Summer 2020 Roundup

The end of summer is always bitter sweet. I’m always waiting impatiently for cooler weather, but it’s also the clearest sign that the possibilities of summer are over.

I didn’t do a good job of setting goals this summer. Instead I ended up going trip by trip. I knew I wanted to see new things around the country, stay outside, and practice shooting and editing videos.

The summer started in the Smoky Mountains. It was my first trip to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

I planned a packed week full of hiking. I researched the most popular day hikes and planned one overnight trip. The Smokies didn’t disappoint! I was amazed by the green tunnel of the park that greets you right outside of Gatlinburg. I saw bears for the first time and tested my stamina on hikes filled with elevation changes.

It was a great first trip! I experimented with a few different video ideas and learned how shaky my footage could be, but worth it for the experience.

I came home from the trip ready to edit and post videos and most importantly- plan my next trip!

I was headed to Colorado. I wanted to hike a trail. I’ve followed thru-hikers for years watching them hike for months through the summer. I see a draw in the simplicity of walking, eating, sleeping and walking more. Lots of walking. It looked hard, but the accomplishment of completing the hike was admirable.

The Colorado Trail is 485 miles stretching from the west suburbs of Denver to Durango, Colorado. It usually takes around 5 weeks to hike going 5-7 days between towns to resupply.

I didn’t make it nearly as far as I planned in my hike. It wasn’t even long enough to find a groove or start enjoying the adventure. It’s still on my list of things to do next year! But getting off trail freed up time for something new.

I wanted to take advantage of the time I already planned to be in Colorado. I planned a last minute road trip. It was exactly what I needed!

I was able to travel the same path as the trail and see the landscape I was so looking forward to. On top of that, I spent a few nights in Cortez, Colorado soaking up Canyons of the Ancients and Mesa Verde. It as an unexpected landscape for Colorado and certainly a gateway to the west.

Throughout the trip, I was able to see all four of Colorado’s National Parks. I tried something new at Great Sand Dunes National Park. I told myself I wouldn’t try sandboarding because I assumed I would get hurt. I did it anyway and had a blast! I spent weeks with a bruised tailbone, still worth it.

I was exhausted by the time I left Colorado. August was spent resting, editing videos and taking day trips close to home.

It’s cooler now. Fall is my favorite season, and I’m leaning on it now to help regain my momentum. I am planning a trip now to South Dakota, and I can’t wait to see what is up after that!