Where to Travel in 2019

All my life I’ve loved to travel. On school breaks and throughout the summer, my parents took us to Mexico, Canada, Germany, and all across the United States.

We were, and still are, avid road-trippers. It’s actually no surprise I now live in a van and can take my home with me on any road trip.

As a kid, we drove to Nebraska three times to visit relatives, drove to Disneyland, drove to Yellowstone, and eventually drove across the country on an epic six-week road-trip.

With two of my favorite travel companions at the top of the Eiffel Tower

Because my parents were teachers and had summers off, we made the most of our time by traveling and camping, instilling in me a deep love of experiencing new places–either cultural or wilderness.

So, each year I anticipate where I’ll go and what trips I want to take.

Last year looked a little different–I worked at a tech startup, tore my ACL, and lived in downtown Portland. I was busy, tired, and injured. Fortunately, to bookend my injury, I took two international trips: one in March to Whistler, Canada, and the other in late October to visit my parents in Madrid, Spain.

Planned Travel in 2019

Coby rowing at Retiro Park in Madid

So far it looks like 2019 will have space for lots of local trips (we live in Utah, which offers endless locations to explore), as well as hopefully three international trips. I’ll also throw on a few bucket list trips at the bottom of this post in case everything goes right this year and we can make them happen!

Ouray, Colorado – January

Photo by Mark Cushman

First stop in 2019: Ouray, Colorado, an adventure lovers mecca. Situated in the Uncompahgre Mountains of southwestern Colorado. I’ll be attending the Ouray Ice Festival on behalf of Chicks Climbing & Skiing, a female guiding company based out of the region.

While I’m still in the recovery phase from tearing my ACL, I won’t be kicking crampons at the Ice Fest, but I will be taking plenty of photos and encouraging all the women at the Chicks clinics to get sendy!

If all goes according to plan, this trip to Ouray will be a fun road trip in the van through Moab, into Crested Butte, to Denver (for Outdoor Retailer), and back across southern Wyoming.

Spain and Italy – February

To start off the year, I’ll visit my parents in Madrid, where they currently work as teachers at an international school. I visited in October/November last year and spent the majority of my time in Madrid (with a day trip to Salamanca, a weekend getaway to Seville, and four days in Paris).

At the square in Seville

Madrid is such a cool city. While it’s Spain’s largest city (and the capital), it feels small, like you can walk from one end to the other–which we essentially did.

This time around, I’d like to more thoroughly explore the Malasaña, Salamanca, Goya, and Fuente Del Berro neighborhoods, which are all known for their historic and cultural aspects.

My mom and I are taking a girls trip to visit Bologna, Siena, Pisa, and Fognano in Italy’s Toscana and Emilia Romagna Regions. Here, I’m most excited to visit the newly established FICO Eataly–a 100,000 square meter “Food Theme Park” with tastings, restaurants, and farms on-site.

We’ll also stay at a convent in Fognano, which might be a lodging alternative for those traveling on a budget. (We’re paying less than $25/person for lodging and breakfast).

Yellowstone National Park & Montana – May

In May we get to welcome our first nephew into the family! My sister-in-law is due with their first child on May 5th (Margarita baby, heyo!), so we’ll be venturing up north to welcome our newest addition.

Coby hasn’t been to Yellowstone National Park, so we hope to incorporate that as a stop either to or from Montana in the spring, and if time permits, I’d like to travel a little farther north to Glacier National Park. Our only hang-up would be finding a place for Nala to stay if we were to head into the backcountry overnight. Time will tell!

Spain & Portugal (Possibly Morrocco!) – May

After the baby’s born, we’re heading back to Europe and bringing my mother-in-law for her first overseas trip! The details aren’t quite ironed out yet, but we’ll likely spend time in Madrid, Barcelona, and along the southern coast of Spain to introduce her to the culture and everything that makes Europe so wonderful.

We’ll stay in the country a while longer and climb in Oliana–one of the most renowned sport climbing locations in the world. Climbers liken it to the North Shore for surfers. Oliana offers steep, pristine, orange and gray limestone routes with tufas, crimps, and the lone jug every now and again.

Depending on time (and finances, let’s be real), we hope to visit Portugal, Morrocco, or both! The drive from Madrid to Porto takes a little over five hours, and we’d have the opportunity to see some of the Spanish countryside (did I mention I love road trips?).

Getting to Morrocco from Madrid isn’t much more difficult: take a train to Gibraltar and a ferry over to Tangier, then travel by bus to your destination. Or, hop on a RyanAir flight to fly direct to Marrakesh for $49 roundtrip. We’ll likely choose the fly RyanAir.

Red River Gorge – September

BUCKET LIST DESTINATION! Coby and I have dreamt of visiting the Red for years. We’ve watched countless climbing videos, read multiple articles, and salivated over the pictures from Miguel’s Pizza (too much? Too bad).

The Red River Gorge is a premier climbing destination in an otherwise climbing desert. Here, there’s something for everyone, and we want to sample it all. Aside from climbing, the Daniel Boone National Forest has lush forests and miles and miles of hiking trails. It looks absolutely gorgeous, and I imagine it’s stunning in the fall.

India & Tibet – October

As climbers and outdoor enthusiasts we are enamored by remote and wild locations–India and Tibet have both. It’s been Coby’s dream to visit India for as long as I’ve known him and it seems that his 30th birthday is the perfect time to visit!

We’re still in the initial planning phase for this trip, and have no concrete details, but we’re hoping to spend time in New Delhi, Kolkata, then travel to Kathmandu, and across to Tibet. Coby’s working on developing a photography project on Tibetan Monks, so stay tuned!

On a side note, I’d love to trek to Everest Base Camp while we’re in the region, because it doesn’t make sense to travel halfway across the world and miss this magnificent place that I’ve read so much about. I’ve had many friends complete the trek, and look forward to their advice for planning and must-do itinerary additions.

(Maybe) Bali – November

I honestly have no idea what this year might bring–I’m freelancing full-time which means my income fluctuates and could be excellent or abysmal by year-end. I’m hoping for the former, and if that happens, I’m headed to Bali!

I’ve practiced yoga on and off for five years now, with a more dedicated practice the past year and a half. It’s been vital for my mental health, as well as my ACL recovery. I often think about attending Yoga Teacher Training in Bali because, come on, it sounds absolutely AMAZING.

So let’s all keep our fingers crossed and hope for a successful year of blogging and freelancing!

Utah Trips in 2019

As I mentioned earlier, Utah offers a wealth of local travel to wild, remote, and beautiful places. Here are a few destinations I’d like to cross off the list this year:

Parowan Gap

Photo by Glen Merritt

The Parowan Gap hosts over 1,000 years of petroglyphs pecked into the surface of the rocks. Likely, the Fremont people and other Native American groups like the Paiute crossed the Parowan Gap and created stories among the sedimentary rock. From what I’ve read, tribes used the Parowan Gap as a way to track the sun and time.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Photo by Shepard4711

When I first saw pictures of Coral Pink Sand Dunes I couldn’t believe it was in Utah! From a geologic standpoint, it makes sense. Sand covers the southern portion of the state, and with wind and sustained weather, the sandstone has seceded to time and traveled across the plains, collectively.

Bears Ears National Monument

Can I live in Utah and not visit Bears Ears? Can I be a public lands advocate and not visit Bears Ears? You can answer these questions however you like, but with all the controversy around this national monument, I think it’s high-time to head south and see what makes this land so magic and mystic.

To be fair, I have visited Indian Creek, which was originally protected by part of the monument.

Before I go, though, I’d like to read Dispossessing the Wilderness a book about the possession and relinquishing of lands from Native American peoples.

Capitol Reef National Park & Bryce Canyon National Park

Photo by Wolfgang Staudt

It’s a crying shame I haven’t been to all five of Utah’s National Parks! Though, if it’s any consolation, I’ve visited Arches National Park on multiple occasions.

Capitol Reef is only a 3.5 hour drive from Salt Lake City, and home to the Waterpocket Fold, a literal wrinkle in the earth’s crust. It’s also near Goblin Valley State Park, home to a collection of bizarre rock formations.

Bryce National Park speaks for itself, with the Jurassic -like flora and magical and mysterious hoodoos throughout the park.

Bucket List Trips for 2020 & Beyond

Like Gwen Stefani, if I was a rich girl and had all the money in the world, I’d take these trips right now! Alas, my savings account begs for more, and until it’s satisfied, these trips remain on the bucket list.

Kakslauttanen, Finland

Photo by Greenland Travel

As a self-proclaimed die-hard Christmas enthusiast and lover of all things winter, Kakslauttanen could easily be the happiest place on earth. Here you can take a reindeer safari, stay in glass-covered igloos beneath the Northern Lights, go downhill skiing, and more.

Also, Santa lives here, in Finland’s largest log cabin.

Bhutan

Who hasn’t dreamt of visiting Bhutan? Ever since I read about this country in the Geography of Bliss and learned that the government actually measures Gross Domestic Happiness, I knew I had to visit. To preserve the culture and locals from being overrun by tourists, it’s expensive to visit with a few additional logistics.

The government sets a “Minimum Daily Package,” or a set price to cover food, lodging, transportation, guides, and cultural learning for each day you’re in Bhutan. Costs above those mentioned goes directly to the country to provide free healthcare, free education, and alleviate poverty. (Don’t you love Bhutan already?)

Currently, during the off-season, two travelers can visit for $230 per person, per day. Which isn’t terrible, considering it’s essentially all-inclusive.

South Africa

Photo by Dana Le

A safari, no doubt, makes it on my bucket list, as do the wineries and rocks of South Africa. Rocklands, home to a dense concentration of high-quality boulder problems, sits about three hours north of Cape Town in the Cederberg Mountain Area.

There are also plenty of opportunities to relax on the beach, hike, or overland if you have a rig to do so.

Hokkaido, Japan

https://vimeo.com/286121485

This one deserves a video because LOOK AT THAT POW

As an avid skier, Hokkaido is essentially the Shangri-la of powder and tree skiing. And, it won’t break the bank like skiing at Vail Resorts. Lift tickets to most of the resorts in Hokkaido cost $50-$70 per day, with discounts the longer you wish to ski. Skiing at Niseko for any ten days in a 12 day period runs $400. Not bad, considering ten days at Park City costs $1300 (at which point you can save money by purchasing a season pass).

Beyond skiing, there are hot springs to soak in, beer to drink, and sushi to eat. Sounds like my perfect travel destination.

In Conclusion, 2019 Will Rock

With so many places to visit on my list, I’ll have enough to keep busy and keep scratching that incessant, permanent travel itch.

Where will you go in 2019?

**This post contains affiliate links which costs my readers nothing while I earn a small commission on products that I believe in and love!

Complete Guide to Spanish Wells, Bahamas

You don’t visit Spanish Wells for the raging nightlife or crowded beaches, but for the tranquility and full relaxation of being on a small island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. This two mile long by half a mile wide haven off the eastern coast of North Eleuthera hosts nearly 1800 year-round inhabitants and long stretches of secluded, white sand beaches.

We recently visited on a family trip and after seven days were already planning our trip back to the island for the the remote beaches, friendly locals, and pleasant year-round weather.

HOW TO GET TO SPANISH WELLS

On a map, you could easily miss Spanish Wells. It sits off the eastern coast of the long and skinny, sliver-of-a-moon island called Eleuthera.

If you’re traveling from anywhere other than the Gulf Coast, plan for a whole day of travel. We connected from Montana, Utah, and Spain, each flying through Florida or Georgia to get to Nassua.

It’s possible to fly directly to North Eleuthera Airport (the closest option), but you’ll pay quite a bit more for the direct option. After factoring in the ferry coast, or the additional flight on Pineapple Air, it might be worth it to spring for a direct flight. Less hassle, and generally about $100 more.

On the ferry coming into Spanish Wells

From Nassau there are two options to Spanish Wells: take the once-a-day ferry at 8:00am, or book a hopper flight from Nassau to North Eleuthera on Pineapple Air. Tickets will likely be around $150 roundtrip. Make sure you flight times line up!

The last flight of the day for Pineapple Air leaves at 3:45pm, which means your flight must land in the Bahamas in time to deplane, go through customs, collect your bags, and change terminals. My brother and sister-in-law flew in around 12pm and it took them an hour and a half to get to their next gate.

BEST TIME TO VISIT SPANISH WELLS

We were in Spanish Wells towards the end of December and had low luck with weather. Although the temperatures were much higher than Salt Lake (upwards of 70-degrees), we experienced high winds and breezy, overcast days.

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This isn’t typical of Spanish Wells! The day after we left, the forecast changed to 10-days of 80-degrees and full sun.

In the Bahamas, visitors have the best weather from November-April with temperate warm days and low rain.

From May-October, they experience the rainy season, which is also when most tropical storms batter the island. Other than bad weather, those months are also the hottest and most humid, so if possible, try to plan your vacation for late fall, winter, or early spring.

WHERE TO STAY IN SPANISH WELLS

Since Spanish Wells isn’t a hopping tourist destination, there’s only one hotel on the island: Spanish Wells Yacht Haven. The rooms here are nice and spacious, plus there’s a restaurant on site (with a Starbucks if that’s your thing).

We decided to rent an AirBnb for our time on the island, and it’s by far one of the most adorable places I’ve ever stayed.

Tippy’s Cottage By The Sea has more than enough room for the six of us to play games, eat, and relax. Other than the entryway, the house is spacious, and if you open all six french doors onto the balcony the space doubles.

Tippy’s Cottage

If you don’t need a space that large, there are plenty of other options on Airbnb for Spanish Wells and Russell Island. You can use this link to save $30 on your first booking of $75 or more.

As Spanish Wells doesn’t have much in terms of tourist attractions, it’s worth it to book an Airbnb and have a place to call “home” for the week. Relaxation really is the priority here.

Transportation Around Spanish Wells and Russell Island

It’s a little goofy, but golf carts are the go-to mode of transportation in Spanish Wells. We drove past quite a few souped-up golf carts bumping club music and shuttling friends around.

There are two golf cart rental agencies:

Harbourside Rentals
242-333-5022
Rentals@harboursidebahamas.com

JJ’s Golf Cart Rentals
(242) 333-4575
rdt@coralwave.com

We rented through JJ’s Golf Cart Rentals, and I’d highly recommend. They met us at the ferry dock, and when we dropped off the cart at the end of our week, we were instructed to leave the keys in the ignition and they’d take care of the rest.

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It seemed like the most common golf cart rentals were for two or four people, but we were able to rent a six-seater, and saw an eight-seater twice. So if you’re looking to rent one cart for the entire family, you have options.

With only 4 square miles of island, it’s possible to walk or bike to the grocery store, restaurants, liquor store, and the multiple fish charter guiding companies on the island.

Finding Food in Spanish Wells and Russell Island

Grocery stores (and most other businesses) are closed on Sunday, so keep that in mind as you make plans for the week.

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If you’re staying in Spanish Wells for a week or more, you’ll likely want to make your own meals. The dining options are expensive, and often offer the same or very similar menus. After a while, fried fish can taste a little, well, fried.

Grocery Stores & Liquor in Spanish Wells

There’s one grocery store on the island called Food Fair. It generally has everything you need, but be prepared for escalated prices. If you’re on a budget, bring basic pantry items from home by making a meal plan ahead of time to see what you can take with you (like bread, tortillas, rice, etc).

There’s a mini-mart a few blocks down from Food Fair that has basic essentials if you’re in a pinch. The mini-mart is open seven days a week and will hold you over if you’ve run out of toilet paper, milk, pasta, and the like.

Budda’s Liquor has a quality selection of booze from hard liquor to beer to a pretty wide selection of wine. The prices aren’t too far off from the mainland: we bought a bottle of mango rum for $18 (and it was delicious!).

They cook all their food in this old school bus at Budda’s

There’s another liquor store just down the street from Budda’s called Discount Liquor. We didn’t go in, but good to know if you’re looking for something Budda’s doesn’t have, you might be able to find it there.

Eating Out in Spanish Wells

The Sandbar

I recommend going for drinks and appetizers for sunset. The private beach just beyond the tables (and hammocks) feels so special, especially as the sky changes color from blue to pink and purple, orange and yellow.

Private beach at The Sandbar

The food you’ll find at The Sandbar mirrors the food options across the islands: fried fish, fried conch, fried pickles (delicious, especially the sauce), and a few beef options if you’ve had fish too many meals in a row. If that’s possible.

Shipyard

We ate dinner one night at Shipyard, right on the eastern tip of the island. Our waiter sat us on the patio, next to the seemingly endless expanse of the Caribbean Sea and star speckled sky. Try the lobster mac–it’ll make your mouth water as you eat it.

Wreckers Restaurant at Yacht Haven

If you have a Starbucks addiction, this is the only place on the island to satisfy it! They don’t offer all flavor or milk options, but they blend frappuccinos, and serve espresso, which is all I’m ever after.

Wreckers offers a decent food selection. We went for drinks and lunch one afternoon, and the salmon patties were the perfect consistency as an appetizer. On our last morning in Spanish Wells, we came for breakfast. Try the salmon eggs benedict or the egg and cheese sandwich on Johnny Cakes–a popular thick pancake like english muffin.

Plan Your Trip Now

If you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, Spanish Wells is the quiet, relaxing respite you seek. Bookend your vacation with a few nights in Nassau (we toured the Atlantis which is like it’s own beach resort, and if you have the budget, I’d highly recommend!), for more beaches and little more nightlife.

Coby looking through the glass at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau

Why I Quit My Job With No Plan B (And How You Can Too)

I’ve always dreamed big dreams. I wanted to be an actress, a singer, a writer, host my own talk show, become president, the list goes on. While some of these ideas were thrown around from one five-year-old to another, they stuck with me. And as I went to college and started cycling through different majors, I kept coming back to writing.

I’ve heard it said, often and sure, that we all want children to dream, but we want adults to conform, and as I’ve grown in my twenties I’ve seen how true that is. We conform in a hundred small ways that seem minor and are labeled as “adulting,” but quickly our dreams seem next to impossible, and the means we must take to accomplish them are riddled with financial hurdles, our beloved security, and risk.

It’s too bad, I think. To let life be dictated by what other people think, or by fear, or by finances. I believe these can all be real hurdles, and it’s difficult to leave your job, or dip into your savings, or answer tough questions from family members. But are those things worse than being miserable? Than returning to a 9-to-5 monotonous job, a mortgage that’s half your income, or mounting credit card debt?

I’m here to tell you, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY! In fact, we all might be better off if we started doing things we loved, things that brought us life, that made us feel like we have a purpose on this planet. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.

You see, I refuse to believe that dreams are just dreams. That the outrageous is impossible. I believe with every ounce of my being that if you are willing to make the sacrifices, you can create the life you’ve always dreamed of.

As much as YOLO seems ridiculous, it’s absolutely, 100 percent true. We are only on this planet for a short amount of time. That time is filled with struggle and triumph and pain and grief and unbelievable joy. We have the opportunity to taste exotic foods, to take gondola rides to mountaintops, to love and be loved.

Two weeks after I finished college, Delta Air Lines offered me a job as a flight attendant. It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. Through Delta, I traveled to eight new countries, ticked off the last of my fifty states, and learned more patience than I’ll ever need again (I hope).

I quit in June of 2017 because I believed that I could create a life full of travel without having to work demanding hours in customer service. This blog is the start of that dream.

After Delta, I started freelance writing and landed a full-time gig at a tech start-up in Portland called The Dyrt, a campground finding app. I loved my coworkers, and the fast-paced nature of the job, but again, I knew it wasn’t getting my closer to my dream.

So I quit. And in grown-up terms, it was pretty irresponsible. I don’t have much in savings. I have three anchor clients to sustain myself, and a hardworking husband who works ski patrol in the winter. But I do have a whole hell of a lot of passion, and if there’s anything I’ve learned in my life it’s that passion can get you places.

Get Started Living Your Dream Life

It’s the beginning of 2019. We all have 12 brand new, glorious months ahead of us to set and attain goals, develop new friendships, and dream bigger dreams. What’s standing in your way?

Finances can be tricky, especially as more and more millennials leave college strapped with tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. It’s stifling, and I’m no stranger. Between Coby and myself, we could travel around the world three or four times with the amount of student loan debt we have.

There are two ways to approach the burden of finances: do something about it, or accept the long game.

“I would rather own a little and see the world than own the world and see little.” -Alexander Sattler

For a long time, I felt trapped under my student loans. I thought I had to put my life on hold in order to pay them off. I have a few close friends who have done this and been successful. They’ve put their heads down, saved the majority of their income, and paid back debt within 2-5 years.

I don’t have the perseverance to do that.

Instead, I’ve accepted that I’ll be paying on my student loans in moderate increments until I start making a higher income through travel blogging and freelance writing. This is the long game, for sure. Though, not as long as twenty years.

Work Beyond Your Fear

Some fears are rational, and it’s important to address them before quitting your job to pursue your dream. Do you live on a single-income? How much are your monthly bills? When can you expect to earn an income doing what you love?

It’s wise to have savings or a nest egg before starting out, but it isn’t necessary. For some, striking out with the pressure of making money can fuel them and enable them to earn thousands each month in a short amount of time.

If that sounds absolutely terrifying (it is!), then start with a side hustle. Dedicate enough time outside your day job to really pursue whatever it is you want to do. Is your dream to own your own bakery? Spend more time baking, network with other bakers, research the logistics for applying for a small business loan, or save enough so you won’t need one.

Make a list of goals and remind yourself of those goals daily. I worked freelance while I held a full-time job and it was exhausting. But, I had a list of goals I wished to accomplish that helped me refocus whenever I felt tired or angry or lost.

Envision your dream coming true. There have been multiple studies proving the benefits of visualization. When you visualize something, the neurons in your brain become excitable, and believe whatever you’re visualizing is actually happening. In fact, several studies have shown that your brain can’t actually tell the difference between an actual memory and a make-believe memory.

So when you start visualizing, your brain believes it’s happening. Then the rest of your body kicks into gear.

Remind Yourself ‘It’s Possible’

Somedays it might not feel like it. You might have unpaid bills, a mountain of paperwork, seven blog posts to write, tense relationships, car issues, a messy house, needy kids, piles of laundry. You’ll feel overwhelmed and overworked and tired and wonder if whatever it is you’re doing is even worth it.

I’m here to tell you it is.

Whatever your dream, it’s possible. You have to believe it’s possible to have any chance at all of achieving it. Dreams don’t operate with doubt as the driver. They’re not concerned with your current reality. They exist in the future, after you’ve done the hours and weeks and months and years of hard work.

It might sound exhausting, and it is. But it’ll make you feel alive. Unbound. Fiery. Fierce. Bold. Courageous. Joyful.

What dreams will you attain this year?

El Potrero Chico: A Sport Climber’s Paradise

For years, El Potrero Chico has been at the top of my climbing bucket list. It’s home to the second longest sport route in North America, Time Wave Zero, and the notorious El Sendero Luminoso, made famous by a Honnold free solo in January of 2014. It’s the sport climber’s Yosemite, with more multi-pitch sport routes than a climb-cation could ever have time for.

Thankfully, if you want to make the most of your climbing time at El Potrero Chico, it’s easy and doable to climb in the morning and evening at different crags. We visited in April, which is not the best time to go, so we continuously battled the heat of the day. That meant 6am alarms, mid-afternoon naps, and evening sessions.

With the pool at La Posada’s, I couldn’t complain about downtime and lounging in the hammock above the pool, though. It. Was. Glorious.

Transportation To and From El Potrero Chico

Getting to and from El Potrero Chico is fairly easy. My husband and I flew into San Antonio, and hailed a greyhound from there to Monterrey, which cost about $26 each way. Since the ride went through the night, and there weren’t a lot of people on board, we were able to sleep for most of the journey.

Once at the station in Monterrey there were taxis outside, and with a little bit of help from Google translate, we were soon on our way. Friends of ours flew into Monterrey International Airport, and the drivers there immediately knew where to take them. The ride to the park entrance is about 500 pesos, or $26.

Where We Stayed in El Potrero Chico

I can’t speak about the other campgrounds, but there are quite a few you can stay at near the entrance to Potrero. We chose La Posada because we went in the off season and everywhere else was pretty slow. The campground saw a surge of visitors during the weekend, with locals coming to camp. We found the ideal camping spot for our two tents and three hammocks in a patch of new growth trees. We ended up paying 130 pesos/night ($7) which included showers and pool use.

El Potrero Chico Climbing

While my eyes were set on climbing Time Wave Zero, I quickly realized it was out of reach after spending a day on Space Boyz (5.10d). The eleven-pitch, 1100-foot climb, demanded every ounce of courage and strength I could muster. I grunted my way up, and wasn’t able to carry my own weight. Coby ended up leading most of the pitches, and being a good sport about it.

A few days later we went up a six pitch 5.10b, Dope Ninja, which included the most epic 5.6 traverse I’ve ever led in my life! I’d highly recommend this route to anyone headed down to Potrero. It’s also a great introduction to the type of climbing in the area.

Eating & Drinking

In terms of food, the market, La Mexicana, is a 45-minute walk from the campgrounds. The food (and alcohol) is super cheap–we bought a bottle of tequila for five dollars. We also bought 17 avocados for about six dollars. Each time we went down to the market we were either picked up by a passerby without trying, or stuck out our thumbs far enough to hitch a ride. The locals are incredibly friendly, often honking their horns and waving as they drive by. There is a restaurant at La Posada with a variety of Mexican food as well as dollar beer and tequila shots.

You can also check out the Tuesday market in town on a rest day. Someone described it as a “WalMart on wheels,” because there are so many things for sale. From milky fruity drinks, to usb chargers, to shoes, to produce, you can find nearly anything you’re looking for here. We had the opportunity to meet Raul Reyes who makes some of the best hot sauce I’ve ever tasted.

There’s definitely enough in El Potrero Chico to keep you occupied for a lifetime; in our two weeks we barely touched the surface.

The Overwhelming Nature of Anxiety

A couple months ago I summited a peak, all by myself, for the first time in my life. And let me tell you, it felt amazing.

There are a few things many people don’t know about me:

• I am constantly anxious. As in, my mind continuously comes up with the worst-case scenario in each situation and runs through it over and over and over again until I’m essentially a basket case of nerves and emotions.
• For a long time I’ve let this anxiety rule my life. I’ve shied away from climbing, hiking, taking risks. I’ve worked myself into a panic when I didn’t hear back from a loved one for a few hours. I’ve been overwhelmed with negative possibilities time and time again.
• However, generally speaking, I’m an optimist.

Wait, what?

I know. It’s confusing, even to myself. I’m a positive person. I believe in the goodness placed in the souls of humanity. I believe if we continue to better ourselves we can become the stewards of this planet that we’re capable of being. I believe that kindness, conversation, and perspective can overcome the evils continuously presenting themselves in our world. With my heart, I genuinely believe all of these things.

But then my brain goes to the dark side. The fat-chance side. The one-in-a-million side. Like getting mauled by a cougar. Or losing any member of my family to any number of diseases or devastating circumstances like murder or car accidents. Or coming across a crazy in the woods. Or my bolt pulling. Or triggering an avalanche. And for the longest time these scenarios that haven’t even happened to anybody I know dominated the hemispheres of my brain until I felt overwhelmed and isolated and stuck. How would I ever live my life to the fullest if I kept suffocating under the weight of my anxiety?

Then I had an “aha!” moment. I never wanted to label this for what it was. I thought I was just another worrier (and maybe I am, I haven’t seen a doctor for a diagnosis for personal reasons), but I googled anxiety and what I found honestly changed my life. Our brain is our most powerful tool, and when used to benefit our livelihood, dreams, goals, and aspirations, it can alter our lifestyles dramatically.

It’s one phrase:

“I’m going to worry about this later.”

So. Stinking. Simple.

Because what happens when you worry about it later is that when later comes, there’s nothing left to worry about. The irrational fear has passed. You’re in a new environment and whatever presents itself there will be worried about in the next environment. It’s fear-shifting. By pushing fears into the future I’m more capable of living in the present. Fully.

I will tell you though, sometimes it doesn’t work. Sometimes I still feel trapped under this oppressive fear and negativity. Like a few weeks ago when I was hiking in Neff’s canyon all by my lonesome, and something moved in the bushes, and I couldn’t spook it, so I eventually turned around and walked the other way. The defeat I felt weighed heavy on my sensitive soul, but this is what I knew, it was temporary and the next day would be different. And it was.

I hiked up to Grandeur Peak with just my backpack and my not-so-shiny new approach shoes. I didn’t put headphones in, and I continuously reeled my mind back in to my breathing, to the beautiful sounds of life around me, to worrying about it later. Like magic, I didn’t assume every slithery sound was a snake lying in wait, but instead I heard lizards and marmots and squirrels. The thick stand of trees I passed through didn’t have my eyeballs dodging between every narrow space, instead I stood in awe of their massive stance, of their roots stretching deep into the earth and their branches reach, reach, reaching for the sky.

When I finally made the summit, winded, sweaty, and awe-struck I couldn’t keep from giggling. Up there I had nothing to worry about besides my place in this beautiful, living, breathing, ever-changing, natural world.

And that, my friends, was pretty fantastic.

She was powerful not because she wasn’t scared, but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear. -Atticus

Solo Summit. My first ever! Grandeur Peak 8,299′