en route to

a collection of memories

[domesticated-witch]

5 tips for any new hikers/Instagram hikers

Here are 5 tips so that people think you know what you're doing and you are also courteous to other hikers/nature. I promise if you follow these rules, you will appear like an expert hiker.

1. Leave No Trace: this is first because it is the most important. Your ultimate goal is for no one to know you were ever there. Anything you bring in needs to be packed out! Period. Full stop. I have seen so many wonderful hiking areas be destroyed by trash. DO NOT BE THIS PERSON. THEY LEAVE GARBAGE BECAUSE THEY ARE GARBAGE.

2. Respect the trail and respect the wildlife: animals and other critters have been here long before us and therefore do not your food or pets. Please do not pet the wildlife. Please God, do not feed them either. Also the trail is there for a reason. You are not above the trail. You are not special. I don't care if you want that Insta pic in that specific spot. The trail is there to respect nature and avoid erosion and also for your safety.

3. Uphill hikers have the right of way: This is something small, but it makes so much of a difference if there are lots of people on a trail. We are courteous to other hikers, so we allow the ones who are exerting the most effort to keep going since it is harder to start and stop while going uphill.

4. Turn off your music: this is not a rave. This is not a house party. I didn't come outdoors and hike 6 miles to hear your shitty music. If you bring your speakers and are blasting music, please know that you are the worst human and have a special place in hell. Turn it off or don't come.

5. Always bring water: seriously why are people hiking without water? Do they want to die in the middle of the woods, cause that's how you die in the middle of the woods.

And that's it! Bring shoes you can hike in, appropriate clothing, and don't forget your water. Nature is for everyone, but nature will bitch slap you if you don't respect it. Also, I will literally yell at you on the trails if you don't follow these.

[enrouteto]

This needs to be printed & posted at every trail head. 

We met a kid that didn’t bring food or water to summit Mount Whitney. It’s a 24 mile round trip hike. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING. You’re young, not invincible. 

[catchymemes]

[chickenfarmersan]

[alamuts-lair-of-madness]

At least show us the bison!

[chickenfarmersan]

[thestenchofcheeseandregrets]

[enrouteto]

Hello from the home we bought during a freaking pandemic what were we thinking how did we get here what are we doing.

But all is well! I am still receiving a paycheck despite there being hardly any work for me to do. A blessing and a curse. I have a hard time accepting money when I’m not contributing to anything. But please keep paying me. Dealing with the guilt qualifies as a full-time job.

I just submitted an e-visit request to get some anti-anxiety medication. I’ve never used anti-anxiety medication but I’m having a hard time buzzing around with fear all day every day. I woke up in the middle of the night with an itchy and dry throat and immediately fell into a spiral of - oh my god, am I sick? Do I have a fever? Did I get COVID-19? Is this the end?

No. This is what it has been since we moved into the new house, just plain old allergies. As if they dryness from Las Vegas wasn’t enough, we’re currently living in the middle of a very dusty construction zone. Oh, and spring. That’s still a thing in the desert. 

Then there’s the tension headaches because I can’t fucking chill. Ever. Okay, I chill for about an hour a day when I’m lightheaded from my before-breakfast workouts. A few minutes during meditation. Sometimes during yoga. Oh, and there was those few minutes in an epsom salt bath but even then I worried about my lungs for no reason whatsoever. But all these internet-promoted self-care routines are not enough to quell the dread of an ongoing pandemic. 

I have it pretty good, but I feel so shitty. The internet says this is normal for what’s going on, but it’s still awful. 

Despite everything, I am still sober! Alcohol hasn’t been on my mind, but I’ve considered smoking weed. But then my fear is like - you think you’re paranoid now? Want to ride this roller coaster without a seat belt? 

Ah, well. Here I am. I’m going to lay down with my bff, Kindle, and read about people that aren’t real that lived in a time that’s not now. 

How’re you? 

[enrouteto]

Yesterday, I was mildly paranoid that the pizza delivery man may have given me COVID-19. It was supposed to be a contactless delivery. He got too close. That's the only thing I have against him - his proximity to me. Oh, and he dropped the ranch.

Today, I am okay. Though I get annoyed when I see other people out walking when I'm walking. You folks never walked so much before. Nor were you this friendly.

The joke in Vegas is that you wouldn't recognize your neighbor but this whole dang neighborhood seems determined to change that now that we've been told to be distant.

Tomorrow. Another day closer to freedom. Whenever that is.

[lifeasawaterelement]

Moving Mountains | Colony

[enrouteto]

Very into this.

[enrouteto]

So, we bought a house. During a pandemic. 

Exciting and terrifying!

But at least we have something to do now. 

[enrouteto]

COVID-19 may be what brings Tumblr back. 

[enrouteto]

Some Facts

Nearly 13 months alcohol free

Living that plant-based life

Still in Vegas

Toying with the idea of running my first marathon in 2020

[enrouteto]

It's currently snowing in Las Vegas.

[enrouteto]

I've been alcohol-free for 100+ days. I never thought I'd want to be, but here I am. Alcohol really isn't necessary for anything.

I've been slowly peeling back the layers of bullshit that has kept me from actually evolving. I've even started going to therapy.

I asked my therapist if unpacking childhood trauma is something that has to happen. I don't remember how she responded in the moment, but as I left, she suggested I start writing about memories. So, I went back to my old LiveJournal and found an entry I had written essentially blaming myself for my mother's addiction. I also talked about how awful I was and how it made sense that she had to give me up.

Reading it made me so sad and angry. I joke about having mommy issues but it's so damn obvious that I do.

So, guess we'll see how valuable this unpacking will be.

[americasgreatoutdoors]

On a blank canvas of fresh snow, nature tells a story at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. These marks were left by an airborne predator and its unlucky prey. With sharp eyes and a daring dive, the bird of prey captured its next meal and then pounded the snow with its powerful wings as it pushed up into the sky. Photo by U.S. Geological Survey.

[enrouteto]

Living in Las Vegas now. I'd hate it if it weren't for the mountains.

[enrouteto]

Hell is

Eight hours of watching someone else do your boring job slowly.

[youbroketheinternet]

[enrouteto]

KANYE!

[enrouteto]

Missing Mombasa & our small multinational community of happy people made possible by the abundance of free alcohol and the absence of deadlines. Take me back.

[enrouteto]

Feeling pretty good. Feeling pretty motivated.

After countless failed attempts to try to overhaul my life, I'm letting go of an idea that doesn't actually suit me. Time to focus on a better version of myself, not a different one.

I've spent a lot of time feeling pretty hopeless and unhappy without a valid reason. I have reasons to be grateful but I lose sight of them because I get caught up in meaningless crap. I don't like my job, but it pays the bills! I am broke, but I've got a roof over my head and food in the fridge. We have heat, electric, and the internet. I have a cell phone. I have a boyfriend who drives me to work (and picks me up often, too). On days he doesn't, the bus stop is at the end of our street. I've traveled a lot the last couple of years. I've even got a dog! My favorite dog, Penny. (That's a story for another time.)

Life is GOOD.

But there are some aspects I want to change. And I am...

I'm hashing out plans for a side hustle. I'm going to take my time & not expect unrealistic results. I know that it's not going to allow me to quit my day job anytime soon, but it's going to be worth the effort. Slow and steady. This feels like the right path. I'll share more when I'm a little further along.

I'm becoming more mindful of the food I consume. Drinking more water. Starting a running routine.

Feeling good and staying positive does take some effort at this point, but it'll be worth it. I need to get back to that girl I was four years ago.

But right now? Right now it's time for snuggles and a good book.