The Next Step

Closing in on to two years, wow! That's how long since I last posted. Not because I hadn't done anything "sweet" or "cool", it's because I didn't feel inspired to write and that I didn't feel like I was doing adventurous things on a regular basis. I worked hard and got a "new and major upgrade to me" camper trailer, 27 years newer and 5 feet longer to be exact. I was the best man for a wedding that didn't happen. I rode horse through a wind storm in the Beartooth's with trees falling everywhere. Friends say I was 6 inches from imminent death in the Boundary Waters (sorry mom). I have a beard now! Last but not least, I moved to Ohio to stay warm (compared to MN) and to spend time with my old friend, Nic. That's where I'm currently at... Ohio.

The Beard!

The first thing I heard from many people was "Why the hell are you  in Ohio, there aren't any mountains in Ohio" or "There isn't any climbing in Ohio". Very astute observations indeed. No, no there are not jaw dropping mountains with snow covered peaks or rocky precipices here. Hell, there are hardly any short walls or boulders within two hours. That's not why I came here. Being in the company of an old friend and rekindling a relationship is why I came. I could have saved a lot of money and lived at my mom's for the winter. I could have hooked up the rig and went down south and dirtbagged once again (which was a serious thought). Here is where I ended up though, and I have no regrets.

It is a nice reprieve to live in a house without wheels for a little, but it comes at a cost. The monetary cost is very little compared to what it could be thanks to Nic being a very gracious host. I try to make up for it in non-monetary ways such as cooking and cleaning though. Overall it doesn't feel right though. Neighbors all around, electronic distractions, and the loss of feeling connected to the earth, all are a cost of living here. It also comes at a cost of losing precious time that could be spent in the desert southwest yanking on JTree or Cochise Stronghold granite or Red Rock sandstone. I don't think one should dwell on time though. Why fret over something that you could have done? No regrets, just make things happen.

It's not that hard to make things happen if you prioritize them. I recently put a piece of paper on the wall just above my mattress on the floor saying "Dreams to Goals: Goals to Reality: Make it Happen!". I know it isn't very poetic, but it is inspiring to me. It made me take my dreams and write them down. These random romantic thoughts of high peaks, secluded waters and inspiring (or at least I imagine them to be) places and turned them into a visible and tangible thing on paper. Now I have something to work towards everyday. Now I ask myself each day, "What am I doing today that gets me closer to one, or several, of my goals?".

I'm currently a non-conformist. I work here and there. Living on wheels isn't something most people aspire to. It all became clear when I was in college.... I went to college to have fun and meet new people, just like most kids. Sure, I went to find out what I wanted to do in life, but at the time, I really didn't have a clue about what I wanted to do. All I knew is that I had always wanted to do things on my own terms. I have never taken people telling me what to do very well. I understand its time and place, but I don't like it. College administration told me to choose a major when I turned a junior. I put it off and they said that they would drop my classes if I didn't... jerks, I just want to hang out and have fun. Luckily, by that time, I had started thinking about making a deeper connection with the love of my life. Her name is Mother Nature and she is a beauty when she is fully uncloaked and not marred by man. Sure, I had always enjoyed being out in the woods before, but I was too young, naive and thought enjoying the outdoors was something you do when you don't work. I started doing research and found the possibilities of working outdoors and making money at it. Not good money mind you (my campground hosting comes to mind), but money. It was a dream of mine to make money in the outdoors someday or at least have a "job" where I could spend most of my time outdoors. A dream, not a goal.

Fast forward to the here and now. I have done research and recently set a goal of working for NOLS as a field instructor. An outdoor educator that takes mostly young adults out into the wild places of the world and show them how to be a leader, self-reliant and show them the advantages of recreating in the outdoors on extended wilderness trips. The ball is in motion for completing this goal. The appropriate people have been talked to, courses are being picked, and gear and knowledge is being acquired. Being a NOLS instructor allows me to succeed in my goal to work in the outdoors, but also lets me do some good to the world. What good is it if every goal on your bucket list is only for you? Sure, most of one's goals with be self-fulfilling, but what good is it if you sit on a beach in Tahiti and drink daiquiris all day every day if you never help anyone?

The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau has helped me greatly in consolidating my thoughts about all of my dreams, goals and what I want to accomplish with my life. I highly recommend it if you are looking to change your life.

In closing, I urge you to take your dreams and put them on paper. Be accountable for making your life yours!

P.S. I'm going to try to post every couple of weeks on here. Drop me a comment on what you would like to hear. Not much will be happening in the next couple months adventure wise, so do you want to hear stories not posted before? How about some gear reviews from me? Maybe you want to see my goals listed. Maybe you don't want to hear from me until I do something amazing like climb Fitz Roy in Patagonia or catch a fish with my bare hands in Kamchatka while wearing a clown suit (you get the idea). What I'm saying is that your input would be greatly appreciated.