Memoirs

I realize that this blog was originally created to document my adventures throughout life.

Needless to say: I haven't been doing that.

I've decided today to do some memoir journaling and will try to cover my past adventures, more for my own recollection sake than anything else. Pictures may be included. Depending on the trips proximity to the present. That being said, I will be covering each adventure as is pleases me to cover and don't promise any sort of linear continuity :)

Here's the list of stuff to cover:

Rock climbing:
Maple Canyon
City of Rocks
Moab
Provo Canyon
Quarry

International Travel:
Africa - Service
Germany - Wedding
France - Fun
Mexico - Missions, Cruise

Intranational Travel:
Portland - Summer & School, Beach 2x's, Jen visit
Vermont/Boston - AT
South Carolina - Working with David
North Carolina - Wedding
Virginia - Summer Camp
Arizona - Havasu pi, Rennaisance Festival and hiking, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon
Las Vegas - Erika b-day, Visiting Kaapros, headed to AZ, Ragnar
Missions trips - Colorado, Minnesota
California - Lost coast, Blyth 2x's, Uncle Chris' house, San Diego Rugby, Cruise
Idaho - Weddings, City of Rocks, Bear Lake
Southern Utah - Wilderness, Rock hounding, Unified, Calf Creek, Buck skin
Snow College - School
Places around home - Hot springs, Mtn tops, BBQ's, Ragnar
Wyoming - Keg, Snake river
Chicago

Inspiration

Let's start with one of my favorite Quotes:

“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”

I love both Security and Adventure, I would have to say that I have always loved one more than the other. Adventure is my state of being. I've learned to budget, have a nice job that's paying for school. Am working on another AS degree, and have a loving family that I can always come home to.

Though I don't totally agree with that quote on every level I would say that I embody it to a point. I have traveled the world here and there, but have also remained secure in my place here in Utah. The longest I've ever been away from home is 3-4 months.

I have a burning in my chest. It is the desire to experience the world. Not just my corner of it, and not just for a few months. Experiencing a paradigm shift has become something of a fantasy of mine. To expand past my Western American ways and become, as some would say, well rounded. To think in words now unknown, to formulate previously unattainable thoughts and ideas.

As of now I have a little experience with the outside world. Exchange students growing up, foreign friends at school, traveling to Africa, Germany, France, and flying through London, practicing Spanish on duolingo, etc. But that's only sort of satisfying the wanderlust that I've felt throughout the years. Allow me to be selfish for a minute and say this: "I want more!" "Please Dear God, allow me to experience your amazing planet in its fullness!"

In whatever I do, please use me for the growth and benefit of your people. Amen.

Well, Kai and I have gone on one Hike. We hiked the Lost coast in northern California. It was amazing and we didn't even take a car, we just took a bus up to Eureka and hitch-hiked the rest of the trip meeting crazy/amazing people and only getting to hike the first have of the trail (saving the best for next year).
With a taste for blood we both had the same Idea pop into our heads at exactly the same time. We want to buy motorcycles and tour the world. Hopefully heading into alaska, crossing the bearing straight and going down through russia into europe and coming back through taiwan and china. SWEET. well, I'll have more info about the would tour soon, and I'll put up a blog about our spring break adventure in Cali some time too. kk peace out.

Though I cannot say that this will be the happiest post, it is a better one.

After many long talks with those close to me, and an especially good one with Rich Smith, I
decided not to go on the appalachian trail. Telling Kai was foremost in my deliberations, and I didn't want to let down my parents and his.
Surprisingly that day at work I had a message from kai. though this wasn't a new thing, he'd said he wouldn't be calling for another week or so. I had to wait an excrutiating hour before I got on break but the blessed half hour came and I was able to crash on a chair somewhere and eagerly hear this voice mail. His message told me of his own lack of funds, and how he was going to be quitting in nearly 9 days! I'm not happy to say it, but it is a relief that the pressure is off me.

We plan on going on a similar hike next year, and both knowing and having the funds to do it.

With love....Travis.

Fate, and irony have become major players in my game of life. Their attack on the continuation of this trip have become a nagging reality. My low paying (but well enjoyed) job is frustrating me because of the previously mentioned reason. It wouldn't be so bad if I could give plasma. Then I could actually keep my job. The reason I cannot donate evolves from previous problems in my past. First and foremost, my psoriasis; The medication required to subdue my monster in the past remains in my bloodstream, and is harmful to undeveloped children. Thus, I cannot donate. Even after two years of cleansing my liver has held onto some of the more dangerous chemicals.
After quitting my job I can hopefully get work at a local steel mill that is paying 12.50 an hour. First of all, I dont even know if I can get the job at the steel mill. secondly I dont know if i'll like it.

well, Thats enough of my complaining for now.
p.s. my next entry should be happier.

This is my first posting to a hopefully long blog.

My name is not important because if you've gotten to this blog I should know you... anywho. I have made millions of plans for my summer, and slowly killing off the ones that do not appeal to me. The summer plan I am most enthusiastic about would have to be "going with kai to hike the last bit of the appalachian trail" if I can accomplish this I will be sedated.
Right now from the comfort of my own home listening to "It's got to be funky" I'm sure that I can do it. when I'm hiking, and bird watching with friends I'm not so sure, and when I'm actually on the trail I'll probably be so drowned in the forrest uphoria that I wont feel pain :^)
Though I am not half the writer that kai is I will be keeping this blog up even if I dont go on the trip. Man I wish I were better at eloquently vocalizing my feelings on blogs and such, but it seems so superficial and I like talking to someone better than ejecting them onto some blog that I dont know if anyone is reading. BLAH BLAH BLAh, you dont need to hear this from me... see thats what I'm talking about. the computer cannot comfort me and tell me that my feelings actually do matter, stupid computer.
Ahem back to the trip. So I have to save up tons of money and buy the stuff that kai says that I'll need. I also need to save up enough money for college though that should not be soo hard because of the low price of turkey town. (Snow college) hehe I'm listening to Hopek now.



ps. Jesus loves you, and is my role model. just thought I'd let you know. bye all.