A steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, United States
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In this episode of Think Thursday from the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, host Molly Watts explores the transformative mental health benefits of self-transcendence.After recently visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for the first time, Molly shares her personal experience of awe and expansion, describing how moments of transcendence can shift perspective, lighten emotional burdens, and promote mental well-being.Drawing from Abraham Maslow's later work on human needs, Molly explains why self-transcendence sits above self-actualization as the highest human goal. She discusses how practices that cultivate transcendence — like connecting with nature, practicing gratitude, serving others, experiencing awe, and mindful meditation — can help individuals move beyond rumination, stress, and loneliness.Listeners will come away with practical strategies for creating small moments of transcendence in everyday life, even without traveling to iconic locations like the Grand Canyon. Molly issues a weekly challenge to encourage listeners to experience the power of stepping outside of themselves and into a deeper connection with the world around them.This episode is part of a special Mental Health Awareness Month series and continues the Alcohol Minimalist commitment to science-based strategies for building a more peaceful, mindful life.Topics Covered:Defining self-transcendence and why it matters for mental healthMolly's Grand Canyon experience as a personal example of peak experienceHow Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs evolved to include self-transcendenceThe role of transcendence in countering anxiety, depression, and ruminationFive daily practices for cultivating transcendenceResources and Links:Join the Alcohol Minimalists Facebook GroupWork with MollyRelated Episodes:The Science of AweIf you enjoy the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast, please share the show with a friend, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, and connect with Molly Watts on Instagram and Facebook. ★ Support this podcast ★
Last Fall, Upstream kicked off one of the most exciting reuse projects in the country right now, transforming concessions in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to create the largest reuse system in the US and the first at a national park. Tune in to learn more from Upstream's Jennifer Carrigan and Madhavi Trikha about this in-process model for open-loop reuse for national parks—and beyond.Resources: About the Grand Canyon ProjectRebrand Reuse & Design StandardsGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!
He traded in the electricity of Hollywood for an off-the-grid lifestyle at the Grand Canyon. Today, tales from the trail and beyond with Krocky Meshkin—including a new shuttle service that you need to know about. ***** Krocky's shuttle service can be booked by texting him at (928) 707-3375. South Rim trips start at $100; Krocky can accommodate up to four guests per trip. ***** Please join the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show's private Facebook group by clicking here. Our group is a judgment-free zone full of interaction, information, and inspiration—it's simply THE place to get the best information in advance of your Canyon adventure. Join Brian, Coach Arnie, and most of the guests you've heard on the show in an environment created to answer your questions and help you have the best possible experience below the rim. It's completely free. ***** You can help support the show by considering Rim2Rim or Canyon-centric gear and apparel from Bright Angel Outfitters, the brand founded by Brian & Zeena that exists to help you hike your best hike. Check it out at BrightAngelOutfitters.com. ***** To reach Coach Arnie, you can call or text him (yes, really!) at (602) 390-9144 or send him a message on Instagram @painfreearnie. ***** Have an idea for the show, or someone you think would be a great guest? Reach out to Brian anytime at gchikerdude@brightangeloutfitters.com. ***** The Grand Canyon Shade Tracker is our gift to the Grand Canyon hiking community. This incredible interactive tool lets you see when and where you'll have precious shade on your Grand Canyon hike—every route on every hour of every day of the year. Check it out at brightangeloutfitters.com. Another free resource from Bright Angel Outfitters aimed at making your Grand Canyon adventure the best and safest it can be. ***** For more great Grand Canyon content, please check us out on the following platforms: YouTube (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for informative and inspirational videos Instagram (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for photos from the trail TikTok (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for fun and informative short-form videos Facebook (@GrandCanyonHikerDude)
On today's newscast: Arizona senators say federal funding freeze puts Colorado River at risk, Sedona considers a rapid re-housing program, Grand Canyon crews recover the body of a man who drove off the South Rim, the City of Cottonwood declares a housing emergency, and more
It's a family affair as Dawn is joined by her husband, director Andrew Melby, to HILF this awe-inspiring natural wonder of the world. On a recent road-trip to Los Angeles from Minnesota, Dawn and Andrew stopped in the Grand Canyon. The beauty, wonder and mystery of the place inspired Dawn to take a deep dive into the history. …and who better to go down with?—- SILF's (Sources I'd Like to F*ck)Book - It Happened in the Grand Canyon by Todd R. BergerBook - We are Going in The Story of the 1956 Grand Canyon Midair Collision by Mike NelsonWant more rock hard Geology?Wanna visit? Start here! ---LILF's (Link's I'd Like to F*ck) See Dawn on THE HISTORY CHANNEL - Histories Greatest Mysteries (multiple seasons)See Dawn on THE HISTORY CHANNEL - Crazy Rich AncientsSee more of Andrew's work: https://andrewmelby.comCheck out HILF MERCH now available on Redbubble! Stickers, t-shirts, bags and more!HILF is now on Patreon!Buy Me a CoffeeFind your next favorite podcast on BIG COMEDY NETWORK.---WANNA TALK? Find us on Instagram or email us hilfpodcast@gmail.comTheme song: Composed and performed by Kat Perkins.
In the newest episode of the Arizona Highways podcast, host Steve Goldstein and Arizona Highways editor Robert Stieve talk with Tom Myers, the South Rim doctor who saves lives, blazes trails and writes about death in the Grand Canyon.
Kelsey sits down with Joy Smith from @savvytravelmamas to hear all about her mother-son adventure in July 2024. Joy shares how this trip led them to some of the most stunning natural landscapes and colors she's ever seen! From the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend to the striking Vermilion Cliffs and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, every stop had breathtaking views. They also explored nostalgic Route 66 and wrapped up their journey in Las Vegas. Mentioned in this episode:Joy's Points Travel Academy4th Grade National Park PassValley of Fire State ParkCoral Pink Sand State ParkIHG and Holiday Inn on pointsNorth Rim (Jacob Lake Inn cookies!) and South Rim of the Grand Canyon with kidsHorseshoe Bend, Vermillion Cliffs, Cliff DwellersPink Jeep Tour in Grand CanyonSedona, AZ: McDonald's with blue arches, Chapel of the Holy CrossRoute 66: Inspiration for Disney movie Cars, Williams and Seligman, Arizona, PoozeumNew York, New York hotel in Las Vegas with kidsSUPPORT: Buy me a coffee to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTokSHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.comPARTNER DISCOUNT CODESBling2o - 10% OFF Bling2o kids ski goggles with code: KELSEYSPANX.COM - Use code KGRAVESXSPANX for 15% OFF full-price items and FREE SHIPPING. My current fav travel outfit is the Air Essentials Jumpsuit. CHASE SAPPHIRE CREDIT CARD - My preferred points earning credit card and a great card for newbies entering the points & miles space to get started. Open a Chase Sapphire Preferred with my link and earn 60,000 BONUS POINTS.
In this episode, we sit down with Gautama Reid, better known as “G,” to hear his inspiring trail running story. G started trail running in 2020 and just finished his first trail 100-miler at the Wild Goose Trail Festival this past September.G takes us through the highs and lows of his journey, sharing the lessons he learned during his epic adventure at the Grand Canyon this fall, where he ran from the South Rim to the North Rim.Throughout our conversation, G emphasizes the transformative power of community and the impact of people who believed in him when he was just starting. He credits these connections as the driving force behind his evolution as a trail runner, from tackling shorter distances to conquering the 100-mile mark.G's story reminds us all of the strength we can find in ourselves and the importance of the people who lift us up along the way!
Are you looking for a break from the cold, gray days of winter? We have a perfect solution: a road trip loop through the American Southwest that will take you to four national parks with some bonus stops along the way. We start and end the road trip at the Las Vegas airport. From there, we drive east to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park before heading south to the red rocks of Sedona for a couple of days. Continuing on, we make our way down to the Tucson area, where Saguaro National Park is waiting with its incredible desert landscapes. We also discuss the many other public lands and cultural attractions in and around Tucson before driving west to Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. From there, it's north to Death Valley National Park for a couple of days before returning to Las Vegas for our flight home. Not only can you escape the frigid temps up north, but touring this part of the country during winter is the perfect time to visit many of these places that can be extremely warm later in the year. To see the detailed outline for this episode, check out our companion blog post here. ----- The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's newscast: Arizona could resume executions as soon as early next year, conservation groups have petitioned the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to ban the use of dog packs to hunt wildlife, water conservation measures are again in place on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon after a pipeline break, support for Republican Donald Trump grew broadly across the state in comparison to when he last sought the presidency, and more.
Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~We are in Maryland tonight to meet Bill, and while on a vacation trip around the states, Bill and his partner witnessed a tic tac shaped object while walking along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in October 2023.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-265-the-grand-canyon-tic-tac/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/dPxd35ii1m2ejGgU9All Links for Podcast:https://linktr.ee/UFOChroniclesPodcastPodcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://www.patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX:https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe, it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people, more witnesses. Without your amazing support, all this wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.
Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~We are in Maryland tonight to meet Bill, and while on a vacation trip around the states, Bill and his partner witnessed a tic tac shaped object while walking along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in October 2023.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-265-the-grand-canyon-tic-tac/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/dPxd35ii1m2ejGgU9All Links for Podcast:https://linktr.ee/UFOChroniclesPodcastPodcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://www.patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX:https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe, it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people, more witnesses. Without your amazing support, all this wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.
On today's newscast: The Forest Service says it could be open to conducting a new environmental assessment of a uranium mine near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the manufacturer behind an application to explore for a cement additive at Bill Williams Mountain has withdrawn their request, drug overdose deaths are down in northern Arizona, Scott Thybony's latest Canyon Commentary, and more...
On today's newscast: Hotels on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park reopen tomorrow, a new analysis shows Arizona residents aren't living as long, the annual Miss Navajo Pageant is underway, the heat continues, and more...
On today's newscast: Hotel stays at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon are canceled ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend after the pipeline that provides water to the park failed, lawyers behind a lawsuit over a $15 million allocation to the Prescott rodeo say the state retroactively developed a grant-processing program for legal cover, Flagstaff's water and sewer rates will increase Sunday, and more...
Forgetting What You Do For Fun What do you do for fun? Such a simple question causes people to get a blank look in their eyes. A few years ago, I visited friends who lived and worked on the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Yes, thousands of people live there. The drive into town is too far to commute - but that was okay with my friends. They had recently switched careers, packed up, and moved to become Park Rangers. They were right where they wanted to be. It was late in the day when we settled into their guest room and headed to the dinner table. I had been driving all day and was feeling a little fidgety. "So, what do you guys do for fun around here?" He looked at me like the fast-paced city slicker I was and said, "I've been having fun all day - even at work." I didn't get it - yet. It turns out that his life change taught him that having fun is a sneaky little thing. Fun likes to show up when you are not paying attention and in the moment, whether wasting time or working. In my career, I've asked people what they do for fun many times - They are either in a materialistic chase for something our society has told them is fun… or… They have forgotten that what they do naturally when they are not paying attention can be more satisfying than they think. And there it is. When you stop looking down the road for the fun that you think you want to have, you realize that you are already having a good time right where you are. No chasing is required. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's newscast: The company that owns a uranium mine near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has begun hauling ore across the Navajo Nation, much to the chagrin of President Buu Nygren. Plus, an 8-month-old child was found dead in a car in Cordes Lakes, Arizona's Superintendent of Public Instruction says schools should continue with normal operation even as cases of COVID remain high statewide, two endangered California condors were shot and killed in southern Utah, and more...
On today's newscast: Initial results from Arizona's primary have set the stage for several competitive contests in November, the company that owns a controversial uranium mine near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has begun transporting ore from the site, a federal investigation found that at least 973 Native American children perished in the U.S. government's boarding school system over 150 years, and more.
On today's newscast: The Arizona primary is today, a 69-year-old man died on Parsons Trail near Clarkdale this weekend, Hantavirus cases have more than doubled in 2024, the damaged pipeline that supplies water from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the South Rim has been fixed, and more.
In the fifth episode of the all-new Arizona Highways podcast, host Steve Goldstein and Arizona Highways editor Robert Stieve talk with Tamara Russo, a member of an organization called HawkWatch International, which sets up shop every fall on the South Rim to count the nearly 20 raptor species that migrate through the area.
Join Tom (aka Leo) and Vince Gabriel on this episode of Ask Vince as they discuss Vince's recent hiking adventure at the Grand Canyon. Vince shares his experience of attempting to hike from the South Rim to the North Rim and back again, a challenging 50-mile journey. Although he didn't complete the hike, he met a fellow hiker who turned out to be a valuable business connection. They discuss the importance of listening to your body and mind, and how experience and trust play a role in overcoming uncertainty and fear.If you're a gym owner seeking answers on how you can grow your gym, make more money, and have more freedom to do what you love, visit www.vincegabriele.com.
The Rim to Rim to Rim (R2R2R) is an iconic and challenging trek in the Grand Canyon National Park. As the name suggests, it involves traveling from one rim of the canyon to the other and then back again, covering a round trip that spans the width of the canyon twice. Typically, participants start either from the North Rim or the South Rim, descend to the canyon floor via one of the trails (such as the Bright Angel Trail or the South Kaibab Trail), traverse the canyon bottom, and then ascend to the opposite rim using another trail. They then turn around and repeat the journey in reverse, returning to their starting point. The R2R2R is extremely strenuous and requires careful planning, preparation, and fitness due to its significant elevation changes, rugged terrain, and exposure to extreme weather conditions. This past weekend, I completed this adventure. Here is my story Video of episode: https://www.youtube.com/live/yE_c2UgO6V4?si=Jw-VSBmBH28m6_KQ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/50kready/support
Whether you're a first-timer or a long-timer, knowing which hike to take on at the Grand Canyon can be challenging. Today, Canyon expert Benedict Dughoff rejoins the show to offer his perspective on the five best hikes that start on the South Rim. No matter if you want to stay on the rim or go all the way to the river, this is what you need to know. ***** To reach Benedict for private Grand Canyon coaching and consulting, send a DM through Facebook or email him at canyoncoachingaz@gmail.com. ***** For Canyon-centric hoodies, sweatshirts & tees—including the Victor Vomit tee and our new Rim-to-Rim collection— please visit BrightAngelOutfitters.com ******* For more great Grand Canyon content, please check us out on the following platforms: YouTube (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for informative and inspirational videos Instagram (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for photos from the trail TikTok (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for fun and informative short-form videos Facebook (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) ******* For the best and most helpful Facebook groups dedicated to hiking the Grand Canyon, search for: Grand Canyon Hikers Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Grand Canyon R2R2R Run! Grand Canyon R2R+ Training Grand Canyon Ridesharing and Transportation - Rim to Rim & More
Overcoming Loneliness Part 1-- How to Develop Loving Relationships Featuring Dr. Orly Marmur This is the first of a two-part series on loneliness, featuring the courageous personal work of Dr. Orly Marmur with Drs. David Burns and Jill Levitt as co-therapists. Orly is a clinical psychologist from Southern California and member of our Tuesday TEAM-CBT training group at Stanford. She loves to hike, and recently went on a 25 mile solo hike from the North to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, an arduous hike that she planned for a long time She happened to be hiking on October 7, 2023, the day of the Hamas invasion of Israel. The hike was a huge victory for Orly, but when she arrived at the top of the South Rim, her cell phone was instantly bombarded with news and emails about the Hamas invasion and brutal murder, beheading, and rape of many innocent Israeli citizens. For the next several days, Orly's mind was flooded with flashbacks of her life, growing up in Israel when the country was still young, and living through four wars. Her father and brothers were in one war together, and her brother was wounded, but survived and recovered. Orly felt guilt and shame because she was not there to help. She said that she wanted to go to Israel to help her brother with his farm, but was conflicted because she did not want to abandon her clinical practice in Southern California. She explained: I grew up with the people who started the State of Israel. Those were idealistic, heroic times. My grandmother left Europe when she was 17 and settled in Israel. The focus was on building. We learned to be heroic. A few days later, in the Tuesday group, David noticed that I was feeling down and lonely unable to focus and “checked out.” I had a hard time feeling my feelings. I had shut down. I began being flooded with memories of sexual molestation at my grandparents' house when I was a girl in Israel. I remember standing next to a tree, and feeling like I was “different” from the other kids, I started feeling sad and guilty about losing so many relationships over the years. I've alienated so many people, and now I want to accept responsibility for that. When my daughter was 1 year old, I became friends with other parents at the day care center. We became like an extended family as our kids grew up, getting together on Fridays for dinner, celebrating holidays together and being there for each other. However, during the pandemic, I began to feel rejected by them. And sometimes there were individual rejections. We had often camped out together over the years, but all of a sudden, I was not invited. I was the only single person. The rest of the group are couples. Over the years, I was told a few times that, at times, my presence makes things difficult. Since then, I've been invited to some but not other functions of our group. I haven't felt like people are interested in me, or like me. I also want to feel my feelings and develop a sense of empathy for others and greater pride in myself—after all, I DID survive. I became very politically active with others interested in supporting Israel after the October 7th invasion. I was hoping to feel close to people, but it didn't work because I still felt alone. I had hoped they'd be impressed with my political activism, but it didn't help. My problem was not the war, but me. I'm hoping today you can help me to feel my feelings again! I realize that I tend to jump to action rather than feel my feelings. I think that it has to do with my upbringing and the circumstances and culture that I came from. Next week you will hear the exciting conclusion to the work with Orly, and a follow-up several weeks later. Orly's Daily Mood Log. End of Part 1 Thanks for listening today! Rhonda, Jill, Orly, and David
We are in Maryland tonight to meet Bill, and while on a vacation trip around the states, Bill and his partner witnessed a tic tac shaped object while walking along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in October 2023.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-265-the-grand-canyon-tic-tac/Coastal Preparedness Supply Ad: coastalprepsupply.comPromo Code: UFO At checkout for free shipping on select itemsWant to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/dPxd35ii1m2ejGgU9All Links for Podcast:https://linktr.ee/UFOChroniclesPodcastPodcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://www.patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX:https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe, it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people, more witnesses. Without your amazing support, all this wouldn't be possible.
We are in Maryland tonight to meet Bill, and while on a vacation trip around the states, Bill and his partner witnessed a tic tac shaped object while walking along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in October 2023.More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-265-the-grand-canyon-tic-tac/Coastal Preparedness Supply Ad: coastalprepsupply.comPromo Code: UFO At checkout for free shipping on select itemsWant to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/dPxd35ii1m2ejGgU9All Links for Podcast:https://linktr.ee/UFOChroniclesPodcastPodcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://www.patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX:https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe, it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people, more witnesses. Without your amazing support, all this wouldn't be possible.
The Tonto Trail is one of Grand Canyon's longest, but most sparsely traveled routes. Stretching for 95 miles below the South Rim, Tonto zigs and zags its way across the relatively level Tonto Platform, 3,000 feet below the rim and roughly 1,500 feet above the river. In this episode, we'll explore the most accessible part of Tonto—the 4.5-mile leg between the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails. If you're looking for a stunning, quiet day hike away from the crowds but still right in the middle of it all, this Grand Canyon adventure could be for you. ******* For more great Grand Canyon content, please check us out on the following platforms: YouTube (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for informative and inspirational videos Instagram (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for photos from the trail TikTok (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for fun and informative short-form videos Facebook (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) ******* For the latest on the Rim2Rim Pack from Bright Angel Outfitters, please go to BrightAngelOutfitters.com ******* For the best and most helpful Facebook groups dedicated to hiking the Grand Canyon, search for: Grand Canyon Hikers Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Grand Canyon R2R2R Run! Grand Canyon R2R+ Training Grand Canyon Ridesharing and Transportation - Rim to Rim & More
Rim-to-River-to-Rim—better known to Canyon regulars as Rim-to-River—is the most popular of the Canyon hikes that begin and end on the South Rim. Following the breathtaking South Kaibab Trail to the bottom and the famed Bright Angel Trail back up to the rim, Rim-to-River is a difficult, 16+ mile journey with more than 9,000 feet of elevation change. This is not a hike to be taken lightly or without proper preparation and research. In fact, the National Park Service strongly advises against attempting this hike in a single day. In this episode—primarily recorded during the hike, as it happened—you'll learn all the do's and don'ts, all the places to stop, and what to expect before and during one of the most iconic hikes in the world. ******* For more great Grand Canyon content, please check us out on the following platforms: YouTube (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for informative and inspirational videos Instagram (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for photos from the trail TikTok (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) for fun and informative short-form videos Facebook (@GrandCanyonHikerDude) For the best and most helpful Facebook groups dedicated to hiking the Grand Canyon, search for: Grand Canyon Hikers Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Grand Canyon R2R2R Run! Grand Canyon R2R+ Training Grand Canyon Hikers and Backpackers
After waiting for the clouds to part on the South Rim Trail in Big Bend National Park, Mike and Dusty hike the Boot Canyon Trail and the Pinnacles Trail to complete the loop and encounter a Common Raven with a snake in it's mouth a long the way. Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParksFacebook: Gaze at the National ParksOur listeners can enjoy 20% their copy of Moon USA National Parks from MOON Travel Guides by clicking HERE and using offer code GAZE at checkout! Expires December 31, 2023, offer only available with Hachette Books, not valid with any other retailers. To see additional National Parks Guides published by Moon, visit Moon.com.#gazeatthenationalparks#hikeearlyhikeoften#adventureisoutthereHosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael RyanEpisode Editing by Dustin BallardOriginal Artwork by Michael RyanOriginal Music by Dave Seamon and Mariella KlingerMusic Producer: Skyler FortgangSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/gaze-at-the-national-parks/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
After being told by multiple people to not leave Big Bend National Park without doing the South Rim Trail, Mike and Dusty brave some questionable weather to make their way up into the Chisos Mountains to hike The South Rim Trail. Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParksFacebook: Gaze at the National ParksOur listeners can enjoy 20% their copy of Moon USA National Parks from MOON Travel Guides by clicking HERE and using offer code GAZE at checkout! Expires December 31, 2023, offer only available with Hachette Books, not valid with any other retailers. To see additional National Parks Guides published by Moon, visit Moon.com.#gazeatthenationalparks#hikeearlyhikeoften#adventureisoutthereHosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael RyanEpisode Editing by Dustin BallardOriginal Artwork by Michael RyanOriginal Music by Dave Seamon and Mariella KlingerMusic Producer: Skyler FortgangSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/gaze-at-the-national-parks/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
By Davy Crockett This part will cover additional stories found through deeper research, adding to the history shared in found in the new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Grand Canyon rim to rim hikes and runs become very popular as thousands descend into the Canyon each year. Fastest known times for R2R and R2R2R runs are broken. In 1991, Jerry Chavez, a Vietnam veteran of Leadville, Colorado, worked for the NPS. He operated the pump station at Indian Garden, which pumped water up to the South Rim. He lived year-round at a nice residence down at Indian Garden. Chavez was also a member of the park's 20-member rescue team and kept in shape by running rim-to-rim. Chavez said that the “dumbest thing” he saw was people hiking without food or water. “Chavez had seen a lot of weird things in the Canyon, including a guy hiking in a dusty tuxedo and women in high-heel shoes.” Often, he would rescue hikers suffering from heatstroke. One recent case was particularly bad. He remembered, “When I saw that man, he looked like death. We had to carry him up a mile. His temperature was 109. We were running water from a creek and kept pouring it on him. When they flew him to Flagstaff, he still had a temperature of 105. The doctor called and said whoever worked on him saved his life. The guy walked out of the hospital as normal as can be.” Chavez was awarded a National Park Service achievement award. Out-of-shape parents were often seen bringing down small children. On a winter day in 1989, Chavez was out for a run and found parents with two small children and heavy packs. “The kids were lying in the snow and crying. I told them, ‘You're going to have to carry those kids out.'” He offered to help, but the father refused and yelled at the kids about 2-3 years old. Finally, Chavez got permission to rescue the kids and carry them out. Amphitheater High School Double Cross During the summer of 1991, cross-country runner Virginia Hope Pedersoli (1974-) and others from Amphitheater High School in Tucson, Arizona, achieved a double-crossing giving publicity to the feat to other high schools. The group went down South Kaibab at dawn and reached the North Rim in ten hours. They ate lunch and headed back, finishing in the early morning at about 3 a.m. for a 21.5-hour double cross. Pedersoli said, “It was awesome. Walk until you are dead and then walk some more. It's hard to explain. While I was doing it, I wanted to quit, but after I was done, I wanted to do it again.” She went on to win five state championships in track and cross-country and competed in track and cross-country at the University of Arizona. President Bush on South Kaibab Trail On September 18, 1991, South Kaibab Trail was totally shut down with federal agents crawling around it with rifles and large binoculars. President George H. W. Bush (1924-2018), visited the Canyon and descended down the trail with a group that included Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan (1928-2019). The president wore loafers that became coated with dust and sweat drenched the back of his shirt. He chatted quite a bit about the views and the fishing in the Colorado River and at Phantom Ranch. He really wanted to get to the bottom, but they turned around after going down 685 feet to Ooh Ahh Point. After they turned around, Bush left most of his group behind and powered up the trail. His hike lasted about an hour and covered 1.8 miles. Major Destruction of the Kaibab Trail in 1992 During February 1992, a major rockslide destroyed a large portion of the North Kaibab Trail between Supai Tunnel and the bridge across the ravine below. It took out nearly 9,000 feet of switchbacks. The slopes had been soaked by early winter rains, became very muddy, and then crashed down into the canyon. Bruce Aiken at Roaring Springs reported, “Rebuilding the trail is going to be very difficult. It will take at least two months, maybe longer.” Hikers were given directions to use the Old Br...
By Davy Crockett This part will cover additional stories found through deeper research, adding to the history shared in found in the new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Overcrowding Concerns In 1971, because of overcrowding in the inner Canyon, the Park Service started to implement a reservation system for camping. They shared a situation on the Easter weekend when 800 people tried to camp at Phantom Ranch, which only handled 75. Park Superintendent Robert Lovegren (1926-2010), said, “We readily accept quotas on tickets to a theater or sports event. If the performance is sold out, we wait for the next one or the next season. We don't insist on crowding in to sit on someone's lap.” Reservations requests were made by mail. In the first month of the system, 1,463 people wanted to reserve 100 camping spots for Easter weekend. They used a lottery system for that weekend. Get Davy Crockett's new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Read more than a century of the history of crossing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. 295 pages, 400+ photos. Paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and Audible. Phantom Ranch Chef John Boggess worked as the chef at Phantom Ranch for ten months and was ready for a new assignment in 1971. But there was a problem, and it looked like he would be trapped at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. “When Boggess showed up here for his cooking job, he weighed 216 pounds. There's a rigid rule that no one over 200 pounds could ride the mules down the walls of the canyon. Boggess went on a diet, shed 16 pounds and rode down to his job.” But during his ten months down there, he ballooned well above the 200-pound limit. He paid a helicopter pilot to bring him out of the canyon. 1971 Flood Damage In July 1971, a wall of water washed down Bright Angel Creek and stranded eleven hikers at Phantom Ranch who were on the wrong side of a washout area. They had to spend the night out in the canyon. Rangers came to the rescue the next day, strung ropes across the rain-swollen creek, and helped the hikers on their way. The washout exposed a 60-foot section of the new trans-canyon water line about a mile above Phantom Ranch. Major breakage points required tools and a giant welder to be brought in by helicopter. The North Kaibab Trail was closed for more than a week to make repairs. Then just a month later, a two-hour storm dumped 1.34 inches on the South Rim and washed out a portion of Bright Angel Trail near Indian Garden and left an inch of water in the Ranger Cabin. Thirty hikers had to go across the Tonto Trail and exit using the Kaibab Trail. Grand Canyon Noise Pollution “Noise levels at this once tranquil vacation spot have risen steadily over the years and now rival levels on a busy downtown street, two Northern Arizona University researchers reported.” The 1971 test was conducted on Labor Day weekend and measurements reached as high as 90 decibels in tests on the South Rim, the inner trails and at Phantom Ranch. Most of the noise came from air traffic which was not yet restricted over the corridor region. Hump to Hole Attempt On October 26, 1973, Ross Hardwick, age 20, of Anaheim, California, and Scott Baxter, age 27, of San Diego, California, both students at Northern Arizona University started a run from the high point in Arizona, the summit of Mr. Humphreys (12,633 feet) to Phantom Ranch (2,546 feet). They were attempting to complete the run of about 80 miles in less than 24 hours. They didn't carry food or water, but placed caches along the way and had a support crew on U.S. 180. Unfortunately, they quit less than halfway. Later in 1982, Baxter and Alan Williams accomplished the reverse direction which became known as “Hole to Hump” in 21:26. Runaway From Inner Canyon On February 6, 1974, a group of troubled youth from a Texas school went on a hike down Bright Angel Trail, turned west on the Tonto Trail at Indian Garden and camped at Salt Creek three days later.
By Davy Crockett This part will cover additional stories found through deeper research, adding to the history shared in found in the new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Rim To Rim in the 1950s In 1950, two 15-year-old boys from Los Angeles discovered that hiking rim-to-rim was a lot harder than they thought. While resting down at Phantom Ranch, they ran up an $8 unpaid bill and then decided that there was no way that they were going to hike back up. “So, the two youths ‘borrowed' a pair of mules at the ranch and rode to the top, tethering the mules at the head of Bright Angel Trail. The boys next headed south, stopping en-route to Williams, Arizona, at a service station where they pilfered $20 from the station's cash drawer.” Their trip ended there after some officers arrested them. Get Davy Crockett's new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Read more than a century of the history of crossing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. 290 pages, 400+ photos. Paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and Audible. Phantom Ranch Guests Arrive by Helicopter On October 29, 1950, Vesta Ledbetter Malone (1912-1995), of Missouri, Phantom Ranch caretaker with her husband Willis Wayne Malone (1910-1997), received a telephone call from Mrs. Jerry Evans of Cody, Wyoming in the afternoon requesting dinner and overnight accommodations for three people calling from the gauging station on the Colorado River, near Black Bridge. “There was nothing unusual in this, as late hikers often showed up at Phantom Ranch about dinner time. But when Mrs. Evans walked up to the ranch attractively attired in a fresh green silk dress complete with matching handbag, and of all things, high-heeled pumps, Mrs. Malone did a double take. ‘We're the folks that landed on the sandbar in the helicopter a little while ago.'” The pilot, Edwin Jones Montgomery (1912-1990), who established the first commercial helicopter operation in the country, in Tucson, Arizona, walked in and explained that his helicopter's motor had conked out over the canyon, but he had glided to a sandbar, and they walked a half mile to Black Bridge. “They established a record as the first Phantom Ranch guests to arrive by helicopter.” The next day, the three rode out of the canyon on mules. A few days later, Montgomery and two of his employees made repairs. “When they attempted to fly out, they flew only about a mile and one half downstream before the motor stopped and the plane dropped into the water. A team of mules pulled the craft out of the water.” There it sat near the bottom of the Bright Angel Trail. The machine had to be dismantled and packed out of the canyon by mule. Maintenance Needed Neglect was noticed in 1950 because the federal government had cut back on Grand Canyon funding for eight years, starting with World War II. Appropriations to the Park were only 50 cents per park visitor. Rotting benches were seen and trails were in poor shape. Rangers were only paid $1.50 per hour and could not work overtime. The old CCC barracks on the South Rim was being used as housing for employees. Some new projects were started, a water storage system was built at Cottonwood Campground to help deal with occasional water outages. A crew of eight worked there for three months. The water tank can still be seen. In 1951, about 8,000 people rode the mule train to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and about 1,000 stayed overnight at Phantom Ranch. Hundreds of additional people descended on foot. The 1952 winter snowfall was so severe that in January, the Kaibab Trail was closed for the winter. Two employees of Utah Parks Co. rode a snow cat to the North Rim to repair the telephone line. “But they found the wires broken by so many fallen trees and in such a tangled condition that the repair work was abandoned.” Black Bridge finally received a new coat of paint. The last time it was painted was in 1934 by the CCC. It took two men six days to paint the 440-foot-lon...
The lovely Tina Merritt joins us once again to talk all about her journey to the Grand Canyon. Not only that but Tina went to hike one of the most difficult trails out there, the R3 or Rim to Rim to Rim. That's going from the south rim of the Canyon to the North Rim and back to the South Rim. Just shy of 50 miles, Tina talks about her experience with Project Athena, heat induced hallucinations, and a SNAFU at the North Rim which resulted in a 10pm dinner with a 12am wake up time. Tina's hard work and resilience training over the years has paid off since she was able to conquer this beast of a trail. Congratulations, Tina! We
After the last birthday/ surprise engagement trip we came home for less than 2 days before setting off again. I wanted to take my sister on a surprise birthday trip. If you have not figured it out yet we love to give experiences instead of material gifts!! If you do not already do that then I 10/10 recommend starting that tradition. I was sure where to take my sister and so for months I began brainstorming. I though about some type of horseback trip, biking trip, beach trip... but I ended up booking a trip to Sedona, AZ and to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We had the best time and created so many memories. In this episode I am laying out all the details from planning, packing, hikes we did, restaurants we tried, where we stayed, where we rented out car, and how we stayed on budget. Listen into this episode for tips and tricks on how to jump into your most adventurous self and start traveling also. As always thank you for listening TODAY. My LinkTree is the BEST place to find all my links whether you are wanting to follow me on Instagram, book a call about real estate, learn more about eXp Realty, shop my looks, or book one of our Airbnbs. This link is the one stop shop for all your needs! https://linktr.ee/madelinecampPlease leave a review and I will catch you on the next episode!
By Davy Crockett. You can read, listen, or watch In 1906, David Dexter Rust (1874-1963) established a permanent camp near the confluence of Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River that they name Rust Camp. They dug irrigation ditches and planted cottonwood trees by transplanting branches cut from trees found in nearby Phantom Creek. The camp was visited mostly by hunters going to and from the North Rim. Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) visited the camp in 1913 for a few hours and it was renamed to Roosevelt Camp. By 1917, the government revoked the permit for the camp, and it became deserted. As the Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919, funds became available to develop the park and its trails. Phantom Ranch, a Grand Canyon jewel was ready to be built. Get Davy Crockett's new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Read more than a century of the history of crossing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. 290 pages, 400+ photos. Paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and Audible. In 1921, The Fred Harvey Company started major construction near Rust/Roosevelt to establish a tourist destination at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Designs were under the direction of Mary Jane Colter (1869-1958) and the structures were architected by others. Initially, the ranch was referred to as “Roosevelt Chalet.” Early in 1922, progress was reported, “The Fred Harvey Co. have had a force of 15-20 men constructing Roosevelt Chalet near the mouth of Bright Angel Creek. Substantial stone cottages and a central mess hall and social center are well underway. No expense is being spared to make the camp one of the great attractions for Grand Canyon visitors, especially those who wish to make the mule-back trip from rim to rim via the new Kaibab suspension bridge.” The new bridge was being used daily by park rangers and Fred Harvey pack trains. Soon Colter insisted that the ranch be named after the side creek nearby, named Phantom Creek. Phantom Ranch was initially advertised to be a sort of halfway house for South Rim sightseers who wanted to make a three-day trip to Ribbon Falls and back without camping out or make a seven-day trip to the North Rim and back. Phantom Ranch was initially advertised to be a sort of halfway house for South Rim sightseers who wanted to make a three-day trip to Ribbon Falls and back or make a seven-day trip to the North Rim and back. “For tourists making rim the rim trip, it is a natural stopover and resting place. It is reported visitors are coming in increasing numbers to the North Rim from Utah points. The longer trips can be taken either in hiking or horseback parties. In each instance, there are government guides with each party and these men, besides knowing every inch of the country, are entertaining with their short talks on the points of interest that are encountered. Phantom Ranch opened on June 15, 1922, with four cabins, a lodge with a kitchen, and a dining hall. The ranch was designed to be self-sufficient, with an orchard of peach, plum, and apricot trees. Also included was a chicken shed and yard, a blacksmith shop, a water reservoir, and a barn. Additional cottonwood trees were planted. The cabins had two beds, a fireplace, baths, showers, running water, and eventually telephones connected to El Tovar Hotel on the South Rim and electricity. The first telephone line from Phantom Ranch to the South Rim was completed in 1922 and worked well. Phone stations were also at Pipe Creek and Indian Garden. It was boasted, “It is the deepest down of any canyon ranch in the world. Nothing is like it anywhere else.” More improvements to Phantom Ranch were wanted, but Ralph Cameron (1863-1953), who built the Bright Angel Trail and had fought for control of the trail and mines for years, became an enemy of the National Park. In 1922, as a U.S. Senator for Arizona, he fought hard and succeeded in denying $90,000 of funds for Park improvements. He said the expenditure of the funds would be “wo...
You can read, listen, or watch No Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History can be complete without mentioning the Kolb brothers, who maintained a photo gallery on the South Rim for decades. The two were among the very first to accomplish double crossings of the Canyon and did more exploring up Bright Angel Canyon and its side canyons than anyone of their era. They were early guides for those who wanted to cross and, knowing the canyon well, were involved in many rescues and searches for missing persons in the inner canyon. But they were best known for their daring antics to obtain spectacular photos in places others had never seen before and mastered the “selfie” 120 years ago. Get Davy Crockett's new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Read more than a century of the history of crossing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. 260 pages, 400+ photos. Paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and Audible. Edward and Ellan Kolb Ellsworth “Ed” Leonardson Kolb (1876-1960) and Emery Clifford Kolb (1881–1976) were born and grew up in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Their parents were Edward Kolb (1850-1945) and Ellan Nelson Borland (1851-1944). Their father worked as a sales agent of medicine. The Kolb family was of German ancestry. There were four sons in the family, Ellsworth being the eldest. Later, a daughter was adopted. Coming to the Grand Canyon In 1900, at the age of 24, Ellsworth went west to see the world. He had experienced an accident working in a steel mill and wanted to have lighter work. First, he worked putting up telephone lines in Colorado and then operated a snow plow at Pike's Peak. He had plans to sail to China but went to view the Grand Canyon first and then didn't want to leave. He first got a job chopping wood at Bright Angel Hotel for Martin Buggeln (1867-1939), an Arizona pioneer railroader and rancher who had recently bought the new hotel. Ellsworth worked hard and was soon promoted to a porter. After earning money for a year, in 1902, he sent money back home to bring his adventuresome younger brother, 21-year-old Emery, to join him at the Canyon. Ellsworth initially found a job for him at John Hance's asbestos mine, but it closed by the time Emery arrived. Emery, who had been learning photography, arrived at Williams, Arizona, 60 miles south of the South Rim, on October 10, 1902, with only his camera, harmonica, guitar, and the clothes on his back. While waiting to catch the train to the Grand Canyon, he went into a photographic store that was up for sale. The unsuccessful gallery had been operated for a few months by O. Arbogast. The Kolb brothers saw the opportunity ahead of them and bought the gallery for $425 on a payment plan. It was described as a little “clapboard shack.” They advertised to take interior photos of homes, and took group photos posed against a painted scenery, but surely there were better photography opportunities. They wanted to establish a photography business at the Canyon to take pictures of mule parties, but the Santa Fee Railroad, who had most of the control on the South Rim, would not let them open a studio. Kolb Studio on South Rim Established Kolb's first gallery at Grand Canyon In October 1903, the Kolb brothers were finally allowed to establish a full-time gallery at the Canyon with a business arrangement between Ralph Henry Cameron (1863-1953) who controlled the Bright Angel Trail and other facilities on the South Rim and Indian Garden (now called Havasupai Gardens). They initially set up a photography tent near the Cameron Hotel. Emery recalled decades later, “Our first dark room was a blanket over one of Ralph Cameron's prospect holes. We had no water to develop our pictures, so we hauled water from a muddy cow pond eleven miles out in the woods. We would wash our pictures by hand in that muddy water. Our final wash with clear water packed up by burros, four and a half miles out of the canyon from Indian Garden.
A Guide and Highlights of my Hike at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Join me as I hike the South Rim of the Grand Canyon going down the South Kaibab Trail to the Phantom Ranch and back up via the Bright Angel Trail in one day. HIKE DATE: May 20, 2023.
By Davy Crockett You can read, listen, or watch Running the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim and back is one of the ultimate experiences for ultrarunners. Before the Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919, there were several individuals who helped to bring attention to the wonder of the world and set the stage for rim-to-rim travel in the future. In 1913, getting to the North Rim from Utah was still a difficult endeavor, requiring support and guides. Roads to the rim were still primitive. Traveling rim-to-rim involved nearly 100 Bright Angel Creek crossings and a dangerous climb up to the North Rim. Visitors to the Rim were mostly hunting parties, looking for big game hunts. But as more of the public reached the Canyon and told others of their spectacular rim-to-rim adventures, more efforts were made to open up the North Rim to anyone desiring to go there. Get Davy Crockett's new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Read more than a century of the history of crossing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. 260 pages, 400+ photos. Paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and Audible. J. Cecil Alter - Weatherman Adventurer J. Cecil Alter John Cecil Alter (1879-1964) was born in Indiana in 1879, the son of a civil engineer and surveyor. He studied at Purdue University in Indiana. In 1902, he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, taking on an assistant position in the weather bureau office which oversaw 65 stations throughout the state. He soon married Jennie Oliva Greene (1874-1949) and quickly developed into an influential pillar in the community. He became widely published with papers such as, “Agriculture in the Great Basin.” By 1905, he became a frequent contributor to the local newspapers and developed a wide following. Besides his weatherman duties, he became an editor for a monthly magazine, The Salt Lake Outlook, with interesting articles about farming, mining, and business in Utah. In 1910, he took over as section director for the weather bureau office in Salt Lake. By 1913, Alter was fascinated with the automobile and became experienced driving cars to tough places. He successfully drove up a rugged canyon road to Brighton Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon above Salt Lake City. In August 1913, he set off from Salt Lake City, hoping to reach the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in three days and be the first person to drive an automobile all the way to the rarely visited North Rim trailhead at the head of Bright Angel Canyon. Edwin D. Woolley Jr. Four years earlier, in 1909, Edwin “Dee” Woolley Jr. (1846-1920) who had overseen the creation of the first trail down from the North Rim to the Colorado River took two automobiles on a round trip from Salt Lake City to his cabin on the North Rim, proving to skeptics that it was possible. He had shipped gas by horse wagon up to the Kaibab Plateau to support the vehicles, which had to receive many repairs along the way. The cars made it to within three miles of the Rim. Alter wanted to prove that it was possible to drive all the way to the North Rim trailhead. During 1913, some rugged tourists visited the North Rim from Utah by horseback, horse wagons, and none were trying to get there in automobiles. To get there without getting lost, hired guides were needed from Woolley‘s company, because of the various networks of trails, cattle paths, and dirt roads on the Kaibab Plateau. Alter's automobile nearing North Rim Alter's journey took place in August 1913 and Utah readers were fascinated with his adventure written up in newspapers across the state. He made the successful drive to the trailhead with his wife and another couple. They then drove an additional few miles to an overlook called Greenland. He praised efforts taking place to establish a usable road to the canyon by the forest service, and believed that the views on the North Rim were better than the South Rim. He wrote, “I confidently expect that every automobile that has the courage to start will ret...
Recently my wife Sabrina and I took an RV trip to the Grand Canyon, and of course, we had our dog Belle with us. Today I want to share some tips about traveling to the Grand Canyon with your dog. Which side of the Grand Canyon? We recommend visiting the South Rim of the Grand … Continue reading "Tips For Visiting The Grand Canyon With Pets" The post Tips For Visiting The Grand Canyon With Pets appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.
This week Melissa Biggs Bradley transports you to the Grand Canyon for a conversation about how to get the most out of your trip to one of the greatest natural wonders in the United States. President Roosevelt declared the Grand Canyon a national park in 1908 and famously said, "Leave it as it is. Man cannot improve on it; not a bit. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is keep it for your children and your children's children and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see." The vast canyon was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and welcomes millions of visitors every year. To give a sense of its size, it spans a full mile in depth and is even larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Whether you're interested in hiking from rim to rim, or more simply marveling at its beauty, or somewhere in between, you should plan to visit the Grand Canyon at some point in your lifetime. In this episode, Melissa welcomes Geno Kelly, a retired Arizona firefighter who has 45 years of experience guiding, rafting, and of course, hiking in the national park. He has a strong background in wilderness safety and a remarkable understanding of the unique geology, high desert flora, and history of the area. His depth of expertise and knowledge is astounding, and his true calling lies in helping travelers craft their own adventures to the Grand Canyon.
In our Mailbag! episodes, we answer questions from listeners about the national parks, ranger-led tours, road trips, hiking, camping, backpacking, gear, relationships, and pretty much whatever anyone wants to ask us. In this episode, we cover these topics: · Which national parks were more than we expected when we visited them, · How to fit more passport stamps in your passport book when the pages fill up, · What activities to do and sites to visit in a camper van on the way from Dead Horse Point State Park to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, · Tips for snagging an NPS lodge cancellation when they're all booked up, · What are the chances the Quinault Lodge in Olympic NP, whose rooms are not airconditioned, will be too warm at night for sleeping in June, · Whether Mount Rainier NP will impose a timed-entry reservation system and if it will go into effect in 2023, · Do we think it's still worth visiting Mesa Verde if you can't get tickets for the ranger-led tours, · What are our biggest regrets when we look back at our journey to all the national parks, · And more! A link we promised to share: · Find the Expander Pack for your National Parks Passport here The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out. And don't forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
So what is ME, you may ask? Read on. Our guest this episode is James Davis who lives North of ME in Washington State. He began life in the Midwest and lived there until he and his mother moved to Colorado to get Mom out of an abusive relationship. James tells us how he went to college where he majored in history, a subject he hated in high school. It's interesting how often our perspectives change and in James' case, History became quite interesting for him. He then went into teaching, but as he puts it to us, he began experiencing “brain fog” and eventually had to cease teaching as a career. It took years for him to learn what was happening to him. By the time he learned that he had a disease called ME, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis he had decided to commit suicide. He couldn't kill himself, however, without first talking about his decision with his wife. She convinced him not to leave the Earth quite yet and, eventually, he discovered what was going on with him. Our episode with James concludes with some great life observations from him such as not letting severe depression overwhelm you. James had many times in his life where he could have just given up and bowed out. He did not. Unstoppable? Yes. James is easy to listen to and his stories are engaging. I hope you enjoy what he has to say including how he now serves on the board of ME International, an accessiBe customer. About the Guest: I was born in the Midwest and spent a majority of my youth moving around Illinois and Missouri. I spent some time in California and Colorado as well. I grew up in an ultra-conservative environment, but that never set well with me because I was always curious and wanting to know more. Asking the why of something was discouraged. I spent most of my youth exploring woods and creeks around places we lived. Those are my fondest memories of my youth. My earliest memory is with my dad. It was at night and we were parked next to a beach. My dad carried me down these large rocks with a flashlight. He was whispering to me, but I don't really remember what he was saying, only that he was excited. When we reached the sandy bottom, he shined his light under the rocks where I was amazed to see these little crabs scurrying about. He reached under there and pulled one out. It was clearly agitated looking for something to latch onto with its claw. I loved seeing this tiny creature for the first time. My dad snatched me up into his other arm and climbed back up the rocks to our car. He sat me down and whispered, “Watch this” and proceeded to make my mother and sister scream in horror as he dangled the crab toward them. We laughed heartily at their expense. Not sure why that memory stuck with me, but it has definitely influenced my sense of humor. My father was murdered when I was 16. My mother went from one abusive husband to another. One of them was a mean alcoholic and tried to stab me one day over some drunken delusion. After a brief altercation where I defended myself with a greasy cast iron skillet, I decided I had more than enough. I packed a duffle bag and hitched a ride to the nearest town where I spent some time couch surfing and being homeless. I was 16 years old when I left home. I went through a rather destructive phase and abused drugs and alcohol for some time and barely showed up for school. This went on for about a year before my mother found me and asked me to move to Colorado with her. She was trying to get away from her abusive husband, but she wouldn't leave without me, so I moved to Colorado with her and my siblings. I am not entirely certain what it was about the change of environments, but being in the mountains was a life affirming moment that had a profound impression on me. I stopped my delinquency and enrolled in an at-risk school where I finished my high school diploma. Many years later I would come back to teach there. I spent a lot of time biking, backpacking and fishing. I loved to fly fish but I was never especially good at it. I used to scout trails for overnight hikes for the Boy Scouts up in the mountains. I hiked the Grand Canyon, which was both amazing and grueling. I was not well prepared for the extremes. At the top of the South Rim it snowed 4 inches my first night there. I had foolishly decided to not bring a tent and sleep under the stars to save weight in my pack. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. After a hike to the bottom of the canyon, I was pleasantly surprised to find a balmy 70 degrees. It had been several days since I had a shower, so the first thing I wanted to do is wash myself. I made a foolish error of leaving my pack at my campsite while washing up along the river only to return and find a wild turkey had consumed an entire bag of granola leaving me short on food for my trip out. It was not a fun hike out. The last mile was excruciating and I was practically crawling. I heard it was called the wall by marathon runners where you have exhausted all of your energy reserves. This same feeling of exhaustion would revisit me years later, but not from over exertion or a turkey stealing my food. After I graduated from high school, I did end up going to college. I was the first in my family to attend college and I loved academics. If I hadn't become ill, I imagine I would probably still be taking classes to this day. My first school was South Western Illinois. I was an honor student, president of the Poetry club and editor of the school magazine. I started my first non-profit with some college friends called The River Foundation. Our thinking was we wanted a venue for novice writers to hone their skills to hopefully someday become professional writers. It was a lot of fun and work, but it fell apart when my college partners decided to go overseas for school or run off and get married. I completed an Associate of arts degree from here and then later moved to Colorado and attended Mesa University for my History degree with a teaching certificate. I was in the honors program here as well and on the editing staff of the literary magazine. This is where I developed a love of Bronze Age Cultures and did my honor's thesis on gender representation in Minoan art and iconography. After college, I was all set to teach high school until I became seriously ill. There were days I was so exhausted I could not lift myself out of bed. I had no idea what was wrong with me and neither did my doctors. At first, they thought I had AIDS, which was really scary. They tested me 3 times over the course of a year, but it was always negative. All my tests where fairly normal with some results just outside normal ranges. Nobody had any idea so I went through a period where new drugs where being thrown at me, some only exacerbating my illness. I remember taking Lyrica for the chronic pain. It helped at first, but over time made me have violent episodes. I am one of those types of people who love their dogs like their own children, so when I felt an urge to strike my dog, I knew something serious was wrong. Needless to say, I was weened quickly off that medicine. I can't remember all the drugs I was given in those years but they were numerous. I think in total, 8 anti-depressants were tried on me all of them made me feel worse. One, made me so agoraphobic, I couldn't leave my house. This dart board medical approach went on for several years being shuffled between specialists without ever having any answers. I was unable to work due to the horrible brain fog and memory problems, chronic pain, sleepless nights and a whole host of persistent symptoms. You can't really teach history if you can't remember the names of the historical figures. Hell, I often forgot the names of close family members. I remember thinking I had to have some horrible disease that was going to kill me any day. Between the unknowing, the chronic pain, the loss of my cognitive function, which was something I deemed very important to me, I just became overwhelmed and decided to end my life. I made a plan that I could carry out unassisted, but before I would execute my plan, I knew I had to make my wife understand my decision. She was such a sweet person and definitely would have blamed herself. I knew I couldn't do that to her. I thought because she saw my daily struggle, she would be sympathetic. Boy was I wrong. After a long conversation and some tearful chastisement, we came to the agreement that I would not give up until all avenues were exhausted to find some answers to this illness. It took several more years before I was finally diagnosed and it happened by pure accident. Because I was unable to work, I decided I needed something constructive to do with my time and was looking into ways of making money. I felt an enormous amount of guilt for not being able to contribute financially. While I was unable to do anything remotely physical, I had a pretty solid background with computers. I had worked several years as a webmaster in the mid 90s. So I started scouring the internet for ideas and ended up reading about a writer in the UK that was making a living writing. In his blog, he was discussing his illness and how it prevented him from working which led him to become a writer. As I read his description of his illness, I was floored that his symptoms were nearly identical to my own. I brought this to the attention of my physician who sent me to some specialists in Denver for a battery of tests and I was finally given a name to what had been plaquing me for years; Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. It was such a weird combination of emotions as I was elated to have a name to put to this horrible thing, but dismayed that little was known and there was no known cure or treatment. At the very least, I thought it would alleviate some of the shame people were making me feel because, if medicine recognized it, so should they. Things improved somewhat after getting a diagnosis. At least some of my symptoms were being treated and I learned how to cope better. I began writing in earnest and finished 2 fantasy books of a trilogy. Guardians of the Grove, and Daughter of the Forest. It was nice to feel accomplishment again despite the daily struggle to get by. I had trouble performing tasks for my basic necessities, but my wife was very supportive and did a lot to help me on a daily basis. I don't think I could have survived without her help. It certainly wasn't the life I envisioned for myself, but there was enough quality in it to keep me moving forward. Several years after my ME diagnosis, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was only 47 at the time. It really felt like I was cursed at this point. Between ME and the cancer, I was an emotional wreck. These two illnesses robbed me of my ability to become the person I was raised to be. I was raised in that traditional Midwest home where the “man” was to be the breadwinner and work hard for his family, the protector, and all that John Wayne sort of mentality. I didn't talk about my pain, my illness, the struggles I had, all of it was endured silently. My wife of course knew, she was there and could see it first hand, but that wasn't true for everyone else. When I was able to be around family and friends, I was always at my best, because that is the only time I was capable of leaving our home. When I was asked how I was feeling, it was always met with a smile and some pleasantry. This is how I was raised. You simply didn't burden others with your personal tribulations and as a man I wasn't allowed to show weakness. I remember when I was seven years old, I cut open my hand and had to get seven stitches. I was rewarded with money afterwards because I “took it like a man” and didn't cry. Now, I have cancer and faced with some tough decisions. Unbeknownst to me, my wife's family began to openly question our relationship as I was a drain on their daughter. Now, these people are not mean spirited or malicious, they had genuine concern for the welfare of their daughter, sibling, niece etc. I can't fault them for their concern. It's not like I hadn't raised the same questions with myself. I often thought my wife deserved more than I could offer. My wife however, wasn't responsive to this, but she also has severe co-dependency with her family. She wants to make sure they are happy with her and approve of her. The enormous amount of pressure they put on her, eventually wore her down and they talked her into leaving me and file for divorce. This was happening while I was in the hospital undergoing surgery to save my life. To them, I simply wasn't living up to my duty as a man in our society. I often wondered if I hadn't clung to those same beliefs, and spoke up about the numerous problems I was going through if it would have made a difference in their minds. I of course have no way of answering that question, but I have become a little more open about discussing my illness. I am not very good at it, but I do endeavor to be honest about my ailment. The expectation that as a man of my generation, I am to suffer in silence and manage to be a provider and protector no matter the personal cost is an unrealistic view. When I was going to college, I tended bar at a local pub. It was mostly retired factory workers who spent their whole lives being providers. Every last one of them were miserable wrecks drinking the days among strangers waiting to die. It was a sad realization and when I became ill, I realized I was trying to be one of them. It's a hard thing to come to terms with when you realize much of what you've been taught is a fallacy. Once I was able to find Facebook forums discussing ME, I almost never saw men among the posters. We were silent visitors lurking among the group trying to find some glimmer of hope for treatment options. It is a difficult struggle for many men to overcome our socialization and reach out for help. It is somewhat opposite for women, who are often deemed to have mental issues. That they are somehow fragile, emotional, and susceptible to delusions. These biases have kept thousands of suffering patients from getting proper care. But this is often the case for many diseases. It wasn't that different for patients in the early days of Multiple Sclerosis or even AIDS. Social biases caused many to suffer unfairly. This is why I joined ME International so I could help educate people with the science and numerous studies concerning ME in hope that we could get beyond the bias and move our understanding of ME forward. My philosophy in life is rather simple. I don't fight the current to be in a place I think I am supposed to be, but rather look for happiness where life takes me. So, once everything settled down from my cancer, I ended up packing up and moving to live in the Pacific Northwest. It has awoken that same sensation I felt when I first moved to Colorado. It's a place where I can feel alive even with this disease. Getting outdoors more often and implementing new diet regimens has increased my ability to function. I am nowhere near the days of backpacking 20 miles over mountainous terrain, but I can manage some short trips if I plan them well and allow recovery time. I often overdo things and end up on my back for days or weeks, but I am living life. When I built my first home, I put a stained-glass kit in the window of my front door that read, “May you live all the days of your life”. That is what I do. I have taken up photography to share all this beauty surrounding me. Every year I make a Calendar of my traveling pictures and give them to loved ones for Christmas. I am able to work a part time job because they allow me to work when I am capable. It feels nice to earn something even if a small amount. I volunteer on the board of ME International to give back to other ME patients and I stay far away from any family stress. I wake up and have my antioxidant shake and listen to some meditation and be thankful for the life I live. While it isn't the life I thought I was going to be living, I have found a place where some happiness can exist, and that is enough. About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes Michael Hingson 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson 01:20 Hi, there, and thanks for joining us once again on unstoppable mindset. I'm your host, Mike Hingson. And I wish you a pleasant day, wherever you happen to be. Today, we get to talk with James Davis. And he has got a great story to tell a challenging story at times. But I think a very inspirational story. He has been through a lot. He's helped a lot of people. And I met him through accessiBe. In fact, he has been working with our nonprofit partner, Sheldon Lewis, who we got to interview on the podcast, gosh, a long time ago now. And so Sheldon suggested that we should chat we have and James agreed to come on the podcast. So James, welcome to unstoppable mindset. James Davis 02:09 Thank you glad to be here. Michael Hingson 02:11 Well, we're really pleased and honored that you were able to join us. So tell us a little bit about you growing up, I love to start that way and just kind of let people talk about their, their world growing up. And I know you had a pretty big challenge. So I'll leave it to you. James Davis 02:26 Well, I was born in East St. Louis, and I grew up in our area around St. Louis most of my life and some of the Midwest boy and moved around a lot didn't stay in any particular place for any length of time. And yeah, it's a mom went through several marriages. And so you know, I had some challenges with that. And yeah, Michael Hingson 02:56 what what year were you born? James Davis 02:58 66. Michael Hingson 03:00 Okay, well, I beat you by a few years. I was born in Chicago in 1950. So, Midwest also, I moved to California when I was five. But my wife constantly told me no matter what, you weren't here for your first five years, so you're not a native. James Davis 03:18 I did live in California for a couple years when I was apparently from about 18 months old to about two and a half, three years old. Something like that. My mom said in Santa Barbara. Oh, Michael Hingson 03:30 well, that's a great place to live. Yeah. And James Davis 03:33 it's actually my earliest memory because I remember my dad pulling alongside this rocky area next to a beach. And he wanted to show me so she grabbed a flashlight, it was getting dark. And we went down to the beach and he looked underneath these rocks and pulled out a little crab. And which I thought was just great, you know? And suddenly he said watch this. And he carried me back up to the car and proceeded to scare my mother and my older sister half to death with this crab and that's my earliest memory in life. And it's probably also where I get my honor a sense of humor as well. Michael Hingson 04:16 Well, no, no one recency humor isn't isn't is the big problem. But that was kind of cruel to do but what happened to the crab? James Davis 04:26 He put it back and then we'll Okay. Remember, it was just a little rock crab or something? Yeah. Michael Hingson 04:32 Yeah. Well, you So you moved around a fair amount, obviously and so on. And eventually you? You went high school and went to college and all that. James Davis 04:42 Yes. So I Well, my dad died when I was 16. He was killed in a bar. And then so for about a year or so there I was in just self destruct mode and dropped Go to school. And then my mom got with a guy that was an alcoholic. So I ended up leaving home. And I think I was about 16. When that happened, almost 17. So kind of lived on the streets for a while. And then my mom came to me and said, you know, let's move to Colorado because he was wanting to get away from this guy. And so I agreed, and yeah, and that's that moved sort of changed my life at that point. And I got back into school and finished high school and went on to college. Michael Hingson 05:36 What did you major in? James Davis 05:40 I ended up majoring in history, which is a little ironic because I hated history in high school. But what I realized was what I hated about history in high school was It was always my football coaches that were teaching the history and they didn't care much about history, there was no passion. They were all about the football. And so yeah, so when I got to college, you know, the professor's you know, they were passionate about it. And I realized what a fascinating topic it was in. Yeah, so I just fell in love with history. Michael Hingson 06:17 You just made me think of the fact that a couple of days ago, we interviewed musician Kenny Aronoff and Kenny was and is a drummer, and grew up not really excited about rock, playing in classical orchestras and so on, and then decided he didn't really like classical nearly as much as rock and more modern music. And, and so he, he switched and has been extremely successful. But I hear what you're saying, you know, sometimes our attitudes changed in one way or another. So you like history today? James Davis 06:53 Well, yeah, love history. Favorite is Bronze Age. So ancient history. Michael Hingson 06:59 Now, why do you like the Bronze Age? James Davis 07:03 You know, it's, it's one civilization was really sort of coming into its own, you know. And, and I find that very fascinating. It was a big melting pot, especially in the Mediterranean region. And so what really got me into it was how religion, how they adopted each other's deities and to each other's regions, and it just sort of CO opted them. And it's just a very fascinating development to me, you know, how that came about? Michael Hingson 07:38 Then Christianity came along and sort of messed up the whole deity thing a little bit. James Davis 07:45 Yeah, a monkey wrench in there, for sure. Well, you Michael Hingson 07:47 know, on the other hand, we do progress. And there's value in doing that, and growing and recognizing, hopefully, what God's about. But that's, that's, of course, another whole story. So what did you do after college? James Davis 08:02 So I did start teaching history at some high schools out there. In Colorado, I was living in Colorado at the time. And because of what happened in my youth, I was really wanting to go to these at risk youth centers, you know, like Job Corps, and there was a place called our five where I also graduated from, and I started working there with them as well. And so yeah, that's what I just started teaching. I just loved it. Michael Hingson 08:40 Yeah. It's, it's extremely rewarding. And I've always been of the opinion that teachers never get paid or rewarded nearly enough for the work that they do. So I have a secondary teaching credential, but jobs took me in other directions. So I haven't taught professionally as it were. But I think that, you know, in a lot of ways I've always been teaching, so I appreciate what you're saying. So how long did you teach? Or do you still James Davis 09:11 know I forced retirement so to speak, in 2009, I was having I had been having for several years, some problems, some health problems, and I wasn't sure what was going on. And it really sort of came to head around 2009 And I just the brain fog that I was experienced was so severe, that I really could have I was struggling to keep dates and times names in my head. And so it wasn't good for me to be a teacher in my mind because I wasn't able to present the material properly to the students. At least that's what I was thinking in my head and then it's probably true so so I just quit and and then I You know, I struggled for a couple years and depression and all of that trying to figure out I thought I was dying. I mean, I, I was so sick that, you know, I couldn't even get out of bed some days. And I've never knew any sort of illness that would do this. And doctors have no idea I go to them every few months trying to figure this out. And there was nothing. So yeah, so I just put me into a really deep depression. Michael Hingson 10:27 What happened? Well, James Davis 10:31 you know, I was the biggest part of my depression was twofold, one, chronic pain. And the chronic illness itself was very hard to deal with on a daily basis. And then the other thing was, is not been able to contribute to our household, a wife, and, you know, the kids that kids are old enough to move out at that point, but I was, just wasn't in a good place. And I just couldn't see a path forward. And plus, you know, think that I want to die anytime anyway, because I was so sick, that I decided to take on myself to do it myself. So I made a plan. And I was going to, just in the suffering of all this and let my wife move on. And, but I knew I couldn't do it without talking that over with her first because she is such a sensitive person that she would have thought that it was her fault that I did this. And I just couldn't do that to her. So I sat her down, I thought she would be sympathetic, cuz she knew how sick I was. She wasn't very sympathetic. She was actually quite mad at me. And so anyway, we talked and she made me promise not to do anything until we exhausted all of the medical avenues that we could. And so that started me on another journey of trying to figure out what was wrong with me. And Michael Hingson 12:01 that sounds like it took a while to really figure out. James Davis 12:06 Yeah, I wasn't diagnosed until 2013. And it didn't happen by accident. I was trying to figure out what I could do to bring some income into our house. Because I knew I couldn't do anything physical. But you know, I had some pretty good computer skills. And you know, I had my education. So I was like, just scouring the internet trying to find something I could do, you know, as I'm able to do it. And I ran across this blog from a young man in Great Britain, or the UK. And as I was reading it, he was talking about how he had become a writer because of his illness. And I thought this is promising. And then he started going through all the problems that he was suffering. And I was just going down and reading this, every single one of the things that he was talking about that he had, I had except for like, one out of like, 15 symptoms. And I was like, wow, that can't be a coincidence. So it took that information, you know, and he said he had me and I took all this to my doctor. And I said, What do you think, is like, I don't know, I have never heard of it. So he sent me to Denver University Hospital, and I went over there. And they did a battery of tests and sent me back and said, I had my LG conceptual immediate mellitus. And that that was the turning point for me, I guess. Michael Hingson 13:38 So what is me? James Davis 13:39 Good question. You know, they don't know for sure. I mean, there's a lot of, there's a lot of things that they know about it, but they don't know the actual costs for certain. In my case, it's believed that it was from the Epstein Barr Virus that triggered a post viral thing which happens to a lot of people, some people's, it's one of the herpes simplex viruses, and but it seems to be a post viral illness. not that different from long COVID symptoms are very similar. You know, they've also, with all this research they've been doing, they've just also discovered that Epstein Barr Virus is also associated with multiple sclerosis. And there might be a connection with that disease as well, which has a similar set of symptoms. So to me, and you know, this is just my personal view. It seems to be some sort of post viral illness. And if it's not treated early, caught early and treated early. I don't haven't heard of anybody actually recovering from it. If they hadn't caught it early, but you know, it causes severe fatigue with it. hauled penny or Pam, sometimes it's a post exhaustion, malaise or post exhaust. So I'm horrible with these acronyms. Yeah. It's an exhaustion from anything. It doesn't have to be physical, it could be stress causes exhaustion. And that's one of the key things, chronic pain, muscle pain, joint pain causes a problems with the endocrine system. So our immune system slightly off, T cells don't function quite well. The mitochondria does it produce the right energy, that's one of the big things that they're trying to figure out. So there's a lot of little things and it's just basically a complete system. Everything in your system is off, not by a whole lot, the buy enough to make everything feel horrible. Michael Hingson 15:56 So once they diagnosed that in you, what were they able to do? Or what were you able to do about it? James Davis 16:04 So there is no treatment, per se, there's, there's so there's no cure, there's, there's not a whole lot they can do except treat symptoms. So, you know, I was put on some pain pills for the chronic pain, and, you know, and then I started, I developed diabetes in that process, because, you know, my endocrine system was stressed. And so, you know, treated me for that. So they just treat you for the symptoms that you have. And then, but then I started doing my own research. And because you know, my doctor, he admitted he knew nothing about the disease, but he was willing to try anything. So I do I appreciated that. And so I got on the internet started searching and, and I bumped into some forums on Facebook that had information. So what I started to do was some anti antioxidants. So I do a morning antioxidant shake, you know, with my green tea, and some Reishi Mushrooms and stuff and, and I put all that together. And that's how I start my day is trying to get the anti inflammatories into my body. So that's been a big help and make sure the other biggest thing that is getting rest, because sleep deprivation can be a really serious problem for people with me. So those two things really changed the quality of my life. Michael Hingson 17:33 So I assume you still though do experience chronic pain and so on? Or are you able to deal with most of it? James Davis 17:43 Yeah, the chronic pain thing has been troublesome because of the opioids Of course. So I've been taking them in for shoot 12 years or more, and actually more 14 years. So at one point, when I went to my doctor, I said, you know, he kept bumping up my dosage, and I was at 10 milligrams. And so you know, it's, it's, I don't want to keep going down that path because that the efficacy is going to fade. And I don't want to keep taking more of this medicine. So he sent me to a neurologist. And the neurologist started me on three different pain pills that I would rotate every three weeks. So it was the Vikatan equivalent oxy, and I forget what the third one was. And so I was doing that I did that for a very brief time, I realized that I was getting dependent on it in a way that was very unhealthy. And so I took myself off of it. And from that point on I realized I had to manage it myself. So what I've learned over the years so I don't end up getting an addiction problem is I just take the minimal amount that I need just to get through the really rough patches. So I only take all my pain gets above a five and in no other time I never take it more than two or three days at a time. So so I've had to manage that aspect of it quite a bit. Michael Hingson 19:19 Have you have you found any kind of natural remedies or not necessarily Western medicine kinds of things that help or have you looked into any of that? James Davis 19:30 I have you know, I took I've tried marijuana both ingestion and smoking and it just wasn't effective for me and a lot of people it does help but for me it didn't you know it it was made me sleepy. So it just made me non functional. And you know, they tried me on some stuff like Lyrica and Gabapentin which Aren't opioid based but the Lyrica ended up making me horribly violent. It's just the weirdest thing because I'm a very passive kind of person. And, and I remember the day I sort of just had this epiphany of what was going on, as I was sitting there watching some television, I had this large dog who was, you know, tall, about 90 pounds and, and whenever he wanted to go to the bathroom, he would block up and lay his head on my lap. And when he did that, I just had this urge to strike at him. And I love my pet, I would never hit my pet. And that freaked me out. And I realized that it was the medicine, so I had to get off of that, and it was helping some. And so that was a benefit. But the side effects were just too much. Trying to take some of the other stuff I've tried. Magnesium helps a lot with with my cramping, muscle cramps, and some of the muscle pain. So I do some magnesium. But I can't take any of the B vitamins, I have this weird thing that when I take certain vitamins, it causes a really bad brain fog to occur. And I'm not sure why that's not that common. It's just something weird with me, I guess. So I've been very limited by try stuff all the time, I've got a whole cabinet over there of supplements and stuff that I try. Michael Hingson 21:29 Well, but through all of it, you, you obviously didn't go off and execute the plan that you are going to execute. And I bet your wife is pretty happy about that. James Davis 21:40 Yes, yes, you know, we ended up moving out to the Pacific Northwest, we live in Washington now. And that has been a bit of a game changer for me, it's I feel revitalized. It's new area. It's beautiful here that the country is just gorgeous. And so whenever I'm able, we take these little trips, you know, an hour here a couple hours here and just check out new parks and whatever, you know, beaches and all these beautiful locations. And that led me getting back into photography, I was in photography, when I was really young, I lived with a photographer for a while. And so I got back into photography and, and having that creative outlet has been wonderful, especially for countering depression. Because along with the depression from this illness, you know, I was, for my entire life, I've had seasonal affective disorder. So in the wintertime, it gets really brutal for me. And that photography, and those creative outlets I've found, and some, you know, some lights, some of those daylight stuff, I use all of those techniques. And that keeps me in a better place. Michael Hingson 22:58 So are you are you still married? Is all that working out? Or? James Davis 23:03 Yeah, I still still with my wife, and it's great. Yeah, she's a manager at apartment complex. And they've allowed me to work part time, you know, 1015 hours a week, just doing some maintenance stuff, like I take care of their security cameras for more computer tech stuff. And so yes, I'm able to contribute a little something to, to our little home here. Michael Hingson 23:31 Well, you know, the, the thing that comes to mind is clearly in some senses, you're different, right? You have what people would classify, and I assume that you would, would also agree it's classified as a disability. And as I tell people disability does not mean lack of ability. It's a characteristic. And I've made the case on this podcast many times that not one single person on this planet is without a disability. The problem for most people is their light dependent and you don't do well when it gets dark. Some of us don't have that problem. But you know, you you are different. How does that affect both how you look at yourself or how people treat you what kind of biases and stuff do you encounter because you do have chronic pain and, and the things that you have? James Davis 24:27 You know, I think the most difficult part of having m e is people only see you when you're when you have the energy and ability to get out and about. So they're only seeing you at your very best. They don't see you. When you come home and you're in bed for three days afterwards, right there. They don't experience that part of your life. So there's this tendency of people believing that there's nothing wrong with you. And I know when me first started Being diagnosed. More broadly, it was mostly women, I think somewhere around 70% or more people diagnosed with the illness is women. And so there was a tendency to treat woman women as that it was all in her head, you know, we have this, especially, you know, 40 years ago is, is very prevalent in the medical community, if they couldn't diagnose something that it had to be mental mental issue. That's what that's been a huge problem there. And then for me, I know, the men that have me, I just recently, like, a year or two ago, joined a men's forum on Facebook. And it really hit home how isolated men become, because, you know, especially men of my age, you know, we're taught that you're supposed to be the provider for your family, you know, and you have to be the protector and all of these things, you have that social construct, and you can't live up to that having me it's just impossible. And that, I think that shame that I felt over that was the worst emotional aspect of this disease is this shame that I felt. And then you know, of course, everybody's not being very sympathetic towards you, because they're only seeing at your best. So, you know, it's just just a bad place to be. So I've learned to not be so silent about it being more open about my illness. Because of that people understand that. Yeah, I am sick, and there's nothing I can do about it. Michael Hingson 26:45 And you learned not to be so hard on yourself. Yes, yes. It's really part of the issue. James Davis 26:53 It is definitely in ours. I was brought up watching John Wayne movies, and that's the kind of man I was supposed to be, you know, you get a job at the steel mill, you know, and you raise a family go to church on Sundays, and that's your life. And I was just too curious. And yeah, it just wasn't the thing for me. So. Michael Hingson 27:19 So you, you deal with it? James Davis 27:21 Yeah, yeah, you just you find a path forward and then move along. Michael Hingson 27:25 And it is about learning. And it's always about education. And a lot of times when we find that we're not feeling very positive. If we don't grow, and we don't learn, we never figure out ways to deal with it. And that sends us down a spiral that isn't good, either. James Davis 27:44 Yes. Well, Michael Hingson 27:46 so you talked about photography. So do you do photography now professionally, or anything like that? Or what do you do in that regard? James Davis 27:55 Yeah, I do it in the classification that they call an enthusiast. So I don't typically make money on it. But I do have some decent equipment. That $5,000 of photography equipment that professionals I mean, the guys that do this professionally, they have 50 100 grand in equipment, it's really expensive way out of my budget. It's taken me five years to build up what I've got. So yeah, I do that. And the nice thing that I do with that is because when we have family and friends that come out and visit us, you know, I take visit, I take pictures of their visit and all the places that we go to, and then for Christmas, every year, we make these little books through Shutterfly, you know, I just create these books and send it to them as a Christmas present to thank them as more of a thank you for their visit, and little memory. And then I also do calendars that we send all of our, our families, my wife's family, my family, so do you ever Michael Hingson 28:58 sell any of it? Or is it all just basically for fun and to help you and reward you? James Davis 29:06 It's been more as a fun thing to do. And, and for me, you know, it's personal enjoyment and that creative outlet. But, you know, I have several family members saying that I should try to make money at it. And I guess I want to look into it. I just haven't at this point because it's just, it's just been, you know, it's something I enjoy doing. It's like, if you enjoy walking on the beach, you don't just walk on the beach. So I joined started registered photography, right. So Michael Hingson 29:38 similar interests that you mentioned a little bit about the fact that you like to write and so on, tell me more about that if you would. James Davis 29:46 So, in college, I started writing in b&n poetry clubs, and ended up on literary magazines of both college So I want to. And so that really sort of stir my desire to write, you can't really make money at poetry. Do be honest, I'm not that great at poetry. I just love doing it as a personal exercise expungement motions and that sort of thing. But I ended up trying my hand at writing novels, and I did have written two novels to date. And I'm currently working on the third of a trilogy. So, and my favorite genre has always been, I think one of my first books that I ever read was The Hobbit. I love fantasy genres. So. So I wrote some fantasy books. But thing that I did differently was I used my history background, especially with my love of Minoan culture, as part of my world build worldbuilding. So I have these these matriarchal cultures in my book that that, that i is the focus of the book. And so it's yeah, it's, it's, that's been really fun and rewarding. Michael Hingson 31:11 Have you so you publish them? I assume? Did you do it yourself? Or do you have a publisher James Davis 31:16 self published? Just, yeah, I don't really promote myself, have a really hard time promoting myself on anything. I'm just not a salesperson at all. Michael Hingson 31:27 Well, you know, what, if people liked the books, there's probably some value in it. Are you selling some, you know, James Davis 31:34 a get these little trickle sales. So I get, you know, like, one, two, probably, maybe 10 or 12 books sell a year, something like that, you know, not a lot, but just kind of trickles in? Well, everybody has reviewed it and loved it. So Michael Hingson 31:52 well, there's a message there somewhere, I would think, James Davis 31:55 yeah, yeah, I think they're good books. Well, Michael Hingson 31:58 and obviously, if you've had good reviews, somebody else does. So maybe, maybe you'll get some visibility because of our podcasts, because we certainly will be glad to feature the book covers and so on as part of what we do, which is, which is, which is great. Love to do that. So when will your next one be finished? James Davis 32:20 You know, so hard, because the brain fog that I get from the enemy is very prohibitive to writing creatively. So, you know, and so I can't say for sure, you know, I was hoping to actually have it done last year. So, you know, it'd be nice if I could have it done by next summer, but there's no guarantee of that. Michael Hingson 32:43 When was your first one published? James Davis 32:46 My first one was published in 2014. I think then my second one I published in 2017. So it's taken me about four years to write a book. So I'm a little overdue for my third book. Michael Hingson 33:00 There you go. What was the name of the first one? James Davis 33:03 Guardians of the grove? The boatman Chronicles, Michael Hingson 33:07 Guardians of the Grove, gr O. V. Okay. And what was the second one? James Davis 33:12 Daughter of the forest? Michael Hingson 33:15 Okay. And the third one, we'll have to wait till it comes out. James Davis 33:19 Yeah, I haven't got a name for that yet. Because currently to see how the story unfolds? Michael Hingson 33:25 Well, that's actually an interesting topic. Because a lot of times I find in talking to writers, especially when they're dealing with fiction, sometimes you never know where the book is gonna take you the characters take over. And it becomes a, perhaps a whole different thing than what you originally thought, but at the same time, it becomes a better thing than maybe what you thought. James Davis 33:48 Yeah. I mean, I had my core characters, my first thing I did was I sat down with my core characters, like four main characters, and I, and I mapped them out what kind of personality they were going to have. And then the next thing I did was kind of build by my mythos of the of the world. So what was the religions? What's the politics and all of this? So when I was done with a world building, that's when I started writing. And you do realize that the structure that you gave that character in the beginning really dictates if you're doing it organically, at least really dictates how they progress in the story. And things that you thought were going to work actually don't work and you got to shift gears, and that I didn't mind that it's actually been kind of a rewarding thing to experience X. I didn't know that was and I'm not sure if all writers experienced that. But that's certainly been the case for me. Michael Hingson 34:48 Well, and you know, it's, it's fun. I have not written fiction. I've written two books so far. And we just submitted a draft of a third one But it's been nonfiction I haven't figured out how to do for me fiction yet, and I had just haven't come up with it. So maybe one of these days that will happen, because I think there's, I love fiction because in reality fiction a lot of times is really an author speaking to us about their ideas and their attitudes and so on. And they use a fictional setting, but the reality is, it still is something that can teach us a whole lot. James Davis 35:30 Yeah, yeah, I think if you got strong characters, that's definitely the case. One of the things that really sort of had this character who was a mother, who, whose husband gets killed early on, and, and I wasn't gonna plan on doing a therapy, it was just more of a catalyst for my book. But, you know, the feedback that I get got from that first book, everybody loves her character. So I had to rewrite her to continue her story arc through the whole series, because she was so loved so well. So those things happen as well. Michael Hingson 36:05 Again, a message, isn't it? Which is, which is cool. Well, I know I'm excited to hear about the new one when it comes and I will have to go hunt down the the first two. You've published them as Kindle books, have you created audio versions, by any chance? James Davis 36:21 There's an audio version of the first book. I was haven't got an audio version of the second book. I was going to use the same woman that did the first book, but I have lost the ability to get in touch with her. So I've got to find somebody to do that part for me to door. Michael Hingson 36:40 So is that first one on Audible? Yes, it is. Okay, great. Well, that's, I will go hunted down. Yeah. And I hope that you're able to, to get the second one done in an audio format as well, that will be fun. You don't want to leave people hanging, you know? James Davis 37:00 Yeah, no, that's everything I read. They said, You know, if you're doing a trilogy, like I'm doing, you don't really have good sales until you finished it, because nobody wants to start a series and ended up like, you know, like George Martin right now, where everybody has been waiting for, you know, over a decade for the book, you know, it's so good. So hopefully, I'll get them all out and get them all in audio here soon. Michael Hingson 37:24 Yeah. Well, George Martin had several books out. And of course, he also was fortunate to have a TV series come out of it, too. James Davis 37:32 Oh, yeah. He's amazing. Writer. So lots of respect there. Michael Hingson 37:36 Yeah. So I love people with imaginations. I, I've been a Harry Potter fan. And I would love to see JK Rowling do something to continue that although I don't know that she will. But you know, the original seven books. And then there was a play, which I think wasn't really as imaginative as the the first seven. Of course, she's also written under another name to publish some detective stories. And she's clearly a good writer. James Davis 38:05 Yeah, yeah. She's got an amazing story. Yeah, I love her work. Michael Hingson 38:10 Yeah. And she's very creative. And she does good mysteries. So when I can't figure out a mystery, and we get to the end, and I really didn't figure it out. I love that. James Davis 38:22 Yeah, that's hard to do these days. Michael Hingson 38:25 It is. A lot of times, I'm able to figure it out before the end, when you're dealing with a mystery, but a good mystery is a puzzle. And yeah, maybe you can figure it out. So I in some, I enjoy figuring out because it really tests my brain, but then the ones where I don't figure it out. I can't say that I can complain about that. Because obviously, they did a good job. As long as when I go back and look at it afterward, I can see that the clues were really there to get it. Right. I just didn't, you know, they they hidden and didn't, I won't say hid them. But they put them in so well that you don't necessarily see it, which is James Davis 39:05 subtle. What I really irritates me about other authors is when they take a character and they to advance the plot, they make the character do something that's out of character. Yeah. Without a catalyst. Right. You know, when somebody's a very passive person, and, you know, something tragic happens and they they become more aggressive, right? That's fine. But if nothing happens, they just all of a sudden become aggressive, then there's no reason for that. Except you're trying to make the plot move your characters follow the plot instead of your characters driving the plot. Are you Yeah. Michael Hingson 39:45 Are you trying to do it to sell? Yeah, and do you think you got to do that and good character analysis and good character development? I would, I would think, tell you not to just go off and change a character unless you Something as you said, as a catalyst that makes it happen. James Davis 40:03 Yeah. The other thing that seems to be very big these days is love triangles. And I really get annoyed with those. Yeah, some of them are done really well, and I enjoy them. But most of their doubt are gag. They just seem to be forced. And it's just trying to create drama where it doesn't need to be. Oh, whether Michael Hingson 40:20 I would call it a love triangle. Have you ever read any of the Stephanie Plum series Janet Ivanovic? James Davis 40:26 I have not. Michael Hingson 40:28 Stephanie Plum is a well she became a bounty hunter in Trenton, New Jersey. They're funny mysteries. They're really clever. And she has a guy that she's involved with. But then she's also working with another almost superhero type bounty hunter Ranger who likes her as well. It's not really a love triangle, but it's really fun to to watch the byplay between all of these three of them. And there have now been 29 Stephanie Plum books and they're absolutely hilarious. So if you want an escape, you should go read Stephanie Plum the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Ivana, which they're really fun. It's definitely plum. That's her character. The first book is called one for the money. And the second is to for the dough. And it goes from there. They're they're really funny. And she's kept it very well. James Davis 41:26 Yeah, one of my first humorous books that I've read was Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Yes. An old college buddy turned me on to that. And yeah, that was just hilarious. I just love the irreverent humor. Michael Hingson 41:39 Do not abuse a mouse James Davis 41:44 that never ever read. Island. Oh, yes, Robert. Yeah, I don't think he would go over today very well. I mean, his stuff was pretty, pretty cutting edge for the time. Michael Hingson 41:55 My favorite science fiction books still is the Moon is a Harsh Mistress by him. I think it's the most imaginative book he wrote. I like it better than Stranger in a Strange Land. It's always been my favorite book since I first read it soon after it came out. And I didn't even realize at the time, all about it. But I've read it a lot. And I absolutely enjoy it. It's one of my favorite books. Well, it's my favorite books, my favorite science fiction book. James Davis 42:24 I always enjoy the fact cow in some of his books. He liked to kill off all the lawyers in the revolutions that he had always found that a little amusing. Michael Hingson 42:35 Well, you know what the problem is, they keep coming back. It's cool. Well, so. So what do you do today, with your life and all that. James Davis 42:50 Just basically, the photography, the little bit of work I do around here around the apartment complex. And, you know, we like to travel when I'm able, you know, that's the big thing. We've got a big map, down in the entryway into our apartment, and it's got all these little pins in it from all the different places we visited in Washington and Oregon. And so filling that map in has been my major endeavor these days. Michael Hingson 43:20 What's the favorite place that you visited here or elsewhere in the world? James Davis 43:24 My favorite place in the whole world was probably new cranes in Ireland. That was phenomenal. That was really, really the main house. Oh. So it's a it's a giant tomb was dome shaped tomb. And you get this really narrow entrance into it into this big rock chamber. So you get these huge monolithic rocks that have drawings on them and stuff and work your way in the inside, there's like these three separate chambers. And, of course, we don't really know exactly what the culture what all this meant culturally to the time because you know, we're talking 1000s of years ago. And, but it's perfectly aligned with the winter solstice. So the light on the shortest day of the year, shines directly into the back of the tomb, and reflects into those three little chambers in there. And going in there, and just sort of seeing all that in realizing that people from the Stone Age built this huge, huge structure. And it was just amazing. You know, it was It predates the pyramids, so. Michael Hingson 44:39 So have you ever happened to be there on December 21? James Davis 44:42 No, I guess it's very, very difficult to get to get a place in there on that date, because it's very tiny to get in. Probably 20 People at the most could fit in there. Michael Hingson 44:55 Well, of course one has to ask since you've been to Ireland and so on, did you kiss The Blarney Stone. James Davis 45:01 I went to the Blarney Stone, but I'm such a germaphobe there was no way I was guessing. Michael Hingson 45:06 I hear you I had been to Ireland. I did not kiss the Blarney Stone either. Nope, not gonna do that too. Too risky. I understand you have to be somewhat of a contortionist to do it anyway. James Davis 45:17 Yeah. Can't have to lean down and stick your head into a hole or something. Michael Hingson 45:24 I don't need that. That's okay. No, I think they're, they're more important things to do. I loved Ireland. I very much enjoyed our two weeks there. I was there. Oh, gosh, it's been since 2003. I was there to do some speaking for Irish guide dogs. And that's the same year I was there. It was very enjoyable time. I loved it. And had had haggis pie while I was in Ireland. And enjoyed it. But I liked Ireland. James Davis 45:56 We were planning our because I had been with my now wife for about five years, already six years maybe. And her family really wanted some sort of traditional structure in our lives as like, okay, let's just go get married. But I don't want to have to deal with inviting family. So we decided to have a trip to Ireland get married in Ireland and do a honeymoon in Ireland. But you can't do that in Ireland. Because you got to be living in the county for 30 days prior to getting married. It's part of their laws. And so then I called England, you know, the England section of UK and I said, Can we do that? They're like, No, there was like 20 days there. So then I called Scotland and called the town in Inverness, Scotland. They were like, yeah, just come on over just have two witnesses get married same day, didn't have any problems with it. So that's what happens. We flew in to Manchester, did a beeline to Scotland got married and then took a cut went over to Belfast and did our two weeks in Ireland. Michael Hingson 47:08 We, I did a number of speeches over there, we actually had some interactions with Waterford I have a statue of it's actually a double statue was supposed to be a person and a dog but they only had dogs at the time. But I have this this whole very sophisticated platform that has two dogs facing each other. And then literally in print and in Braille it says as one Mike and Roselle, who, of course, was always the dog who was with me in the World Trade Center. And it's nice Waterford Crystal thing, which is really pretty cool. Wow, that is nice. Now that Irish guide dogs people were very kind about that and in all in setting that up. So it was wonderful to do that. I've not been to Scotland and I've not been to England, but I have been Ireland so but I've been to New Zealand. I love New Zealand. James Davis 48:02 You know, we we thought about taking a trip to New Zealand. But after taking the trip to the UK, I realized that long plane flights do not agree with me for you know, like that was really kind of Miami was just starting to come on. So I wasn't really bad yet. But I was bi that was really rough on my body. So I haven't been on flights yet. Michael Hingson 48:30 Now I understand that you work with an organization me International? James Davis 48:34 Yes. When I one of the forums that I got hooked up with on the internet was me International, and a few others, a men's forum and in the advocacy is one of them. So anyway, so I got hooked up with them and and talking to one of the ladies on there, and she was helping me out with some vitamin supplements and whatnot. Colleen and yeah, and one thing led to another and they're like, well, you should join the board if you want. And so I joined the board and became a board member, probably eight months ago or something like that now. Michael Hingson 49:11 So So what do you do with them now. James Davis 49:14 So a sitting member of the board, and probably in January, there's going to be new officer positions, I'll probably fill in the role of the vice president that time. And then the other thing that I do form is maintain their website. I just recently did an upgrade to the website and updated it. Michael Hingson 49:38 And that, of course is how you got connected with accessibe as I understand it. James Davis 49:43 Yes. So we knew we wanted to have an app on there that helps people navigate the site because you know, one of the things with me people is they tend to be very sensitive to bright colors. And so we were looking at how to manage that. I mean the site it's selfies very pale. You know, it's very subtle colors. But everybody's a little bit different. So we wanted to have an application that would handle that. And one of our board members from Australia, she recommended that I looked into accessiBe being called accessibe. And they turned me on to talking to Sheldon. And yeah, and that turned out to be a great conversation. And we had been going with accessibe ever since cars have been working out. Good so far. I mean, everybody's been very happy with the site. Very happy with the accessibe program. Yeah, no complaints. It's all been positive so far. Michael Hingson 50:45 Have you? Well, do you put videos and other things like that on the website? James Davis 50:52 There are a few videos. They're more just information. More than just visual, right? It's just more of there are a few of them more about the history of the disease and how it's progressed over the years that our understanding of the disease? Michael Hingson 51:12 Have you looked into working with accessibe to address the issue of either having audio descriptions of the video parts that aren't necessarily discussed about or for deaf and hard of hearing people anything regarding closed captioning or captioning of the the word so that people who can't hear it can also then at least read the text? James Davis 51:37 You know, I don't? I haven't personally, but maybe Colleen or David might have done it because David's been talking to Sheldon too. But no, I have not. And they're the ones that put the video together. So I'm not really sure if that's in the progress or not definitely worth James Davis 51:55 Me international.org Yes, yeah. Michael Hingson 51:55 looking at, because accessibe has a whole department and a whole group of people under what you would find on the accessibe website called Access flow, that can help with the things that the artificial intelligent widget itself doesn't do. So it would be good to really try to be inclusive with that stuff is if the opportunity is there. I don't know anything about how all that works, in terms of costs for a nonprofit. And you know, you bring up a good point that me international isn't me international.org? Michael Hingson 52:32 So the the cost for using accessibe isn't there. And I don't know how it works for the access flow stuff. But it would be worth exploring that to be sure to get the other inclusive parts up to make the website fully available. James Davis 52:49 Yeah, one of the things that we're working with right now is trying to get the different apps to make sure they're friendly with one another. Also, because we're International, trying to get the website translated. So we got a translation app. And it's not been as friendly as accessibe's, trying to get all that stuff worked out at the moment. But you know, it's, it's having me, I can't devote 40 hours a week to this, I have to do it all for five hours here and there. And you know, whenever I can, so Michael Hingson 53:17 yeah, well, I, you know, I suggest you explore that with Sheldon let him do some of the heavy lifting to help but he can get you in touch with the right people to explore that. But the whole idea is to make the website inclusive and nowadays is becoming more of a relevant thing to try to make websites work for everyone. And of course, for for us who happen to have a disability as we know, even the CDC says 25% of all Americans have some sort of disability. S
Outdoors Grand Canyon national park https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htmThe park's central feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, which is often considered one of the Wonders of the World. The park, itself covers 1.2 million acresThe Northern to Southern rim are about 220 miles apart and 8000 feet in elevation. The northern rim is called Bright Angel Point which also gets the most amount of tourism.Because it is so much higher than the South Rim, it is closed from December 1 through May 15 each year, due to the enhanced snowfall at elevation.Believe it or not it snows in the desertAverage high is about 84- 92ºF or 28-32ºCIn the record high was recorded in at 101ºF or 38ºCAnimals There's around 447 different species of birds 22 different species of Bats 91 different species of Mammals 48 different species of Reptiles including the RattleSnake Beers Two PrincesSour - Fruited Berliner Weisse | 4.5% ABV Streetside Brewery - Cincinnati, OHSucculent pineapple surges through every sip with rich, nutty nuances swirling just underneath. The amaretto adds a hint of cherry so every swig is like biting into a slice of pineapple upside-down cake.juicy, Sweet, Fruity, Tropical, TangyOut of Order Bello Bananonina Sour - Fruited | 6% ABV RAR Brewing - Cambridge, MDThis thick brew is like a mellow milkshake, balancing tart citrus and rich, candy-like fruit with tons of smoothness.Sweet, Creamy, Fruity, Citrusy, TangyThat's What's UpIPA - Imperial / Double | 8.5% ABVMoonraker Brewing Company - Auburn, CAEvery juicy expression of the New Zealand variety drips from the cone with lupulin-laced fruit flavor. White grape-like gooseberry notes weave through the brew, with tangy grapefruit and soft apricot nuances swirling into one sweet sip. As the piney finish sweeps across your palate.Hoppy, Sweet, Boozy, Smooth, Fruity, Citrusy, DankCoconut Cacao Barrel AgedDark Star (2022)Stout - Imperial / Double Oatmeal | 13.5% ABVFremont Brewing - Seattle, WAEvery sip is like an artisanal dark chocolate truffle with a rich and creamy coconut filling. Roasty malts lend a nuances of mocha flavor, while a touch of bourbon adds a bit of warmth to a finish that's a touch sweet, but never cloying.Rich, Barrel Aged, Coconut, Imperial, CacaoBBQGRAND CHAMP™ OFFSET SMOKER4.6 out of 5 stars. Read reviews for average rating value is 4.6 of 5. Read 45 Reviews Same page link. $599.99 Easy Dump Side Firebox ash pan Extreme duty steel construction (250 lbs.) Extra-large side damper and smoke stack Char-Griller® Grand Champ™ Offset Smoker Grill Cover Char-Griller® Grand Champ™ Offset Smoker Grill Videos on YouTube
In 1903, President Teddy Roosevelt addressed a crowd at The Grand Canyon. When speaking of this natural wonder, he said- “Man cannot improve on it; not a bit. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it. What you can do is keep it for your children and your children's children and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American, if he can travel at all, should see.” More than a century later, hundreds of millions have heeded those words, and the Canyon is an essential detour for travelers who find themselves motoring along Route 66. But Route 66 is as much about the journey as it is any destination. And that journey is what we'll focus on in this episode, as we invite you to join us and some other sojourners as we ride The Grand Canyon Railway from the town of Williams, Arizona to the edge of the South Rim. The Grand Canyon Railway Jim Hinckley --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/evan-stern1/message
The Trick is The Click If there is anything we learn in life, there is always something to figure out. You would think after a lifetime of figuring things out; we wouldn't need to do it anymore. But every day, another mystery pops up. It can feel like you are on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon looking for a shortcut to the North Rim. Since showing up and going for it every day always serves up challenges. But experience teaches us to trust that something will click. The answer we are seeking will arrive - if we're patient. Sometimes it will click in our minds in a big way. Others will slip in unnoticed. In any case, the trick is the click. When it happens, life is good. We've all had clicks in life. It's a millisecond in time when you figure out a math problem as a child. It's when you realize that too many french fries, even though they are a vegetable, aren't good for you. Later in life, it happens when you learn to put your car keys in the same place so that you can find them the next morning. The click is when everything makes sense, you get it, you figure something out, and you know what to do next. The click is also where you make decisions and momentum is established. It is where dreams become a reality, and you determine your destiny. Those clicks; are pretty powerful. Whatever you seek in life, refining your ability to focus on your outcome is key. When you allow space for the clicks that unlocks your path, you get there faster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Episode 36, Michael and Julian talk about1. Preparing for a Hurricane. Julian explains why he is already blase about hurricanes but explains what you need to do in the event of a hurricane2. The Grand Canyon. Many people who visit are disappointed. We explore some of the activities that are likely to make this trip one of the highlights of your life3. Bank Robberies. The USA was famed for bank robberies in the Wild West period when they were frankly very rare. They are ubiquitous in today's America. We take a humorous look at today's bank robberies.Other Show NotesLearn more about how America's culture developed in Julian Bishop's High, Wide, and Handsome.Available here to buy as a paperback, ebook, or audiobookExcerpts, reviews, and more available hereConnect with Julian via:FacebookInstagramTwitterLinkedInConnect with Michael viaTwitterLinkedIn
When visiting Grand Canyon National Park, one of the world's seven natural wonders, should you visit the North Rim, the South Rim, or both? In this episode, we talk about what makes both rims of the canyon unique, and explain the differences in infrastructure, scenery, number of visitors, etc. We share information about lodging, camping, hiking trails, scenic drives, and some wildlife sightings unique to each rim. While the South Rim is where most people go to experience the Grand Canyon, you won't want to miss the less-developed, rugged scenery of the North Rim. Subscribe to The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and if you've enjoyed our show, please leave us a review or rating on Apple Podcasts. Five-star ratings help other listeners find our show. Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com. To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at mattandkarensmith@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's such a simple question that it causes people to get a blank look in their eyes. A few years ago, I visited friends who lived and worked on the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Yes, people live there - thousands of them. The drive into town is too far to commute - but that was okay with my friends. They had recently switched careers, packed up, and moved to become Park Rangers. They were right where they wanted to be. It was late in the day when we settled into the guest room of their home and headed to the dinner table. I had been driving all day and was feeling a little fidgety. "So, what do you guys do for fun around here?" He looked at me like the fast-paced city slicker I was and said, "I've been having fun all day - even at work." I didn't get it - yet. It turns out that his life change taught him that having fun is a sneaky little thing. Fun likes to show up when you are not paying attention and in the moment, whether wasting time or working. In my career, I've asked people what they do for fun many times - They are either in a materialistic chase for something our society has told us is fun. Or... They have forgotten that what they do naturally when they are not paying attention, can be more satisfying than they think. And, there it is. When you stop looking down the road for fun that you think will be more fun, you'll realize that you are already having a good time. No chasing required. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Website for this episode: https://ordinarysherpa.com/068Will you leave Written Review on Apple Podcasts: https://ordinarysherpa.com/review/ At the time of this recording we have 49,392 downloads. Which means we will be celebrating 50,000 downloads with this episode! While I don't get caught up in numbers and follows and all the metrics I do want to add some levity to what this number means. Ordinary Sherpa has been putting out weekly podcasts since November 2020. In May of 2021 we crossed 10,000 downloads. In 2022, I had 10,916 downloads since January. We average 1,100 downloads. These metric place us in the top 20% of all podcasts. But even bigger than that is Ordinary Sherpa currently has 91 written reviews. 90% of podcasts have less than 10 written reviews. It might sound like I'm gloating here, but actually the only thing I have done is consistently publish new episodes, everything else - you did that. As a listener who downloads my show. The listener who shared it with a friend or family member. To the 91 who left a written review, you are all contributing to this show continuing to grow and reach new people. Congratulations to all of you who continue to come back week after week. This is a milestone worth celebrating. Email from Listener Susie (I asked if I could share with you for this episode)I just wanted to give you some positive feedback. I have been listening to your podcast along with Choose FI and Everyday courage. I love your ideas validating small adventures such as eating with chopsticks or cooking a meal using a recipe from another country etc. I wanted to share some accidental adventures we have had. My husband grew up near Boston but never really explored the area he grew up in. Unfortunately, his mom is not doing well so we have been flying up from Florida once a month and visiting. Because more than an hour of visiting time exhausts her, we go on adventures after our visit. This helps us destress and stay positive. Boston offers so much history and culture as well as a couple of casinos, and state parks ( Walden Pond) unusual off-the-beaten path rock formations. I always dreamed of visiting the big stuff (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon) of course I still want to visit these places but for now, we are having a great time figuring out which pub really does have the best clam chowder. Eating dumplings in Chinatown and visiting the many historical buildings, parks, and graveyards Boston has to offer. “Thank you for giving me a new perspective on an adventure. I used to think I was missing out on all these huge time and expensive travels and now I get to explore beyond the next tourist trap.” Susie's email demonstrated to me the essence of untourism. If you hadn't heard my story I was working on some lifestyle goals of what I wanted my life to look like as I was aiming for Financial Independence and the phrase that stocks was “Everyday feels like a vacation” When I double click on that thought it could mean so many different things. Initially I thought it meant I wanted to travel the world, which I also want to do. But more importantly that What I wanted to do, I looked more closely about how I wanted to feel. Vacation has a way of calming my brain, being more present with my kids and husband, doing things together and creating new experiences and lasting memories. That's how I wanted to FEEL. That spark led me to an adventure lifestyle which may or may not include travel. I realized I don't need to travel 360 days a year to feel this way. It led us to explore new locations within our own state and even in the far edges of our own property. FOMO: Fear of Missing Out founded by Patrick McGinnis in 2004. I learned more about FOMO and FOBO on this episode of All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins: https://www.allthehacks.com/fomo-patrick-mcginnis/ FOMO has become a commonplace in our language and officially became a word in the dictionary in 2014. The origin came from Patrick's simple life in Maine to being thrust into the social setting as a business student at Harvard. His definition of FOMO is anxiety, often fueled by social media, based on a perception that others are having more beneficial experiences than you. The fear of being excluded from a beneficial collective experience. We see things that aren't even real that provoke feelings of anxiety. The attention economy is designed to steal our attention. When you use social media, how does it make you feel? FOBO: Fear of a Better Option, analysis paralysis JOMO: was a haphazard term that I heard Paula Pant refer to in this Afford Anything episode.https://affordanything.com/356-ask-paula-fire-vs-fomo-how-do-you-balance-between-these/ Around 2:03 there is a listener question that leads her to talk about FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). To summarize she states when you make a choice you aren't really missing anything, you are replacing that time with something else. Unless you are in a Coma, the time you are spent in envy of the thing you could be doing is spent doing something else, whether it be reading, etc. Really it's JOMO: Joy of Missing Out Wanting to do something else but feeling you have internal scripts that are telling you that you can't or you shouldn't“Let the heart lead and the mind execute” - Paula Pant Begin with your values (Joe Saul-Sehy) if you don't value it, then the thing you are missing is not an opportunity anyway. To come back to the idea of Untourism. One thing I began to feel was when traveling. When I would follow FOMO and let social media and the destination guide my travel planning, the experience almost ALWAYS fell short of my expectations. Which is why I have not embraced a bucket list. A bucket list to me is a FOMO list. Of some perceived place that I want to visit before I die. How do you know, based on something you saw on social media or fueled by someone else's experiences. There are literally billions of places on this planet that I could visit - how do I know which ones I want to visit before I die? The only thing I think is helpful about a bucket list is reflective practice. Asking yourself “what do I want out of this life? How am I advancing that goal today?” Creating a list of locations you've heard about or saw in social media is often rooted in envy. When we show up curious, allowing space in our schedule to accept recommendations from locals, to check in with ourselves and everyone in our group to determine how we are feeling as opposed to powering through because the itinerary says so…we say yes to JOMO; to authentic, untourism path that allows you to slow down and be present in the moment. The greatest experiences we have experienced as a family are the places I never heard of, where things turned out better than we expected. Usually we discovered them from a local or a connection met along the way. I would imagine the Grand Canyon is on many people's bucket list. Do you know that 4.51 million people visited the Grand Canyon last year. According to an article “The typical visitor takes a brief look into the Grand Canyon and departs. The typical stay lasts from five to seven hours, according to park surveys, and the average time spent looking at the canyon is 17 minutes.” https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-981213onpgrandcanyonguide-story.html I'm not saying don't go to the Grand Canyon. What I am saying is the idea of spending countless hours planning, driving the South Rim with 3 kids to get out of the car and stare at this magical wonder of 17 minutes along with several hundreds of thousands each day, does not sound like a vacation to me. I want to create experiences that do more than check the box on a bucket list. I don't want to be fueled by FOMO so that I can get to the instagram worthy location and fight to get the perfect shot and make others jealous. It's why I have also resisted the label as a travel writer or influencer, because to me it's not about the location. It's about creating experiences for connection through adventure. It's JOMO- the Joy of Missing out on what everyone else is doing. I don't want to be fueled by the perception of being excluded from a collective experience. Instead I want to be in control of my thoughts and experiences. If you download my Beginner's Guide to Untourism (Ordinarysherpa.com/untourism) you will see how traditional travel and bucket lists fuel the hive mind of FOMO and the difference in JOMO and untourism principles. This past week was spring break in our house. As many of you know my daughter kicked off 2022 with a severe biking accident and spring break landed 12 weeks post op. The plan for spring break was to make full use of the kids Colorado Pass and ski several different mountains in Colorado. But my daughter didn't think she was ready for that level of skiing, so my husband and boys went and my daughter and I stayed home. Full transparency, I had FOMO. I don't think I have ever stayed home on spring break. I really needed to step into and practice JOMO this week. Instead of feeling like I was missing out on something I asked myself, what do I get to do this week? I needed to step back into the 9YO version of myself and remember that version of Joy. We ended up taking a 2 hour hike to an enchanted forest to create a fort; We put on mud boots and walked through the hybrid stream and ice. We rode on the 4-wheeler, she sat behind me with her eyes closed and her hands raised imagining she was riding a roller coaster. We met up with a group of friends and went indoor rock climbing. We made ice cream from scratch. She slept in my bed at night and we read silently next to each other. JOMO was a blessing. At the end of the week I was so grateful for the 1:1 ways we spent time together throughout the week. My challenge for you this week is to do something that brings you Joy (or JOMO). That helps you to reframe the FOMO, envy and the desire to escape your life. What is something that you can do today that brings you joy? Adventures are accessible everywhere. We just have to be willing to stop looking everywhere else for inspiration and instead listen deeply and reflect on what you want this day, this week, or this year of your life to look like. You don't have to plan it, or search the internet. You just need to be ready to receive it. Worth noting, I have found that I really enjoy podcasting and having conversation without all the ads and interruptions many podcasters use. If you enjoy the ideas, find joy or inspiration from my work, you can buy me a coffee to say thanks and support the show. If you want to go deeper with the content and/or get more engaged you can find additional ways to support the show through the links below. Website for this episode: https://ordinarysherpa.com/068Will you leave Written Review on Apple Podcasts: https://ordinarysherpa.com/review/ Subscribe to the email List: https://ordinarysherpa.com/subscribe/ Join the Ordinary Sherpa Facebook Group to interact with other listeners. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ordinarysherpa CTA: Leave a Written Review: Ordinarysherpa.com/review Email from Listener Susie (I asked if I could share with you for this episode)I just wanted to give you some positive feedback. I have been listening to your podcast along with Choose FI and Everyday courage. I love your ideas validating small adventures such as eating with chopsticks or cooking a meal using a recipe from another country etc. I wanted to share some accidental adventures we have had. My husband grew up near Boston but never really explored the area he grew up in. Unfortunately, his mom is not doing well so we have been flying up from Florida once a month and visiting. Because more than an hour of visiting time exhausts her, we go on adventures after our visit. This helps us destress and stay positive. Boston offers so much history and culture as well as a couple of casinos, and state parks ( Walden Pond) unusual off-the-beaten path rock formations. I always dreamed of visiting the big stuff (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon) of course I still want to visit these places but for now, we are having a great time figuring out which pub really does have the best clam chowder. Eating dumplings in Chinatown and visiting the many historical buildings, parks, and graveyards Boston has to offer. Thank you for giving me a new perspective on an adventure. I used to think I was missing out on all these huge time and expensive travels and now I get to explore the most from any area we visit without just skimming through seeing what everyone sees and going on to the next tourist trap. Thank you and keep up the positive podcasts. Susie's email demonstrated to me the essence of untourism. If you hadn't heard my story I was working on some lifestyle goals of what I wanted my life to look like as I was aiming for Financial Independence and the phrase that stocks was “Everyday feels like a vacation” When I double click on that thought it could mean so many different things. Initially I thought it meant I wanted to travel the world, which I also want to do. But more importantly that What I wanted to do, I looked more closely about how I wanted to feel. Vacation has a way of calming my brain, being more present with my kids and husband, doing things together and creating new experiences and lasting memories. That's how I wanted to FEEL. That spark led me to an adventure lifestyle which may or may not include travel. I realized I don't need to travel 360 days a year to feel this way. It led us to explore new locations within our own state and even in the far edges of our own property. FOMO: Fear of Missing Out founded by Patrick McGinnis in 2004. I learned more about FOMO and FOBO on this episode of All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins: https://www.allthehacks.com/fomo-patrick-mcginnis/ FOMO has become a commonplace in our language and officially became a word in the dictionary in 2014. The origin came from Patrick's simple life in Maine to being thrust into the social setting as a business student at Harvard. His definition of FOMO is anxiety, often fueled by social media, based on a perception that others are having more beneficial experiences than you. The fear of being excluded from a beneficial collective experience. We see things that aren't even real that provoke feelings of anxiety. The attention economy is designed to steal our attention. When you use social media, how does it make you feel? FOBO: Fear of a Better Option, analysis paralysis JOMO: was a haphazard term that I heard Paula Pant refer to in this Afford Anything episode.https://affordanything.com/356-ask-paula-fire-vs-fomo-how-do-you-balance-between-these/ Around 2:03 there is a listener question that leads her to talk about FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). To summarize she states when you make a choice you aren't really missing anything, you are replacing that time with something else. Unless you are in a Coma, the time you are spent in envy of the thing you could be doing is spent doing something else, whether it be reading, etc. Really it's JOMO: Joy of Missing Out Wanting to do something else but feeling you have internal scripts that are telling you that you can't or you shouldn't“Let the heart lead and the mind execute” - Paula Pant Begin with your values (Joe Saul-Sehy) if you don't value it, then the thing you are missing is not an opportunity anyway. David Allen (Getting Things Done) at its heart it's like being like water, go where the river is running. Be quiet and listening- can't do that when my life is a mess. It's about removing the things from your life that don't bring value and then quiet. Paula references an Email: I really want to travel, can't stop calculating the missed opportunity of compound interest. If I only considered decisions from the compound interest you would never do anything. What is the purpose- what do you enjoy? Money is a tool to help you accomplish the things you enjoy. Biggest mistakes came from making the logical decision. To come back to the idea of Untourism. One thing I began to feel was when traveling. When I would follow FOMO and let social media and the destination guide my travel planning, the experience almost ALWAYS fell short of my expectations. Which is why I have not embraced a bucket list. A bucket list to me is a FOMO list. Of some perceived place that I want to visit before I die. How do you know, based on something you saw on social media or fueled by someone else's experiences. There are literally billions of places on this planet that I could visit - how do I know which ones I want to visit before I die? The only thing I think is helpful about a bucket list is reflective practice. Asking yourself “what do I want out of this life? How am I advancing that goal today?” Creating a list of locations you've heard about or saw in social media is often rooted in envy. When we show up curious, allowing space in our schedule to accept recommendations from locals, to check in with ourselves and everyone in our group to determine how we are feeling as opposed to powering through because the itinerary says so…we say yes to JOMO; to authentic, untourism path that allows you to slow down and be present in the moment. The greatest experiences we have experienced as a family are the places I never heard of, where things turned out better than we expected. Usually we discovered them from a local or a connection met along the way. I would imagine the Grand Canyon is on many people's bucket list. Do you know that 4.51 million people visited the Grand Canyon last year. According to an article “The typical visitor takes a brief look into the Grand Canyon and departs pumped full of wonder. The typical stay lasts from five to seven hours, according to park surveys, and the average time spent looking at the canyon is 17 minutes.” https://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-981213onpgrandcanyonguide-story.html I'm not saying don't go to the Grand Canyon. What I am saying is the idea of spending countless hours planning, driving the South Rim with 3 kids to get out of the car and stare at this magical wonder of 17 minutes along with several hundreds of thousands each day, does not sound like a vacation to me. I want to create experiences that do more than check the box on a bucket list. I don't want to be fueled by FOMO so that I can get to the instagram worthy location and fight to get the perfect shot and make others jealous. It's why I have also resisted the label as a travel writer or influencer, because to me it's not about the location. It's about creating experiences for connection through adventure. It's JOMO- the Joy of Missing out on what everyone else is doing. I don't want to be fueled by the perception of being excluded from a collective experience. Instead I want to be in control of my thoughts and experiences. If you download my Beginner's Guide to Untourism (Ordinarysherpa.com/untourism) you will see how traditional travel and bucket lists fuel the hive mind of FOMO and the difference in JOMO and untourism principles. This past week was spring break in our house. As many of you know my daughter kicked off 2022 with a severe biking accident and spring break landed 12 weeks post op. The plan for spring break was to make full use of the kids Colorado Pass and ski several different mountains in Colorado. But my daughter didn't think she was ready for that level of skiing, so my husband and boys went and my daughter and I stayed home. Full transparency, I had FOMO. I don't think I have ever stayed home on spring break. I really needed to step into and practice JOMO this week. Instead of feeling like I was missing out on something I asked myself, what do I get to do this week? I needed to step back into the 9YO version of myself and remember that version of Joy. We ended up taking a 2 hour hike to an enchanted forest to create a fort; We put on mud boots and walked through the hybrid stream and ice. We rode on the 4-wheeler, she sat behind me with her eyes closed and her hands raised imagining she was riding a roller coaster. We met up with a group of friends and went indoor rock climbing. We made ice cream from scratch. She slept in my bed at night and we read silently next to each other. JOMO was a blessing. At the end of the week I was so grateful for the 1:1 ways we spent time together throughout the week. My challenge for you this week is to do something that brings you Joy (or JOMO). That helps you to reframe the FOMO, envy and the desire to escape your life. What is something that you can do today that brings you joy? Adventures are accessible everywhere. We just have to be willing to stop looking everywhere else for inspiration and instead listen deeply and reflect on what you want this day, this week, or this year of your life to look like. You don't have to plan it, or search the internet. You just need to be ready to receive it.
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