As a kid, I would play on top of dirt piles with my favorite toy:  a black, plastic rat.  I dug up worms and made gelatin molds of “Creepy Crawlers” bugs.  As I grew, I studied karate, even though most of my training partners were much taller and stronger than me (but speed was on my side).  I moved to Australia by myself, knowing no one, for five months.  I solo backpacked through Europe after graduating university.  Then, eventually, I began backpacking in the backcountry. 

I believe in living your own life. I believe in pursuing my passions even when people think you are crazy!  I believe that people should not let other’s worries and fears limit themselves.  I think that scars and odd tan lines are proof that you did something really cool.  I believe that family can be found wherever you go – family doesn’t just have to be by blood.  You choose your family, blood or not.  I believe that the expectations laid out by society are not for everyone.  Just because most people go to university, get a job at a large corporation, etc. doesn’t mean it’s the right path for you and it doesn’t mean that everyone on that path is enjoying it.  I believe that people need to get off of their phone and enjoy life by living in the moment more often.  I believe that a great way to renew yourself is to go on a hike.  Or sit on the couch and watch Netflix for a few hours. 

I believe in sharing stories of both great adventures and boring days… though the adventures probably make for a more engaging story.  Lastly (and again), I believe that people should live the lives that they think is right for them.  If it is working a 9-5 desk job, then great!  If it is working as a barista, then great!  If it is acting, then great!  If it is sharing stories, then great!  However you want to live your life, live it!  But whichever you choose, don’t forget that there is a beautiful, amazing world out there!

The concept of Faraway Horizons began in the fall of 2017.  I had just finished giving a speech at my company’s Toastmasters Club meeting (if you’ve never heard of Toastmasters, it is an organization that is focused on helping people improve their public speaking skills.  I joined, because I was horribly scared of speaking in front of people…  So scared that my mind would black-out and I wouldn’t have any recollection of what I had just said during a speech…  I decided that wasn’t very good, so I joined to improve and I did).  My speech was a story that I wrote about a recent 20 day backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail (JMT) in California.  My mentor in the club, who is a harsh critic and doesn’t ‘sugar coat’ or say things just to make you feel good, came up to me and asked, “Have you ever thought about getting your stories published?”

Publishing my stories had never even crossed my mind.  We talked for a little bit and I walked away with the plan of publishing a couple of my speeches on open forums, community sites, and other places that would have an audience that might be interested in reading my stories to test out how the stories would be received.

Over the next couple months, the idea of posting my stories on other sites had evolved into the thought of ‘why don’t I just create my own site and publish my stories on there?’  ‘If I’m going to go for it, then I really should go for it.’  Thus, the concept of what eventually morphed into Faraway Horizons was born.

I hope you enjoy these stories and the entirety of Faraway Horizons as much as my rough, but truthful mentor enjoyed my JMT story!

Why am I writing?  I am writing to share stories, share experiences, and because life is way more than a 9-5 desk job.  I am writing, because the world is a beautiful, amazing place that should be embraced.  I am writing, because there is so much to do and see.  I am writing, because I like sharing my stories and thoughts.  I hope that what I write will encourage others to embrace new experiences.