Remember wayyyyyy back in February when I moved to San Francisco to embark in a new chapter of my existence? Well much like the construct of Appalachian Trials, this chapter was pithy. And now, like my favorite movie starring a golden retriever, I’m Homeward Bound (sorry Air Bud).
In many ways, the past nine months has been the most exciting, fulfilling, and surreal period of my life. I published a book. People didn’t hate it (including one of my idols). I’ve crossed public speaking off the “gives violent diarrhea” list, and instead added it to the “am moderately comfortable” file. Hell, I got to give a half hour Appalachian Trail presentation in front of Tony Hsieh (the CEO of Zappos & billionaire mastermind behind a massive rebuilding of Downtown Las Vegas).
I had the privilege of entrenching myself in a city brimming with culture, technology, ubiquitous intelligence, and world class restaurants. And my personal favorite, I got to live in an area of the country whose beauty is second to none. Northern California is hands down the best backpacking country I’ve ever been exposed to; Yosemite, Emigrant Wilderness, Big Sur, Big Basin, Mt. Tam State Park, John Muir Woods, Salt Point State Park….you are immaculate (AT still has a monopoly on my heart-space however).
All this being said, 2012 has been, by far and away the most challenging year of my life. The sole cause being my health.