http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/dares daily 0.75 2021-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1447341168334-AJ4SBJ1UOEVYLK6NX8PK/hqdefault.jpg DONE SHAWSHANKED https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1447303547461-YUGKUYE7PIVHTJHO2EWO/image-asset.jpeg DONE MADDY & ME. Proving you don't need matching outfits to be a team. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1447303445423-V1I4P5WC3S8RCWUV1JVE/image-asset.jpeg DONE SKIDMARKED. It looks a lot higher when you're five feet tall and standing at the bottom of it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1447391083671-HIRGQRLTADN68IXW3VD8/IMG_0202.JPG DONE TWO TOUGH MUDDERS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1445916915265-1CX9C0PV8RL4VDZUM330/image-asset.jpeg DONE The Dinner Party Project peeps (left to right): Nada, Tammy Jo, Hannah, yours truly, Brittany, Meghan, Rory, Mitch. Photo and meal by Chef Julian. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1463254582961-7QL1ZSPBFZSBFHXJRNA0/image-asset.jpeg DONE A short, yet sweet victory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1463254355863-DLHG1CNXO3NZ5DQE0LU2/image-asset.jpeg DONE Hey Mom, does that sign say anything important? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473535550668-O588RZ5RJRP4ISYNIRKQ/image-asset.jpeg DONE It may not be Blue Lake, but it’s a perfectly good stopping point. Right? It’s a lake. In the Rockies. Perfectly pretty and picturesque. What’s so great about Blue frickin Lake anyway? Technically, I still hiked the Blue Lake trail. Isn’t that enough for one day? Is some great view really worth the extra sweat and quad pain? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473457175653-48V135MBLNYX0RNOT7SS/image-asset.jpeg DONE Yes. Yes it is. As always, those who don't quit and settle for the easier path receive a much greater reward. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473457551364-C5W09LSJ12UP0A2DGJGF/image-asset.jpeg DONE Another hiker just informed me that the hike to Blue Lake is an 860-foot elevation gain. I feel triumphant! Outdoorsy! Unstoppable! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473453955999-UV805DONUCAARBSFK39N/Fire DONE Nightfall. Cindy explained how to get the wood-burning stove going (I think she could tell I was just the type to "get too gung-ho and throw the big logs in right away"), but I didn't have a lot of faith in myself. I've struggled lighting a gas grill. But the combination of patience, chilly mountain air, and not having a damn soul around to do it for me did the trick. That, and following directions. Who knew? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473455051083-SJ70PCB4E40KVB8SBGGX/image-asset.jpeg DONE The next morning I found this awesome little breakfast spot - "Outside My Cabin Door." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473457265290-ZRV7NQLSMBRRDM5MGMGX/image-asset.jpeg DONE I thought my breakfast spot was pretty great, but my lunch spot was even better. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473457299991-8J3UQ522V07YEIRJ9BA0/image-asset.jpeg DONE Until I trip on a loose fucking rock about a half mile from the trailhead. I might have been too busy whistling by then to watch my step. I go flying and land HARD on my hands and knees in the dirt. After my feet's two previous glamour shots, it felt like this one was in order. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473457067914-H9LC0OEJ26FCP9CS827D/image-asset.jpeg DONE It was the worst two miles of my life. One uphill climb after another, and barely a trail at all in some points. After scrabbling up a massive mound of rocks, I glimpsed this body of water. Blue Lake! Nope. A stick-toting senior citizen coming back the other way told me I had another mile to go. I was only halfway there?!? “You can do it!” he chirped, adding as he vanished downhill, “It’s not that other little lake up there either.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473453736554-PRAS49XXGXP1C0PLTWQY/Cabin+desktop DONE I brought a ton of my own reading material, but found a handy little survival guide on the shelf. It was meant as a joke...I think? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473456892054-7SN3XJBTM3JCT5UDZ387/image-asset.jpeg DONE First mile: done. A little bit of a climb but otherwise as moderate as promised. I stopped at Mitchell Lake for an apple, a breather, and some breathtaking views. Only two miles to go! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473455404071-JVEU8QWWYD6JBAUZQSFV/image-asset.jpeg DONE After breakfast, I drove up to Lake Brainard to go hiking. It took me an extra hour to get to this trailhead because I parked in the wrong parking lot at first. I should've been suspicious that the lot was completely empty and I hadn't paid to get in; AllTrails had warned of a crowded parking lot and $10 entrance fee. But, I believe in a benevolent universe that grants me unexpected gifts...and no one was around to talk sense into me. After about ten minutes of hiking, I noticed my phone was dying strangely fast. It had my only trail map, so I went back to go back to the car to recharge it. I didn't want to just sit in the parking lot, so I drove one minute further up the road and lo and behold: the park entrance. (Maybe my dying phone was the gift from the universe?) The ranger gave me a paper map and a tip to take the Blue Lake trail all the way to the end for stunning views. It's "moderate" she assured me. Three miles? No sweat! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473453114287-8J9YYGPLT8J1XNLKZF3J/Nederland+Cabin+exterior DONE My homebase: a 200-square foot cabin in Nederland, Colorado. Tucked away enough to feel truly secluded, but my hostess, Cindy, lived in a separate house on the same piece of land. Perfect...I'd have someone to help me fight off any axe murderers rampaging through the woods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473536078715-23LKSX93HTI2LAOLZMD8/image-asset.jpeg DONE I’m back in my cabin by sundown. Exhausted and in pain, but nevertheless fueled by a sense of accomplishment, I sit back down at the desk after dinner and start writing. By midnight, my piece is finished. Just in time to light the fire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473453427908-TMLCLH1WOR4SEWRGO8EB/Nederland+cabin-inside DONE I wanted to rough it and do some writing, and this place was basically built for those purposes. Seriously, that desk is begging for the next great American novel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1483932368923-QK95L7EXIQS00USVVADF/image-asset.jpeg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1483822505100-LDASXAEYZ31W81WSUX9K/image-asset.jpeg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1483932416067-EX4HH3N6Z1JY74YG34BM/image-asset.jpeg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1492399912878-CMM6VYU839GMOVG3T79G/image-asset.jpeg DONE Moss Park, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1491884898146-6L1WXQXD4G4WSLNSPKTL/Hike+2+Big+Tree DONE Big Tree Park, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1546659970590-FZPA8YH4CK50L5WTF9N5/IMG_2167.jpg DONE Little Big Econ State Forest, 2018 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1546659891374-EDVN5AZNZT431TW74W9K/IMG_0267.jpg DONE Leu Gardens, 2018 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1491884829031-85BC4Z07CXXDM52MFJ4L/Hike+1+Lake+Mills+Park DONE Lake Mills Park, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1491884943498-QFXGA33NVQ275ZV2Y1MM/image-asset.jpeg DONE Hal Scott Preserve, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1546659768566-6ZVW49QWONHDHRMLX34V/IMG_5956.JPG DONE Greenwood Urban Wetlands, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1546659828304-CH4KDJUEID13QP0FS0M8/IMG_9112.jpg DONE Wekiva Springs Park, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1493651941351-SBN8LSGB2M0C4TFJC3O2/image-asset.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1493652032215-VI4NZINSWH5GBM4MXERF/image-asset.jpeg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1493651993760-G9R7OSBN1GBDA7CZ1GFH/image-asset.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1493651863786-S2BKK6TRO18BD38IW8JS/image-asset.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1493651904047-XBQCI5M18GQDLOUTHWT1/image-asset.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1503581428612-PJQSAN028WD4XHYUFK3S/RogerWatersTampa DONE Roger Waters | July 11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1503580930707-6QIDTCZF3WABZBT4Y5F6/U2inTampa DONE U2 in Tampa | June 14, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1503581118695-QZTZKZK1URJ63XEGYK23/IMG_6837.JPG DONE Pitbull & Enrique Iglesias| June 22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572372798040-MQ2FXLL3CLIKJQWGQK4I/Grand+Lessons+10_Shelter.png DONE SHELTER: Three nights. Three different campgrounds (Cottonwood, Bright Angel, Indian Garden). One-person tent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572372507938-GGKSKMZRCNPJUNHC7A51/Grand+Lessons+8_Look+Back.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572372037764-27MVT664XR3H9SFG4MBT/Grand+Lessons_Water.png DONE WATER: Drink it. Carry it. Jump into it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572372089014-JO2LJ4GT4WWWOZHTZMHM/Grand+Lessons+7_Payoff.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572371847561-PRBEQ3BUU14O4IRUDLF3/Grand+Lessons+6.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572370307209-4QDYNWZ5O7WX1U24XS7A/Grand+Canyon+Lessons+2_Train.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572372665466-TERB9ZX57IZYMKW9QGZD/Grand+Lessons+9_More.png DONE The greatest thing about a grand adventure: it makes you hungry for more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572373053493-MY3FBTK22QTOPL7A2BD2/Grand+Lessons+10_Food.png DONE FOOD: Every meal tastes amazing when you’ve been hiking for miles with a 30-lb. pack. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572372348308-A7XUPUJE7ZQ8SYV2XOCT/Grand+Lessons+7_Sacred.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572372572833-355NE6I4TIFXF8G9ASGE/Screen+Shot+2019-10-29+at+1.41.15+PM.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572370102769-0NZB33DQZ9B8N5GA26HC/Grand+Canyon+1_Promises.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572371031177-6VEI6CY9P6V23F0NBE1M/Grand+Lessons_3_Awesome.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572371254149-Y6LXQW00NME01Y0D9ARF/Grand+Lessons_4_Not+Awesome DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572372407826-WD5VBO0ODMXTQ9B4UWR2/Grand+Lessons+7_Sacred.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572371752812-8QA51J4FPRI8GTVPJRJZ/Grand+Lessons_5+Distance.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572373120455-HZUMNXW8VYGXZKOX6IJQ/Grand+Lessons+10_Friends.png DONE FRIENDS: Kim and Debbie. Ironmen, brandy smugglers, badass bitches. In other words, my heroes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1473537358064-UXWU1PHMP91XY0DOIUP0/IMG_3367.JPG DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1478578627386-3I9RA2KKQ8MN41F723IE/14352084_10154165694983172_7710424730507081682_o.jpg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1484032386163-3A2VCESZ3ZJWSUSRXPGU/14329899_10154143869893172_2503977996791060701_n.jpg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1491883582378-NOHLDSNF6I2RZ19JZOFT/16602980_10154603483773172_3694234526818984768_n.jpg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1493650034318-IJUYVH5VIRMEK5TWHJP8/IMG_5568.JPG DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1503580833828-AXX1F1DVGP99CEF5Y1FD/IMG_6735.JPG DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1572373700836-7B43ZWHGIMFZWZ5VH0CG/IMG_6383.jpg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1442028289371-JY76ZM5A76H74T1OWN43/11698726_717893075000622_333639861311465949_o.jpg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1443362250969-K80Y8Q2CI9P98NAM8SVT/FullSizeRender+%282%29.jpg DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1447385480743-ID7EEF7BEBU3FH87Z4GQ/tough-mudder-logo-e1347477465234.png DONE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1463253787750-ZBNFIGN9SILHEVBI7RVD/IMG_2108.JPG DONE http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/inspirations daily 0.75 2017-04-30 http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/inspirations/2017/4/22/when-i-grow-up monthly 0.5 2017-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1493616895174-LB1YHHU2KC8665YXT8ZU/daria-nepriakhina-1277.jpg INSPIRATIONS - How I Finally Became What I Wanted to Be When I Grow Up http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/inspirations/2017/4/22/i-failed-now-what monthly 0.5 2019-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1492917466420-DCMN5R8I5DL0URPTPGS6/image-asset.png INSPIRATIONS - I failed. Now what? http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/inspirations/2017/4/22/when-giving-up-on-your-dreams-is-a-good-thing monthly 0.5 2017-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1492915193978-L77BLO0NZYWMDZEKLL3S/image-asset.jpeg INSPIRATIONS - When giving up on your dreams is a good thing http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/inspirations/2017/4/22/youre-not-the-first-youre-not-the-best-get-over-it monthly 0.5 2017-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1492915816609-EL4X3A5EJ6TVF0P54RJN/image-asset.jpeg INSPIRATIONS - You're not the first. You're not the best. Get over it. http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/inspirations/2016/5/1/why-looking-for-purpose-can-lead-to-paralysis monthly 0.5 2017-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1462156138521-UQHK7FI5QCC9C5GO6F50/photo-1453563391321-df71955e9289.jpg INSPIRATIONS - Why looking for purpose can lead to paralysis Photo by: Ran Berkovich http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/inspirations/2016/1/17/to-dare-is-to-care-9SP6q monthly 0.5 2017-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1455990477202-GFSB4QRVR3Y5NEF1V8XU/image-asset.jpeg INSPIRATIONS - Daring is caring http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/who daily 0.75 2019-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1453005592768-NLB7J5UPZ7AFDEV67SFC/image-asset.jpeg ORIGINS http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/welcome daily 1.0 2019-10-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1453004893259-OZ9MKSYTB09YZ2LKW3PZ/image-asset.jpeg What You Got, World? http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/40dares daily 0.75 2019-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1455992060849-DF5YFHQOKH0GE1WIW18D/L55hYy77SLqb6zeTMlWr_IMG_9035.jpg 40 DARES http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/forcing-my-kid-in-the-water daily 0.75 2017-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1493650034318-IJUYVH5VIRMEK5TWHJP8/IMG_5568.JPG Forcing My Kid in the Water http://www.operationgoosebumps.com/happy-ending-in-belize daily 0.75 2019-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/559fee76e4b00bbec50cee11/1556714464983-BTTR1P1RMNXZDX4R3WGN/IMG_4187.jpg Fearing a Happy Ending in Belize