New Years Goals & a look back at 2013

Happy New Year! Just yesterday I got back from a holiday traveling around the Northwest (Washington, Idaho, Montana) – more on that to come – but first wanted to make a post about some of the non-resolutions that I triumphed over in 2013, plus contemplate what might me next on the agenda for 2014!

Why am I calling them non-resolutions? Simply put, because I never “resolved” to do these things. Maybe in a subliminal way I could have foreseen them, but just as likely it was happenstance and luck that made them happen. As for my 2014 non-resolutions, if they don’t happen this year then better luck next time – surely future me must have been doing something else important in 2014 instead. Better luck next time, future me.

Cool job, 2013 Non-Resolutions

• Catching a Glimpse of the Yosemite Firefall: I for sure wanted to see this one in 2013, and through a return trip and a little luck I saw a water-less firefall! Alright maybe not as exciting as on with horsetail falls raging but I will take it!
• Running a Sub 2 Hour Half Marathon: Clearly I had trained for the half marathon, but I had no real intention of making it in under 2 hours. And really now, it was just barely under 2 hours.. but that still counts.. right?
• Solo Backpacking Trip: This was a trip of circumstance, I don’t think I would have went on a solo trip had Curtis not had the so much work for the Rim fire. But since it happened, I think it a pretty cool landmark. I am self sufficient!
• Additionaly +++ : Rafting for the first time, getting to show some Midwestern friends around the Sierra, being strictly vegan for a month.

Potential Non-Resolutions for 2014?

• Backpacking Sequoia National Park: This has been on Curtis and I’s to do list since coming to California, and it really is not that far away. In my wildest dreams I would love to make it to this lake that I pinned once, but I will probably “settle” for some other amazing place without complaint.

• Running a Marathon?!?: This is cheesy, but would it not be so cute to run 26 miles when I am 26? So to be fair I have have until April 2015 to do this, but if I follow the training plan I started today in theory I could run a marathon in the middle of May prior the start of hiking season. In the mean time I will try to at least complete my 3rd half marathon.

• Going on a Kerouac Inspired Trip: While reading Exploring Eastern Sierra Canyons I learned that you can trace the footsteps of Kerouac and his beat poet Buddhist friend in the eastern sierra, on what sounds like a pretty bad ass trail. I need to read the book first of course, along with about a dozen other hiking and outdoors type books I have been meaning to read.

• Plus wherever else the wind blows… Now onward to 2014 adventures!