Ok so there are a lot of things I have wanted to do in this world and I have been slowly conquering them. The thing is, until now I have lived in places that had limited geographic terrain so I could only do a few things at a time. This also contributed to moving so much. When I moved back to Kentucky when I got out of the navy I didn’t feel like there was anything left to do there. I was bored and the only thing that I enjoyed outdoors was sand volleyball. I had my friends and family, and even a serious girlfriend, but I wasn’t completely happy. I felt there were things missing.

So when I had the opportunity to move to Tampa (a spot as a service tech opened) I jumped on it. Swamps, palm tree forests, natural springs, white sand beaches, ocean kayaking, diving, spear fishing, boating, offroading… It was a blast. I potentially had an awesome life. I was in for a big shock. People in Florida are horribly miserable, out of shape, and physically stagnant. Besides the masses of retired people, I’m pretty sure all the douches in the country gravitate to Florida. They were not only vindictive, but they were very cynical and unhappy.

Anyway, I was on the verge of leaving APX because the new standards were going to make it very hard to go to school full-time. So when I got the chance to come to Utah it was some one of the most exciting news I could have imagined. I had a chance to do something I was going to school for and I would be in the mountains, in the center of the west.

I have so much to do here I don’t know where to start. With the scenery and terrain, biking is becoming something I seriously want to get into. Climbing, there are a lot of lakes for distance swimming, even camping is so rewarding because of the openness and views in the morning. River kayaking, lake kayak trekking, expedition kayaking, serious and gnarly offroading that has shamed the Nitro, finding a spot in the grass on the mountainside and sleeping till sunrise.
So, my love for Utah is growing and I’m very surprised. Aside from everything outdoors, there is also the people – culture, morals, confidence, competitiveness, respect, strength, beauty… So many things I admire and respect in humans are in overwhelming abundance here. There is also a strong sense of community and family that creates an efficient society as they are all fundamentally on the same page. Its amazing how much effect the people of a culture can have on your perspective of a region/area.

These are thoughts that I have literally have on a daily basis and they keep growing as I learn more about the geography, activities, and culture of utah. I know its not for everybody – but outside of San Diego I have never felt so comfortable and happy. So as I sit here atop Squaw Peak writing I suddenly had a thought… I have to go to work.