March 2017 Update: Taking Flight

I kept my foot hard on the pedal just to stay with the pack, which was traveling at a steady 85 mph. I was in the middle of a three-lane freeway, returning from the airport. On my right, two cars flew past me. FLEW. Past. Me. It made me feel like a race car driver, even in my old truck.

My life is so different now than it was a month ago…

Wrapping Up Baja

I left my quiet Mexican apartment in Baja in the beginning of February, where everything had been slow-paced, sunny, and peaceful for the last couple of months. From there I went on a week-long kayaking and whale watching trip that completely blew me away and refreshed my soul. It was a beautiful send-off from my beloved Loreto.

Then I went to Cabo for a week. My original “plan” did not include Cabo at all, but an opportunity arose to meet with a business coach who was passing through Baja, and I said yes. #priorities

That’s how I met Derek Loudermilk in person, just a couple weeks after recording a podcast episode with him via Skype. We worked together for a couple of days, sharing suggestions, developing ideas, and yes, it was worth it. I’m hoping to share with you some of the big things I’m working on in the next few months.

What I can tell you is I also solidified plans to bring a professional, Cabo-based adventure travel photographer on the Patagonian Lake District adventure I’m leading this fall, along with a couple other surprises. (There are only five spots left!)

Winter-Shock

After a week in Cabo, I left Baja to fly to Seattle. That’s where my truck lives when I’m gone. I have some of the best friends in the world, this is just one of the ways they take care of me.

To be honest, the cold rain and grey skies of Seattle had me questioning everything.

It is fascinating how much I am affected by sunshine, or lack of sunshine. I chose to enjoy my time with my friends, knowing that the weather was only temporary. The problem is, from there it only got worse. I faced three mountain passes with three snowstorms on my drive to Montana.

Next time I decide to come back in the middle of winter, slap me.

Somehow my trusty truck and I made it, white knuckled and exhausted. I got to spend a week with my brother and friends in Bozeman before packing up some of my clothes and toys from storage and heading south… to Colorado. Actually, I got stuck overnight in Wyoming on the way down, because #winter.

Sunny Colorado

I knew Colorado would be sunny, I could feel it. Spring is coming. Isn’t that amazing? That spring comes when it’s meant to? In Montana, spring comes in June.

During my first week in sunny Colorado, I got to reconnect with dear old friends, drink from an overwhelming selection of craft beers, aaaaand… then I left. #travelerlife

I went to Lake Tahoe, where I’m originally from, and hopefully I’ll soon get to share with you the reason for that short trip. While I was there, I took advantage of getting to see family and friends.

I went from living completely on my own and traveling solo, to being completely surrounded by people I love, who know me. This is a huge change from the loneliness I was feeling just a few months ago.

I’m back in Colorado for the moment, but I’m leaving again tomorrow for England and Scotland. I could really get used to packing for just one trip at a time!

Follow #OMGBChallenge this week to keep up with that trip, and if you want to participate, please join me in the BMT Community on Facebook to help me make decisions about what to do while I’m there, especially if you’ve been to Edinburgh! I’m also doing a takeover on @thebudgetmindedtraveler Instagram for the week if you want to follow there.

If you can’t tell by now, Colorado is the place I’m attempting to “land,” to which I referred in my last post. Certain activities this month will determine much of what that transition will look like.

For now, here are my first impressions of Colorado:

1. Coloradans don’t drive, they fly.
2. The craft beer selection is truly overwhelming. Colorado has 285 craft breweries and counting. These people take this craft seriously, and I’m happy to support.
3. Two words: NONSTOP FLIGHTS.

Tomorrow, when I fly to London, I have ONE FLIGHT. Last week, when I went to Tahoe, I had ONE FLIGHT. Every time I go to a new brewery, I can try a NEW FLIGHT. I think I’m finding my wings indeed… this is going to be fun.