adventure daily.
Increasingly, I am finding meaning in the milestones marked by the turning of the earth more than those rooted in human culture. While Christmas and the 4th of July offer a day off from work to adventure, the solstices and equinoxes are what I actually feel the need to mark in some worthwhile way. I […]
Building things is not my strong suit. Part of it is for a lack of experience and a lack of trying, because usually I don't need to. I am married to someone who is a master at jerry-rigging unlikely implements into something useful, usually to the amazement of whoever is watching. Because he can undoubtedly …
This year, I'd like to bike to or from work at least 20 times. This sounds like a very "low hanging fruit" goal -- especially considering how much I ride -- except for the fact that last year I know that I did it less than 10. For those who don't know of my bike …
New Years Resolutions are funny things. When I was younger I'd fully subscribe to the "New Year, New You" notion, make my list of all the things I wanted to achieve in the next 365 days, believe that with the turning of the calendar from one number to the next, everything would change. Starting today, …
I miss writing. This seems like kind of a strange and ironic statement now that I have a full-time gig at a media company and writing is actually a huge part of my job. But what I mean is that I miss writing for myself. I miss writing the very personal, experience-based stories that are …
I think today more than ever, it’s easy to get caught up in the belief that our own lives are mundane. The internet constantly throws articles about traveling to far-off lands in our faces. Instagram makes it easier than ever to see a lot of beautiful people doing amazing things. Every single day, our news feeds are …
When I am mentally tired and not functioning properly, a good ride can set it all straight again. Riding bikes is like a reset button for my brain and my soul. And no matter how many other things I “should” be doing, I never, ever regret going on that ride. Read the full version of …
As I chased Evan and Ryan on new-to-me trails in Bald Eagle State Forest yesterday, cutting fresh tracks into powder under a perfectly clear sky, I began to review this past year in my head. While it's seen it's fair share of challenges and tough times, I find myself focusing on the positive, and being …
Each year, time seems to go by faster. Sometimes, it scares me how quickly my life seems to be flying by now. When I was a kid, I was always anticipating something---my next birthday, a friend's party, the last day of school. I wanted to turn 16 and get my drivers license, then I wanted …
A couple weeks ago, we had a taste of spring. Not a rainy, sort of chilly spring, but full-on sun and warmth. More like summer, really. Tank top weather. It's been a weird winter. One week we'd get a foot of snow, the next, it would be all gone. Temperatures fluctuated between zero and seventy. …
helena kotala 