The ice axe in one hand, the trekking pole in the other... the journey begins.

Perhaps it is not unusual to wonder if we’re crazy.  If you’re reading this, you likely know that we like adventures.  You likely know that we don’t sit still very well, for better and for worse.  You also likely know that we are about to leave the comfort of our cozy home for a period of self-inflicted homelessness and general discomfort, while surrounded by astonishing natural beauty and mountain cultures (hopefully…).  

I’ve been holding my pillow a little tighter, making my warm showers last a little longer, smelling my clean clothes a little deeper, and generally trying to appreciate all the luxuries I anticipate not having for the next indefinite period of time.

In the midst of transitioning cases, physically surrounded by piles of gear, balancing the list of “to-dos” with maintaining our sanity, I sit here writing our first blog post.  It’s a time of excitement, with a dash of sadness and a healthy dose of ignorance err… open-mindedness.   

Yes, indeed, we don’t actually have a concrete plan, even though we are leaving in a little over a week.  At this point, we have a very flexible itinerary: Washington and the Canadian Rockies for the first three months, interrupted by two very important weddings; abroad to the general Himalaya region for the fall, either New Zealand or Southeast Asia for the winter, and perhaps the spring will sort itself out.  The planner in me is eager for something more concrete, but Michael’s commitment-phobia is contagious.  What to do with so much freedom?!  First, we enjoy that we can ask ourselves that question.

Wherever we go, whatever we find, we hope that you will join us in this great adventure.  Cheers!