Brad's Back... Kinda

If you've been paying attention lately, and it's most likely you haven't, then you will have noticed that I haven't been posting a whole lot lately. In fact let's go ahead and replace a whole lot with anything. During the holiday break I was busy travelling all over Texas and so didn't post, and now that I'm back it's quite a bit busier than it was here in the fall. And on top of everything I'm not even posting this on a Thursday! 

All of this is to say that I won't be posting as much this semester. However, don't fear nation of 3 faithful followers, I still plan to post a few times per month. You'll still get glimpses into my strange life and my even stranger views on that strange life. There will be plenty of left-field commentary and observations about the happenings of the great state of Iowa.

Many of you have no doubt taken on new meanings for words like "warm" and "pleasant weather" while in this choke hold winter has on us. Whereas before "warm" signified something, well, warm; It now means anything above single digit temperature (that doesn't have a negative sign in front of it). And "pleasant weather" is anything with winds below 20 and any ray of sunshine in a 24 hour period. I have decided this is the perfect opportunity to bring up the backpacking trip I did over the break for nothing else than it was the last time I was warm. And perhaps it will remind us that winter won't last forever (I hope, The Day After Tomorrow was pretty convincing). 

After New Years I spent 7 days in Big Bend National Park. Four of those days were spent in the backcountry with nothing but what I carried on my back for survival. I saw some of amazing landscape that was incredibly varied and after it was all over I had travelled over 50 miles on foot, many of which were with a 30 pound pack. There is nothing more refreshing than the simple act of sitting after a hard day of hiking. That could be the most cathartic act I have ever engaged in.

I'll leave you with a few pictures of my adventures with the hope that they will sustain you and me both until we can find warm weather again.

On the South Rim after Hiking 30 miles in 3 days. The View is well worth it.

Balanced Rock. Yes that is a huge rock and it's quite scary standing under it.

Had to get a picture with the sign on the way out! Soak in that sunshine,