Heading to Michigan in about a week or so. It’s one of a small handful of states I haven’t visited yet. Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota (I may have crested the southern border) and the big ultimate bucket list one- Alaska. It’s possible I’ll touch base in Wisconsin not sure as of yet but my intention is to hang some on the western peninsula of Michigan. Dip my toes in some Great Lakes and paddle around for a bit. Trying to hit the Porkies (porcupine wilderness) while I’m up there. I won’t be doing any insane vertical hikes it’s mostly a little exploring with some relaxation. The route up there hasn’t been settled upon yet I’m waiting for the mudslides on I-40 to finish their journey.

I’m looking forward to it. I already have my truck packed.

Yay me *self high five

My eyes are on the weather forecast. If I see rain for most of the week I’ll change my route. Back up routes are New England (Maine area), the Ozarks or upstate New York. If all else fails I may head west. I’d rather not drive 24 hours again this year. Utah was a lot of churning wheels and tornadoes along the way.

This will most likely be my last big trip for the year if the deli is anything like last year the charcuterie business will start to prime up around late September and last time I looked at my calendar early October is already getting booked up. You won’t hear a word from me about being too busy. October – December is my time to shine. I’ll be adding another employee this year. I’m not trying to be a hero.

Went for a one night trip up to the mountains Sunday. I knew rain would be my companion for part of the day but she decided to stick around the whole day. I don’t mind a steady drizzle while I’m decompressing. The downside can be keeping puddles from building up around my site and on top of my awning, cranking up a firepit and staying still.

I kept mostly dry. Finished off two books that were hanging around too long while I dangled my feet outside my tent and made a big ass bowl of ramen for dinner. I’ve started fasting on my camping days. 24 hours so dinner the night before and then all the way to dinner the next day. This isn’t for weight loss purposes I’m not trying to lose weight it’s for clarity and rebuilding. We aren’t meant to digest food all day long. This is what my body tells me I should do now that I listen to it. My goal is to be able to sustain a three day fast every 45 days or so. I did a juice cleanse several years ago and almost killed several people due to my hunger pains. I have to build myself up for it. 24 hours is tough. I’m a grazer. Your mind is much sharper when you aren’t trying to digest a bag of Doritos.

I also stopped trying to consume as much protein as possible and moved to fruit. My stomach thanks me for it. My ass will never bench press 275lbs again and I’m ok with that. Flexibility will keep you around longer than trying to pick up heavy objects. I just want to be able to scratch my own back again.

Every month I seem to be shedding old habits. I’m by no means in the twilight of myself, I’m in the sit and relax phase. 50 years of perpetual motion has turned this meat suit into a wound up bundle of knots. I spend some time every morning to release one of those knots.

I have a lot of knots

My mind is on retirement. Financially it sounds ridiculous but I’ve wiggled my way out of some ridiculous situations my whole life. I always seem to find a hole in the system. I’m not seeking retirement I’m attracting it. No I’m not closing my deli any time soon just pondering the knots in my body. I’ve gotten most of the ones out of my head. They were first to reckon with. Man does that feel good to say out loud.

I feel my social media days are coming to an end soon. No I’m not announcing my departure I know how people love to harp on that. I doubt I’ll erase anything it’s more of a post and ghost thing for me now. I no longer engage with people on here as much anymore, my energy is my own. Still need it for work I suppose but if you’re like me it seems that’s all people use it for nowadays. That and complain about their lives or lack of. I’m just as guilty of it as everyone else. I get it.

My life sure is happier once I turn off the social media noise. Once you recognize your own patterns of distractions and loops it gets easier to put the shiny objects down.

*another self high five

I like the 50s. Not the era but my own. Not the back pain mind you but the peace of mind when you allow it to bloom. Which happens when you slow things down and put all your toys away for a bit. I actually looked at a flip phone the other day. I’m not quite there yet..

Domestication doesn’t suit me anymore

I’m ready to be feral. My intuition screams for campfires and stars. Good sittin’ chair with a puff of tobacco stemming from a pipe. I don’t even smoke and that sounds desirable. Hot coffee brewing over a fire, body wrapped in a blanket with a sunrise coming to visit. I want to see that coffee steam over the ridge. Mentally, that’s where I’m at right now. Physically? Just you wait and see.

Touch the grass with your feet yall. Put your ass in the creek and breathe.

Watch the birds. Make friends with a tree

I’m out