A year ago this week, my other half and I visited the Santa Fe National forest in New Mexico. The city of Santa Fe is a colorful desert town, but the National Forest is burst of green trees and mountains on a completely different level. We stayed at the Holy Ghost Campground and explored around that area. Here are some photos of the forest to enjoy!
#WayBackWednesday - Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Camping in Palo Duro Canyon State Park was a highlight from spring of 2017. Looking back through my photos, I didn't even capture the immense beauty of the canyon but sure did get some great shots from our hikes and our campsite. If you get the chance, it's one of the most beautiful places in Texas and is worth a visit! This place was Hike #6 of my 2017 52 Hike Challenge and you can read more about the adventure and see more photos HERE.
#WayBackWednesday - Big Bend
I've been thinking of Big Bend often and I can't wait to schedule a trip back out there. The park entrance is about 7.5 hours from my house, with another hour or so of driving within the park to get to the Chisos Basin Campground. Big Bend is HUGE and it can easily take all day to drive through if you're stopping for little hikes and viewpoints - as we did. I'd really enjoy going back to spend time exploring one area or backpacking a specific trail. Being honest with myself, I'll go back in any way I can and with anyone willing to enjoy the experience. Here are some photos from a trip in January of 2014 with my other half and one of our best friends.
Classic entrance sign photo
A view while driving down into Big Bend
Morning views from the campsite in Chisos Basin Campground
More driving views
Rio Grande!
Sotol Vista Overlook views
Santa Elena Canyon views
Santa Elena Canyon Trail friendship selfie. <3
#MondayMotivation - Internet friends?
Today's motivation is coming from seeing all of the people from the online outdoor community doing the activities they love and working to protect the places they cherish.
We may come from different socioeconomic levels, different backgrounds, etc... but we all want to do things that make life more meaningful and more fun. The online outdoor communities have helped me connect with people who love the outdoors and who have valuable information on activities and locations I may be interested in exploring. It's a powerful feeling to connect with a group of people who want to keep the outdoor spaces we love clean and protected for generations to come - I highly recommend it.
Find your people, in person or online, and dive in to that community. Learn, grow, and find your passions.
Thank you to everyone out there for your intentional or unintentional inspiration to get out, love the land, and fight for the future....what a wild ride!
As always, if you're ever in Dallas/Fort Worth, contact me (or through social media) and we'll go for a hike at one of my local spots and/or grab a drink to catch up.
Views from Olympic National Park... I saw so much in 2.5 days up there with a lot of help from my guidebook and tweets/messages/etc from people that live and love the park! Thanks!
#ForestFriday - Fall in the U.P.
I've got fall on the brain, because summer is already dragging on. So, for today's "Forest Friday" feature, I'm throwing it back to October of 2008 when two of my friends and I went on a little road trip to Copper Harbor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Not all of the photos are from Copper Harbor, some are from the ride up and various other places throughout the Upper Peninsula. Take a break and drift off into the fall colors, imagine the smell of the leaves, and feel the cool breeze... is it working? Have a good weekend!
Special #ThrowbackThursday - Alaskan Adventure
A year ago my other half and I were probably napping after our flight back from Alaska. We spent about 10 days visiting with his family, exploring the land, and loving life. I can't wait to get back up there, so I'm sharing a few photos to relive the moments until then. Enjoy!
Quartz Creek Campground - Kenai Lake
A quiet morning on Kenai Lake - Quartz Creek Campground
A foggy view just south of Seward
Sea kayaks with a view - Seward, AK
A view of Exit Glacier on the way up to get a closer look - Kenai Fjords National Park
Byron Glacier
#ForestFriday - Michigan's Upper Peninsula
This week, I'm sharing some photos you may have already viewed over on my Hike 20 post from my recent trip to Michigan. I don't care if it's a cop out, the forest was gorgeous and quiet and deserves to be shared again.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park is about a 2.5-3 hour drive north of my hometown, where I stay when visiting. It was a warm morning, and the sun illuminated the lower levels, highlighting the ferns and mosses with a beautiful glow. Everything was green and vibrant, making it feel so alive.
Happy Friday, enjoy the weekend ahead, and enjoy the forest photos.
#WayBackWednesday - Cedar Breaks National Monument
In honor of booking my flight for the 2nd Annual BFF Adventure, I'm throwing it back to our 1st annual trip. I originally planned a solo excursion to Utah, but my BFF Molly decided to go and now it's an annual adventure for us. Once spot we visited last year really stuck out for me and that was Cedar Breaks National Monument. What a breathtaking, intense, and gorgeous place to feel small. While I don't see us getting back to Cedar Breaks, I'll always have these memories - so enjoy a few photos.
Classic sign picture
View from the rim
Spectra Point - was a bit overwhelming to feel so high above the hoodoos
What do you spy with your little eye?
This year, we'll be hitting the ground in Utah again! Molly has not been to Arches National Park, so we'll spend the majority of our time there. I hope to hike to Delicate Arch right away, before crowds and heat, and then hit up the rest of the park after that. So much to do, so little time! Where is your favorite place in Utah? After a Saturday in Arches, what would you recommend for half a Sunday? Comment your idea or send me an email! As always, thanks for following along and happy trails!
#MondayMotivation - Long Drive Ahead
Tahquamenon Falls - Upper Falls - December 2015
The trip to Michigan for my brother's wedding is finally here! We leave tomorrow, Tuesday June 12, in the evening and will hopefully be to my hometown by Wednesday evening. In the past, driving across the country or back to Michigan seemed a lot easier. Nowadays, I'm exhausted by hour nine and ready to pull over. Most of the time when we go to Michigan, we have such a limited time frame, we can't really plan for multiple day drives up or down. Powering through is the only option ahead, and I'm going to use my upcoming hike at Tahquamenon Falls as motivation. Oh, I suppose seeing the family is motivation too, but those falls...dang.
This will be the first big adventure for Oliver the Outback, and I couldn't be happier about our destination. It will be good to get some adventure miles instead of just the obscene amount of commuter miles I've put on since last July.
This is my first step in getting back on track with my outdoor plans and personal goals. I'm using this trip, this drive, and this upcoming hike as motivation to get back to my normal existence. I've had plenty of great days and fun destinations locally, but there is just something about a trip out of state to shake things up and make you appreciate life all over again. Once I accomplish this hike, I know I'll want to keep going even once back here in the hot, humid, sun drenched land that is known as Texas.
These routes take anywhere between 19-24 hours, depending on traffic and weather.
#ForestFriday - Cape Flattery
"Walking through the forest on the west coast will always be a treat to me"
Today I'm looking back on a 2009 trip to the northwest tip of the contiguous US. Two of my best friends and I were on one of our cross-country road trips and decided we needed to see Cape Flattery - if for no other reason than to say we went to one of the most northwest tips of the US. The forest was lovely, as forests are, but I can still remember being amazed by the turquoise water crashing on the rocks below more than anything else. I've attached a few photos of the trail and the views.
To park in the lot with the trailhead, you need to obtain a permit from the Makah Reservation. I've included a link to get more information about where to find that pass and a little background on the Makah Tribe.
The platform with all the views...
#WayBackWednesday - An August Weekend
At the cottage with my grandparents was one of my favorite places to be. We always went on boat rides in the evenings, during cocktail hour before dinner, and spent the days prior soaking up the sun or swimming after yard work. I miss being so close to the cottage, I miss Phil, I miss their old dog Abbey. Things have changed so much, but I will never forget the good times that are frozen in time with these photos from August of 2009. Forever my favorite place, with some of my favorite people.
The back of our family's cottage - my grandparents lived out here from late spring til fall.
View of the cottage from the front, out on the water.
Coreopsis - my grandmother's favorite
Clematis crawling all over the garage
My "step" grandfather (he was part of my life 1991 til his death this year) and my grandmother, on our evening cocktail pontoon cruise
Abbey the dog, in some of her best years. This dog was just the best - lovable, fun, friendly, and always up for a boat ride.
Crescent Island - out in front of our cottage.
Nothing caps off a day on the lake quite like a sunset over the bay.
#MondayMotivation - Slacker Edition
Self-inflicted bullshit is the easiest to create and hardest to destroy.
I've been slacking. I've been kind of out of control with certain aspects in my life and it's taking a toll on me. Yesterday, I started to clean and organize the apartment and that brought some clarity to my brain. It's time to take control and stop living in a free fall. I need routines and structures and it will take a little while to build them up, but I'm working towards it as an overall goal.
Back to my hiking routines, cleaning routines, morning routines, and cooking routines. I've been avoiding cooking, leaving laundry all over, not cleaning up after the cooking I do, and generally being a slob-lazy-bum. It's easy for me to blame this on whatever, but really it's only I who can snap the hell out of it a get into a better head space. I'm working to find the positives, find the organization, and crawl back up to a normal existence.
It's been a weird few months with the death of my grandfather, the onset of hot weather, the general boredom of local trails, too much alcohol, too much fast food, and the general dislike I've been feeling towards my body. I'm certainly past due to get my shit together and get to hiking regularly, living within my means, smiling more often, eating food for fuel, and sleeping well again.
#ForestFriday - Special Edition
It's been a little while since I've made a post, mostly because I've been lazy but also because I've been doing other things. Anyway. This edition of Forest Friday is a few highlights from a very brief trip to Sequoia/Kings Canyon last August. Enjoy and may the forest be with you.
General Grant Grove
The General Sherman
#MondayMotivation - Just keep going!
Personal goals are a way for me to focus my direction in life and fun way for me to keep track of activities, health stats, and personal achievements. I used to set unattainable goals that weren't smart or helpful. Now, I set goals in a much more logical sense that are both attainable and challenging while remaining flexible.
Current Goals:
- Prepare to backpack this fall - drop some weight, increase cardio, etc.
- Plan for an affordable trip w/ my BFF - sometime at the end of summer or fall that fits in to our busy schedules and doesn't cost a fortune
- Hike 400 miles this year - which would almost double what I did in 2017 (hike your own hike, people)
- Get back to the Olympic Peninsula this fall/winter, if an affordable option can be found for a long weekend
- Lose 34 lbs by my 34th birthday, which is just over 6 months (a work in progress)
- Fit into the puffy vest I bought that's a little too tight, by winter
- Drink enough water to feel hydrated, daily
- Stop using online shopping and eating as therapy for stressful days
Not everything goes as planned, but as long as I have the goals I have a path to get back to if I stray too far one way or another. One day I may eat too much or not drink enough water, but I can correct that action and try again. It may rain and prevent a hike or outdoor exercise, but I have other days or an indoor gym to use as a backup. Travel may never be affordable enough in the time constraints of life, but we can always find something less exciting to work for our trip if necessary to hang out for a weekend. I can always keep going and so can you.
My words of wisdom: work towards your goals, set them accordingly, and don't beat yourself up if you have to change the plan to get to them. Setting smaller goals, or levels of achievement towards a final goal, can really help break it down and make it seem less daunting overall. Be realistic, yet push yourself to a new level. (I'll be taking my own advice here, by the way)
If you've read this, I hope you have a great week ahead, thanks for stopping by! - Mike
#ForestFriday - Tyler State Park (Texas)
Today's Forest Friday post features the pine forests of Tyler, TX. I'm thankful Texas has such gorgeous pine forests for me to hike through and enjoy. I love the tall pines so much, I am planning to head back very soon for an early morning hike. Enjoy a few photos and may the forest be with you, always.
#WayBackWednesday - Grand Canyon North Rim!
This week, the Grand Canyon North Rim opens for visitors. It's a special place, and it's only open until early October. I visited in October of 2011, and it was magic. The aspens were yellow, the sun was bright, and the crowds were minimal. This was my first time seeing the Grand Canyon, and it set a pretty high standard for the South Rim. I finally visited the South Rim in 2013, and I must say the North Rim is my favorite but they're both spectacular. Can't wait to make a trip back to the North Rim, but until then I'll just enjoy the memories through these photos. I hope you you can find the time and resources in your life to visit this special place - it'll take your breath away in person. Enjoy the photos and have a great hump day.
We arrived in the evening, here's the moon over the Grand Canyon.
Good morning North Rim!
October 2011 - Yellow aspens, snow on the ground.... almost closing time for the North Rim.
#MondayMotivation - Reflect & Regroup.
I think losing someone you love is a long, slow burn. There's the initial spark of immediate grief followed by the moments along the way when they come up and you remember again that they’re gone. It's not bad, it's not good, it's just life. I feel eventually it’ll just be a low flicker or that tiny flame that will never go out. For now, with everything so fresh, it’s one of those big bonfires you have one when you drink a little too much.
It's been four years since my granny passed and only days since my grandfather and it's the same “woah” feeling every time I come across some random thing that makes me think of either of them. A memory, a moment, something they would have loved, or something they helped me achieve. I’m not one to dwell on things, but I have been known to get caught up in a moment every now and then and completely lose it over something so small but so important to my memory. Today I’m using the grief, the moments, the memories, and the flames of loved ones who have passed as motivation to continue to live a life I love and move forward with purpose. I remember the people who passed as strong, helpful, and wise in their own ways and if here, now, would only continue to push me forward and motivate me to be a better human. Use your pain, past experiences, and downtrodden moments as fuel to keep moving. If you don’t have inspiration right now, take some of mine and run with it, I don’t mind.
Death has this cliche effect on me that causes me to reflect and regroup. I think it’s natural, from what I’ve read, but I feel it's still cliche and a little absurd. I wonder if I’m living life the way I should or taking care of myself enough, among other things. I really do like the excuse to reflect and regroup, but I need to do it more consistently along the way - not just when I lose a loved one. Here’s to more reflection, but not too much that I fall into a downward spiral of doubt - a happy balance.
Happy trails and I wish anyone reading this a wonderful week ahead.
#MondayMotivation - Driving helps me organize my thoughts
I'm looking back at the past 18 months or so and I can hardly believe that I accomplished something as simple and motivated as hiking every week for a year. I finally got out to hike yesterday after being sick to my stomach the previous Sunday and it was as Invigorating as I had hoped it would be. I went somewhere new, saw new landscapes, and felt the sun beat down on me once again. I hiked five miles, not the furthest by far, but far enough to find joy again. I drove three hours to hike and wander for just about the same, but it was worth every minute. Driving used to be my thing - set some music, open the moonroof, hit the road, process everything in the world, and return in a better place. The recent drive to the wildlife refuge in Oklahoma brought me close to that old feeling of driving therapy and made the hike even better. My brain was relaxed, my mind was flowing, and my body was ready for the day. I look forward to more long drives to hiking destinations to give me a moment with the open road, my thoughts, and nothing else.
I had some thoughts while driving home, this is a snippet of me just getting the words out so I can reflect. I'm truly grateful to have the ability to live this life and I look forward to building on the experiences of the past year and a half. I hope you all can find some inspiration out there and keep pushing forward.
#ForestFriday - The Greenbelt in Austin, TX
To any Austin, TX resident or visitor, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is a definite source for cooling off in the summer and exercising any time of year! Here are some photos from my various visits to parts of the Greenbelt over the years. Urban forests deserve all the love too! Go love the trees and make sure you take care of your urban green spaces.
**Unfortunately, some people can't respect the urban trees and they take abuse like this graffiti
#NationalParkWeek ...I missed #ParkChat
I was a little busy during this week's #ParkChat, so I'm taking the opportunity to answer the questions now to help explore the topic for myself. Feel free to read along or pass on this one, either way Happy National Park Week!
Q1: What is your favorite book about the national parks that we may not know about? Is there a book you love that features one of the amazing landscapes within our national parks?
A1: An interesting book that I read was Ranger Confidential by Andrea Lankford and it discussed the real life situations of being a park ranger at prominent National Park locations.
Q2: It’s #NationalParkWeek, let’s kick this off right by posting a picture of your favorite National Park! What makes this park particularly special for you?
A2: I could easily pick any park as my favorite, but the Redwoods are my special place. I've been here the most, would return in a second, and have so much more to see. This ecosystem is just completely fascinating, the height of the trees is remarkable, and the fact that the parks encompass a variety of areas is very nice. I've been four times, with each time being a slightly different experience. The more I learn, the more I yearn to return.
Q3: If tomorrow you could become the superintendent of any NPS unit, which one do you pick and why? #ParkChat
A3: Olympic National Park
Q4: What is the most unique or special souvenir that you have from a trip to the national parks? Share a picture if you have one!
A4: We collect magnets from special places – parks, points of interest, etc. I try to focus on memories and photos, but if we can we’ll snag a magnet.
Don't mind the delicious Oberon in the way, just know there is a fridge full of magnets behind it.
Q5: Let’s celebrate the partners that make the #NPS work so well. Who is your favorite NPS concessionaire, in terms of activities, transportation, food, or lodging? Tell us why you appreciate their role!
A5: I really enjoy the WNPA and NPCA as coordinating groups for their work in protecting and preserving our parks. I don’t know much about concessions, as I do not deal much with lodging or dining in parks, but these two organizations really stand out in my brain as immediate assets to the NPS.
Q6: Share a great budget saving tip for exploring #NPS units that we may not know about!
A6: Bring your own food or buy it from a grocery store on the way! Camp on BLM lands or state parks, and plan ahead to know exactly what it will take to enjoy the trip. Here are some of my favorite reference points from a well-traveled, budget friendly adventure guy.
http://justgetoutmore.com/camping-no-im-just-sleeping-at-a-campsite/
http://justgetoutmore.com/travel-camping-how-to-fly-and-camp-in-a-rental-car/
http://justgetoutmore.com/in-defense-of-traveling-fast/
Q7: National park #61 is coming soon! Who do you think will win the race to #61?
A7: I don’t feel the need to contribute to this topic, though I’ll say I’ve been to #60 back when it wasn’t #60 and I think it could have stayed that way. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Q8: What historical figure do you feel is currently left out of the National Park System? Who should have their own site, where, and why?
A8: I feel we need to honor those who lived these lands before us as.
Q9: We love camping, but we also love lodges and hotels! What’s the most interesting lodge or hotel you’ve stayed in on a parks trip? Have you stayed at a lodge or hotel that is on your parks bucket list?
A9: Grand Canyon North Rim lodge was very memorable.
Q10: Which park has the best or most awesome visitor center? What is remarkable about it—the exhibit? The staff? The setting? The connection to the community? Do tell…
A10: I loved the staff at the Hoh Rainforest recently – very helpful and friendly. I just love every visitor center because I learn so much.