Although I associate Vietnam more with tourism and digital nomads than with war, unlike my dad, it's still impossible to not think about the war while you're there. American troops withdrew from Vietnam only six years before I was born, so I'm old enough to have grown up feeling its impact on American culture and … Continue reading In the Trenches
Tag: camping
Creeping Myself Out
Happy Halloween from Savannah, Georgia! If you aren't following my other blog, you might not know that I've been a nomad for the past thirteen months. I try out a new state every five to six weeks, staying in long-term AirBnBs. Over the summer, I stopped back in Colorado to hike some more mountains and … Continue reading Creeping Myself Out
Wild, Wild West, How I Love You
Although I've been saying I want to move back to the east coast for about five years now, and although I now have a full time remote job that enables me to pack up and move back tomorrow if I want to, I'm quite glad to have been in Colorado through the Covid-19 shutdowns. And … Continue reading Wild, Wild West, How I Love You
The 14,000 Foot Summits of 2019
Despite the late start to 14er season this year, due to the massive amounts of snow over the winter, my friends and I managed to get in just as many peaks as in other years. Dedication to the cause! Not that I ever plan to hike them all—Class 4s with full climbing gear are definitely … Continue reading The 14,000 Foot Summits of 2019
What I Did On My End of Summer Vacation
Saturday: Spent seven hours in the car Sunday: Went grocery shopping Monday: Called into an all-hands at my full time job Tuesday: Did half an hour of work for a freelance client Wednesday: Got my oil changed Thursday: Groomed the dog Friday: Woke up to a 6:30 AM alarm Saturday: Cleaned up the house Sunday: … Continue reading What I Did On My End of Summer Vacation
Where Have I Been?
It's been awfully quiet here on Jen Seriously for the last two months. What gives? The simple answer is that I’ve been trying to prioritize my time better. Without any real responsibilities or obligations outside my full time job, I have plenty of free time, but I do a lot with that time and have … Continue reading Where Have I Been?
Flora Versus Fauna
On March 3 this year, I was one of the featured storytellers at the Truth Be Told season finale, featuring all the first and second place winners from 2018. I didn't win in the finale, but I told a damn fine story. I hope you think so too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l70k1uOmfUc And if my story didn't convince … Continue reading Flora Versus Fauna
An Autumn Weekend in Central Colorado
Last weekend, Trotsky and I took our first ever solo camping trip. In almost nine years, it's never been just the two of us. Between trips with partners, casual lovers, friends who live locally, and friends who are far away, finding time to go places on your own is difficult. But last weekend, it happened. … Continue reading An Autumn Weekend in Central Colorado
When in the Flat Tops Wilderness
At Blackwater Pond the tossed waters have settled after a night of rain. I dip my cupped hands. I drink a long time. It tastes like stone, leaves, fire. It falls cold into my body, waking the bones. I hear them deep inside me, whispering oh what is that beautiful thing that just happened? - … Continue reading When in the Flat Tops Wilderness
The Point of Travel
Travel used to have a purpose - to find trading partners, to cure disease, to scout out fertile land to homestead on. According to my favorite modern philosopher, it still should. Travel should be about more than gaining social media followers and checking items off a clichéd bucket list. It should feed your soul and … Continue reading The Point of Travel
Jennifer A Swallow 