Musings

The Granola Desire for Organic

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Nostalgia is one of the most powerful emotions – it can make you feel fully enwraped in a prior moment’s feelings. The echo of past laughter reverberates through your bones, the long-past sense of solace and serenity brings you peace in the present and that nostalgia blankets you.

This can all be brought on with the force of a car crash. You re-feel everything. Close your eyes and you’re there. That moment from years ago is resurrected.

A simple glance at the scars I earned on my thru hike brings back all my days on the Appalachian Trail. It fills me up, warms me and comforts me. At the end of my reverie, though, is a fall from that emotional high. It becomes apparent that all those emotions are past tense. The serenity, joy and peace suddenly leave a synthetic after taste. That momentarily blissful rollercoaster ride leaves me lusting after organic emotions. That nostalgia frees me and begs for me to search for the next earth-shattering personal experience and moment of connection.

Sibling Travel: Asking for Disaster?

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You blamed each other for breaking that piece of China your parents loved. You ratted each other out for getting home past dark after playing capture the flag. It’s almost as if your job is simply to annoy each other at any moment you can. So, traveling with your sibling seems like an awful idea, right? Picture the plane ride where you can’t get away from them or, in my case, a multi-month road trip where it’s just the two of you and the road. Endlessly badgering one another can’t be fun. But, here’s why traveling with your sibling is one of the best decisions you’ll make:

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The Everything-Went-Wrong Trip

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We’ve all had those days that go to hell, and you’re sitting on your couch mulling in your own mistakes. This trip was that, but for five days straight in the Georgia wilderness. Two friends and I embarked on the Georgia Loop for our spring break trip. We had the maps, the trail explanations and our hearty gear (hefty bear canisters included). I was just getting back into backpacking after years not on the trail, and this was the first trip I’d go on without the guiding hand of my dad (also the self-proclaimed Pack Mule). My friends were using this trip as an introduction to backpacking, so we were all decently naïve about certain aspects. But after the picture at the trail head we were all smiles, not having any idea of what was ahead of us.

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5 Reasons Why Cold Vacations are the Best

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I’m a little biased. Ever since we were 3, my brother and I have been skiing. Every spring break was spent out West with our family on the slopes. I’ve loved my travels to warmer places but, they simply can’t match the cooler experiences. Here’s why you should scrap the swimwear and don the down for your next vacation:

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