Lagniappe

Pack light. Pack smart. Tips for filling your suitcase or backpack are all over the place. Some insane people even suggest packing extra for backpacking.

Everyone packs for a trip differently. Some people need multiple suitcases, a computer bag and a sack of makeup for a weekend away. Others can suffice for a week or more with little more than a change of clothes. We all have our particulars and necessary items we cannot fathom leaving behind.

What about packing for long-term travel? What particulars and necessities do you need for the ultimate backpacking journey? Time to break it down. Here’s what you need to know to pack right, pack light and make the most of your adventure: [Read more…] about Pack Light, Pack Right: Backpacking Basics

It’s finally that time of year – late Spring/early Summer in the Pacific Northwest. Hiking season is in full swing.

A shower or two will likely pop up and keep the rich, Cascadia earth damp. Not to worry, though. It’s finally warm enough to go outside without layering up and preparing for a soaking-wet adventure. Seasoned hikers have the advantage. Arrive early! Particularly in the Portland area, many others are dragging their feet regretting those final IPAs from last night. Be sure to get up extra early for the sunrise. All is well.

You have chosen Eagle Creek, one of Oregon’s oldest and most beloved trails. It is a favorite due to easy access and magical, picturesque scenes around every corner. Towering waterfalls and steep cliffs? Oh yeah, even better! Setting out from Portland, stopping to take in the sunrise over the Columbia River Gorge with a piping hot black coffee in hand, the day can only get better. [Read more…] about Oregon’s Lost Gem

People say those who cannot settle down are “running away.” Since we have not selected a career to aimlessly chase and pass the time for the next 45 years, we’re lazy, unmotivated and wasting time.

Okay, fine. I will not exactly deny the running away bit. But wanderers, vagabonds, nomads or whatever you prefer to label us, see things differently. The common life-goals of family, success or money may be similar, but we will not find it in a one-size-fits-all box.

Up until very recently, I considered prominent, respectable careers such as practicing medicine, finance or entrepreneurship. I thought about politics in my future. The primary driving force behind all of these options was wealth that might someday provide the freedom to explore the world and do what I really want. At one point, I even planned on attending law school. I don’t think I ever really wanted to be a lawyer, but I convinced myself it was the right move. I studied for months, took the test, and turned down a scholarship to attend law school, opting instead to spend Autumn backpacking through Europe. [Read more…] about Running Away: A State of Mine