the blog

We all love making plans, or at least I sure do. In these weird times it’s easy to say: “use this time to plan the next… insert activity here.” But maybe what’s more valuable is to use this time to understand how to be happy now, here, exactly where we are. Some big trip doesn’t have to be around the corner to prove our value of happiness, we don’t always have to be one upping each other and ourselves. I’m not saying don’t strive for self improvement, I’m merely thinking that it’s worth remembering that our lives are lived in the present, not in the future.

Van living in a time of quarantine: some thoughts over at @backcountry

What I’ve found in the last few days is that we need to live, and not just the sense of exist, but to experience, to embrace life and one another. Taking that away has felt like such a deep cut to being human; yet we must, for the sake of one another, do our best to pause for now. Take this time to remember how much we take for granted every day, how much our time outside and our time connecting with our friends and family is valuable to us, how much these places and people bring to our lives. If we remember one thing, let’s remember what makes us, us.

3-2-1 dropping

When we fall, the only question is do we try to get back up again.

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” ~ The Alchemist
Hopefully we are all learning to love well during these trying times.

You know what I’m scared of right now? Of not telling people that I love them. “Do not demonize your fear, and also, do not let it rule you. Instead, let it speak to you—in your stillness,
listen for its wisdom.
What might it be telling you about what is at work, at issue, at risk, beyond the threats of personal inconvenience and illness?
As the health of a tree, a river, the sky tells you about quality of your own health, what might the quality of your health tell you about the health of the rivers, the trees, the sky, and all of us who share this planet with you?
Stop.
Notice if you are resisting.
Notice what you are resisting.
Ask why.
Stop. Just stop.
Be still.
Listen.
Ask us what we might teach you about illness and healing, about what might be required so that all may be well.
We will help you, if you listen.” ~ Kristin Flyntz

Tent city, Applebee Camp, Bugaboos.

You know what’s amazing? That we are here, on this earth, experiencing life. That we have this opportunity to love each other and be good. That we can push ourselves mentally and physically at our craft, and that we can continue to learn and grow.
Social media has this funny way of making us (me) feel like there’s more important things we (I) could be doing, or more success or happiness or fun or anything, just more. It’s tricky, because allowing those feelings takes away from the awesome, incredible, now that we are in every moment of every day. If you’re reading this, you’re alive. That’s awesome. I hope to see you soon.

As the seasons begin to change so does the scenery. I appreciate so deeply all the friends who made my time in the central coast so special. See y’all again soon.

Sunrises in the desert, excited to be back.

Scheming…

I consider myself a sunrise type of person. I don’t remember exactly when it started happening, but my body began wanting to be up before the sun, and now watching the sunrise is something that has become good for my mind.
As much as I love waking up in the van or in a tent, cowboy camping is quickly becoming my preferred way to sleep outside. Open your eyes in the middle of the night for a view full of stars, or sit up in the morning for those first rays of sun.
Today is also the last day that a portion of all sales at @backcountry will be donated to @nature_org when you use the code WILL15 , up to $7k!
#ad #findyourbackcountry

This trip to New Zealand has been so different than the last. I’m trying to find the right words for it; introspection, conversation, learning, growing, appreciating now. I’m so grateful for @stephwrighttt and @gregbalkin for being here, for the long walks, the long talks, and just being.

Someday, in a place like this.

Settled in under a hanging glacier, more waterfalls than you can count, and no one else around for miles.

To be alone in a place like this… At the end of the day we have to learn who we are when no one else is around.

The challenge, the struggle, it’s all part of the journey. Stay the course, follow your path.