any day of the year and the the weather changes faster than in Michigan.
9. Whataburger is delicious, but even better when drunk, hungover, and/or it’s VERY late.
8. Texas beer is good… but doesn’t compare to Michigan or Minnesota.
7. Driving more than a few hours to get somewhere is normal life and you either adapt or don’t go anywhere.
6. When it rains, ices, or snows you better just stay home.
5. East Texas has some of the only trees in the state and they’re worth the drive.
4. Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains are some of the best areas of the state. Fight me.
3. Many of the state parks are exactly the same and it is boring. They’re fine, and I’m grateful for them, but I am good.
2. Oklahoma isn’t as bad as Ohio.
1. You have to drive like an asshole to survive here because the people are either too slow or completely psychotic; there’s no in between.
Seven Sunsets
I got this idea from a friend, and it was a long time ago, but I’m just now completing it and sharing them. I’m more of a sunrise guy, so I think that’ll be my next task. My goal will be to get a sunrise photo for an entire month, eventually. I have to get in a routine!
I present to you SEVEN SUNSETS in a row, without much explanation.
July 5 - on a walk through the neighborhood (featuring the pines I see daily)
July 6 - on a walk in the neighborhood
July 7 - in the neighborhood, again, but with more interesting clouds!
July 8 - You guessed it, in the neighborhood again over the suburban houses
July 9 - on an evening walk with friends at a local trail (I had so many I wanted to use, but this one was fun)
July 10 - My other half’s first kayak in his own on Lake Granbury
July 11 - walking the dog, almost forgot, but caught it!
Lincoln National Forest
I figured National Forest Week was still going on so why not share a little from one of my most frequented forests - Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. I work so close to the this one, at a field office, so I’ve been visiting it more often when I have some down time. Even before I worked near it on occasion, my aunt and I had made a trip to escape the heat of September in Texas. The fresh scent of pine makes us happy.
Lincoln NF has a variety of landscapes, from caves to tree lined trails. I camped, in the summer, comfortably at a place with small trees and walked a snow covered trail in the spring at 9000 ft just a couple of hours away. Such a fun, dynamic national forest. Enjoy some photos from the varying places within the Lincoln National Forest.
#NationalForestWeek continues! #ThrowbackThursday
I want to share a few more photos from my adventures in the forest - this time, the ones I’ve shared with some of my good friends. The forest can be the most amazing experience alone, but every now and then you want that adventure pal or pals with you along the way.
Kayaking down the Salt River (Tonto NF)
I had made the journey out to Phoenix to meet up with a longtime online acquaintance for a backpacking trip in a special canyon. The fear of a flash flood kept us out of the area, and we made a backup attempt in the Superstition Mountains within the Tonto National Forest. The whole thing didn’t work - rain, illness, etc - so we trekked back out and had pizza and beer. The silver lining of all of this was that a day was freed and the Salt River was calling. I had never kayaked. The adventure was fun, I tipped, which felt wonderful, and got to meet another longtime online acquaintance.
Lazy Days at Blanchard Springs (Ozark/St. Francis NF)
The pandemic was raging and I was in a cabin on the White River near Mountain View, Arkansas with one of my dearest friends. Life was good. We had drinks, we had a campfire, and we had a grill daddy. That’s as funny as it sounds. Nicknames. HA! Anyway, it was great, but only got better with a day trip to Blanchard Springs. The water was turquoise, the trees extra shade, and the streams cold as ice. It was a casual, lighthearted day of no agenda or plans.
Hammock Beers in the most Superior NF
A trip to the cabin rarely involves hiking - unless it’s across the frozen lake. This time, it was late summer, and we took the boat from the cabin to the landing to go for a little hike on the nearby Border Route Trail in Northern Minnesota. We packed our backpacks with beers, our hammocks, snacks, and headed out. There was NO ONE on the trail, so we strung our hammocks across it and had a little break.
Stay-At-Home, Week Whatever Check-In
It’s been a while since I’ve felt like doing any sort of update. My creativity was stifled - which is fine, I had plenty of work to do and TV to watch. The pandemic rages on with state beginning the process of reopening businesses beyond essentials. Reopening is causing plenty of mixed emotions and reactions - everyone’s got an opinion. I’m not sure where I fall on all of this, I am no healthcare expert and certainly don’t know shit about diseases. I’m grateful for everyone who has worked through this and don’t know how we’d function as a world without them. I’m sad that our government didn’t step in with instant benefits and relief for everyone. I know it was probably overwhelming, but people don’t have the luxury of waiting as businesses remain closed. It’s a terrible mess and it’s going to take years to dig out of it, but we will eventually find a new normal and hopefully we have learned a little about how our economy does not favor the working classes.
In lighter news…
I cut my hair this month, but who really cares? I DO. It feels so much better.
I bought a bike, but haven’t really taken many rides yet. The weight limit, which wasn’t clear on the Dick’s Sporting goods website, is a little lower than I am currently and I’m afraid of breaking the damn thing. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Part of me wishes I had bought a cheap mountain bike instead of the “hybrid” model so I could take it on the trails at the state park - not the hardcore ones, just a path around a lake that was pretty mild. We’ll see, maybe I’ll just try it and hope for the best?
Chewy the dog is the cutest, fight me. Our cat is very need and the cuddles are okay by me. The pets make staying home a lot a little better. The dog is getting a bit tired of walking four miles every day, and it shows. I don’t even know if we have a fish anymore, I just know there’s a fish tank and when it gets low Eric adds water and treatment. I probably need to go say hello, if there is a fish.
I’ve got baby tomatoes and plenty of fresh basil, mint, and oregano. Fuck yeah!
I updated our little board (see photo) with a Step Brothers quote because it felt appropriate.
We made naan style bread, homemade pancakes, blackberry cobbler, bread, broiler s’mores, and some applesauce. I think we made crepes too, with a friend on zoom, but I don’t know when that was now. The days all flow together. I am maintaining weight and not rapidly losing because of this whole “try new cooking and baking” bullshit. My self-control was always weak, and now it’s pretty much fucked.
I infused my tequila with jalapenos and it was pretty much the best thing. The tequila wasn’t spicy, it just had a peppery essence. Very good in a homemade margarita. I also juiced every last one of the citrus fruits in the house because they weren’t getting used fast enough. Had pints of various juices and it was nice.
My privileged ass went hiking at three different state parks this month so far, with plans for four more this coming weekend. I’m so thankful our state parks have opened for reduced capacity, reservation only day passes and camping. Truly lucky as hell right here.
State Park Quest Update | 52 Hike Challenge Update
My mental health took a hit this month, as it often does, but that sparked some creativity so I guess silver linings? I am kind of living in trip planning, adventure idea planning, and revisiting old photos. I had several fun happy hours with friends, and even went out to eat. Felt very safe.
I’m on a boat…
Memorial Weekend involved a pontoon, a storm, and me repeating “there’s nothing on the radar” at least ten times. I drank Corona Seltzers, which were pretty damn good in the realm of boozy water, and enjoyed the sunshine for about 30 minutes. We were cruising along and the weather took a turn. There was (say it with me) nothing on the radar indicating a storm, but our eyes told our brain the radar was a lying bitch. We hauled ass towards the house through some of the strongest wind and waves I’ve ever expereinced. We found a cove, with less wind, to bring down the sun shades because they were started to come apart. Everything happened so quickly! I’ve included some “on our way out” and “when we returned” photos below. Crazy stuff. Lightning, wind, and rain oh my.
It is time to be hopeful for the future, right? Hope for a solution to the virus. Hope we can open things up safely. Hope people can forgo evictions and collections. Hope we can get back to some kind of new normal where we truly take care of our most vulnerable and hardest working people.
How are you hold up? Send me a note, leave a comment… Hang in there!
Stay-At-Home, Week 5? 6? 7? Check-In
It’s been a busy month, wow. I’ve worked a ton of hours, at least a little every day of April, and I’m ready for the weekend. My busy season is mostly behind me, with only follow-ups ahead in terms of work. I have a list of projects to tackle, but I can organize and prioritize them much more easily now that reporting season is over. Anyway, enough about work.
Things getting me through these past few weeks:
My new bike (because my last one was stolen because I’m an idiot)
Sleeping in (7:30-8:00 is AMAZING)
Working from home flexibility when I’m not swamped
Daily walks with my dog and my boo
Coffee - ground daily!
Kayaking
Sunshine
Cooler weather
Thunderstorms
Drag Race - Yeah bitches, I’m caught up!
My home office white xmas tree
The patio garden
SALADS - yes, I said it
Weekly happy hours with friends
I’ve had some hard times these past few weeks. I reached points of pure relief but also had moments when EVERYTHING anyone did irritated the fuck out of me. You could have said something so nice and I’d have thought you were just being the worst. I can’t explain those times, but I think it signals overload and loss of control for me. Either way, it’s all part of the spectrum of life.
I got an alert on my iPad in Week 6 when I was “supposed” to check in for my flight to Vancouver. I’d been working pretty hard and I was doing a good job of ignoring the fact that I wasn’t going anywhere. Some people I follow on the socials were posting pretty photos of blossoms up there and we’d likely have missed them or saw the tail end of them, so maybe next year we’ll plan for a smidge earlier in travels. We are re-booking this trip for 2021, and it will be our goddamn year.
Had a nice chat with the BFF squad on one of the Saturdays. We talked, and laughed, and made grand plans for our reunion and annual get together. I truly can’t wait to see them!
I’ve been thinking a lot about the places I haven’t been that are larger than life. Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Tetons, Glacier, Great Smokey Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, Everglades, and more. I’ve been thinking that it’s time to finally prioritize them next year - even if it’s a good preview and not a week at each. There are so many, very interesting and lovely, small scale places that I want to see that these larger than life places end up on the back burner. Everyone speaks so highly of them and “everyone” has visited them, so I feel like I’ve been living through their words and photos already. I love trip planning, so I ordered a guidebook a friend wrote and I’m going to start with Yellowstone. We’ll see what comes out of this next year, how travel will change by then, and what other great places will be on my horizon. The first chance I get, I’m going to drive through the night up to Great Sand Dunes and spend a long weekend there, maybe work from the car one day if I have to. I want to hike from the park/preserve through the mountain pass.
Things to remember… it’s okay to LOVE or HATE this quarantine life. Some people are thriving and that’s their business. I’m mixed - I want to keep doing the things I did before, which didn’t involve many people or interaction much with anyone. I just want to be able to road trip and hike again without judgment or catchin’ that COVID.
For a distraction, here are some photos from various hikes over the past few years!
Santa Fe National Forest (2018) - SFNF is one of my favorite places and it really caused me to fall in love with New Mexico. Since visiting this part of NM in 2017, I’ve been obsessed. I can’t get enough of the variety throughout the state. I am so excited to work for a company that has a field office there so I can visit even more!
Border Route Trail - 2019. This is along the Canadian border in Minnesota and it was a real treat. The bugs weren’t bad, the weather was comfortable, and we even got to put up hammocks and have a trail beer. This trail wasn’t highly used so it was bushy and vibrant green.
Lost Man Creek - Redwoods National and State Parks, 2016. I could live in the Redwoods and be FINE. This was an easy hike, before I was really “hiking” too much for the record and it was a gorgeous day/trip. We were in California in June, enjoying the gorgeous greenery.
Chugach National Forest - Alaska - 2017. Alaska is where my other half’s family lives and I’m truly lucky to get to visit them and the great surrounding areas. This was a family RV trip around to various places including down to Kenai Fjords NP. What a trip this was. This particular hike was a bit wet, but as you can see vibrant and alive with freshness.
Herman Vogler Conservation Area, Rogers City, MI - Winter 2017. This hike is just down the street from my grandma’s house and now my mom’s too. It was a place my grandma took us frequently as throughout life and it is very special to me in terms of places to go. Winter hikes are fun!
The Hike to Mt. Storm King, Olympic National Park - 2018. This will forever be a favorite hike - my first hike with REAL elevation change. I loved every difficult minute of it. I’d love to go back and do it again now.
Stay-At-Home, Week 4 Check-In
I had a huge rant about everything being closed and how shitty it was, but it was deleted. I think we’re all better off for that, so here goes…
Everything is canceled, but life still moves on. March is my busy month, but it seems to have leaked into April this year. At the end of March, I transitioned to a new job and also transitioned to working from home. This was a complete clusterfuck. I’m very lucky, still, to have the ability to work from home and still get paid. So many of my friends are either out there working, getting their salaries slashed, or being laid off. I have to remember to shut the fuck up sometimes and be grateful. So, I’m shutting up about work. This too shall pass.
Texas closed their state parks on April 7, which is kind of a bummer. I had plans to finally go hike at Daingerfield State Park on the 10th, because it’s a holiday at work. Oh well. I vented about my frustrations on Twitter and was reminded they will be there when this over. So true. But, I’m allowed to be sad or pissed and I was/am. Moving right along… This week, I officially canceled the rest of my plans before August. I made some new plans for October, and added a potential thing in November or December. Woop-Woop, we have airline vouchers to use until they actually refund them per federal mandate. (I may take the cash back and cancel everything thing) This too shall pass.
I’m so damn grateful to have memories of places throughout this beautiful country. Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think I’d see the Redwoods or Arches. I had no idea what these places were, besides blips I saw in travel commercials. The internet wasn’t a huge thing until I was in high school and college. I didn’t have high speed internet until college - so reading about these places or enjoying the access we have now was unheard of back then. Once in college, I met people who helped me branch out and explore the idea of road trips. I met people who really hadn’t been anywhere either and thought we should just say “fuck it” and go. While people planned spring breaks to the beaches, we planned drives to places we’ve never seen.
Some of my favorite highlights from National Park Properties (in no particular order)
Death Valley NP - Dante’s View, Badwater Basin, stumbling upon a desert in bloom, the signs that tell you the elevation (this was also one of my favorite things about driving out west)
Olympic NP - Hoh Rainforest drive, Hike to Pony Bridge, the Ozette Triangle, Ruby Beach, and just driving through those forests
Big Bend NP - the road to the Chisos Basin campground, Lost Mine trail, waking up in the Chisos Basin campground, Santa Elena Canyon at sunset, spring flowers
Pictured Rocks NL - Sable Falls in fall and winter
Bryce Canyon NP - Hoodoos covered in snow, sunset over the hoodoos, hoodoos in general, Rainbow Point, bristlecone pines
I could go on and on about this. A factor that isn’t mentioned is the people with whom I shared some of these experiences. My other half, best friends, and new friends are all part of why these places were so great. Together we pooled our money and made these adventures happen. Every year, my BFF and I try to go somewhere new together. We went to Utah two years in a row, but we tried new things each time. My other half and I drove to Oregon from Texas, making a pit stop at Arches along the way. Life’s a journey, and all the other cliche messages about loving life. What are some of your favorite places?
