travel

Idaho / Wyoming

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Good Morning!

From the Teton Valley of Idaho to Jackson Hole, Wyoming that is where I have been for the last few days. It is absolutely breathtaking. Literally, as we drive over some of these mountain ranges I have lovingly reminded Ashley Klump to breathe.

It’s unlike anything I have ever seen before. Mountains beyond mountains. It’s September and there is snow on the distant mountains. We drove through a pass yesterday and there was snow on the ground beside us.

We went to pick up Ashley’s sister, her husband, and little one (less than 2 years old), from an airport that lands in the Teton National Park.

When I walk outside all I hear is the wind blowing through the trees and my own breath most the time.

I saw a white buffalo, only from the car, driving by, not close enough to take a picture, not close enough to photograph or say hello/hi.

I’m still hoping to cross paths with a red fox. They’re out here. I’ve read it to be so. The elevations out here are unlike anything I have experienced to date.

Lots of deer. Lots!

The sun is out this morning for the first time since we arrived.

Ashley’s parents are genuine, straight forward, good hearted people. Felicity, her little niece of not even two years of age is adorable. We hit it off rather quickly. I like the little ones and the way they see the world. It’s easier for me to relate. It’s simple and unfiltered.

Ashley’s parents have built quite the getaway home up here in the middle of nowhere almost.

The nearest towns, itty bitty towns, are a good 30, 35 minute drive. Victor and Driggs.

I feel blessed to get out of the city. I love Oregon, but it’s nice to get out and explore.

Tomorrow is the first day of Fall and we plan to visit Yellowstone National Park, another first for myself.

Tuesday we plan to explore Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Wednesday it’s on the road back to Oregon again.

I am grateful and blessed for this experience.

-ABC

Yesterday

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  • Yesterday when I was going for a morning walk and found a "one way" street sign. It is obviously hanging on my wall now. Those are  a lot bigger than you might expect.
  • I trudged through many many leaves. It looks as though there may be only a few more weeks of leaf falling. Make sure you enjoy that, Portland. 
  • I also found many little gadgets and had many conversations with Cougan that will most definitely play into greater writing material. I just have to sort it all out in my head. 
  • The most adventurous part was going to Hood River with Cougan. Hood River is a small town nestled into the Columbia River Gorge;  looks like the kind of place I will train to in the dead of winter for a weekend and just let adventure happen. Not a lot there, but there's enough. It's in the gorge!!!
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Photo Oct 26, 5 23 53 PM.jpg

These Days

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These days been going fast. These days are memories that will last.

Got back from Virginia just over a week ago. Been surrounded by all kinds of genuine people every since.

Taking all the necessary steps to get my book published this November.

Getting ready to go to start a new venture with my friend Josh Bermudez.

Went out with my friends Cougan Smith and Paige on Saturday night for drinks. They are just good company no matter what the occasion. Then drunkenly eating Roxy’s at 2am.

Roxy’s is one of just a few 24 hour diners in Portland, Oregon; a lot of personality in this place and good food, too.  A perfect place to kind of try and sober up.

Then Sunday I went to Cathedral Park in St Johns portion of Portland. It’s name is very fitting. The archways of the bridge are huge. From the bridge are good views of Mt Hood and Mt St Helens.

It’s well aged and there are lots of good nooks for escaping to read a book. I even saw not even big enough to walk with a Mohawk!

 And now… now I’m at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. I was here just over a week ago flying back from Virginia. This time I’m in transit to Orlando, Florida to see my friends and Portugal. The Man.

Oooooh I finally listened to the newest The Strokes album yesterday. More like listened to it 3 times! So good! That falsetto! What?!? More on that in a later blog; I have a plane to catch. 

I’ve got so many words running in my head to write. It  feels so good to be alive. I feel like I can’t write them fast enough. Just gotta take things one moment at a time.

Florida

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Flying to Orlando, Florida tomorrow night and flying back Wednesday. I can only take so much heat and humidity. 

Get to see some good friends I haven't seen a little while including Avani's new little creature. That should be fun. She's a double mommy now. Man, that's a lot of diapers.  

Then it's Portugal. The Man with Sarah and Jenny the next day.

Thank you for the early birthday gift, Jenny.

Nothing like good music with good people. Excited to see you guys. 

 

It's about that time..

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The inevitable ​feeling feeling of vacation coming to an end and having to go back to work. It's not that I hate my job. I work with some of the most amazing people I've ever met. I sincerely mean that. They all have amazing personality and still know how to work together for a greater purpose to get their shit done.

​I just want to get to the point where I can read, write, and explore on a constant basis. I want to not have to get up and go to work. I want my work to be learning. I'm not talking about college. College leaves me with debt. I don't want debt. I want knowledge.

​But on a brighter note. It's very mellowing to listen to loud music on the big open road. To wander the great deserts of Nevada. To climb giant rock structures. About to go see a beautiful waterfall. The winds here in Idaho are currently gusting 27-37mph. Slightly ridiculous, but mostly just awesome. 

​I'm very anxious to see the reaction to A.B. TV. It's really just another way for me to learn from people. Okay enough rambling. There's responsibilities and adventures to be had. 

Arrived in Flagstaff, AZ...

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Many, many hours later Adam and I reached Flagstaff. Arizona. ​

New Mexico was a bit flat and boring for a while but as we neared Arizona there were plenty of giant rocks and hills. Adam and I stopped and climbed some. I'll post those pictures in another update.​

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Roswell as a city was boring, but watching the people was interesting. A lot like the Southeast USA then but a lot more Hispanic people. Quite beautiful seeing so many bilingual peoples. It's almost like being in another country. 

​But also a futuristic glimpse of what our country will be in the future; as far as language goes. I hope our country isn't like the Southeast in the future.

In Other News: I miss Smoggie Catt.

Much more awesome pictures on the way.​ Can't wait to share with you guys! 

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San Antonio, Texas to Roswell, New Mexico

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After leaving Houston Adam and I left for San Antonio. The town was much more beautiful than I remember. The river walk going through the town awesome. Much greener than I remember and some amazing architecture. ​

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From there we left and went to Hondo and saw my grandparents. FIrst time in a few years. It was good to catch up. Then we switched off driving throughout the night and arrived in Roswell at about 6am. Driving throughout the night felt really amazing. Wide open road. I never noticed Texas had a hilly side.

Which brings me to ​first post. We found a place outside Roswell called Bottomless Lake State Park. Very rugged landscape, but a lot of the lakes have shrank in size, but you can walk amongst the ground. It's the closest thing I can imagine to what it would probably look like on Mars. Very martian looking. 

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Looking Down on Nevada

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Looking down on the deserts of Nevada it looks fragile, desolate, and oddly majestic. I can't wait to explore vast foreign world on foot with Adam in a couple days.

I can't foresee myself ever living in such a world. I need my trees and forest for clarity, but there's a lot of magic and untapped adventure to be had here.

So many questions pass through my mind:

How many past peoples have crossed these colossal mountains of dust and gravel?

What did they know?

What did they think as they traversed this alien terrain?

What did they do?

Did they think what I do?

Did this the land home dinosaurs?

What kind of great treasures have been lost to the great sands?

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Hello Dallas, Texas!

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Woke up at 4:40am. Been riding a plane since 6:30am.  Slept until about 10:30am at which time i exited the plane briefly to  buy a coffee and muffin.

After that I started listening to music (mostly Bon Iver and David Bowie) and reading "The Story of Stuff".

I bought the book in January, but forsook it to read other books for a while.

It's a great book. Heavy yet spoken in common people language; which I find essential when trying to convince people to change their habits and take care of our planet. Anyway, that's another subject for another time.

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Numbers.

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3 more days of work before I leave to meet Adam in Texas. ​

Then I get 8 days off of work.

Hopefully I hear back from the guy about potential apartment guy before I leave for Texas. At which time we will owe 400, 900, or 1800 for apartment a deposit. ​

Hopefully only 400 because I had $300 in my account on Friday, but now I'm a lot closer to $200.​

I get paid on Friday, April 26th, but I'll be out of town by that time. ​

My paycheck should be at least $500.​

I saw 11 people under 1 portion of 1 bridge on my way into work this morning. 

Cody says I can take my hair product in my carry on bag if it's under 4 ounces.

I thought it was 3 ounces, but he's probably right because he retains information better than myself. 

My americano had 3 shots of espresso. ​

I need to do 2 loads of laundry. ​

I still need to shower and wash my hair before my trip, but I don't remember when I showered last. At least 7 days now, right? I really don't know. Oh well.​

Whilst writing these words I listened to David Bowie sing "Five Years". ​

The End.​

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