Tipping Point - Colorado Rock Climbing

This trip seems to have been a sort of tipping point for me. I use the word tipping point because this is first time, since I started rock climbing several years ago, that I feel energized and motivated to really push my limits, in short, to not be afraid of being afraid.

Sitting here once again in front of my computer at home. I have a little time to reflect on the past week which was spent almost exclusively rock climbing in Boulder and Buena Vista Colorado. In the past couple of years I have to admit, I have been a little timid and unwilling to really go out on a limb and attempt to overcome obstacles when success wasn't a forgone conclusion. But this past week made me realize that that doubt, that fear, it's essential. The knowledge that the task at hand will require every bit of your focus and determination is a such a powerful vehicle for propelling yourself to greater heights. These challenges force you to give everything you have and hold nothing back, in situations like these I am often surprised just how far you can push yourself. I think I am addicted.

This is Ben. The reason I ended up in Leadville CO and met all the climbers you see below. Ben and I have all sorts of adventures planned for the winter so you can bet you will seeing a lot more of him.

This is Joel. I am officially jealous of his blue eyes.

This is Zack. Aka Greek GodThis is Chris. This is Steve.

Strangers - North West Coast Wrap Up

I am perpetually surprised by the variety of people I meet. In the image above are the faces of everyone from a graduate literature student to a heroin addict. The list goes on to include a travel writer, construction worker, farmer, cashier and Vancouver resident, who for the record is the only Canadian I met who said "eh?" and here I was hoping to be inundated!

All the people I met on this trip helped me in some way, sometimes that was as simple as directions or an engaging conversation, but without them my trip would not have been complete.

Keira - Seattle

This is Keira and without her I think Seattle would have left a bad taste in my mouth. Meeting Keira turned into a photowalk around Seattle in search of the best light. I don't think I have ever met another stranger on this project with whom I have had such spontaneous and engaging conversation with.

John - Vancouver

I love this guy, very very funny man.

Now that I am back in KC now and compiling the images for The BIG Family Project, I am happy to say we are making some solid progress with the first out of town shoots being completed. The next stage will be taking place in San Fransisco in the second week of April. Updates soon!

Big thank you to Jeannie and Tim for hosting me in Portland!

Canada - British Columbia - The Loop

I felt small.
I could also add cold, aching and humbled but those seem like inevitable and important parts of any and adventure. All those negative adjectives become a footnote to ones that monopolize your memories like euphoria, awe, inspiration, freedom and adrenaline.

Having spent the last few days driving a 350mi loop through B.C. and sleeping in a little rental Toyota Corrolla has included all those things listed above. Traversing "The Loop" has been an adventure that opened my eyes to the beauty of the second largest country in the world, albeit just a tiny little piece of it. The 3511023 Sq. miles that compose this country seem to hold such promise after just experiencing 350 linear miles of it.

"The Loop"
The Loop is something I heard about from a waiter who told me it was the most scenic drive I could do. The drive Starts in Vancouver and snakes it's way South through the legendary beauty of Squamish. I cannot tell you how many people have told me to visit, hike and climb there, Whistler (where the Olympic downhill sports are held) and through a handful of little rural Canadian towns nestled in the mountains before culminating in dangerously beautiful Frazer Canyon, dangerous simply because it's hard to keep your eyes on the road, which brings you around for a straight shot back to Vancouver.
The diversity of this drive is what really astounded me. You can hike through rain forest, by waterfalls, climb mountains and kayak on the countless lakes before making into the middle of B.C. where the rainshadow makes for a more arid climate that is a stark contrast from the moss enveloped trees of the Vancouver to squamish section. But as you continue along the loop through Frazer canyon, waterfalls are visible from the roadway hiking trails. Lakes and scenic overlooks tempt you to pull over constantly. Traveling through so many differing climates in such a relatively short distance kept the loop continually engaging and perhaps, best of all, sections of the loop have a distinct feeling of being undiscovered by the crowds.

There are so many options to doing the loop. I think the loop is more of a concept than an itinerary. So many possibilities and permutation are waiting to be explored. Just choose a road and discover where it leads you. Being bereft of iPhone maps or any of the usual aids I bring with me was more of a blessing than a curse. It let me explore without the stress of having a specific destination and the trouble that comes with actually finding that destination. This trip made me contemplate parallels in my own life. Always planning things to a "T" is not necessary. Sometimes the experience of new places and challenge of new obstacles is all that is necessary to create a memorable and advantageous experience.

Rain forests like this one were such a unique change of pace from the Midwest.




There are so many little Canadian cities that seem to be enveloped by mountains like this panorama of Lillooet.
The loop was complete for me when I reached the north shore of Vancouver

I have recently discovered a whole community of adventurers and travelers that make a living from helping others achieve their goals. One central message that seems to saturate every one of their articles is the idea of "doing" something. Stop planning, stop worrying, stop making excuses and just do, act, engage, explore, learn, converse, travel, build, run, walk, fly...whatever it may be...just do it. Build momentum and you may be amazed at what you'll find. In the words of one of my good friends, "Jump and you'll see the net". I love that because there is so much truth to it. It is not always possible to see all probable outcomes or options until we are in the thick of it. Start moving on whatever it is that is important to you and you may be surprised at what you find.