Adventures of the anxious-depressive atheist.

Great to be home again. Now where's my bed? (at SAN San Diego International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChbYBaGu5ek/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Good bye Andover, Salem, and Boston! You have been such gracious hosts! (at Boston Logan International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChatuB5ubTV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Hello Boston! Here's hoping for a fun first visit. (at Boston Logan International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChS2zw1vJk4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Heading to Boston/Andover for two days of customer onsite meetings. First work trip since the pandemic quarantine was initiated. Fingers crossed for a fun first trip to Boston. (at SAN San Diego International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChSQdwvrC8Z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Back home from camping, safe and sound. I read somewhere that an adventure is a vacation where everything goes wrong, but you still survive and in that context this was one hell of an adventure. From heat waves to a bear in camp (less than 10 feet from me when I looked up and saw it, scaring us both in the process) to losing my glasses all in the first few days, the trip started out very rough. The early highlight was the AMAZING concert by #ordinaryelephant at #c5studiosbishop which was a completely unexpected happenstance that we were in the same place at the same time. The trip took a devastating turn Wednesday morning when I learned my grandmother had passed, though the silver lining is that she went peacefully. The Sierra Nevada mountains are an interesting place to deal with so much emotion all at once and I will be forever grateful to the towering peaks and spires of granite for being there for me. It has been a rough week of roughing it, but I feel that these experiences will help make the best of me. (at La Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cga8SYgOOUq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Furnace Creek lives up to its name. Quite a warm day out coming up through Badwater Basin to Furnace Creek and then on to Owens River Valley through Panamint Springs and the Panamint Mountains to Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine, and now Bishop. Some lovely tile at the Death Valley Ranch. I am 90% sure the colorful tile is Santa Catalina tile. (at Death Valley National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgGB1CZp5NC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Over 90°F before 8a. The desert is not for the faint of heart and the desert in summer is only for people who are dumb, like me. The Shoshone Inn is delightful though, once the AC cooled off the room. The rooms have been renovated in the post-modern hotel chic style and are quite clean. Good wifi (barely cell service here (hooray!)), a comfy bed, and a quiet atmosphere. Few people around, but i am told the winter season is the busy season...for sane tourists. (at Shoshone, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgE-yVtrKuD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

It is 110°F in Baker at 7p. Oof. (at Baker, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgDjxgwrK_e/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Vacation bound! (at La Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgDEiYGvIqE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Out for the evening, please leave a message after the beep. #SteveMartinandMartinShort (at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfApLRCLLjJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Breaking my radio silence with a before and after of a peach and blackberry pie sourced fresh from the garden. (at La Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd9z4j3rnF-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I'm logging out of social media and taking a break for the foreseeable future. Peace out! (at La Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cadykt1LVdU/?utm_medium=tumblr

Taking the day off to re-bag two peaks! North and South Fortuna are tackled yet again. Beautiful day out filled with wildlife and wildflowers. #peakbagging #optoutside #freshairadventures (at Mission Trails Regional Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaI65CDvjR3/?utm_medium=tumblr

Volcan mountain is in the bag! #peakbagging #optoutside #freshairadventures (at Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ5Z1wnP7qn/?utm_medium=tumblr

8.56 miles later and I am back to the truck. Four peaks in three weeks. Now I need to figure out what next week's hike will be. Any suggestions? Already bagged Cowles, Poles, North Fortuna, and now Iron Mountain. (at Iron Mountain Trailhead) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYxWqXKvioI/?utm_medium=tumblr

Made it to the top! What a view! (at Iron Mountain Peak) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYxLPgEPMlT/?utm_medium=tumblr

Finally trying for Iron Mountain. (at Iron Mountain Trailhead) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYw7GfBP4xU/?utm_medium=tumblr