What's so special about the Dolomites?

I recently took advantage of a week off and headed to the Dolomites for one of the greatest reunions in recorded history.

I first met Beth in a dingy office back when we were trying to save the planet from global warming. I knew instantly that she would make my time there a little more worthwhile. Every day she would bring endless smiles and her uncrushable spirit to work. I don't know if she raised a single dollar for the cause, but it didn't really matter because the only thing she was counting was how many hugs she could get from strangers on a daily basis. Every person who worked for her loved her, including me.

What I did not know at the time was how far reaching this universal love extends. I am confident that every person she has ever come in contact with is forever changed for the better. Beth is fun, inspiring, courageous and so so so beautiful. Inside and out. She defines optimistic. "Come on...get on the hope train!"

One of my first memories of Marylynn is at a house party. In my house. It was the "tots, shots and astronauts" party and she was the solar system...or maybe it was the big dipper. Either way, she owned it. She is one of those girls who is always down for an adventure. Biking, camping, dancing...she'll be there.

I can hear her contagious laughter echoing in my mind. She is honest and inquisitive and has a very sincere way of listening. She pays close attention and is truly interested. At risk of sounding like a Nona- that is a rare trait these days. She is a breath of fresh air.

I like travelling by myself. I like being able to wander freely. I like to choose the path I want to roam without considering anyone else's feelings. I like taking pictures along the way and having no concept of time. I like meeting new friends and I know that it is far less intimidating to approach an individual instead of a group.

In 2007, I reached a point where I had been travelling by myself for the greater part of 4 months. I was at the top of a mountain where I sat taking in a beautiful sunset- by myself. For the first time in a long time I thought, "I really wish I had someone to share this with". In that moment, the oohs and aahs seemed a bit muffled by the stillness of the air. If you shriek with glee in the forest, but no one is around to hear it...well, you know how it goes.

Fast forward to 2011 and I find myself sitting on top of a mountain with two awe-inspiring women. Two people I am lucky to call friends. It really makes me think about how far my life has come and how much closer I am to being the person I want to be. Among many others, these two have helped shape that change.

It was generally just good for my aching soul. Some good time with the girls was just what the doctor ordered and a perfect transition back into the Backroads world away from home.

Some favorites...

- Seeing Beth's buzzed head for the first time in real life and hearing her little squeel at the airport. Finding Marylynn outside my hotel room at 6 in the morning already jumping up and down.

- The very first day of the trip I left my favorite jacket on a bus. I beat myself up for a while and then finally decided to let it go, but Beth never gave up hope and by some miracle the last day of the trip we got my jacket back. Hope train.

- The zipline at the playground across the street.

- Trampolines at trailheads.

- New jaw-dropping views around every bend. Rifugio destinations- Puez Hutte. Dumplings and apple strudle. "I'll give you 10 minutes". Witnessing the first (not-so-good) grappa tasting. "I think I want one of those hats".

- Dance parties at the ampitheatre. Carolina Chocolate Drops.

- Watching my Portland friends meet my Backroads friends. Scott and Lynn jumped right in for the hugs and love.

- Gondolas, chair lifts and more rifugios. Knodels!!!! Oh my. More Knodels. More Grappa.

- Watching Beth skip down the trail ahead of me and Marylynn take photos behind me while catching up with dear friends. So grateful for these people in my life.

- Dinner in Fie all Schillar. Best tiramisu EVER. This is what happens when Italy and Germany make babies.

- The Zebra Hostel. KIDDING. It's awful. Don't ever go there!

For more eye candy, check out my flickr here and here.

The Ups and Downs

Several years ago I talked to a friend about working internationally and she said, "It will be the highest of highs and the lowests of lows you could possibly experience". She was so right that I think of that saying often.

This year has been incredible...and challenging. The places I go are still exciting and new, but somehow more familiar the second time around and that breeds a certain level of complacency. I feel like I am still out here bursting balloons, but now my tack is just a little more dull.

Spring was so filled with energy and excitement and love for the job and my friends here. Then some big changes happened. I was thinking about my family a lot. I had a packed work schedule and very little time to relax. My friends came and went and the time seemed to go by too quickly...I want them back! I want my little slice of home to stay with me everywhere I go!

It was wearing me down and I knew it. I was exhausted and incapable of creative outlet or anything else that would involve effort. I just wanted to sleep and GO HOME. I just wanted to go home. My brain was constantly torn between doing a job I love in places I love to explore or going home and finding another option.

I knew that I was not appreciating things the same way I did last year and I was mad at myself for it. I felt ungrateful and that made me feel guilty. How could I be so spoiled?

I needed to refresh. Feel love. Find my energy again. So I went home for a little taste of the normal. Then we found the woods...far away from cobblestone streets and bell towers. We had dinner with my sister and Nate and had a campfire in the backyard.

One of my favorite memories was going out with Dylan to shoot the Chris King Gourmet Century. Ironically this ride is all about combining passions and enjoying the things you love. We collaborated on this little photo project and it was just what I needed. It was an outlet for pent up creativity, but also relaxed and so familiar- driving around shotgun. Sometimes it is just the little things.

It is one of the hardest things to convey: this is not an easy job. It is not easy to be far away from home, working long hours full of manual labor and exhausting, neverending customer service. But it is also a GREAT job. A fun job. I do not want to feel like I am desensitized to the things I love most here nor do I want to feel like I am complaining about a job that I love, but I can not pretend it is perfect either. No job is perfect and putting on an act is exhausting.

Just know that if I am not writing or taking pictures or calling as much as I want, the love is still there. I am happy with what I am doing, but sometimes I don't have the energy to write the words. Sometimes I am just treading water trying to make my way back to the place where I am now. Happy.

Look out the window

Last year I flew over 30,000 miles. This year I am on track for that and more. My first trip to France last May I had butterflies in my stomach doing double back flips with excitement, but then over time travel time became more of a chore. It is just a means to get to the next destination. And then I remembered to look out the window...How could I forget? This world is far too beautiful to not pay attention.

That being said, if I had a super power it would still be teleporting. Brink!