Coming Home

In 2011 I left Girl Scout resident camp thinking that it was the last time I would spend my summer at camp. The last time I would sing songs, lead hikes, coach campers through high ropes and attend weekly cookouts. I left camp behind that summer because society and those around me told me that it was time for me to “get a real job”. That you couldn’t get paid year round to do outdoor things.

It turns out, I and they, were wrong.

In 2018 I returned to the camping world. But this time, it was in a different state and a different camp. I can’t begin to list all the feelings I had leading up to my trip to Utah. I was curious, excited, and a little scared.

What if things had changed in the six years I’d been out of the camping world? What if I didn’t know as much as I thought I did? What if I discovered that the thing I loved so much, that I thought I’d said goodbye to for good, no longer brought me the happiness it had all those years ago?

Luckily, none of those things were true.

Once I was back in the camping world, it felt like I had never left. The minute I walked up the path to Trefoil Ranch, those six years didn’t matter. I was in a new state and a new camp. I didn’t know a single person. I hadn’t even physically met my boss yet! But that didn’t matter. They knew the same songs and games as me. They had similar camp experiences. I saw similarities between the staff I would be spending my summer with and my camp family back in Oklahoma.

By the end of the season, I spent eleven weeks at Trefoil Ranch, and I dreaded the idea of saying goodbye to it, the staff and the horses. I cried, no I sobbed, as I drove down I-15 for my journey back to Oklahoma.

I found a home at Trefoil Ranch. Working there renewed my faith in outdoor programming. But the biggest thing? It lit a fire in me. A fire that since I returned to Oklahoma, continues to say “you can and you will, find a way to do this.”

For that, I am forever grateful.

Travel Will Break Your Heart

Travel will break your heart. That’s what they tell you. You don’t think it’s true, until it is. 

Until you’re headed back to the place that is supposed be your home, crying because you don’t want to leave this new space you’ve carved out for yourself.

Until you’re sitting in the window seat of an airplane, tears filling your eyes because you’ve just said goodbye to your best friend, who you won’t see for another year.

Until you see a mountain view so amazing, you don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Travel will break your heart. What to do with that heartbreak, is up to you.

Photo credit: KoriAnne Lucero

Home

With “Sleep on the Floor” by The Lumineers playing in my ears, tears pricked my eyes while I watched the plane I was on take off. I was returning home after a five day trip to Georgia to see one of my best friends.

Home.

That was a word I had been toying with since my trip earlier that month to Oregon, to see another one of my best friends. (Yes, I have more than one)

I scrolled through the photos I had taken, thinking about the definition of home. The travel bug had bitten me a few years ago, and the more I traveled, the more I came to realize that my definition of home was changing.

As most of us do, I have family and friends scattered throughout the United States. Colorado, Oregon, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Georgia – just to name a few. I also have friends who live in Europe and Australia and one who is currently bouncing back and forth between the US and Switzerland.

Maybe it’s because my 30th birthday is coming up. Maybe it’s because I’m two steps behind everyone my age. Maybe it’s because when the seasons change I seem to get restless. (Anyone else?) But for whatever reason, I’ve been feeling this need to leave as soon as I return from a trip.

My two trips this past month have shown me that for me, home isn’t where you keep your stuff. It’s wherever you’re with the ones who love and support you. The ones who make you laugh and hold you accountable. The ones who you can sit in silence with. The ones you find yourself missing just minutes after you say goodbye.

As I sat on that plane I realized my home and heart are scattered across this world. I know some people would be freaked out by the thought of that. But you know what? I’m ok with it.

Be Happy

At the end of 2014 I changed from making resolutions, to making promises to myself. I remember that moment quite clearly. I was leaving a year that had been amazing compared to the one prior. I was happy with where I was in life, love and work. As I thought about what I wanted in 2015, the words just poured out.

“I promise to hike more, to attend more concerts. I promise to put my phone away, to get lost on back roads. I promise to buy less, and experience more. I promise to work hard, to write more letters. I promise to build relationships, and to love fiercely.”

During 2015 I focused a lot on travel. I dedicated my weekends to getting outside, either by myself or with friends. I traveled outside of the country for the first time in my life.

When 2016 rolled around I once again make promises to myself.

“In 2016 I will continue to explore. I will get to know Oklahoma City. I will put the phone down, and build the relationships I have with people. I will spend my money on experiences, not things. I will get back in touch with photography. I will start making healthier choices, and I will prepare to return to Yosemite in 2017. ”

2016 ended up being an off year, for a lot of us.

Yes, I travelled. Yes, I did some awesome things. I spent my time with great people. But, I don’t feel like I accomplished much.

As I thought about what I wanted my promises for 2017 to be, one thing kept coming to mind. Doing things and being around those who made me happy. For a few years now, I have been telling myself and others “Do what makes you happy. Life is too short to worry what other people think.” It sounds cliché, and hippyish at times. But for me it’s true.

So as I sat in a coffee shop on January 2nd and thought about what promises I wanted to make this year, what things I wanted to accomplish, I realized the main one was exactly that – do what makes me happy.

“I promise to continue to explore and travel. I will spend time getting to know people. I will get back to writing and photography. I will listen to more live music. I will continue to purge my possessions. I will spend time by myself. I will let go of what doesn’t make me happy.”

Cheers.

Happy 100th National Park Service!

Today the National Park Service turns 100! I have always been a fan of the outdoors, and I truly believe I am the best version of myself when I am outside.

Now, more than ever, there is a need for protecting and preserving our public lands. More and more people are gaining access to our parks, historical sites, monuments, recreation areas and preserves. More people are venturing into the wilderness. This is a positive thing, but can at times be negative. Everyone deserves the right to explore our parks, but everyone needs to do so in a smart and respectful way.

No matter where you explore, wether it’s a state park or a national park, please be smart and respectful. Stay on paths and trails, listen to the park staff, stay a respectful distance from animals, pack out what you pack in and do not deface any piece of nature.

The land we have been given is a gift and if we do not protect, preserve and teach others to respect it, these places will not be around for the next generation.

Happy 100th NPS! Here’s to 100 more!

A Year Later

Last March while visiting Robbers Cave I decided I was going to visit all 34 Oklahoma state parks in a year. Well, it’s a year later. I didn’t accomplish my goal of completing them within a year, so I’ve altered my goal to visiting all of them. So far I’ve marked off 14, which leaves 20 more. I feel confident that within the next year I can visit most, if not all of them.

Normally I would feel bad about not accomplishing a goal. But this time I don’t. I know that ultimately it doesn’t matter how quickly I go through the list. What matters is I’m getting outside and exploring. I was in some parks for a few hours, others a few days. Some I explored alone, others I had a friend (and dogs) join me.

Over the years I’ve heard a lot of people say “there’s nothing to do in Oklahoma”. As someone who does their best to get outside every chance they have, I can tell you this is not true. Aside from the 34 state parks we have, Oklahoma also has privately owned parks, wildlife refuges and recreation areas managed by the National Park Service.

My goal when starting this blog was to not only track my adventures, but to encourage people to get outside and explore. Over the past year I’ve had several people tell me that they enjoy seeing my adventures and that it encourages them to do the same. So, while I may not have accomplished my original goal, I am accomplishing my goal of getting people outside.

Here’s to another year of adventures, and hopefully 20 more parks!

“If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan. But never change the goal.”

#ColoradoTime

Though I’ve never lived there and have only visited a few times, Colorado is probably one of my favorite states. It has mountains, it’s beautiful, it has tons of breweries and it doesn’t have that annoying Oklahoma summer heat that we Okie’s always complain about (but sometimes love).

Back in November, my best friends and I made plans to visit Colorado. Olivia and Emily lived there, while Sarah and I were in Oklahoma. With airplane prices low, I was able to convince them that the four of us needed a reunion.

So in June, Sarah and I set off for Colorado. The highlight of the trip (besides us being reunited) was being able to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’ve never been, you need to go. It is beautiful. Pictures do not do it justice.

We spent a good chunk of the day in the park and though we didn’t do as much hiking as I was hoping (I didn’t factor in the elevation change), it was wonderful, and I can’t wait to go back! Luckily for me, not only do two of my best friends live there, but my sister recently moved up there. So, I will be seeing Colorado again.

Why Do I Travel?

The other night I was hanging out with a friend. At one point, he turned to me and said “Why do you travel so much?”

I stared at him for a moment before replying “Why DON’T you travel?”

This got me thinking. Why do I travel?

I travel to see things, to experience things that I can’t in my day to day life at home.

I travel to connect with my family and friends.

I travel to see the wonders of nature, and to disconnect from my social media and phone.

I travel to push myself, to do things I never thought in a million years I would be able to do.

I travel because it’s fun and it makes me happy

I travel because I like having stories to share with others.

But the biggest reason? I travel to learn about myself.

Every trip, teaches me something about myself. I grow a little every time I pack my bag and head off somewhere I’ve never been before. Travel is something that I truly believe everyone should make time to do. Whether it’s local or international, is up to you. Just get out there and see things. Experience what life is like away from where you live. You only have so long on this planet. You might as well make the most of it.

“The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” -John Muir

Turner Falls

Roman Nose & Red Rock Canyon

In April, Erin and I decided to make a short, 24 hour trip to Roman Nose State Park. With our trip to Robbers Cave having been two days long, it felt totally different driving down for one night, to simply leave the next afternoon.

But it was totally worth it. We made a campfire (of course), drank, had s’mores and just enjoyed being outside. The next morning we made French Toast for breakfast, a meal that has now become a tradition when we go out camping, before setting out to find a trail.

Roman Nose State Park has not only a golf course, but a lake. The trail head we picked was alongside the lake, so passing by the water was super windy and slowed us down a bit. The trail was full of switchbacks, which I have a love/hate relationship with. If the ground is semi flat, like this was, I don’t really think switchbacks do anything. Other than make it seem like you’ve gone farther than you have. If the trail is steep, they are a big help, cause they take you up gradually.

I’m pretty sure we didn’t go the entire way, but we reached a point that had a good view of the lake and stayed up there for a bit before deciding to head back to pack up camp.

While we packed, I mentioned to her that we weren’t that far from Red Rock Canyon State Park. I had never been there, which was ironic, because I grew up going to camp just down the road. We decided to head down there and have lunch before we split to go home.

I shouldn’t have been so shocked about how Red Rock was, seeing as it’s just miles from my childhood camp. But as we walked along the nature trails, I kept saying “I feel like I’m at Camp Red Rock.”

I don’t know if I would stay the night at Red Rock, since it’s fairly small and there’s not much to do. But it was a good lunch spot and the nature trails were fun to explore.