Where it all began
We had a rough start to 2014 having to return early from our around the world trip for Mike to recover from dengue and typhoid. The silver lining is this setback provided time for us to discover a new found passion which ignited our adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors.
In late January, four months into our international travel, we flew back to the states. We opted for Arizona’s sunny skies rather than Minnesota’s frigid below zero temps. We had our 60 liter backpacks, holes in our cloths, we were sun-kissed, exhausted but happy.
We had no official home or even a vehicle to get around. Mike found a great deal on a Mazda hatchback in Minneapolis, so we flew back to buy the car. We exchanged cloths, visited family and friends and were reunited with Wiley, our amazing pup. We grabbed what little camping gear we had left which comprised of sleeping bags, pillows and a coleman stove. Next we hit the road to Colorado to see my brother and their new baby girl, Kadence Lillian. Luckily for us Travis wasn’t planning on camping anytime soon so he borrowed us his tent and headlamps.
A week later we were on the road again, headed southwest toward Moab. Utah instantly captured my heart as we drove south on Hwy 128 surrounded by the massive red rock walls and the babbling Colorado River. We saw campsites available as we drove closer to town.
We rolled in Moab for gas, looked at each other and agreed immediately we should stay a few days. Our most affordable option was to camp. Moab was smaller than we expected and fortunately for us we were able to find everything we needed at the True Value Hardware. The essentials included a blow up mattress, two spoons, two bowls, canned soup, triscuits, firewood, an axe and of course, our camping staple, hot sauce.
Camping in Utah during March was colder than expected. You know it’s cold when Wiley paws you awake in the middle of the night to crawl into your sleeping bag. In the morning, Wiley was shaking from the chilly morning air. We boiled water for our coffees and cranked the heat in the Mazda for Wiley to warm up. We headed into town and found the best breakfast burritos.
We spent the week exploring Utah’s five National Parks and camped our way back to Arizona. We kept our camping momentum for the next several months as we road tripped around the western states exploring the national parks.
It’s been two years since this trip and last summer alone we camped almost every weekend, started in April and ended in October. On a rare occasion we were in town we would get the itch and need to, at a bare minimum, take a day trip to a national forest or the coast.
We closed out this summer with a 5000 mile road trip to Wisconsin and back. We picked up a cute little travel trailer, the r-pod, from my parents. Thanks mom and dad!
We found it only fitting to repeat our Utah adventure on the journey back to Portland, OR. I was beyond excited to cross off another bucket list item – driving the 37 miles of the Shafer Canyon Road in Canyonland National Park.
I am humbled and honored by what nature provides us. It surrounds us everyday, from the smallest of creatures to breathtaking views. Appreciate your surroundings no matter the scale. It can be as simple as a snail crossing or a waterfall pouring down from a giant mountain. Seriously, where does all that water come from? Find a tree wider than your arm span or wake before the sun to watch it rise.
Find that sense of wonder and appreciate all life has to offer. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Love hard and do things that make you happy. Get out there and keep discovering!