Wow. I suck. It’s been what? Two months since I’ve posted anything. Sorry for anyone who reads this and is interested in my adventures. I’ve been, honestly, adventuring a lot and have ideas for blog posts filling my brain, but have been lazy when I have the time and have truly lacked the motivation. My apologies. Life is slowing down a bit so hopefully I’ll get back on the wagon and be regular about it.

This post is dedicated to a few awesome hikes I had in California this summer. There is no play by play that I’ll run through, but a general feeling and tone that I know anyone who is into fitness or nature will understand. While traveling with my friend Pat in California and Oregon we picked up a friend of his, Ethan. Now, you must imagine a tall, skinny (really skinny) 20 year-old-kid that has longish shaggyish hair. A cute Canadian accent and carries a skate board wherever he goes. WAIT! He’s not a punk, he’s respectful, don’t judge him on his skate board (he doesn’t deface public property) or the fact that he could be blown over by a light breeze, (he doesn’t do drugs—though he enjoys a malt liquor every so often, nothing hard.)

This kid, this adult, had never been shown how amazing this earth is. He’d explored the streets of Toronto on four small wheels, grinding hand rails and ollying over steps. His jungle was concrete, harsh and full of twisted ankles and healing scabs.

We went to some spectacular places: Mount Hood in Oregon, camped and hiked in the Red Wood National Forest, surfed in Santa Cruz, hiked 27 miles in Yosemite National Park—we did a lot. A lot a lot! I was dumb founded and speechless at the beautiful places we went and the experiences we had. But being able to see someone change, to see someone finally get it and appreciate it was incredible.

It: The vastness, amazingness, hugeness, incredibleness of stepping outside, looking at a mountain and hiking over it, around it, through it. Stepping back and realizing just how small you are and how big this world is. Realizing that you CAN DO IT, you can hike that far.

“That’s sweet dude. Fuckin’ sick.” Ethan said this countless times. “This is sick. Sick man.”

To watch Ethan gain confidence was what I imagine a parent feels watching his kids. Not to compare him to my child (no way!) but he was so nervous to go for the hike in Mount Hood (a mere 6-8 miles) and rock it at the front of out pack and then bust out 27-28 on an accidental all day hike in Yosemite was amazing. We were all tired. We were all dehydrated. We were all hungry. We all made it out and we all maintained a semi-positive attitude, all had dips in our moods and energy levels, but we made it and helped each other, inspired one another throughout the whole day (and night.)

On this note, get out and share and grow and experience something with someone new and realize how powerful it can be. Take a step back and try to re-understand how impactful a few encouraging words or actions are.