#ForestFriday - Dino Valley has trees, too!
Texas has some big trees - they just live a few hours away from me. If you go east from Dallas, near the border of Louisiana, you'll find some big pine trees that make you say "ahhhh" when you see them. I love when I have to go out of town and drive through that area, but it's still a bit of a distance for a quick day trip. In a previous post, I focused on the trees in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area at Cedar Ridge and this entry will feature another local treasure known as Dinosaur Valley State Park. People visit Dino Valley for the visible dinosaur track fossils in the Paluxy River and the dinosaur sculptures at the entrance. I visit because you have to cross the river to hike, weeding some people out, and because the hills are great exercise. I ALSO visit because there are streams that flow into the Paluxy and those streams mean trees grow nearby and trees mean heavenly shade from the beating sun. The trees along the trails range from oaks to juniper, with some cedar and live oaks in between. I've found a few, old and large live oaks throughout the park and plenty of little forest areas to offer a cool reprieve from rocky ridges and open fields. Here are a few photos of some trees from my many visits over the past 15 months to this wonderful little gem, only an hour from the metro area.
#WayBackWednesday - Something I made up to talk about the Desert
I can remember when I first visited the desert; the year was 2007 and the locations varied through Western Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas via a road trip with friends. I grew up with hardwood forests featuring scattered evergreens, rolling hills, and the Great Lakes. My adventures prior to college consisted of trips within Michigan or Canada, staying close to the Great Lakes landscape. When I visited the Mountains of Colorado and then the Western Slope, I was stunned. Driving further south, I felt as though I was on another planet taking it all in, mile after mile trying to process this landscape. I wasn't really fascinated with the desert after that trip, but I was introduced. Years following, I visited more desert landscapes - Death Valley, Southern Utah, parts of Arizona, and New Mexico. With each visit, the desert landscape was burned into my brain and quickly became something I couldn't stop thinking about.
Favorite Desert Things:
After the rain, when the ground is dark and plants are vivid shades of green
The plant life - from the resiliency to the variety (the ecology of a desert is fascinating)
Landscape - red/brown hills, snow capped mountains, fields of sand...it all looks good to me
When there's the bluest of blue skies with white puffy clouds above a desert landscape
The variation in weather/climates per the elevation and location
One of my favorite memories, though we didn't see much, was when my buddy and I drove from Houston to Tuscon just to see Saguaro National Park. This trip captured the spirit of our past college road trips while incorporating my love for the desert. I saw those giant, noble Saguaros, and I'll never forget them. I saw the other wildlife too, and the experience as a whole sparked my fascination in desert ecology. After the Tuscon trip, I was fully hooked and I needed to go back. In 2013 I visited New Mexico and Arizona, in 2014 it was back to Utah, and 2015 took me back to Arizona. It's been a while since I enjoyed the desert landscape, and I'm ready to go back.
#MondayMotivation - Power Through
Do you ever have an upcoming trip and that's all you can think about? Me too.
Currently, I have a big project to finish at work and I have to finish moving things from the old apartment over to the new place, as well as clean both. I have a lot to do, but I can't stop daydreaming about my upcoming trip.
In just under two weeks I'll be flying to Seattle and taking a rental car through the Olympic Peninsula for three days. I keep checking trail conditions, local weather reports, and the Olympic National Park website. But, I need to keep moving to clean out and organize the apartments, finish that big work project and get it submitted to the government before I'm in the clear.
This post may be short and without a real point except to say... "POWER THROUGH" whatever you've got going on so you can get outside to enjoy what nature has in store for you. Power through your work project, ice that knee, and get going!
#ForestFriday - Tillamook State Forest, Oregon
Back in 2013, I visited the Tillamook State Forest for a minute or two on my way from Portland, OR to the coast. I visited the Tillamook Forest Center and learned a little about the area, took in the sights from a fire watch tower (replica?), and enjoyed the sound of the Wilson River trickling through. Here are some photos, enjoy!
**Excuse any grainy or poorly lit photos, they're from a 2013 smartphone.
#MondayMotivation - Make it happen!
Standing out on Spectra Point at Cedar Breaks National Monument (one of my "Must See" places in Utah)
It was May of 2017 when I bought the round trip ticket from DFW to SLC. I was going to Utah in mid-August, for a weekend, and I was ecstatic. I was flying out after work on a Friday and flying home on a Sunday night because I didn't have any vacation left to use - it just all fell into place. I had been tossing the idea of revisiting Utah around for a while and I was tracking flights for weeks. I knew I had to go and I decided to make it happen.
While it was a short hike, it was exhilerating to be walking along the rim.
Booking that flight was a rush. Planning the trip was easy and only continued to build my excitement while allowing me to feel the reality of it all sinking in. I had solid plans, some "must do" moments, and a daily itinerary to maximize the time available for adventure. I opened it up to friends and let everyone in my outdoor circle know what my plans were and that I was open to anyone joining in. My best friend Molly decided she could make that weekend work and would be flying out to join me. Her company and our chance to reconnect easily made that weekend one of the best in 2017.
The might Bristlecone Pine - Cedar Breaks National Monument
The 52 Hike Challenge was a major motivator in 2017 as were the various outdoor communities I had connected to online. I had been camping and hiking more than ever before in my life, I couldn't let a weekend go by without something happening. When my hikes were getting repetitive, I knew I needed a change of pace and a weekend away. I looked at many cities, tracked flights for weeks, and weighed many options, but Salt Lake City just worked for that moment and I'm glad it did. I would have flown anywhere for a weekend if the flights and prices worked out so I researched many places - Vegas for Death Valley, Portland for Crater Lake or the coast, Seattle for Olympic, etc. Through this adventure I learned that I could make a weekend work, even with a flight, and that I actually thrived with a limited amount of time because I made every view, rest stop, and moment of daylight count.
I'm thankful that I have the resources to do a spontaneous weekend, because I haven't always been in that position. I'm aware that I'm privileged to be able to run away for 48 hours and see the beauty our country has to offer. I know not everyone can just book a flight and explore. My point with this Monday Motivation is to simply make it happen if you want it to happen. It could be pushing yourself to get outside locally, hiking further next time, finding a friend and taking that weekend road trip, or booking a flight and exploring your favorite places. Too often I fall victim to my own laziness, so this is also a reminder to myself to keep going and make it happen.
A picture from my BRIEF visit (drive through) in 2009.
I've been obsessing over the Olympic Peninsula for months now, so I just booked a flight over Easter weekend to Seattle so I can go hike and reinvigorate myself and find new motivation. Anyone is free to join, but I will be hiking the Ozette Triangle Loop (Olympic National Park on the coast) on Saturday, so plan accordingly. I'm taking suggestions and recommendations for things you love about the Olympic Peninsula and things I "must see" while I'm there. I fly in Thursday night, late, and fly home over night for a Monday morning arrival before work. I'm so excited, probably even more than the flight to Utah last year. Here's to making it happen!
#ForestFriday - Late Spring in Northern Michigan (2016)
It was (near) Mother's Day weekend and I had made an impromptu visit to the north country to see my mom. I was surprised, actually, that the trees were still so bare and the air still so chilly but it was enjoyable nonetheless. These particular forest photos are from some land that is known for sinkholes and giant cracks in the ground near Posen, Michigan in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. Many plants were still asleep and waiting for more sunshine, but there were a few trillium flowers in bloom. Enjoy the forest where you are, and if you can't, I hope you enjoy these photos.
#MondayMotivation - The nervous and excited energy of just getting out there
I still think back to my first, and only, camping trip to Arches National Park. It was part of a great road trip involving two friends that went from Michigan to the west coast and back. My camping prior to 2009 was limited to the Great Lakes and I really hadn’t been in the middle of nowhere like you are in Arches or along US-50 in Nevada. This trip in 2009 was my first real hiking through a National Park, my first middle of nowhere camping trip, and my first time TRULY appreciating the little things like a campfire, cold beer, or a crappy hotel room. When I sit here and think it’s too hard to get outside or it’s too far, I think back to that trip. We camped, road tripped, stayed in hotels, hiked, and everything in between all on a budget and with time constraints. I now look to my peers and see them doing all of the activities from simple car camping to backpacking trips and beyond and I’m motivated. I’m glad to be connected to so many people doing things I had never even heard of before. I’m glad to have memories of being a bit nervous about traveling across the country and camping, but also just so excited. I’m motivated today by my desire to keep that feeling going and the desire to just go for it – whatever activity that may be. Happy trails and stay motivated!
#ForestFriday - Chugach National Forest in Alaska
June 2017: I hiked through parts of Alaska and it included trails in the Chugach National Forest. I went to many places in the ten days I was there, but this place was one of the most magical for me. From moss covered trees to mountain views, this forest had it all. Happy Forest Friday and I hope you find yourself among the trees this weekend.
#SurveySunday - Not quite too much info.
It's fun to share a few random things with y'all... Here are some things about me you may or may not care about learning.
• Favorite smell(s) - Evergreens, that loamy smell after the rain in a forest
• Last cry - I am not ashamed to cry, but it's actually been a while
• Favorite Pizza- Pepperoni and jalapeño
• Favorite Flower- Lilac or Tulips
• Favorite dog - Mutts
• Favorite foot attire- I’d rather be barefoot, but I really like my Chacos or Flip Flops
• Roller coaster - I used to, haven't been on one in a decade
• Hair color - Mine is a dirty blonde
• Favorite ice cream - chocolate alone or + anything (nuts, mint, caramel, etc)
• Pet Peeve - people who don't pick up after their dogs in highly trafficked areas
• Shorts or jeans - shorts...jeans are the WORST feeling clothing ever
• What are you listening to right now - people talking
• Color of your vehicle - black
• Color of eyes - blue
• Favorite holiday - Christmas (but just the commercial version, I'm not really a religious person...so maybe more just Yuletide?)
• Night owl or day person - morning person...my 21 year old self wouldn't even believe it
• Favorite day of the week - Saturday because it's usually hike day
• Tattoos- Maybe someday, but none yet... haven't found the right design for eternity
• Do you like to cook - I really do
• Beer or wine? Both, but please be dark &/or red
• Can you drive a manual shift - yes and I feel everyone should learn even though it's a dying thing
• Favorite color - Green in various shades
• Do you like vegetables- VEGETABLES ARE LIFE (I could almost be a vegetarian, almost)
• Do you work out - I mean, not really, no...but I should be
• Do you wear glasses - Yuppers, just got some nice new ones too
• Favorite season(s)- Fall & Winter (because summer is HELL in Texas)
#ForestFriday - Cut River Bridge Area
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is one of those places that has it all. Back in 2015, I visited and explored the Cut River Bridge area. There are trails into the woods and to Lake Michigan. Enjoy a few photos and go get lost in the forest soon!
#MondayMotivation - An excuse for everything
The pond in the morning at Cedar Ridge Preserve - Dallas, TX
This weekend, I had an excuse for everything. From dinner plans to household tasks that NEEDED to be done, I avoided my local hiking haunts like the plague. I had apartment tours to take, property tours to take, a friend's birthday dinner, chores, shopping, and uncooperative weather. I truly had an excuse for every hour of daylight. Were the excuses legitimate? Maybe some, but certainly not all of them. Could I have taken a hike at one of my standby locations? Definitely. I'm not opposed to hiking in the rain or even the dark, but I used those two situations to justify staying home and being less active. I reached out to a couple of people to see if they would go with me, they were busy, so I used that as an excuse not to go out. The drive to the place I really wanted to go was 45 minutes, through traffic, so I avoided it.
I wasn't motivated at all this weekend to get outside because the options just weren't that appealing to me. I had this problem last year - when I didn't have an out-of-town trip planned, or couldn't drive a few hours to a nice state park, I would lose motivation or begrudgingly go to a local staple and not even enjoy the outdoors that much. So this post today, is about fighting off the excuses, fighting through the illusion that local green spaces aren't good enough, and getting excited about the local haunts that keep me sane between bigger adventures.
Pros of local spots:
- Easy to access, usually
- User-friendly
- A little green in the concrete jungle
- Always there when I need it
- Cheap or free
Cons of local spots:
- Can seem boring
- Often crowded/overused
- Not wild enough/secluded enough
- Trails not long enough
This is all psychological, for me, and once I actually drive somewhere I get a little more excited and can look past the cons. Getting from my apartment to the car is the hardest part for local hikes so here's what I'm going to do to psych myself up:
- Start earlier to avoid people and traffic
- Know that I'll be better off after a few miles through the woods, always
- Come to terms with the fact that this is enough and plan for a more exciting hike the next time - it's all about balance
This post isn't very motivating, yet....hopefully this helps.
I'm aware that this is a personal problem, and is specific to my city life in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. I'm working on being more grateful for the green space and nearby state parks I do have while also knowing I need to balance out these local spots with more adventurous places. I know life can get busy, but the whole point of the 52 Hike Challenge is to make sure I always set aside time for a hike. It is time to get pumped up again and make up for this missed week. It is time to show gratitude for the places I do have nearby and for the peace and clarity they can bring. I hope, if you're having trouble getting outside or are sick of the same parks you have, that you can try to break through that mindset too. Share with me what motivates you to get outside, bonus points if you have a story about feeling refreshed about your local spots. Happy trails!
Cedar Ridge Preserve - Dallas, TX
#ForestFriday - Cedar Ridge Preserve
I'm going to start a new Friday blog series featuring photos of the forest for everyone to enjoy for a few minutes as the work week ends and the potential adventures begin.
Today's location is Cedar Ridge Preserve near Dallas, TX. This place has become a staple for me because it's so close to my house and it has great trails. For the weekends that I can't get away to somewhere more adventurous, I have Cedar Ridge Preserve as a solid local option and for that, I'm grateful.
This place is lush and green in the summer.
In the fall, it's a little more open so that golden sunlight is especially nice.
Even on rainy days, Cedar Ridge Preserve offers a great escape.
While this may not be a traditional forest to me, growing up with large hardwood trees in Michigan, it's what we have available here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Enjoy the escape into my local forest and stay tuned for a new post every Friday.
For more information on Cedar Ridge Preserve, check out this link.
#MondayMotivation - 2017 Was a Damn Good Year
Today is my aunt’s birthday, and I was looking back at photos to share in a Facebook post to celebrate her life. I went scrolling through the 2017 photos to rediscover that we had some fun nights, plenty of summer boat days, spirited holiday gatherings, and a nice hike at one of my favorite local spots. While scrolling through I got distracted, as I often do, by all of the hikes and all of the beautiful places I visited throughout the year and it led me to one conclusion: 2017 was a damn good year.
I embarked on the 52 Hike Challenge, not knowing what to expect. Looking back the results were all I could have hoped for.
I got out more, every week to be precise
I reconnected with nature
I met a ton of virtual support
I saw new things, beautiful things, some that were right in my own state
I started to get a better mental clarity
I didn’t really get in “better” shape, but I maintained a weight for most of the year and strengthened my legs
I spent valuable time with friends on the trail
It let me to find my passion - getting people outdoors - and I’m finally branching into that area of helping people get outdoors and finding that equality balance
It didn’t cost me a lot of money, well to actually get outside anyway
It kept me sane, grounded, and on schedule with other things in my life
It’s helped me get even more fired up for our public lands and all that we need to do to protect and fund them
I visited a few National Park units, plenty of local state parks, and some new local trails. I spent more time outdoors in 2017 than I had in the six years prior. I haven’t been this excited for life in a LONG time. I grew up with hundreds of acres at my disposal and I was always outside. As I aged into those teenage years, I found myself outside less but still not opposed to spending time in the woods or at the lake. In college, I camped and road tripped so the outdoors was back in play, a little. I eventually took a job a city park ranger and did some unrelated trail work for my major - wildlife management. A few trips here and there through the years had me camping in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Arches National Park, and along the Loneliest Road in the USA. When I moved to Texas in 2011, the outdoors seemed to be on the back burner. I did a lot of boating and I did a few road trips between 2012 and 2017, but it wasn’t until the hiking challenge that my fire for the outdoors was reignited.
I can’t picture myself just sitting around all weekend ever again. Sure, I have moments when I’m just feeling lazy, but the desire to be camping or hiking always wins. Road trips west to the Oregon Coast, Redwood National & State Parks, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and western Texas over the past six years were the kindling and wood but the 52 Hike Challenge was the flame that set me on fire again. If you find yourself feeling a bit unsure, find something that will challenge you to be a better version of yourself. I’m not implying that everyone responds to challenges the same way, I’m just saying they work for a lot of people and maybe they’ll work for you. Set attainable goals, focus on things you love, and find your happy place(s). Surround yourself, in person or virtually, with people that support you and your goals. My year of motivation is something I’m looking back at and I can’t wait to push harder, explore further, and try a bunch of new things in 2018. Find your passion and own it. Happy trails!
Here are some of my highlights from 2017:
I'll always be a sunrise guy
“There’s nothing like being on a road trip, driving through the night, and seeing that first sliver of light ahead. As you travel further along, the sky opens up and you’re rejuvenated like the cycle of light you’re chasing.”
For years, I'd stay up all night and sleep through the sunrises not waking until the sun was at a high noon. It wasn't until back in college when we started doing road trips through the night that I started to appreciate the sunrise. I've always had trouble sleeping, so staying up all night was never a problem; I always went to bed as the moon began to set. Driving all night - be it around Lake Michigan for no reason at all, from Michigan to Seattle (a few nights), or anywhere else we went - allowed me to be awake for the sunrise.
I can remember back to sometime my sophomore year of college, or so, that we did a winter road trip circumnavigating Lake Michigan. We left Grand Rapids, MI and headed south towards Chicago and up through Milwaukee. The best part, on each occasion this trip happened, was Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Up there, I remember seeing the best sunrises. We did the trip three different years, but the first trip was when I realized I'd forever be a sunrise guy. Below are three photos of the frigid winter sunrise from Michigan's Upper Peninsula from the early 2000s.
In 2007 my buddies and I started doing these spring break road trips that allowed us to see as much as possible in the least amount of time. Between the three of us, no one had crossed the Mississippi as an adult nor had we experienced the Rocky Mountains (or any mountains) in person. This road trip involved many stops but I can still remember that moment when the sun would barely peek over the horizon. That sliver of a sunrise signaled a new day and regenerated me every time. I tried to find some photos from the various road trips, but most are blurry or through a dirty windshield. Take a road trip, drive through the night, and let me know how that first sliver of light makes you feel.
As the years went by, road trip sunrises quickly became one of my favorite things. If you catch a desert sunrise, road trip or not, it's probably going to be one of the best things you see. Another favorite sunrise of mine was in 2011 at the Grand Canyon North Rim in October, right before they closed for the season. This was not only my first Grand Canyon sunrise, it was my first time seeing the Grand Canyon in person. What a way to be introduced to the place - as it wakes up.
On my most recent trip, to Minnesota, I woke up just in time to see the sun rising over Lake Superior. Everyone was asleep, even the dog, so I quickly got dressed and crept outside to watch the sun come up. I walked from the house, through the pines, and ended on the beach. I could hear the ice moving, see the fog over the city behind me, and see a couple of dogs being walked down the way. It was an amazing moment in time, to stop and take it all in.
Sunrises may be my favorite, but don't think I wont whip out a camera or phone to capture the sunset just as often. Every beginning has an end and both are beautiful.
2017 Subaru Outback 6 Month Update
I have the 2.5i Limited in black with warm ivory interior named Oliver the Outback and it's been my favorite car to own to date. I've had a lot of hand me down cars, unreliable used cars, and a couple of newer cars more recently that have just not stood up to the miles I put on with commuting and adventures. This car is comfortable to ride in, offers good visibility, has almost 9 inches of ground clearance, and the sunroof I require for all of my cars. This is the year of adventures and Oliver the Outback will be front and center.
Things I love:
- EyeSight Technology - The driver assist technology is something I was skeptical about in the beginning because I didn't know if the control freak in me would like it, but I've grown to love it. I don't use the lane keep assist tech very much, but I do use adaptive cruise control a lot and have really learned to appreciate it when flowing with traffic. The pre-collision braking has saved us from at least one wreck and it was heart stopping in the best way. I wasn't distracted, I just didn't judge for the proper stopping distance and that's when the car took over and we came to a dead stop just in time. The technology has really helped me be more aware of my surroundings and pay closer attention to my driving.
- Cargo Space - I have a Ruffwear canvas seat cover for Chewy on the back seats which leaves room in the cargo area for all of the camping or road trip gear necessary. Fold the seats down, and the Outback can haul entire shelving units or other equally large items. Since Chewy will always be along for the road trip, I don't see us using it for sleeping, but I've heard it can be done. I hope to camp more, now that it's cooler outside, so we'll be testing the cargo capacity even more in the coming months.
- Ride Quality - I didn't know how to take AWD, but it has been a zero adjustment technology. When it comes to actual cruising quality, this car is mostly smooth and comfortable. Road noise is normal, nothing like a super hushed luxury car, but definitely a lot better than my previous car.
- Keyless Entry & Push Button Start - As silly as it sounds, it's one of my favorite things about this car. I can take or leave the power liftgate, but "touching the door handle" to open the car is genius. When I approach the car, exterior lights in the mirrors illuminate the door handle which is also nice. I have been prevented, at least ten times now, from locking my keys in the car and for that feature alone I'm the most grateful.
Things I don't love as much:
- Starlink Infotainment Unit - The FM radio works fine, so I shouldn't complain, but the Bluetooth connectivity can be touch and go, the interface and available apps is laughable, and the design is nothing to write home about. I don't use the navigation system too much, though I do like some aspects, it's often just easier to use Google Maps. Some days, I have to reconnect my phone or my phone just doesn't stay connected without a reset on both ends. Frustrating, but not deal breaking things here. Starlink is still better than whatever my Jeep Patriot had in 2014.
- Rattle - I had a rattle in my passenger side dash develop recently. It's intermittent, but I'll have them check it out at my next service.
The climate control, display, and everything else is just fine. The leather is holding up, even with a dog constantly drooling on the seat in front of him, the rubber floor mats are a big bonus, and the sunshade really helps here in Texas. The Outback is utilitarian in design, but comfortable and nice to look at. I love that the mirrors have turn signal indicators in them and I love that the taillights are LED with YELLOW turn signal lights. I think all turn signal lights should be yellow, in all cars, but that's just me.
At just over six months of ownership, with 13,300 miles, I'm already looking forward to the next 10 years. I truly love this car enough to want to keep it until it doesn't want to go anymore. Looking ahead, I hope to get a cargo rack or box for the roof, possibly upgrade the fog lights to match the headlights, and get a set of better tires when these stock tires wear down.
New Year, New Look.
I've created a website, if you haven't noticed, and it's pretty fun so far. I loved having blogs on WordPress, but for the money I was going to spend to increase my storage there, I thought why not spend a few bucks more and get an entire website that could host both blogs, various other content, and have my own domain name. So, here we are all fresh and new. Forgive me as continue to learn how to do this and as I continue to make it as easy as possible to navigate.
I thought about just using this website to share my hiking journey with anyone who wants to follow along, but figured adding other topics would be more fun for me. As with my WordPress blogs, I am doing this for me. I don't hate the attention (let's be real), but this is for my own documentation and record keeping more than anything else. I wanted an organized way to look back at the things I do so I can reflect, plan ahead, and just plain remember things that slip my brain.
Bookmark me if you'd like, and if not, that's okay too. I'll share all hiking and writing updates via my social media pages, so they'll always be floating around out there somewhere. I have a year to see how this works, and if it doesn't feel enjoyable or feasible anymore, it'll end as it should in a fireball of destruction. Kidding, I'll just lose the domain and life will carry on.
I'm working on migrating some more important writings and travel posts, so they'll appear but I will not share them on Twitter as they've been shared before. Look for them in the next week or so, if you want to look back. Most things have been migrated over, and are already on here.
If you enjoy this site, don't hesitate to let me know. If you think it needs work, keep it to yourself - just kidding, I don't mind constructive criticism. I'm not looking to use this platform to make money (yet) or become famous on Twitter, I'm just documenting my journey and sharing things I find entertaining, useful, and inspiring.
If you want to hike with me, find me on Twitter or use the Contact Me form I created. I'd love to connect with people interested in the outdoors or people that may know great spots here in Texas to take a hike. I'm working on a tentative schedule for 2018, though spontaneity is usually more my style. I'll share some ideas once I've done a little more research, so stay tuned!
If you've read this, I wish you well and invite you to check back soon!
No Resolutions
Things I'm going to accomplish or adjust in 2018:
- Since I've discovered podcasts, my audio book obsession has dwindled so I'm going to read more. I have a stack of books and a few more on the Kindle waiting, here we go!
- I'm going to make sure my Subaru Outback is in every adventure photo I can so I can prove to them I deserve to be a Subaru Ambassador. I was rejected in 2017, but here's to hoping for acceptance in 2018.
- I'm going to increase my overall hiking distance to 300+ miles from the 212 last year. Check out more at 52 Hikes With Mike.
- I'm going backpacking for a long weekend.
- I will climb a peak - hopefully Guadalupe Peak at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
- I will visit more National Parks, Monuments, and Preserves here in Texas this year. I'm hoping to include Big Thicket National Preserve, Padre Island National Seashore, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and maybe even a return trip to Big Bend National Park.
- I will be moving this year, in March, and the new place will have a room to store my gear so it's not disorganized and cramped into a tiny closet.
If you'd like to follow along as I attempt to get healthy, see my intro here and check back weekly for updates. Here's to a healthy, happy, and prosperous year ahead. If you'd like to hike with me in 2018, contact me through my about page or find me on Twitter!
Seeing can mean believing.
**Seeing can mean believing... more of my opinions on inclusiveness in the parks.**
I know some people who have gone to National Parks. They have seen the majestic beauty, right along side me, and have proclaimed how beautiful it was aloud. These same friends, they don't really go to National Parks that often or at all anymore which is okay. These people saw the beauty, believe in the beauty, and will remember the beauty of these wonderful places forever. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
A National Park may not be their family vacation destination every time, but they may return someday. These people understand the importance, value, and impact these places have on the general population. They get it - because they've been there. Because these people have been there, they get why it's important to protect and fund these places. These people then connect National Parks and the preservation ideals to other natural areas that need preservation. It can build.
Visiting a National Park, once or twice, has left an impression on these people. Will they return? Maybe. Will they remember the good times there and what those parks stand for? Definitely. It just takes one time, even if nature isn't their thing, for someone to fall in love with the idea of National Parks, Monuments, Forests, etc.
Plant the seed and see what grows. We need to continue to get people of all areas of life/status/etc to these place to see for themselves - maybe only once. Maybe it isn't their thing, but maybe it is. Even if it isn't their thing, they'll remember the trip and could see how important these places are for our country.
Vivid Memories
It's amazing to me that I can remember so much from such a brief visit to a National Park. I was thinking back to my first trip to Death Valley National Park today and I can remember it all like we drove through yesterday. I remember the Devil's Golf Course, Badwater Basin, and Stovepipe Wells. I remember hugging my first redwood just days prior up in Redwood National Park. A year later, I was camping in Arches National Park after an edge-of-your-seat drive through a blizzard in the Rockies on the way there. I remember the trails we hiked to go see the various arches and landscape views as well as the campsite and the view from the tent. I remember it being something like 11 degrees and very windy with some icy spots on the trails - and a funny sign warning of falling on ice. I remember the BLM land on the Loneliest Road in America - US 50 - and the campsite there with snow. We pitched the tent, dug a trench to divert any melting snow, and made a fire. That night, the sky was so clear and full of stars. You could see US 50 for miles, and in that one night I only remember seeing two cars in the distance.
I remember something from each visit to Redwood National Park and I remember our brief drive through Olympic National Park. I remember the moss growing on the old wood - making everything pop with green. I can't recall a more worthwhile hike than the one Delicate Arch, despite not really knowing much about where we were going. I can still picture Bryce Canyon, covered in snow, from Inspiration Point. The hoodoos poking through massive snow drifts below is a sight forever burned into my brain. Snow melting, muddy trails, and the spray of waterfalls in Zion in the early spring only make me want to return.
I could go on, and on, about things I remember without even a picture to trigger it. I have so many memories from trips to National Parks. I've experienced visits as brief as a drive through with stops at scenic lookouts to camping overnight. The experience doesn't matter, as long as it happens. If we get people that may not be able to or people that don't really know too much about the parks to the parks, they may have these little memories to hold on to and may be more inclined to help preserve them. If people can develop memories or find meaning in these places, they may be more willing to join the fight to fund, protect, and expand them. We must continue to fight to get EVERYONE out to the parks. We must continue to fight the current administration and their desire to shrink, drill in, and/or eliminate these places. Together, through collective thoughts and actions we can make these parks accessible to all people and create new ones for the future while securing proper funding. I believe it is possible, do you?
Late Bloomer: How I fell in love with public lands in 2009.
**Disclaimer: This is a blog entry I've put together describing how I fell in love with our public lands and where I think we need to go with them. I don't claim to be an expert and this blog entry is strictly my opinion. My ideas are my own and are subject to change with conversations, education, and experience. Thank you.**
Late Bloomer.
If we go back to my first National Park, it would be Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I am almost sure I went to both as a teenager, with my grandparents, because my parents never took us anywhere out of the county - because of work, money, and time. I grew up far away from the beauty that was Rainier, Yosemite, Yellowstone, or Rocky Mountain. I knew not of these places until high school, but really not until college and beyond. I've always had nature, just not public nature. We had a couple hundred acres to roam, ample state land in Michigan, and plenty of friends with land. I never really grasped the concept of National Parks, designated wilderness, or the like until college. I took a course in wildlife management, learned a lot, and within the next few years visited some national parks. I had student loan money, so I was invincible. Not really, but it paid the tuition/rent and I had a few bucks left over for a spring break road trip. I don't advise on having a few bucks left over - borrow only what is necessary. I do, however, advise saving hard-earned money for a spring break road trip that isn't to some beach somewhere. Traditional spring breaks did not appeal to me - but a road trip with my buds to places people weren't going sounded amazing.
In 2007, my two friends and I, set out on that spring break road trip driving from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Denver and through the Rockies and beyond. We went right past Rocky Mountain National Park and visited a friend in Grand Junction, Colorado. We drove down through Utah, right past the Arches and Canyonlands, and onward to Texas. We drove past EVERYTHING because we didn't know much about it and one of us wasn't into the outdoors. The next year, my outdoor friend and I insisted on a better, more thoughtful trip that included national parks. We went from Grand Rapids to Seattle, down to Redwoods NP, and onward to Death Valley. We saw two parks the entire trip - which was better than nothing for us; we had to compromise for time and interest of the parties involved. I mean, forget that we drove right by Badlands, North Cascades, Olympic, Crater Lake, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Petrified Forest. If 2017 me went back to 2008, I'd punch myself in the face for being so dumb. Anyway...
In 2009, my buddy and I drove out to Arches and camped - determined to see more of our public lands this year. We traveled onward to some BLM land in Nevada and then over to the Redwoods. Up the coast, we went to the Olympic Peninsula - which was pure magic. Saw more, stopped more, spent more time on public lands - really understanding what they were now and what they meant to me. This trip was the one that really cemented how important these places were. When 2010 came around, and we were half in college, half not sure what life was all about, half employed, we naturally decided to go to Vegas in the spring. Sin City was exciting, but I feel the real excitement was about the road trip to various national parks. We hiked in Death Valley, saw the sights from high to low, and I saw how big that place really was. From there, we went to Capitol Reef, Arches, and Zion before flying back to Michigan. If 2009 cemented it, 2010 sealed that cement. I was in love with our national parks.
In 2011, after moving to Texas I met a new friend and we went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in October. It is hard to put into words how I felt about the views, the yellow leaves, and the crisp air. In love? Probably. 2012 brought a revival of the random road trip with my outdoor buddy (since he moved to Texas) and we ended up in Tucson at Saguaro NP. 2013 Included Carlsbad Caverns, Arches again, and the Grand Canyon South Rim. In 2014, we went to Big Bend in January and Rocky Mountain NP in August. In 2015, my other half and I took our friend on a road trip to Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, and Zion. Later in 2015, we went to the Arch in St. Louis. In 2016 I made my return to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with visits to Redwoods, Oregon Caves, Point Reyes, and Golden Gate. This year, we've visited Kenai Fjords, Redwoods again, and Sequoia/Kings Canyon. It's true love.
In the past few years, I've spent more time exploring public lands than I had my whole entire previous existence. I've hiked in national forests, visited the parks mentioned above, and have plans for so visiting so many more public lands. I was lucky to find the parks in 2008 and luckier now because I can afford to visit more frequently. The more I visit, the more I love these places and value their existence. The more I visit, the more I want to fight to keep them public. The more I visit, the more I see that they may be all of ours, but they're really not available to everyone. The more I visit, the more I want to use my privilege to open these parks to those who have never visited or can't visit due to distance, cost, or any combination of reasons. I can't imagine the level of passion and devotion I'd have if I'd been visiting these parks since I was a kid. It is absolutely VITAL that youth of all backgrounds, socioeconomic levels, and age groups be exposed to (and educated about) these places. Maybe these lands are not for everyone, but maybe a few of them will grow up to protect, love, and fight for them. We need to work to include everyone in the outdoor world. We need to diversify the DOI and hire people from all walks of life. We need to designate more parks/monuments/etc in more places representing the spectrum of Americans that exist.
I'm not sure quite how to accomplish the tasks at hand, but I've decided a vital step is to find a way to get more people involved and interested in our public lands. I need to immerse myself in projects, organizations, and maybe even a career shift to building a diverse following for our public lands. It may be a new love, but it's a true love. I feel as though I've finally found my place in this fight to make sure our public lands are open to all and I'm determined to make a difference.
