Memories of Past Adventures

I had recently been saying to myself that I really needed to go on a trip next year and experience something completely new.

So when I was going through my actual photo albums (with actual film that was developed - i know i'm old) for photos for my trip down memory lane entries, it really struck me how many cool places I've already been and the awesome adventures I've experienced.

One of the most life changing adventures was when I was 19: I lived and worked in Yellowstone National Park, WY for a few months. I had never even been away to camp, and there I was driving across country in the unknown on my way to the unknown. It was a scary, fun, nerve-wracking, cool, character-building, stressful trip!

At the time, I questioned my sanity and that of my parents for letting me go - this was before cell phones! But when I reflect back on it, all I can think of is how glad I am that they let me go. How different I am because of it, and how it built my self confidence and self reliance. Now I did leave earlier than I had planned, and drove back with my family when they came out for a vacation - but I'm glad I did that too. Because now I have the memories of our vacation.

I lived in the dorms and worked in the hotel gift shop. I was able to drive all around the park, hike some pretty cool trails, and witness some incredible sights. Like that of a buffalo walking right down the side of the road past all the cars. Or the time I was talking on the pay phone next to the employee dining room, and an elk walked right past me on the side walk. Or the afternoon I was sitting in my dorm room reading, when I heard what sounded like a flock of seagulls; turns out it was a herd of female elk and babies wandering through town.

I'll never forget that adventure...the people I met or what I had seen.

Some might say I live too much in the past, and sometimes I probably do. But I think remembering helps me get through any bad days I might be having and spurs me on to find new adventures.

My adventures also remind me of who I am and what is important to me when I loose sight of it.
So, in the words of Jason Hawes from TAPS, "On to the next"!