It's hard to believe I've been on the road for 5 weeks now. Serpentining through the Midwest, I've encountered all sorts. Rural farms, state high points, vegan restaurants, breweries and wineries in all states. National Parks. Art museums and sculpture gardens. Cute trendy neighborhoods and seedy ghettos. Craft cocktail dens. Water parks and arcades :-D

I'm now headed West, and as I sit in a cafe drinking a Chai and writing my masterpieces in Lincoln, Nebraska I feel very weary. I can't wait to see mountains again! Right now I feel like I could sleep for days. And then some more. But I have faith the West will revitalize me, and this is prime time to get up high in the mountains. I'm not sure where I'll head after the visit to Colorado. I would like to continue to the Northwest and California and catch up there on sights still unseen and revisit the beloved old. 

I'm currently at 22 out of 50 State high points reached and 14/54 Colorado "14-ers" submitted and I plan to knock so many more out by the end of the year. But so much is up in the air, will I continue to freelance, living out of my Jeep around the US indefinitely while I write my scripts and books, and ever studying for the Advanced Level Sommelier level that I took the course for earlier this year? Will I take some high mountain or National Park work for the end of the season? Or will I move into a Wine Director or Beverage Manager position at the right place, wherever that might be in the country?

Many options to consider, and none of them bad. But, for the time being, I can return to Boulder and the Rockies, climb, hike, clean up, regroup, take a couple art and guitar classes to brush me up and set me moving ahead better artistically. Figure out finances after draining myself down now. I'm exhausted but excited. Dreaming ahead. And putting pen to paper (or words on a laptop, more appropriately…) in documenting my strange and beautiful life. 

Just a few teaser photos for now, but soooo much more to come, I promise!

God Bless and safe travels!

Two and half weeks ago I set out for a cross country adventure, leaving my comfy zone of Boulder, CO. In that short time a hell of a lot has happened. There might be a book in this adventure. Way more than I can discuss here, although I could probably break it up nicely into segments. Every day has so much to talk about! I left with very little money, and a lot of faith, and abandoned some people I love, and took a chance on going totally broke on the road. I turned down some good job opportunities to do this. But it has been overdue. Visiting all the places I've meant to see for some time now. And I've been doing it. I'm still out here. Living the dream out of my Jeep (I could go for a shower and a movie at home). 
The Black Hills. Midwestern wine and beer. Chicago. Minneapolis. Fargo. Mosquito Heaven while hiking in Northern Minnesota. Flat tires in the middle of nowhere. Caves, praries, cornfields, badlands. State high points. Vegan soul food. Farmer's markets. Fights with ex-s. Craft cocktails. Museums, old homes, gardens, police encounters;on and on and on…
Life is fun with me. It's spontaneous, but kinda planned. It's challenging yet rewarding. It's expensive, but I find the deals. I secret shop. I meet people. I find the good and the bad. I've had some existential breakdowns and some renewed belief in the people in this country; sometimes I have both in the same day. It happens. I'm still searching for "something" out here, on top of the joy of going places I haven't been. But I'm figuring out what I need to figure out. I feel God with me. Thanks for flying with me…
B

Mountain climbing. It calls to me more and more as time goes on. I've been doing some sort of rock, hill or mountain climbing for 20 years now. It never gets old. The mountains always call, especially new and unfamiliar places that have their own sights, smells and feel about them. Colorado and New Mexico called me this year. The mountains there called, and I've become addicted. Much more than expected. I've climbed the highest peaks of New Mexico and 12 of Colorado's 54 "14-ers". It's been magical. Every mountain is different, every back road and town I get to see along the way is a treasure. And of course, there's the ever prevailant breweries to enjoy some of Colorado's famous craft beer in at every turn. And it always tastes that much better after a long and fruitful climb. Please enjoy a few of my photos from a few days of adventures this summer. There's many more pictures, and many more waiting to be taken. Getting caught in snowstorms while climbing class 4 pitches on exposed ledges at 14, 000 feet or summiting the top of NM followed by a quick glissade down the snowfields. Taos, Aspen, Telluride, Boulder, Idaho Springs, Mentura/Vail, Breckenridge…a few of the towns I've gotten to enjoy as part of the adventures. I can't wait to see what the future holds...

I'm always in search of new adventures, both big and small, local and further away, and while living in Napa, Putah Creek and Lake Berryessa, in a remote pocket of Napa Counties' Eastern side, just west of Winters, is a delightful spring paradise of hiking that makes a good day (or half) trip. Managed by the University of Davis, this small wilderness is home to a colorful display of wildflowers, wildlife, rugged topography, small waterfalls, inviting creeks, stunning views, and a challenging network of trails climbing up and down ridges, offering a 5-mile loop to enjoy the bulk of it; however, there are many side trails that one (including myself), can wile away a day with. This hike would be much too hot in summer, but it made for a perfect early season hike, all the better for the seasonal spring wildflowers as well as milder temperatures. If you feel like staying, there is a small motel, resort, RV park and some camping at the base of the trails, offering handmade pizzas and a small store (that needed to be stocked with more natural/organic products for my shopping taste). Happy hiking!