Lists.

"There are things that can be controlled and things that can't. Somewhere in the spaces between the two we fashion out art and our lives"
-Jim Bridwell

Unfortunately, this is an adventureless posting again. I know, I'm getting lame. But, I recently pulled out an old notepad and discovered a list I had made circa fall 2008. On a side note, I love making lists. But really, who doesn't? This list was appropriately titled, "Adventure List." As the title alludes, this list included many adventures I hope to accomplish.

I remember considering posting the list on this very blog at the time, but then opting out. I felt it might appear like I was trying to act all "hardcore" and "adventurous," when really I am just a normal man. The amazing thing is that over the last year and a half I actually accomplished the first thing on my list!

This got me to think, everyone should make adventure lists! These lists should be without limit. I'm not trying the preach, "You can accomplish anything you put your mind to" mentality. My motivation is more intimate. The great thing about routines is that they are comfortable and efficient. Adventures are neither of these, that is why they are called adventures. But the thing that separates us from computers is not our ability to keep a routine, it is our ability to do exactly not that -- adventures. Looking at pictures from Elizabeth and Casey's travels around Thailand and Myanmar, I always think: something that seemed so inconvenient to routine and expenses opened a world that from third party perseective simply looks magical.

So, here's my list. I hope you make your own and dream bigger than big. I also do not plan to cross anything off, rather just check how many times I've done it. Finally, remember stories that begin with, "Remember when we..." are much more interesting than, "This one time I..." So adventure with a loved one.

Adventure List

1. Ride 200-miles in a day
2. Do an Ironman
3. Race Ironman Kona
4. XC ski tour Yellowstone
5. XC ski / ice climb tour Yostemite
6. Climb a big wall
7. Climb El Cap
8. Run a 50-mile race
9. Do a multi-stage bike race
10. Learn to fly an ultra-light
11. See the Northern Lights
12. Ride from LA to San Fran
13. Go to Japan
14. Bike through Laos
15. Go to Mongolia
16. Bike from eastern Russia through Mongolia
17. Climb in Greenland
18. Ride the Leadville 100
19. Climb in Newfoundland
20. Fly fish the Two Hearted River
21. Go to Bell's Brewery
22. Ride a wood velodrome
23. Go on a bike tour with a close friend (to be honest, I just added this one today, but something I've thought about for a while)

I added some pretty pictures because if you are anything like me, you would just look at the pictures and opt out of reading any of my ramblings. (Pictures include: a normal summer night at Caesars Creek, Ohio (I love Ohio); Denali Park, Alaska; me and my "little" brother in Hatcher's Pass, Alaska).

NH nICE

What better thing to do when it gets bitterly cold than to head outside and play. When Stefan and the family headed back to school and work, I decided it was time for me to continue putting off returning to work and head up north for some good NEice. Luckily, I have friends with flexible schedules or who also enjoy shirking responsibility. Meeting up with Kevin in Connecticut we headed up to snowy North Conway, New Hampshire to connect with Narva and Doug for some ice climbing.

Unlike me recent trips, everything seemed to go right up in NH. We got a pretty good deal on lodging that included a free DELUXE hot breakfast ("deluxe" = "eggs" have no taste, "bacon" is likely paper given paper thin thickness and paper-like flavor...however, I cannot overlook the awesome sweet-buns and chocolate muffins...I guess deluxe does mean awesome. As a results, everyone kept mistaking me for Will Gadd, thank you Holiday Inn Express), and free all-you-can-eat pasta dinner (which only required one minor lie).

Unfortunately, unlike the streak of previous climbing trips with Kevin (vis-a-vis falling icebergs, epic days, and black holes (not the proper use of "vis-a-vis," but I find if you use strange words confidently, they usually work)) this trip did not include any major SNAFU's and went pretty smoothly. So, all I have to share are some great pictures.

Narva shows you don't need heel spurs or figure-4s when you have icicles

Doug warmly watches Kevin freeze belaying me while I hack my way up

Check out more pics:

NH nICE