Hello!

I'm about to embark on an adventure that only comes around once, maybe twice, in a lifetime: I’m going to travel across the country in order to rock climb. I’m doing this because, frankly, I could see my life being spent in any other such way, and in what better manner to do this than hop in my car and go? I have six months before I have to start paying off my student loans that have ominously collected over the last four years of my existence. Four years ago, I couldn’t even suspect that this is what I would be doing after graduation.

Therefore, I have six months to see where I can go; six months to see parts of the world unknown to me; six months climb to my heart’s content. Pending that I can stretch what little money I have left in my checking account, I will see how long I can hold out before getting a job.

That said, this isn’t some search for “who I am,” I agree with Camus’ sentiment that “forever I shall be a stranger to myself.” I’m not searching for spiritual enlightenment, nor searching for a way to hash out my own existential troubles. I could just as well do that anywhere in the world. (Not to say it won’t be a welcomed result.)

My only goal is to rock climb.

I don’t know where I’ll be going, except that my first stop is the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, and eventually I’ll make my way westward. I will keep updating as long as I have a computer to do it from, and I’ll be posting at least every few days, assuming I have something worthwhile to say. As of right now, I am preparing to leave. I am heading for Buffalo, NY tomorrow, then Kentucky early Tuesday morning. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous, anxious, or any other assortment of uncomfortable emotions. Any and all recommendations of where I should head are welcome.

This some is the gear and large stack of books I have collected together for the trip.

Location: Syracuse, NY