Trip Report: Guadalupe Peak

Last Tuesday, I left work at 9pm. Earlier that day, I posted to Facebook to see if anyone wanted to venture south and climb Guadalupe Peak in the Guadalupe Mountains.. eight hours away.

The top of Guadalupe Peak

My friend Ashley wanted to. So, now I had to.

"I've never hiked, how long is the trail?" texted Ashley.

"It's 8.4 miles, in and out. Should not be too difficult," I replied.

"It's rated "difficult.""

"Oh, really? It can't be that bad."

WRONG! This was the hardest hike I have EVER completed. 8.4 miles is not a big deal. Neither is the 8,749 ft peak; I've climbed a 13er in Colorado. The kicker was the 3,000 feet vertical climb. That is what made this hike incredibly difficult and taxing.

Luckily, I had trekking poles, great hiking boots and plenty of water and food. The poles saved my knees; I woke up today with no aches or pains.

The entire hike, up and down, took us about 8 hours because we stopped for breaks...a lot. Neither of us thought this little Texas mountain would be a problem. It was. 3000 feet in 4 miles is STEEP.

Would I hike it again? Yes! It was still fun, despite the difficulty.

Gear that saved me:

New Balance Trekking Poles 

I went to Target to get these for $20 because I needed them ASAP. I really want some Black Diamond or Leki poles, but these NB poles were great for the hike. They have great grips, are adjustable, have rubber tips for good grip, and they are super light-weight. I was completely satisfied with these guys, especially since they were so cheap. I know for longer hikes, I will want some gloves to wear (I got blisters) and maybe different poles; probably ones with shock absorption. Overall, I give these 4/5 stars.

Columbia Shasta Ridge Omni-Tech Trail Shoe 

These are the best hiking shoes I have ever owned. They have never given me blisters, my feet never hurt in them, they have great grip, and they're not heavy or bulky. I found them at Ross for $30 a year or so ago and love them to death! They're waterproof, which I was able to finally test out this week at Guadalupe, because it started raining on us coming down the mountain. My feet stayed dry because of these shoes and my Darn Tough wool socks. Happy hiking feet = a happy hike.

Now for the photos: 

(Cameras: I used my iPhone 4 w an Olloclip and a Canon 60d with a 28-105mm lens. Did not have my GoPro because I gave the Hero2 back to my sister and was waiting on my new Hero3 to come in the mail!)

El Capitan. Shot from the top of Guadalupe Peak

Best view I have experienced!

We met Fred J. Luthe on the trail (the name above mine). I hope I can still climb mountains when I'm 78.

Where am I going next? Wheeler Peak in NM. Bring it, Taos.

Gear Review: Teva's Tevasphere Speed Shoes

So, earlier this month, I got invited to be a part of Teva's Ambassador program, Teva Insiders. You can find us under the #livebetterstories hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, etc. 

They sent me a pair of their Tevasphere Speed running shoes. I LOVE THEM. I have already run about 40 miles in them, and they're great.

Pro's: 

- Colors are fun

- The stride helps my knees 

- They dry fast (I ran in the rain and they didn't leave my socks wet; dried pretty fast because of the mesh)

- The extra arch support is great. 

- No blisters after a 10-mile run was AWESOME!

- They work on and off pavement; I prefer trail-running, and these work great on trails.

Con's:

- The bottoms are slippery if the pavement is wet, so be careful.

Would I recommend them to my mom?

- I already did. :) My mom has knee issues too, so I feel like these would be great for her. 

Shoes I have worn in the past have never made my knees feel good. I could feel the knee caps rattling around and hear the cartilage creaking. Long-distance running was out of the question, unless I wanted to be aching or barely able to walk afterwards. Knee pain is no fun. 

However, with these shoes, the stride is different. The rounded heel, the "sphere" is what makes the difference. My feet aren't plopping onto the ground, they're gracefully gliding and scooping, like vinyasa yoga! (Hello, I'm also a yoga teacher-to-be). I've been regularly running for about two months now, so I'm learning just how crucial GOOD shoes are.

Who out there runs with Teva? By the way, did you know it's pronounced, "Teh-vuh?" I've been saying it wrong for the last couple years since buying my first pair of sandals!

4 Ways Yoga Benefits Running

I recently started running. In high school, I really hated running because they gave us an 8-minute goal if we wanted to even be eligible to try out for volleyball or basketball. Of course, I was not able to make this goal, so I went to play softball, where you only have to run for a very, short amount of time! It was perfect!

I have tried to run regularly before, but I get SO BORED just running on the street. So, I learned that I enjoy trail running the most. I think it has to do with the adrenaline that I get when I cannot see where the turn ahead is going to take me. Plus, cougars and snakes live in the trails down here in Texas. Kind of scary.

If you follow me on MapMyRun, you can see when I run, how far, etc. (It's a really great app if you do not already have a running app, by the way).

1. Awareness.

Learning to become a yoga teacher is teaching me a lot about when a pose is right and when it is not, which can be harmful to your body. Being aware of how I sit, stand, walk, etc. has recently come into my viewfinder because of yoga. It is the same for running. I know where to focus my energy and balance while running up a hill and how different it needs to be when running down a hill. I can "run with my core" if I want to get a bit more from my run.

2. Breathe.

Obviously, when you're running you are probably breathing in sync. The breathe is crucial in yoga, as it drives everything about yoga, but it also goes back to awareness. I am breathing with my run, but more purposeful. I take longer inhales and even longer exhales on cool-downs so I can allow oxygen to enter my entire body and help build endurance. Awareness of my breathe has helped me have better runs, as well as easier runs. I feel like I am turning into a long-distance runner, mostly because I vary my breathing.

3. Stretching 

I feel like this is the most obvious way yoga benefits runners, but I will speak to it anyways. Stretching before and after is very important to avoid tense or even injured muscles and ligaments. It also helps relieve lactic acid build-up. Knowing what to stretch is just as important, so knowing specific yoga poses becomes very helpful here. You can always stretch your calves by stepping against a street-curb, but what about some hip-openers? When you finishing sprinting a stretch and want to fill your body up with as much blood and oxygen as possible, do you know how to open your heart-center? There is definitely a benefit to knowing yoga to optimize every aspect of your run.

4. Mind.

I know for a fact the reason I now love running is not because of the burned calories. It is because of the affect it has on my mental health. At my day job, I am the training facilitator of a very busy, very well-known, retail store. I plan training for new-hires, promoted colleagues, new product, new initiatives, etc. I constantly plan, plan, plan, change plans, then tweak plans, then plan some more. When I run, I can let go of everything. There is nothing to plan and no specific destination. The other time I feel as free as I do when I run is when I am traveling. Since I am on a travel-hiatus as I try to prepare for a Spring move to Colorado, I run.

If you are weary of running, like I was, maybe these reasons will help you find a focal point for a reason to run. If you start running and find you need motivation, give yourself a goal. Not necessarily distance, but perhaps something along the lines of, "I want to run from this stop sign to the next block without walking," or, "I want to run farther than I did yesterday." Then share your achievements with others and reward yourself! I am buying myself a new pair of running shoes because of some goals I achieved. In order to create new habits, it is important to tap into the reward center of your brain.

Always remember to celebrate yourself.

Videos I Love: "The Road From Karakol"

I just wanted to share this incredible video with you. My friend Brian shared it with me. 

It is a video by Outdoor Research athlete, Kyle Dempster. He took a bike, climbing gear and a camera, and solo-trekked it across Kyrgyzstan. Two years later, the footage got edited and the film won an award at the 5 Point Film Fest. It's also a Vimeo Staff Pick. 

The video is a testament to the importance of seeking out adventure. It is also about how different the world looks when it is just you and nobody else. It is about how different you look to yourself. You learn about yourself. You learn who you are. 

The Road From Karakol from Outdoor Research on Vimeo.

This video hit home for me because I am living through a time of being alone. (Newsflash, when you quit drinking, you quit hanging out with drinking "friends"). Even though I often find myself rather lonely, I am learning more about myself each day. I would not trade this temporary stint of solitude for something as silly as fitting in with the rest of the world. I am using this time I get to myself as time to grow into who I will be days, weeks and months down the road.

Ask yourself this: who/what/where is holding you back? 

So, go and change it. You're only waiting on yourself. 

<3

My Sobriety Isn't About My Sobriety Anymore

Today I woke up six month sober.

(Pause for a moment while they lyrics from The Mountain Goats, "Woke Up New," pop into my head. Even though this song is about a lover who has left, I have woke up without hangovers the last six months...)

One of the greatest things I have learned about being and staying sober is I can't make this journey ABOUT being and staying sober. I have learned to make it about ME.

I have plenty of things I can list off that I have accomplished. Honestly, if you follow me around on social media, you already know most of those things. I find new things to do in order to shove me out of my comfort zone and to tell others a story, so they can possibly take something away from it and be inspired. 

There are also internal changes. My thought patterns have changed. Habits have changed. Friends have changed. I know I am not the same person I was six months ago. Not even a month ago. Being sober has opened up new questions about myself and now I am working on finding the answers. 

Which is why my sobriety isn't about my sobriety anymore. It is about me. It is about living life and learning that I can free myself from myself. My life is open. Completely open. Clear-thinking has allowed me to see what is good and what needs to go in my life. 

I have learned that challenging myself every day to be better than I was the day before is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. If you do that, you will grow and you will change.

'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something." - Steve Jobs

Do I intend to stay sober? Yes. Is my life dedicated to sobriety? No. My life is dedicated to living out my dreams and inspiring others to do the same. 

<3

Anyone who wants to contact m or talk about alcohol struggles, feel free!
email: tiffinycostello@me.com

Recharge Yourself & Be Present.

This month has flown by. This season has flown by.

I've seen so many new places and done so many new things. Skied The Tetons, camped in The Ozarks, explored the dome of Capulin Volcano, climbed to the top of Copper Mountain, made hobo-dinner in Vail, rode horses in Buenva Vista, Colorado and white-water rafted through Brown Canyon. This year has been the best year!

Skiing at Targhee in the Tetons.

Behold, The Tetons!

The Windy & Grassy Ozarks

One of the most important things I am learning about right now is I need time to recharge. I have not traveled in over a month, and I definitely feel antsy. 

Even though I am home for now, I still feel growth happening. My responsibilities at my job and my new internship are picking up. I have started running (and LOVE it). I am continuing my yoga teacher certification (and LOVE it, too). 

I was definitely discouraged about not getting to travel for a little while, but now I am 100% fine with it. I have been able to let the chaos settle, and watched new kinds of chaos happen. I've learned a lot about myself because I have been able to stop and think. 

Recharging myself has found value into my life. I can be present because I stop and allow myself to just be.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful time as the seasons shift and colors change. Do not forget to recharge and refresh. Stop and take in who you are you what you do.

<3

I am Now Part of The Outdoor Women's Alliance!

Announcement! 

Yesterday the new ambassadors and interns for www.outdoorwomensalliance.com were announced, and I am one of them! 

I'll be the content and social media intern this season. I am very excited to start contributing and cannot wait to share adventures with you all! 

Follow OWA out at: 

www.outdoorwomensalliance.com

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook 

I can't wait to start building up & encouraging a community of women in the outdoors!

Tiff

Setting Goals & Allowing Them to Change (You).

My dad has always told me, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail." 

It's a good thing I'm a girl....but really, there is a half-truth to that. 

A couple weekends ago I went camping on a whim with my friend Amanda and it reset my spirit and mind for the entire week ahead of me. We planned it the morning of and it was fantastic. 

This month, I have written down some goals I would like to accomplish. I will share more later, but here are a few: 

- Running/hiking/walking/etc. a mile a day

- Drinking more tea

- Drawing one picture a day

- Writing one blog post a week (hold me to it!)

- Practicing yoga every day (this will be easy)

- Reading one book a week

Pausing during my #mileaday trail run/hike on 9/1. #2/30.

Why plan a month out when I can enjoy myself on a whim? I think it is all about planning and then finding ways to let your goals affect the time in between plans. The time in between is where you grow and where the magic happens. 

Yoga is so good for seeing the beginning, middle and forward-motion of a goal. The in-between is just as important as the goal of a pose.

In yoga, your breathe is what guides you towards, during and out of your poses. I feel that when you have specific goals on your mind, you tailor your every move towards some way of fulfilling those goals. You begin to form new habits and then you realize a month later, you're a different person. You have grown. 

Diana Nyad is my current hero. The first TED Talk I ever saw was her TED Talk. It was after her 4th time to attempt the swim from Cuba to Florida. When I saw that she was going for it a 5th time, I kept checking in on her progress via Twitter as her #ExtremeDream came true! (Yes, Twitter - I do not have a TV and, really, it's actually a great source of immediate, unbiased news because you get all sorts of perspectives). 

Photo credit: USA Today

That woman is proof that goals matter and even if you do not fulfill them, they are still worth attempting. If I had tried swimming from Cuba to Florida and failed once, I probably would not have tried again.

I encourage you to make one goal and obtain it. The positivity you feel propels you forward towards the next one. You realize you are capable of things outside of who you currently are and that is how you will grow into becoming more you. 

Climbing Volcanoes on a whim! No real plans here!

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as who you become by achieving your goals." 

- Henry David Thoreau 

I visited Mr. Thoreau's grave in Boston last year while I was traveling. It was a wonderful moment.

Scare the Crap Out of Yourself..and LIVE.

Lately, my days feel longer. Time still flies, but I can look back on a day and feel good about how much I accomplished. A year ago, time was flying and I would look back on the day, feeling like all I did was work, and I might as well just go to sleep because it was already so late. I am so glad this is not the case as of late.

(The pictures in this post are from a one-night camping trip I took this weekend with my friend and her family. I got to try out my new Kammok that I won and I LOVE IT! All photos here are shot with GoPro Hero2).

I think part of it is that I have this buzzing energy, constantly reminding me that life should be lived, and lived well. "It" has been dormant for the last few years in my brain; I'm sure poorly managed stress, alcohol, and the normal things that deter people from their purpose caused "it" to hibernate.

I am glad it is awake again.

I am glad I am awake again.

This is not the first time I have been awake.

When I first started college, I felt it. It kept me up late at night, creating, writing, and thinking. It's back again - "it" being something I think everyone is capable of. It is YOU. Your purpose is also you. When you start to uncover your purpose and true calling, you feel it. Every part of your being is buzzing and humming with the energy of being awake.

How do you find "it?" You allow yourself to change. I had to quit drinking, leave people behind, and leave a perception of unhappiness I had created for myself and for others. I simplified my life by simplifying my mind. Nature helps. Travel helps. Adding yoga and meditation to my daily routine have helped me the most.  Getting yourself out of your day-to-day routine also helps. This allows you to look at your life from a distance, and not necessarily a safe distance. You also might not like what you see. 

But you can change it. You are the only one who can. Fill your mind with positive thinking by changing your reactions. Change your scenery. If your job really is awful and there is no way to find any shred of positivity about it, leave it. What do you have to lose? If continuing college is like pullling teeth and you're skipping class more than you're going, quit college. (See previous blog post about quitting college). You do not have to stay in any situation you're in if you don't want to. Free yourself. FREE YOURSELF. You deserve it - this life is yours and you get to live it. 

I'll leave you with this great quote & a link to watch the video on Vimeo. Have a wonderful week, and if you have a blog, link it to me in the comment section; I'd love to read! :)

"If you're living your life where you scare yourself a lot, that's really living. None of us are getting out of here alive so you might as well scare the crap out of yourself and do things that are important to you." -Todd Sanders, Roadhouse Relics in Austin, TX.

Todd Sanders STORYTLD from LUXURY MINDZ on Vimeo.

Don't Go to College

What I mean is...don't go to college if you don't want to. 

In this lovely country we all live in, we are raised to go to school, play nice with kids, graduate from high school (make sure you are at LEAST in drama club - wait, make that Student Council), go to college, rack up a mountain of student debt and live off ramen while doing so, then try and find a well-paying job. Start a family. Raise them to graduate from high school, go to college...it is a cycle that needs to be broken and turned into whatever shape an individual decides to create.

I am 27 and have about 20 hours left to go on my college degree. My English degree with a minor in Medieval History and Literature. Yes, I can talk for hours about Chaucer and how he influenced the English language to what it is today, or, why the Wife of Bath is my favorite pilgrim; then we can talk about pilgrimages, which may turn into a discussion about Margery Kemp and her internal spiritual pilgrimage, etc., etc. 

I am 27 and have finally started living my life. It does not include school. I hardly use any of the teachings I have learned thus far in college. My passion for travel, people and adventure is what fuels my life right now. This fuel has even made its' way into my work-life. My job is finally enjoyable again. I have pulled my love for people and my passion for inspiring others and weaved it into the time spent at my job. It have given my work meaning again. It has lowered my stress and made me happier when I am not at work. It has put a new perspective on my work-life. It has put a new perspective on my life. 

"The only way to do good work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

I live in Fort Worth, TX and we have a great art and music scene here. Many of my friends are artists or musicians. They are doing what they love but then they also have a job to pay the bills. Their passions may not yet pay the bills, but that does not mean my friends are not happy. They have something to go home from work to. You cannot tell who went to college and who did not; you don't need a college degree to express yourself or play in a band or be an artist of any kind. You do need to know how to play music, however, but that is a skill you can learn. There are so many options for gaining experience, knowledge and education that do not require a degree. 

What I want to do is tell people, of any age, that they do not have to go to college. You do not need a college degree to be happy. You need time to learn who you are and discover what makes you alive. By exposing yourself to what you might like to do and reading about the people who are successful in those fields is a great way to self-educate and self-motivate. It is also a great way to find out what you DON'T want to do, without spending money on a degree only to find that four years later, you've changed your mind. 

Modern western society has forgotten how to think before making a decision. We have gotten so used to immediate results, so we jump right into everything from college, jobs, relationships, etc. Then, once we wake up and realize "this is not my beautiful house; how did I get here?" we are discouraged at the poor choice we have made, without even knowing it was going to disappoint us down the road. We start over, jumping right back into something else...something else...and something else. 

Break the cycle. Change your mindset. Take time to THINK about who you are. Then, go from there and follow your dreams. Everything else will fall into place, into its' right place, and you will not even believe where your dreams will take you. 

<3

Wanderlust Colorado in Photos!

I had the wonderful chance of attending Wanderlust Festival, Colorado, at Copper Mountain Ski Resort last week! 

Climbing up Copper Mountain - BEAUTIFUL fields of wildflowers!

My friend Megan and I drove from Texas to Colorado. We took the route through New Mexico on the way there, and the route through Kansas on the way home. 

Cities we visited: 

- Capulin, NM (We hiked into the volcano!!)

- Frisco, CO

- Pueblo, CO

- Copper, CO

- Buena Vista, CO (We whitewater rafted through Brown's Canyon and rode horses!)

- Vail, CO

- Cakwer City, KS

- Oklahoma City, OK 

Rather than talk about it, I'll let the pictures speak the story! 

Cameras used:  GoPro Hero2, iPhone 5, iPhone 4 w/ Olloclip 

Leaving Dallas at sunrise

9 hours later... 

Capulin, NM did not have a gas station or restaurant; but they  had a working pay phone.  

Inner rim of the Capulin Volcano!

 

 

 Our site in Pueblo, CO

Time for a mountain pass....or four. 

White River National Forest 

Up Copper Mountain we go!

Crow posing on the side of Copper.

 Beautiful Megan and beautiful scenery.

 Half awake.

 

 Phrase most often said by Tiffiny, "We need to find coffee." 

 Best face, Megan!

Breakfast with a mountain. 

Blueberry popsicle! 

 Working my way through the field of boulders. Reminded me of this quote:

“Jumping from boulder to boulder and never falling, with a heavy pack, is easier than it sounds; you just can't fall when you get into the rhythm of the dance.” - Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums

 This is the mountain I climbed. It looks smaller from the highway..

 

 Our site in Frisco, CO

 First horse ride!

Largest Ball of Twine can be found in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. 

  

  

 Channeling Georgia O'Keefe.

*********

I was able to attend Wanderlust because I received two free Sage passes from So Delicious, simply for replying to a Tweet of theirs. They also gave me these coupons (I used them FAST). Thanks again, guys! 

I also got some free camp coffee for my trip from Nature Coffee Kettle! Their concept and quality is fantastic and I LOVE COFFEE so I can take all I can get! 

Stay tuned for more adventures! I'll be at Wanderlust Austin, the All-Girls Slackline Festival in Oregon, & whatever else I can! 

You can also find me here:

twitter.com/tiffinyepiphany

instagram.com/tiffinycostello

facebook.com/turbotiffiny

<3 Tiffiny

**Clothing/gear/companies that kept me warm, cute, nourished, footed etc:

Nikita Coleman Tents Mountain Hardware Columbia Teva Mountainsmith Sleeping Bags So Delicious

The Other Side of the Mountain

Before I start with happy posts about my long & lovely weekend at Wanderlust, I do have a somewhat serious thing to talk about.

Earlier this year, I set a goal of climbing a mountain. July 7th, I accomplished that goal. I climbed Copper Mountain. The summit is 12,313 feet, and I climbed from the base, which is 9,712 feet. That made my ascent around 3,300 feet or so. No, it was not a huge mountain, but nonetheless a mountain. With a field of boulders...and bumble bees..and slopes..and thinning air...

The feeling of making it to the top after having to stop & rest, quite often, sometimes every 3 minutes or so, was exhilarating. I felt like Jaffe Ryder, a character from Jack Kerouacs' travel narrative, "The Dharma Bums," who yelled at the top of the mountain he climbs in the book. I even danced across a field of boulders like he did! It was incredible.

Being on top of that mountain gave me some time to take in & look at what was around me, and most of all, below me. There were peaks higher than I was and lower than I was. 

Looking at my life, I am in the same spot. There are peaks all around me. Some of them are higher than where I'm at now and some are lower. The slopes are all different and the terrain changes throughout the climb. When I was on all fours, crawling up one section of the mountain, I was discouraged because the summit did not seem to get any closer, even though I was exhausted. I thought about giving up and "trying again next time." When is next time? I am here NOW and if I stop to rest, regain strength, and try again, I could reach the summit; and I did. 

July 7th is also the day, four years ago, when I was arrested for a DWI in Arlington, TX. Yes, I can blame the over-staffed-police-force in the city, or the fact that they followed me out of the bar parking lot, or the fact that my red car was statistically targeted, etc....

The real issue here was not any of those; the real issue was my love for drinking. I'm Irish and my family is riddled with alcoholics, so I did not have much hope in being a moderate drinker.

Since my DWI, I have struggled with "learning to moderate my drinking." This April, I finally decided I have NO ability to "learn" any kind of moderation for alcohol in my being. Maybe in my next life. After deciding this, I also had to accept it. Accepting my inability to moderate has been the game-changer for my quitting drinking this round. It feels real this time. When I have quit in the past, I have craved to drink and always succumbed to it. What's changed? Support. Hobbies. Friendships.

I am about to hit 16-weeks of no alcohol, and I am still finding out things about myself that I have ignored in the haze of the last four years. I have had to cut off a couple toxic friendships. I've changed my hobbies. The most important thing for me has been the support of my boyfriend, my friends and my family.

Quitting drinking is one thing, but figuring out what you're going to have to displace and balance that energy into is a new task. It's the field of boulders on your way up a mountain.

I know alcohol is not abused by everyone. We all have our vices. I hope people know that the most important way to grow from the ashes of destructive living is to know that you CAN create a new life for yourself. You do NOT have to accept your mistakes as who you were meant to be. Find out what your desires are and go for them. Chase them. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family and make space for new experiences to propel your new life forward. CLIMB THAT MOUNTAIN.

Creating Space.

The last couple of weeks, I have been on my own a lot. My boyfriend is on tour with his band, War Party, so I do not have him to hang out with, all the time, like I normally do when he is around. I've outgrown some habits, which means I've outgrown some friends. I guess you could say I'm somewhat in-between places right now, socially. I'm pretty good at being alone, considering I used to be a professional hermit (haha). 

I've been thinking a lot about creating space for myself. What I mean is, identify what is weighing me down or what might be having a negative or neutral influence on me and what I want to accomplish, and step away from it - for good or for a little while. This can be anything; friends, food, activities, etc. I have a friend who has been going through a breakup, and I'm encouraging her to create space for herself, which also encourages me to practice what I'm preaching. 

Not drinking for the last 3 months has been such a HUGE change for me and it's such a good one. It has created so much space in my life and in my bank account!  

Yoga has been an incredible life-changer for me. It has helped me de-stress my life and consider the little things as much as the big things.  

Doing things for the sake of doing them, and no other reason, has proved to be an elevating experience. So many people have to let the world know that they're amazing - people who have to prove that they're experienced are probably missing the point entirely. Humble yourself and just enjoy a nice day and the people with you. You know your intentions if you are honest with yourself. Remember to experience life for life, not for a neat Facebook post. I'm preaching to myself too - I am getting better at putting my phone down and LIVING. Make space for life. 

Taking a break from travel - what?! - has actually been nice. When I'm not traveling, I'm planning my next trip. I have been enjoying home and the people here these last couple of weeks, instead of planning my next trip. It's important to stop and enjoy what is always there but rarely noticed. 

Creating space for ourselves is so important. We grow into the people we will become by hanging out in the present moment and realizing how small we really are, and that we DO have space in our busy lives - for ourself. 

How do you create space in your life? 

5 Simple Tips to Traveling on the Cheap

Travel is not cheap. It can be, but usually you're sacrificing comfort or convenience. The key to enjoying yourself is budgeting enough money to take with you. A few tips on how I make time and money to travel as often as I do:

From my trip to Reykjavik, Iceland; October 2012

1. Book in advance.

this is a life-saver for me. I book my airfare, hotel, car, museums, sight-seeing, etc in advance, before I leave for my trip. I usually try and do this a month or more in advance. When it comes time to travel, I have a good cash flow because I'm not having to spend my cash on things that can sometimes be the most expensive part of a trip. 

2. Research the Airlines.

Many airlines run deals for very limited amounts of time. A few airlines have deals when you sign up for a credit card. I use Spirit Air. I know their airline is not the swankiest, but my gosh, it is the cheapest. I do not have a credit card with airline advantages, so Spirit Air is the next best thing. I went to San Francisco from Dallas for less than $150 on Spirit, while other airlines were going to charge over $300 for a round-trip flight. The key to Spirit Air is booking one way at a time - they usually do deals every week and in my experience one way goes on sale, then the other way goes on sale a couple of weeks later!

My friend Tori & I in San Francisco. I stayed with her, which saved me a good chunk of change!

3. Travel with a buddy! 
Traveling with one person or more helps cut costs SO MUCH. I prefer to travel alone, but when I do travel with friends, it helps tremendously on things like car rentals, hotels, etc. Staying with friends is also a money-saver. 

4. Use Social Networking.

I have used Couchsurfing, Airbnb, RelayRides & other social networks to help make my travel cheaper, easier and more fun. In Iceland, I stayed with a host who contacted me on Couchsurfing and it was such a fun experience! The locals always know the best places and hidden gems within their city. These social networks are designed to not only be a better and sometimes cheaper option, but you also get to meet people and add to the travel community. 

Skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; March 2013 - paid cash during the whole trip because I budgeted it into my expenses the previous month.

5. Budget in your travel as part of your monthly expenses
This is probably the KEY to why I am able to travel. Setting aside time and money for my future travel adventures is part of my monthly income. I don't have a new car, I don't go out drinking, I don't dine out often - and all of these little things help me have more money for travel. Many people tell me how jealous they are that I get to travel so often - but I manage my finances so that I CAN travel. I pay my bills first, then go grocery shopping, and whatever is left is adventure money! I do have a credit card that I use when I'm traveling and before I book another trip I pay that card off. This method has worked for me over the last year and I have no travel debts that last longer than a couple of weeks. 

I hope this helps! Anyone have any other tips for budgeting their travel? 

<3 Tiffiny

The Ozarks!

Last weekend, I trekked from Dallas to Northwest Arkansas to The Ozarks! My intrepid, little, white Hyundai made it over 900 miles, round trip, and the only issue I had was it started to overhead while we descending into Devil's Den - after a bit of investigation and phone calls to my dad, I discovered the car was out of coolant. Crisis, MAJOR crises, averted $11.38 & a gallon of coolant later!

Anyways, The Ozarks were very pretty. They were not as mountainous as I expected, but nonetheless it very a very lush and rich forest environment. The first night we camped in Devil's Den, there was a tornado outbreak and in the middle of the night, I woke up to the sound of a freight train, getting louder and louder; a sheer wind gust was sweeping down the valley like a dementor, and almost took out the tent. It DID sustain however! (The make and model of tent we used can be found here).

I couldn't believe how much lichen was everywhere. We went hiking around the bat caves and there was so much life around me. Moss, mushrooms, fern, birds, ants crawling on the moss, dead trees with new life growing on them..it was so wonderful. I could have stayed in the forest for hours, just sitting and taking in the life around me. I definitely want to return to a place like Devil's Den and take it all in.

We had to leave early because of the weather, but I did enjoy The Ozarks. My next camping trip is already in the works with some people from work - we are going to The Smoky Mountains! 

Here are way too many pictures of the weekend, but I hope they are enjoyed. 

Anyone else have camping plans this summer?

<3 Tiff

San Francisco!

I went to San Francisco last weekend! It was SO PERFECT. I am already looking for a job there, I loved it so much! I stayed and hung out with my best friend from junior high/high school, Tori Lesikar. We trekked all over the place and ended my last night with an oceanside bike ride. I cannot wait to return - for good. 

Picture overload, commences now!

The cameras I used for this post are:

GoPro Hero2

GoPro Hero3 (taken by Tori)

iPhone 4

iPhone 4S (taken by Tori)

<3 Tiffiny

Recent Adventures

This is a simple, unplanned post; predecessor to some more complex, planned-posts. It is nice to have a spontaneous burst once in awhile.

Things are changing in my life, right before my eyes.

When I have a day off, I find myself outside on a new trail I haven't explored. This is something new to me. I have been a hermit since moving to Fort Worth and am happy to finally shed some of my shell. Now, I'm buying trail running shoes, and planning out a backpacking camping trip. 

I am learning so much about myself right now, and the transition is beautiful, exciting, frustrating and painful all at the same time. I know that there are friends I have now who may not follow me into where I go next because I will not be the same person, and that is a hard thing to accept; but I know it is for the best - for them and for me. 

Being outside gives me new goals. I see new places and meet new people. I am falling in love with exploring the world away from home and work. 

I've made it a mission to hit every trail in the DFW area, which will mean getting up before the sun rises, getting home after the sun sets, and every piece of the daylight in between. Continue following me on here, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with my adventures, travels, lessons and experiences! I aim to inspire and motivate. <3

Thoughts On Finding Something To Love & Loving Yourself

Before New Years, I decided to start doing yoga every day. I did not wait until New Years to start, because I know how much of a procrastinator I am, so my motto has to be, "OK GO."

Over the last three months, I have done yoga ALMOST everyday. I stopped keeping track, because, like anything you keep score on, you're going to be disappointed. You will be. I have learned to go with the flow, and if I feel like doing something, do it. Do not wait or plan. Just do it. If I do not feel like doing something; ok fine. Don't do it. It's all a part of living in the moment.

Anyways, yoga has become a huge part of my living routine. While I have attended a couple classes at Karmany Yoga in Fort Worth, I still prefer doing yoga at home, with Tara Stiles as my yogi. Her videos are so simple and encouraging. Since I have been doing yoga for three months now, I have also been able to stray from the videos and create my own flow and learn to practice true meditation.

While I still enjoy doing yoga at home, I plan to find a studio to call home, so I can refine my technique and positions. It is also easier to meditate because I am learning to squeeze out all distractions like a sponge. 

One of the greatest things yoga has taught me is patience - with myself. When I started yoga, I had NO patience with myself, which also translated into no patience with other people. I expected to do a dancer's pose, and hold it, the first try. Nope. Couldn't even do a Warrior 3 without wobbling. Patience and practice has taught me how important it is to not get frustrated when I cannot do something the first try..or second, third, fourth, etc. 

 

Yoga has also taught me to shed my carefulness. By carefulness, I mean, I have learned to be carefree about things that do not really matter. Appreciate and relish in the little things, and stretch yourself to try something new EVERYDAY. 

Lastly, yoga has taught me to have fun. I bought a slackline in January, and pair that with yoga...you get slackline yoga! At least, that's what I am aiming for. Slacklining has required me to used and refine the same mental and physical capacities as yoga, so the two go hand-in-hand for me. The first time I was able to walk across the line was so exhilarating, I know that when I can hold a handstand I am going to have the same rewarding feeling! My brother introduced me to slacklining and it has been my favorite hobby ever since. (I have a goal to high lining this summer in Utah...I cannot wait to try it).

I guess my reason for this post is not to glorify yoga and get you to start practicing. My point is to find something that you love and makes you love yourself back. Do what you love, and love what you do, and love WHO YOU ARE. Try something that scares you, because you may just end up finding ultimate joy in it. 

<3

Tiffiny

ICELAND!

Wow. Just wow. Iceland was more enchanting and fascinating than I imagined it to be. I saw so many beautiful and lovely places full of life and spirit - and of the natural kind. Reykjavik was bustling, but more like a rushing white water current rather than the electric flow of metropolitan areas I am more familiar with in the U.S. 

New Year.

"So, this is the new year..." 

I always listen to this song on New Years! 

(Death Cab for Cutie, "The New Year").

So far, I am already very excited about 2013. Here is my project list:

-Yoga everyday (I started early. I'm 5/365 days in).

-Shoot a roll of film every month. (I am also planning out a small darkroom for developing. It's been so long since I developed film!)

-Plot, plan, and grow a garden 

-Upcycle an old piece of furniture each month. (Check my instagram for my latest piece).

I'll post my progress and other things on this blog as I have time. 

-Tiffiny