Year in Review 2023

The year started with big storms and ended with big waves, each event serving as the bookends for a story of unusual mediocrity. Yup, 2023 was a goober of a year. Better than some, worse than others. And though I've tended to view the year through the lenses of pessimism, looking back I am unable to ignore the sparkles of absolute gold. Through the haze of indifference shine unforgettable memories, and it is these memories that defined much the year for me.

The January storms set the mood for the year. With the surplus of water came a surplus of life. The local country seemed to be beaming with energy. Green hills, blooming flowers, full creeks. There was snow on the mountains well into April, and spring seemed to last well into June. It was during this time where I finally managed to graduate college, the results of which caused a healthy degree of burnout and the reason as to why I wrote about half as many blog posts this year compared to last. 

Almost immediately after graduating, Liam and I embarked on the second excursion to Billings. This one was much different than the first, which was done in March of last year. We began the trip with a visit to Zion, a place I try to see at least once every year. It was busy. Seems to get busier every year. But the place is straight magical and even a few hours spent within the park are enough to change one's mood for the better. 

From there we trucked onward to Billings. There was a lot more snow this year. It was late May and some of the roads into the mountains were still closed to the public. Skiing was still in season. I recall a drive into the mountains. We woke up early that morning after nearly staying up all night. Long drive. Backcountry roads. Snow on the peaks, lakes frozen over. Cold air that bit the face and wind that smacked the ears. We got out and walked in the snow in jeans and sneakers. Nearly fell through the ice of some hidden underground stream. It was a good time up there, Tom Petty and Nick Shoulders providing much of the soundtrack for the journey. 

Continuing with the theme of travel, in late June the fam and I made a drive out to Tennessee to visit the Grandparents. All I can say is gee, this country is BIG. And a whole lot of it is just empty. Flat, empty plains stretching for miles and miles and miles. They say that Montana is big sky country but I beg to differ. The Texas panhandle and much of the western part of Oklahoma is a world divided by one horizon: beneath it is the flat empty ground and above it is the flat empty sky. Having never been past the 100th meridian, it was interesting to see the vast differences between the topography of the west and the east. Tennessee possessed a laid back sort of charm, the rolling forest covered hills of Appalachia emitting an essence of a long lost time. Those mountains are old. Real old. Lot of geologic history in them. 

While we were there we made sure to see all the main sights. Went to the Smokies. Climbed Clingmans Dome. Avoided Dollywood at all costs. Stuff like that. On the way back we saw the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid in Memphis. I suppose this is a theme now. Last year I saw the Long Beach Pyramid. Now this. What's up with that? I don't know. 

Somewhere in Oklahoma

Hey look! Another pyramid

After Tennessee came a few concerts. Ain't never been to a concert before. Thought I'd give it a go this year. Saw Ween three times. Saw the Flaming Lips once. All of 'em were excellent. Being part of an audience is a unique experience. The audience becomes an organism of sorts, with you being a cell that makes up that organism. Weird stuff. Definitely gonna go to more concerts in the future.

Fox Theater

The Flips

In November of this year I went on a plane for the first time in nearly a decade. Flew out to Tennessee again to celebrate Thanksgiving. Driving would take too long so we flew. The change in scenery from summer to winter was a head trip. Out here in California we don't really get that many major fluctuations in weather. Out there, what was once a lush forest of bright brilliant green was a dead, gray, cold and rainy landscape that evoked feelings of uneasiness. I can see why those hills are a hub for unexplained sightings and disappearances. In the summer, they're great. In the winter, they're the the spookiest things I've ever seen. Wouldn't want to go wandering into those woods at night that's for sure. 

Margarette Falls in the summer

Margarette Falls in the winter

The Grand Canyon

And that pretty much sums up the year. Got a new job, made some new acquaintances, played some airsoft, stopped and smelled roses, stuff like that. Now that the 33 is open I'm gonna try and head up there as often as I can. Got a lot of adventures planned. Next year is gonna be a busy one. 

Omne Finis Novum Initium Est