Mt. Hood

Annie and I beat our expectations of what we thought possible by climbing Mt. Hood on April 19th, 2009. We now have a constant reminder that we are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. It was one of the hardest and scariest experiences of our lives, making it a highlight of many experiences, and more to come.

"To measure yourself at least once."

"The sea's only gifts are harsh blows, and occasionally the chance to feel strong. Now I don't know much about the sea, but I do know that that's the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind death stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head." - Into the Wild

Pictured is Indian Henry Rock at the campground Indian Henry along the Clackamas River. Back in 2008 while camping there something inside me wanted to reach the top, and getting there was easy part. Reaching the top and coming back down is one of the few times in my life that I've actually measured myself, truly scared myself. Since that day I have committed myself to live life as experiences and adventures rather than solely as routines and deadlines. The challenge now becomes maintaining this path when it's so easy to slip back in the pattern of the current society, sitting on the couch watching television, where more is always better, and tricked into eating "food". I wish to be more aware of what's real and important, and deliberate in living, to not be late or miss the appointment I've set with myself.

The City of Roses

Beauty like this needs to be shared. The picture was taken of the rose beds in the south park blocks in front of the Portland Art Museum.

"The earth laughs in flowers" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Annie, Katie, Matty, and I all braved the rain and cold in the Columbia River Gorge June, 6th to climb Dog Mountain. What an incredible day. You know life is being lived when your body does something your mind knows it can't. We were all ready and willing, and unbeknownst to some of us, able to make the trek up the ~2,500 ft. elevation gain on muddy and sometimes slippery trail. The whole experience can be summed up in the words of a great man, "I'm outta breath but I'm doing it." - My tired, lightheaded, hungry, and now mountain climber best friend and brother-in-law Matthew James Bowers.

*•True Gift•*

We have been brainwashed
to believe "things" are gifts; but
the true gift: your time.
- MST (6/3/10)