2009 was the year of the third cross-country trip that changed the way I travel and see the world. You can read more about it HERE!
Looking back, my best bud Kevin and I hit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park at the beginning of golden hour. Desert light, shadows, and that glorious red rock combined was a brilliant little drive through.
Always check park hours and operations at the website and pay the entrance fee!
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.
Timing is everything and it’s weird how things happen…
I was getting really down on myself for not “doing enough” or “going hard enough” in regards to activities, hiking, and socializing. The reality is, I’m going hard and rarely stopping. I make plans on top of plans, schedule visitors left and right, and always feel like I have to get something on the books to occupy my time.
Then, this past weekend, my body turned on me. I came down with a cold towards the end of the week, which turned out to be COVID. Fuck. My body, though fighting sniffles and a headache, was rejoicing because I couldn’t really go anywhere or do anything I had planned. I spent most days in bed, or on the couch, resting my body and hydrating like I lived in the desert again. I have been fortunate with mild symptoms and grocery delivery.
Walking around the block takes it out of me, but I gotta keep going because I have plans (shocking) to hike Skyline Trail this coming weekend at Mt. Rainier National Park. I will avoid the gym on Monday, and re-test to make sure I’m clear.
This whole weekend was a reset on many levels. I sat with my thoughts, probably thought too hard about some things, and decided I’m ultimately doing okay. I am going to work through the thoughts I had to sit with, and continue on with therapy. I’m going to work on balancing my busy weekends with time to get stuff done around the house or just relax. I’m going to work to feel content with things, even though there always feels like so much more to do out there. I’m going to continue my fitness work, once I’m well enough to be in the gym again. I will not take the ability to move, drive, and interact with people for granted.
I’m just going to take the reset, keep going, and keep loving life. Remember that resets are okay and sitting with your thoughts can be beneficial, and overwhelming. Take time for yourself, be careful out there, and remember to tell people how you feel. COVID is circling around, so be aware!
Mountain flowers to calm the brain
Back in May I had friend over in Montana and we went on adventure through places like the Kootenai National Forest and a little bit into Glacier National Park before it was all open. Enjoy some photos from the various forests along the way through Big Sky Country.
It’s a happy looking Outback (she’s happiest in the forest)
Lake Koocanusa
Maple leaves!
A little trail at Glacier National Park
The Swinging Suspension Bridge of the Kootenai River
Scarlet red and with an adventurous spirit - the Outback looks good against Lake Koocanusa
View from the trail - in Glacier National Park
September in Northern Minnesota can be completely magical. Back in 2020, I visited my buddy’s cabin and it was a relaxing weekend filled with good times, great weather, and tasty beers. I can’t wait to be closer to the cabin, so I can visit more frequently. (Read more about my love for Minnesota HERE!)
A Wisconsin staple in the Midwest beer world. PLUS, hammock time!
The sun was setting and pastels were popping.
The colors were starting to change - the green to yellow on these birch trees around the cabin
A little humor in the outhouse - we do use the outhouse sometimes (LOL)
Another angle - the sun setting on the lake, but a view from the boat
A lovely sour ale from one of my favorite breweries in Duluth, MN (a true delight on a mild late-September afternoon)
Some cool fungi on a log in the woods near the cabin
You may have to adjust your brightness, but it’s a night shot from the an iPhone 11 Pro Max. The stars over the lake and through the trees at the cabin are spectacular.
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.
It’s been a hard couple of weeks for me. This past week was probably the worst in years. Anxiety, depression, and anger filled my brain. I slept more during the day than I have through all the nights. I avoided anything I could and ate my weight in feelings. I don’t know why, all of the sudden, I was sad about everything. I started thinking about my Gramma, about my life, where I am, etc. I was getting sad to leave this place but sad I wasn’t already further east. It’s a wild ride of bullshit, I tell ya. “Everything in time” and “what’s right will happen” and all that happy horseshit floated around from people or the internet. It’s all fine and dandy, until you’re not wanting to get out of bed and those sayings are just bullshit.
Fast forward to this past weekend. I started to feel better. I managed to get out, go to the Farmer’s Market, meet up with new friends, and enjoy the day in many ways. My biggest turning point, and the one thing that took the most effort and convincing, was just to go for a simple walk in the woods. I hadn’t been doing much between working at my desk, eating, sleeping, or the occasional short walk with Chewy. My back was hurting, my body was sore, and every time I tried to work out or go for a longer walk/hike, I said fuck it and didn’t do the things I needed to do until Sunday.
Sunday’s walk in the woods was uplifting and awakened me on many levels. I smelled the forest, touched the plants, let the sun stream over me, and started to feel a physical and mental shift in my being. It’s wild to think about how much a little mile and a half loop through some trees affected me, but here we are. The walk in the woods invigorated me, and my day only went up from there.
I was inspired by my friend who also had to do something they didn’t want to do. We both did the thing, achieved our mini-goals and all was well.
Here’s to a good week ahead and staying on this upward swing.
I’ve been in Olympia for eight months and didn’t realize I was just a short drive from a really cool bridge on a national forest road. The High Steel Bridge is located in the Olympic National Forest just outside of Shelton, WA. The bridge sits about 375 feet above the South Skokomish River and spans from one forested cliff to another. To find cool photos of the bridge that people probably took with a drone, google “high steel bridge” or something like that. Here’s the Wiki link, if you’re interested.
Enjoy some photos from the journey to and over the bridge! The video at the end is from the graffiti located on the bridge with a rather uplifting message.
No matter where I live, I’m going to find cool things to do and see and I encourage you to do the same.
Have fun out there and stay safe! - Mike
A video of the graffiti on the bridge with an uplifting message.
Good Monday morning to you! (or whatever time it is when you read this)
I’ve been on the struggle bus when it comes to what to do with myself. August has me feeling a little off - physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’m doing some goal setting and thought I’d share a little of that with y’all - maybe you’re feeling a similar kind of way, maybe not?
These are my goals for the rest of August and September. I’ll probably evaluate my progress towards the middle or end of September and adjust as necessary.
I’m trying to give myself a little structure because that’s how I thrive. Find goals that work for your brain and life.
Physical:
Continue my 3 days of lifting per week
Walk the trail near my house at least 5 days per week
Take Chewy on a long walk in the evening (more than the usual neighborhood jaunt)
Hike somewhere new once per week
Stretch or beginner yoga daily (my new coach has me stretching and it’s crazy how much it helps)
Try to get to bed in a way that gets me at least 8 hours of sleep/downtime
Schedule an eye exam and get new glasses
Get on a waitlist for a local doctor or find one in Seattle/Portland and drive
Plan meals and roughly (or specifically) track food/drink
Emotional:
Find a new therapist - I’ve been struggling with this one, as my current therapist kind of dropped the ball and wasn’t really doing much for me
Record and reflect on what I’m grateful for every day
Follow through on the physical points (really helps my brain)
Connect more with friends - call or text different people a few times per week
Establish a boundary when things become too much
Mental:
A lot of the emotional and physical points will assist with the mental
Find an online course or certificate program (first stage: research)
Read a book - I have a couple in my queue but this goal is to make the time each day to accomplish an entire book
Getting some kind of routine setup for the daily grind
If you’ve made it through, thanks for reading. What are some of your goals or tricks for feeling good? I hope you have a great week ahead. —Mike
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
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.
I’ve had New Mexico on my brain this week so I thought I’d share a few photos for this “Way Back Wednesday” post. It was a great year of living for me, finding a little bit of myself and connecting with my newfound friends.
I lived in the southeast corner of the state, near Roswell. The landscape was desert, with mountains and forests and great sand dunes just hours away. The Land of Enchantment is truly dynamic and I can’t wait to go back and visit.
White Sands National Park - truly spectacular
Carlsbad Caverns National Park - one of great underground views
Nothing like a New Mexico Fall - up in the mountains, anyway
Always an abundance of forest service roads
I had some of the BEST camping trips with friends in New Mexico
Chewy learned to love camping, too
And, of course, New Mexico had some of the best sunsets
My year (or so) in New Mexico helped me feel confident in my car camping techniques. I found what worked, what I liked, and what I needed. I adventured more, wasn’t afraid to get a little dirty, and found myself staring at the sky even more. I’m forever grateful for my friends and the land of enchantment.
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.
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*
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Hueco Tanks State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park
Devil’s River State Natural Area
Davis Mountains State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park
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.
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.
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