when friends come to visit
What to expect when Sprite plans your visit
Wydaho
Michaela and I chatted over the phone to solidify our plans a few long weeks before the culminating holiday weekend of the summer. We were determined to trek across the Tetons. Ok, I was determined and Michaela willingly supported that dream. After discussing shared gear, food, timing, and routing, I lined up other close friends to drop us off in the park. I couldn’t believe my luck, Michaela was finally coming up for a visit and we were going BIG!
refrains on repeat in my head
More whiskey sunsets, please and thank you.
walking with purpose
My close friend from college, Craig, and I often walked around campus together in the evenings. Despite my short stature, I kept up with his long-legged stride. And he fully appreciated this factor. Even complimented me. He phrased it as such, “you walk with purpose.”
saved by the rev of a motorbike
Death, loss, and the grieving experience
mud season
When the snow melts and the brown of the ground fools you into believing in elapsed time warps. Is it Fall again or simply Winter hanging on for dear life? Will Spring erupt soon or are we destined for unsightly mud for another two months? All of it seems to ring true.
wydaho wildfleur wednesdays
During my Grand and Glorious Summer of 2023, I managed to meet a friend for peak wildflower trail runs on mid-week afternoons and dubbed them Wydaho Wildfleur Wednesdays.
how i plan adventuring
Are you of the plan-n-organize all my summer adventures out in detail by January variety or more of the last-minute off the cuff morning of adventurer type? Possibly a hybrid of the two styles? If you’re in the market for a Spring planning and prep guide, you are very welcome to use my framework.
playlists
The lost art of playlist creation for your friends and why it’s imperative to reinstate these social behaviors
TAJ in Action
A story for your reading pleasure.
my favorite week of the year
A week for nerds of all varieties—literary and mathematical.
truthisms
A backstage pass to my adventure experiences
magic and mayhem
Welcome to my birthday month! The month of magic and mayhem—of the “in like a lion, out like a lamb” variety—women’s history month, math and literary celebrations, leprechauns, hints of Spring (jonquils and crocuses for some of you and more snow for the rest of us), and me. There is something irresistibly mystical about a Pisces woman. Ethereal. Complex. Whimsical. Creative. Ok, fine. Dramatic. Moody. Slightly manipulative in the name of adventure/fun/imaginations/peace/hope/what ifs.
ramblin’ thoughts
Before I rush off to the ski hill to squeeze in some downhill practice before rushing off to frolic in Yellowstone for the weekend, I simply must share some thoughts, words, responses!
Sprite’s Review of Hot Pots
We humans are drawn to healing waters. Deep dive into the true and mythological history of soaking in hot pots across cultures and eons to discover the great lengths humans have engaged in simply for the opportunity to soak within mystical, enriching waters. In addition to myths and legends, many religions or spiritual practices include the use of hot springs. The minerals found in the waters are known to be useful for your health and beauty, errrrr I mean wellness. So why not entertain the extra trek, pit stop, or create a whole itinerary revolving around soaking in these precious pools?!
14ers
Peaks above 14,000 ft of elevation—their allure is mystifying.
Palate Cleanser
Since I haven’t written lyrically for a while I’m going to take the chance now as a brief interlude. You deserve a break from my relentless adventuring just like my legs do. Please enjoy this palate cleanser, a term I also affectionately refer to commercial fiction genre books as, to give your brain a break.
more winter adventures
Since Winter lasts 6-8 months up here I may as well keep the winter adventure stories rollin’. How about a list of some of the favorite trails I’ve explored on spike covered boots, tennis racquets, and extra long prongs? And maybe some of the ones I failed to but should have—ehh, we’ve all slipped and slid down mountains when it didn’t look quite so winteresque at the trailhead.
Winter Adventures Out West
Magical. No other word is more fitting for Yellowstone in the winter. The hoarfrost on the trees and the steam hovering over the snow with bison lurking underneath surprise and delight all your senses. Add a dogsledding tour in Big Sky and the recipe for winter adventuring is complete. My friend, Liz, and I planned an epic week together and relished every moment. The following account skims the surface of our memory-making tour in February of 2023.
seasonal aspirations
We all loved discussing the ways in which we relish the winter season so much that I wanted to share at large the brilliant ideas and poignant thoughts you expressed to me. The most popular sentiment is releasing expectations and simply existing in this winterscape.