Impromtu Bouldering, Taylor's Falls, MN
Where have I been the past five months? You’ll have to wait while I consult my planner and my sanity. Here’s why, I have had a whirlwind of adventures that have yet to be shared. Beginning in the fall I went camping for the first time in many places: Taylor’s Falls, Minnesota; later hit up Zion Nat’l Park, Utah; and finally Indio, California for Phish Festival 8. My first foray into camping in three months brought me to a lava flow region I had previously not known about an hour north of Minneapolis. There was also a thriving art community called Franconia.
A long way down. See the bus stop in the triangle? Angel's Landing, Zion, UT
Zion treated me to some of the most breathetaking views I have ever seen in the southwest portion of the USA.
The third campsite brought me to a weekend long Phish Festival, where I volunteered to avoid the $240 ticket. Everywhere were people having the time of their lives. A local farmers market was set up for people to grab a good helping of dates and other produce California has to offer. 
Working on Borealis, an art installation
January took me to Europe for my third time. Amsterdam was home for the better part of three days and I took full advantage of my layover, hitting up no less than four museums, several vegan friendly grocers and restaurants, as well as taking time to grab a beer with some new hostelmates.
My posse in Amsterdam
And then, on down to the horn of Africa as I made my way from Nirobi, Kenya to my final destination of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I finally had the opportunity to visits my good friend’s hameland and see for my own eyes all that is Ethiopia. The coffee made freshly twice a day in an elabrate ceremony, and his mother’s cooking will not soon be forgotten!
- Checking out Epiphany 12 days after Christmas in Jan (following the Ethiopian Calendar)
