The Ascent

Long Time No Talk Adventures! I typically aim to post weekly updates, but today's post may come as a surprise since I've recently shifted my focus to writing about Talent Acquisition, another passion of mine. Remarkably, the last post you likely read was conceived just an hour prior to this one! I had been grappling with some life challenges and feeling somewhat down, but I was reminded that I am surrounded by many blessings that deserve my gratitude. I had an incredible summer amidst mountainous landscapes, in the company of cherished family and friends, and deep in thought as I tried new things freely. It's time I celebrated the gift that life has bestowed upon me, choosing to focus on the joys rather than dwell on the hardships that hit me. This perspective is what hit me during my trip to the mountains today. Today's expedition led us to Mount Carrigain , standing tall at 4,683 feet. This mountain boasts two trails leading to its peak, but only one is suitable for d...

Over my journey to see some amazing natural canvases, I am learning that there will be down times and times I need to focus on getting better without the reward, and to enjoy my moments painting my own masterpiece. That is what the end of the summer is! As you saw in my last post, I completed Techumseh on July 19th, but I am writing this post over a month later (September 2nd to be exact). But why, you may ask? I had an amazing time with family, and it is my first time back to the mountain! But what did I do with that time? I painted my own masterpiece, creating more memories with family and friends! Right after returning from Tecumseh, we took off for a family reunion in Mexico! In Mexico, we saw some of the most amazing things! We spent time walking the Tulum Ruins , swimming in Underground Cenotes , visiting Chichen Itza (a Seven Wonder of the New World), and snorkeling the great reefs of Cozumel! From there, we took off to enjoy time with the kids in D.C., where we spe...

What is up Adventures! One of the coolest things about embarking on new adventures is that every step feels like a first. From conquering the first rain hike to using hiking poles for the first time, scaling a NH 4K peak for the first time, camping under the stars, and more—the list of "firsts" keeps growing. And this time, get ready for another thrilling first! For this hike, I was up and at it early! It was the first time I attempted to drive to NH, hike, and return all in one day. I've seen others in the books and groups do it, but could I manage driving 3 - 4 hours from Rhode Island, hiking, and then making the return journey? I had my doubts, but if it was feasible, it meant I could bag more hikes! That's why I chose Mount Tecumseh . The trail was only about 3 hours away (southernmost peaks are in Waterville Valley), it was one of the shortest hikes at 5 miles, and the summit is the shortest peak at 4,003 feet, not even above the treeline. The hike can be summed ...

Hello, Adventurers! Isn't there just something magical about being outdoors? It fills my soul with pure joy! The fresh air, the exercise, the sounds, the scents, the feeling of freedom—I adore it all! And with that spirit of adventure, I never pass up an opportunity to try something new. And that's precisely where our journey leads us this time! We find ourselves in the Poconos (Pennsylvania, US) for my daughter's very first Dance Nationals! This year marked her debut in competitive dance, and witnessing her growth as a dancer and young woman over these twelve months has been nothing short of incredible. She danced her heart out, and I couldn't be prouder. One of her performances even won the National Title and took fourth place overall across all age groups! My heart swells with pride! Now, let's dive into the outdoor adventure! The week flew by, and the plans changed a few times, but it was finally settled that I would hike Mount Tammany o...

Greetings, Adventurers! As you might have noticed, since my layoff, I've been doing an excellent job of staying busy. Week after week, I find myself venturing out of the house or even out of the state! However, this week, although back from my adventures in New Hampshire, California, and Vegas, I'm not ready to rest just yet. Instead, I'm preparing to head to the Poconos for my daughter's Dance Nationals! But before that, what should I do? I'll be honest; I was a bit apprehensive about packing up, driving three hours, hiking for 5+ hours, and then attempting to drive back home. So, the idea of conquering another 4,000-footer seemed a bit daunting. Instead, I chose to do something I've wanted to do for a while—hike Wachusett Mountain . While Wachusett might not be as big, scary, or challenging as the hikes I've done in NH, it's always been in my backyard (I spent most of my life in Central Massachusetts), and yet, I've never hiked it! So, this weekend...

Greetings, my dear friends, We have returned from our California adventure, but there's no time to rest for the weary! This weekend marks our first family camping trip, and we are heading to Crawford Notch Campground with the kids, each bringing a friend. I hope you'll wish us luck! But this trip also presents an opportunity for me to cross off another 4,000-footer from my list. The plan? Well, the plan is to head up the night before the family and conquer Mount Pierce via the Crawford Path . If you haven't heard of the Crawford Path, I highly recommend looking it up. It is renowned as the oldest continually maintained hiking trail that traverses multiple mountain peaks, ultimately culminating at Mount Washington. However, on this occasion, I won't be undertaking the entire 9-mile trail. Instead, my journey will lead me to the summit of Mount Pierce, standing proudly at 4,310 feet. This particular route is considered one of the easier options, covering appr...

Greetings, Adventurers! Where in the world is the Adventuring TeddyBear? Well, this time, I'm not in New Hampshire! I'm currently in Palm Springs, California, visiting family. This opportunity arose unexpectedly, and I'm thrilled that I seized it! Prior to this, I had only been to the West Coast once for job training. But on this trip, I got to explore various attractions, such as the Griffith Observatory , the Walk of Fame , the Grove Marketplace, Palm Springs, and Santa Monica . And even more exciting was the chance to venture outdoors and witness the wonders of Joshua Tree National Park and Mount San Jacinto. Joshua Tree National Park What an incredible experience Joshua Tree National Park turned out to be! My partner and I had always dreamt of visiting the national parks, but it seemed like a distant goal with two kids at home. However, I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to spend a day here while visiting family. I was so pumped that I had practically t...