Day 2,827 (written on Saturday, June 24)

Growth:

The anticipation of adventure is truly invigorating.  As I prepare to knock out a dream I’ve had for years I’m filled with equal sensations of joy and nervousness.  I’ve never done this before.  I’ve done similar, but this is to be my first solo backpacking trip.  

After my relatively recent hermitage experience I’m delighted for time alone in thought while also nervous about how the first day or two of being truly alone will go.  

I’m going outside of my comfort zone and it is exciting and a bit nerve wracking at the same time.  I feel so alive!

Appreciation:

Something about the drive across Wisconsin and into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan feels so right for so many reasons.  There’s an oddly soothing sense of home that continues through the Driftless, across the cranberry bogs, into the red clay and pines, and finally leading into the miniature mountains and the vast expanse of Lake Superior.  Each twist and turn through the forests and along the swamps brings new surprises and new views.  So much green in so many different  hues, a gourmet feast for the eyes!

Throughout my adult(ish) life there’s been a gravitational pull towards what I initially felt was the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  As I think more deeply on this I’ve realized it is actually more of a pull to Lake Superior and its borderlands.  The lake is so serene and beautiful while being so rough and cruel at the same time.  It is awesome and beautiful in its rawness.  While humans have begun and advanced the Lake has remained, before, during, and after we are gone.  Wreathed in majestic hills, rock, beaches, and forests it is proof that there is something bigger than us.  Humbling, centering, and stirring – when it is within sight one almost can’t help but look away.  Ahh… one of my most joy filled places.

Presence:

There were so many minutes of my drive in which I was completely focused on the views outside my car windows.  I saw more Sandhill Cranes than I can accurately count and even a baby crane!  There were turkeys, turkeys, and more turkeys.  

The three moments that really stick out all involve deer.  On three separate occasions I paused and realized I should be watching for them in the woods beyond the ditch.  In each of those times I was rewarded with a flash of tan as I caught a deer standing deep in the wood or running with a fawn.  It was awesome! 

Thanks!!!

Day 2,831

Growth:

While quite often what we are really looking for can be found within ourselves we sometimes find it better when we step out of ourselves, out of our normal.

Over the past handful of days I’ve found calm, perspective, confidence, humility, peace, contentment, growth, appreciation, and clarity. I am still myself, but me who walked out of the woods is different than the one who walked in.

So thankful for setting this purposeful goal for myself this year. It was better than I expected.

Appreciation:

This morning awoke before daylight to pack up my camp and hug the trail as soon as there was enough light to safely walk the trail. The stretch I’d saved for today was one I enjoyed immensely the last time we were in the Porkies.

The forest has a mysterious, almost whimsical, feel to it in this segment. The old growth forest has titans of trees towering overall the floor and blotting out so much sun that there is minimal undergrowth. When an old giant falls there’s a spotlight of sun which is filled with green plants taking advantage of their luck. There are boulders strewn throughout and it is bordered by a rocky ridge and a plunging valley.

I wanted to experience this at my favorite time of day, before the sun was up and while the world sleeps. It was the stuff of dreams and so perfectly timed. Such a magically surreal experience!

I’m grateful for experiencing this hike the first time as it inspired this entire trip. The anticipation was worth each second and then some.

Presence:

This view in this moment. Breathtaking.

The Lake of the Clouds lit up like it was a fire of copper this morning. In this picture it is still about two miles away and 300 feet below me.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,826

Growth:

One of the reasons I read so voraciously is that I never know when a nugget or lesson from a book will come in handy. Over the past week there have been a handful of moments in which my actions and thoughts were greatly improved as a result of past lessons pulled from reading. From restraint to seeing challenges as a positive to preparing for success and many places in between my actions were markedly better than they would have been without that knowledge. Here’s to reading, a wonderful way to distill wisdom from so many for so much of life.

Appreciation:

Today’s one of those days when I am especially thankful for raising kids who are responsible and love the outdoors. Tonight Dominic is camping out on the sandbar with some friends – what an awesome adventure! I glad that he and Gavin both have such a passion for the outdoors, it continually fills me with joy.

Over the next few weeks the boys will likely be outside more often than inside during their waking hours. They will be hiking, camping, canoeing, rafting, ziplining, and all other types of craziness outside. How awesome that they get to experience so many outdoor adventures this summer!

Presence:

Life sometimes throws us very difficult curveballs and we have to adapt quickly. We have to take definitive action and focus on the bigger picture of doing what is right – especially when it is difficult to do. What I am thankful for today is the moment after the storm when someone reached out to ask how I was doing through the challenge. That act of kindness helped tremendously and was greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,825

Growth:

My current book is The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. I’m not quite halfway through and am completely enthralled by the story of exploration. Unfortunately, it is also the tale of ego getting in the way of both proper preparation and appropriate decision making. This story is quickly turning into a dark reminder of the power of overconfidence based on past successes.

One of the reasons I enjoy reading books like this are the numerous life lessons one can extract from the story. This is panning out to be a gold mine of cautionary lessons, stories of adventure, and an interesting history I was completely unfamiliar with. I’d highly recommend this one, so much to take away from this one!

Appreciation:

In contrast to The River of Doubt I am working on being very much prepared for my upcoming backpacking trip. After starting with a ridiculously heavy pack (one of the mistakes made by Roosevelt’s team) I knocked it down to a very manageable load while still containing the necessities for my trip. This evening I practiced taking it all apart and re-packing it to ensure I had everything AND I was able to put it back together afterwards. I’ve got my backpack pretty tightly packed and it was nice knowing that I’ll be able to get it taken care of on the trail. Carrying it on my hike this morning and for a 4+ mile walk yesterday helped me confirm that there would be no rubbing or shifting. I’ve been obsessing about it a bit, but am thankful for doing so as I know I’ve got what I need to for a successful (ie “safe”) trip.

Presence:

Not gonna lie, my morning hike including some of the most ridiculous wildlife watching I’ve had in a long time! As I started up the trail I heard an interesting bird call I didn’t recognize. My Merlin app said it was a Barred Owl so I froze in place and slowly scanned the woods as I listened for what was almost a high pitched wheezing sound – not the distinctive hoots I’m used to. I located one and just chilled on the trail while taking in the sight of it. It kept calling and I could hear another but I couldn’t find the second one. After a few moments of enjoying the moment I headed off again.

On my way back I heard the owls calling again from almost the same location. They’d decided to move a bit closer to the trail and I was able to quickly find one of them. As I started recording I realized just how close the second one was. Next thing I knew one flew next to the other and I got to walk on the trail while the owls watched me from above – it was AWESOME!!!

What a fantastic way to start the day, two owls on one hike!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,824

Growth:

I’m starting to find that “wisdom” seems to be when going through a scenario and realizing that it is the second time you’ve been through it, though it is the first time from this perspective. So often I’m finding myself on the opposite end of conversations leading to growth when I listened to the wisdom of someone who’d been there before.

By living through the experience we can better help ask the questions to guide the other person through their experience for the first time.

I’m very grateful for all those teachers, leaders, and mentors who’ve been there for me and so patient with me as I stumble through.

Appreciation:

Nothing quite like planning out the next adventure or two! Dominic and I are going to be taking a trip with just the two of us seeing as Becky and Gavin are going to be heading to France this winter. This evening we’ve been all around the world checking out places to visit on both hemispheres in search of our destination. So much fun dreaming big and taking in just how many epic adventures there are to experience in life!

Presence:

On this day last year we hiked to the most spectacular and beautiful waterfall I’ve ever seen. We walked through the volcanic river valley, forded rivers, hiked between thousand foot high sheer cliffs, crawled through the entrance of a cave, and then finally climbed a large obsidian structure to view the waterfall. The water poured in through a hole shining up to the surface and was fed by the freshly melted ice of the glacier thousands of feet above us. Standing there I was in complete awe as I looked up. It was so beautiful I wept. What a moment!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,823

Growth:

Remember to take time to pause, zoom out, evaluate, dream, plan, and then zoom back in. Funny how certain things seem to take priority when I’m in the heat of a project or series or projects. With the benefit of space and time those same things clearly should take a backseat to other more important challenges.

Space and distance provide the optimal way to see what is most important most clearly. Make space, come up for air, review the line, and then dive back in.

Appreciation:

For a few minutes tonight I was a little antsy. I was fidgeting and felt nervous about what I was supposed to be doing. I was borderline twitchy! Then I realized what was happening… I was enjoying a moment of unfilled / unplanned / inactive time. What the hell is this??? Once I realized I had nothing going on and had an opportunity to chill it still took me a bit to actually lean back into and relax. After my blog I’m going to head to bed and read for a bit before drifting off to sleep – it kind of feels like I’m getting away with something 😉 So nice to have a quiet night at home with no plans.

Presence:

My business partners and I kicked off our morning with an awesome walk today. It was so chill getting some bonus time outside while also taking time to keep strengthening our relationship. We talked life, we talked business, and about everything in between. There were no glances at cell phones, no distractions, only time outside talking and walking. What a great way to get our brains in the right place!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,822

Growth:

How wonderful to be able to ask for and receive feedback prior to taking action? On more than one occasion I paused, set ego aside, and actively sought out advice. I was able to make a better call in both situations based on the feedback from my questions. So thankful for remembering to pause and seek out the advice of others.

Appreciation:

Two quick takes on appreciation tonight.

First, I’m thankful for the focus on values as it helped me live into a better version of me today! So much easier to make a decision when I’ve got my framework (purpose & values) to guide me.

Pausing to breathe, look back, look ahead, and plan really makes a positive impact on my ability to lead into the correct future. I’m thankful for doing just that today with my partners.

Presence:

This right here…

Thanks!!!

Day 2,821

Growth:

Six years later I still miss Dad. There are so many times I’d love to call him and share a story or two or to apologize for having experienced something the boys did to me that I 100% know I did to Dad back in the day. Father’s Day reminds me of Dad with striking regularity. Rather than a couple of thoughts per day as usual his memory surfaces seemingly many times per hour.

In each of those moments I have a choice to make. I can choose to be sad he’s gone or to wish we would have had more time. Or I can choose to appreciate all the moments we had together, all the memories we created together. I can choose to be inspired and motivated by Dad’s examples and wisdom to help be a better dad for my sons.

I don’t always make the right choice, but I make the right decision more and more often as I practice.

Appreciation:

The boys gave me an awesome card and gift today. It 100% brought tears, so thankful for the gift, but even more grateful for the thought and meaning behind it. 🥹

Presence:

Time outside with my family for Father’s Day, the best gift possible!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,820 – short one as I milked about as much out of today as I could and I’m ready for bed!

Growth:

Nice learning combo today – remembering action must be taken in order for positive change to happen and a powerful reminder of the beauty of taking a third party perspective on the challenges we face.

Appreciation:

I’m so glad I’m getting my gear ready for backpacking early as I do best when I can slowly cut down from the huge pile to a much more manageable pile. My brain works so much better starting very wide and then narrowing down.

Presence:

So much fun hanging out with friends today! One of my favorite parts was going through old songs from back in the day. Had a blast trying to remember who the band was while simultaneously having so many memories from the past come flooding back.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,819

Growth:

As I’ve mentioned before – I love re-reading books as I’m never the same person I was when I read them the previous times. In picking up The Obstacle is the Way again there were two thoughts which stuck with me more than past readings.

First, a quote shared from Man’s Search for Meaning got me thinking…

Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become the next moment. By the same token, every human being has the freedom to change at any instant.

Viktor Frankl

And then a quote from Ryan to remind myself of when I sense my emotions getting the better of me.

I am in control, not my emotions. I see what’s really going on here. I’m not going to get excited or upset.

Ryan Holiday

Appreciation:

This afternoon I paused work for a little bit to pick up Gavin from his National Youth Leadership Training camp through Scouts. It was almost a full week of learning how to better lead through utilization of the EDGE method. To wrap up they shared skits showing how the method works. What an awesome opportunity for all the Scouts to grow into being better leaders! This is one of the trainings I bet he will go back to often and is one he and I can talk about at home as well.

Presence:

Sharing a trail run with Becky this morning was fantastic! We typically run on a road into a wooded area near our home, today we headed to Hixon to run some of the same trails I’ve been hiking recently.

Talking about the sounds we were hearing, pointing out places I’ve seen deer, and soaking up the wonderful forest smells together was so perfectly chill. An excellent start to the day.

I love my outside time in the woods, time with Becky, and time in physical activity. To have it all rolled up into one was pretty awesome!

Thanks!!!