Up Next: Fall adventures
As some of you might know, I have battled health issues for most of the last six or seven months. Just when the coldest months of the year were on their way out and warm weather was on the horizon, health issues slowed my roll significantly. Sure, we camped in the Ouachita NF a couple of times in late December 2020 and mid-January 2021. We explored the Talladega NF and enjoyed an all day trail ride on the 600-1 & 2. We even made a weekend trip up to Nemo Tunnel in February, where we woke up Sunday morning to 6-8” of snow. Brrrrrrr ! Mid-February brought bitterly cold temps so we stayed hunkered down at home for a couple of weeks longing for warmer weather. Life had other plans.
March arrived and we were excited to see warmer temps and all the plans we had for the spring. Unfortunately this is about the time my health crapped out on me and I began a long process of doctor visit after doctor visit, that led to trips to see specialists. All of this drug out for the rest of the spring and most of the summer. I was able to get a trip in to explore the High Watermark Trail in late March with friends and a weekend trip to the Ouachita NF in April. Both of these trips were fun but I wasn’t really able to enjoy them like I should have. The stress of not knowing what was wrong with me really stressed me out and not having the energy to get away and ”unplug” made it worse. Projects on my Jeep JL, my YJ and camp trailer this summer have all taken way longer than they should have because my energy level has been so low. In mid August of this year things came to a head and we finally had a diagnosis and every week since I have been feeling a lot better. Which brings me to the subject of this blog.
Get out there and enjoy life!
I am so thankful for the improvement in my health over the last few weeks and although my energy has been super low, I never let it completely wash away my desire to get out there and get lost. To unplug from everyday stresses of life. Because I was trying to keep an upbeat attitude throughout the Spring and Summer, I never stopped making plans for the Fall. Our October and November calendars are booked solid with trips planned with awesome friends. December and into January should be much of the same. There are many things out of my control, but I do know this. I will never take enjoying our public lands for granted. Life is too short to waste time putting off to tomorrow what you can do TODAY! I look forward to settling in at camp, smelling the wet leaves, enjoying this beautiful world we are so blessed to live in and enjoy. I am at my happiest when the summer dust has settled and transformed into moist soft ground under foot. I miss the crackling fire on a cold forest night. I miss listening to the coyotes do what coyotes do in the middle of the night. Friends, fall is here don’t waste it, I don’t expect I will.
-Overland Curmudgeon
Excited for the fall!