What Is Bungee Surfing ?

I was absolutely stoked to find out about river surfing a couple years ago. Whitewater stand up paddleboarding is getting more and more popular. Riverboarding and river bugging is huge in New Zealand.

But not many people heard about bungee surfing yet. And till recently, I had no idea it originated in ...Idaho !

Though thousand miles away from the nearest ocean, Idaho has an abundance of rivers with Snake and Salmon Rivers are among the most famous and popular among whitewater community.

But unlike whitewater rafting or kayaking, bungee surfing takes place on a different kind of water - “Fast Glass”, water that is moving fast, but has a smooth surface.

Comparing to river surfing ( where you "drop into" a standing wave ), I like the concept behind bungee surfing a bit more. It's not easy to explain, so to better understand what bungee surfing is al about, check out the video below:



I learned about bungee surfing from the Man behind this sport, Robert Geier, inventor and CEO of EVEN Surf Company

After watching the video, and reading a few posts on the companies' blog, I got a general idea how bungee surfing works.

But a few things still remain a mystery to me.

While you can find a bungee cord online or at your local skateboard shop, I still have hard time figuring out how the patented release system works.

Also, if you've ever been in fast moving water, you know that it has its dangers :
strainers, sieves, rocks, derbies, bridge pillars, unacceptable river banks, dams...
Not wearing PFD ( life vest ) will increase your chances of drowning. Not wearing a helmet ( and sometimes pads ) might result in sever injuries.

And finally, according to the information provided, bungee surfing is more difficult than ocean surfing.

How hard could it be ? It it just for "young and restless", or for all ages ? Is it going to be a new popular mainstream water sport, or just for a few chosen ones and most dedicated ?

Personally, I can't wait to try it, and may be later, to introduce bungee surfing in Washington...

Add To Your Bucket List : Rafting the Zambezi River in Africa

Rafting season is coming ! 

Whitewater rafting  was my very first outdoor activity, and the beginning of my quest for adventure ! If you haven't had a chance to try it, add rafting to your Bucket List, and make it a priority ! Trust me, you won't regret !

And if you've been on a rafting trip ( or two ), I strongly recommend to look for a rafting trip on your next vocation.

Rafting is more than just a wild trip. It's a great way to learn about ecology, history, and culture of the place you're visiting, it also makes for an exciting way to explore and immerse deeply in the backcountry.

Almost every whitewater rafting destination has something more to offer other than the ride itself.

Take for example rafting on the  Zambezi River !

Acclaimed as the wildest one-day whitewater run in the World, the Zambezi River is also recognized by rafting and kayaking enthusiasts as one of the top ten paddling rivers on the planet!

The base for whitewater rafting and kayaking ( they also run river boarding on the river ) is located 4 km upstream from Victoria Falls, considered by some to be among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World !

I was even more fascinated by ''Devil's Swimming Pool'' on the edge of Victoria Falls ! During the months of September and December, people can swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls without falling over. These falls are becoming very popular in the adventure travel industry, when more and more people are looking for the ultimate experience.

Surfing Freighter Waves In Seattle

I love surfing. But sometimes, 2.5- 3 hour drive from Seattle to the coast makes it hard ( if not impossible ) to catch a wave.  Even if you make it to the coast, there is no guarantee you'll have a stoked surf session. Like any surf, the Olympic Peninsula  can be flat, blown out or too big which is a bummer after a long drive. When ocean waves are a distant dream, some surfers will go to great lengths to improvise worthy rides.

I've already posted about tanker surfing in Texas.

Here in Washington, a small but dedicated group of die-hard surfers/paddlers started surfing freighter and tug waves on stand up paddleboards ( SUP ) on the Salish Sea in the Shilshole Bay.

The Salish Sea is an overlay which includes and unites the established and familiar names of the various water and land bodies (the Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands, etc.). The Salish Sea is connected to the Pacific Ocean primarily via the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The shorelines along both the Canadian and US side of the Strait have been popular surfing spots for years. But not many surfers know that you can catch  decent size waves right here in  Seattle !

Unlike regular surfing or SUP surfing, freighter wave surfing requires a lot of planning, and extensive knowledge of local beaches, wind, tides, and marine charts to determine where the main flow of shipping is.

Waves can be created by everything from small power craft, yachts, the occasional tugboat and even container ships.  But it's the tugboats and freighters that put out primo waves. They ride deep in the water, and have massive twin engines that each put out 2,500 horsepower. All of that combines to make nice, big waves of about 4 or 6 feet.

With the right combination of a proper tide, weather conditions, and certain fast moving boats freighter/tug surfing on Puget Sound makes it all worthwhile. The waves are just as clean and well formed as the best coastal surfing spots, and freighters can, at low tides, offer up to 6' faces and very long rides !

Catching freighter/tug boat waves is a pretty good alternative to a long trek to the ocean.  If you're tired of those long day trips to Westport or Neah Bay, give paddle-surfing a try !

If you are interested in trying out freighter/tug surfing, subscribe to our email or join our Facebook page for upcoming classes !

ExtraHyperActive Bucket List : Hike Preikestolen ( Also Known As Pulpit Rock ) In Norway

The Most Breathtaking Picture Of Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock, or Preikestolen in Norway  is the most famous tourist attraction in the Stavanger region. The mountain plateau hangs 604 meters above sea level, and a destination that simply must be experienced. You follow a well marked trail from the Preikestolen Fjellstue through different mountain landscapes. The plateau is approximately 25 x 25 metres, flat and you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Lysefjord and surrounding mountains !

I've added this hike/destination to my Bucket List ! Have you ?

24 Things To Do Before You Turn 30

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." ~ C. S. Lewis 

It doesn't have to be before 30... Many of the things in the video I did after 30... The important thing - never stop looking for inspiration, something to dream about, something new to try, something to look forward to...

Cross Country Skiing And Snowshoeing MTTA ( Mt Tahoma Trails Association )

Below is the most detailed, first hand, personally provided information on xc ( cross country ) skiing and snowshoeing MTTA in South District to High Hut, Yurt and Bruni's Snow Bowl Hut.

Hut-to-hut skiing is extremely popular in Europe. The most spectacular of hut-to-hut trails, the Haute Route through the French and Swiss Alps, is also spectacularly crowded: Cross-country pilgrims share the circuit with about 200 other skiers each day, then bunk with them at night in huge dorms festooned with sopping garments.

North America has built its own portfolio of equally impressive hut-to-huts in the years since WWII, when at least one veteran who had served as a special ski trooper in Europe returned home and later re-created the famous Alps circuits in his own backyard.

Hut-to-hut backcountry skiing has been on my Bucket List since I found out you don't need to go to Europe to have this unique experience.

A series of snow huts south of Mount Rainier near Ashford offer this amazing adventure. The Mount Tahoma trail and hut system has about 50 miles of trail (20 of it groomed), three huts and a yurt.

My plan was to spend a night at High Hut, and to wake up the next morning to have my breakfast with the view of Mt Rainier ! But unfortunately, due to its popularity, the huts were booked quickly that weekend , so instead, I had one of my epic mini/day adventures.

Here are a few tips I wish I knew before going to MTTA:

• Do stop at the MTTA office in Ashford to get the latest info on road conditions, and directions to the Snow Park.

Look for 29815 Washington 706, Ashford, WA 98304  The address is for Ashford Fire Station, and MTTA office is located BEHIND it ( there was no sign, and was confusing to find ).

• MOST IPORTANT -  don't forget to bring BOTH - Discover Pass AND Snow Park permit ( you can also buy both at nearby Whittaker Mountaineering store ( $22 for a day/$42 for annual Snow Park permit ). The MTTA patrollers are Nazis when it comes to writing out tickets for not having either one of the permits.

Directions to the Snow park :

• Chances are, at MTTA office you'll be given a crappy, confusing map to the snow park. Here is an easier way : when you turn right on Kernahan Road, look for Paradise Estate on your right, stop, and look closely for the sign to the snow park (SF 85). If you continue on HWY 52/Skate Creek Rd, you'll end up on a snowmobile/snowshoeing one way trail ( me and another idiot actually drove our cars on that trail until we realized we were lost ).

The drive to the Snow Park :

• Honestly, unless you drive 4x4 or you have faith in your vehicle, I wouldn't drive there in winter.

The road is a narrow, two way dirt road that is dotted with potholes. The few days before my visit the area had experienced a heavy snow storm which turned the road to the snow park into a one way, poorly plowed, rails-free death track. Even if you have 4x4, make sure you carry chains at all times as the weather at Mt Rainier is very unpredictable.

All three huts (High Hut, Yurt and Bruni's Snow Bowl Hut) are located in South District, and share the same Snow Park/trail (to certain extent).

The Trail:

• The first ~1.5 mile the trail is gradually climbing up to the junction. This is the portion of the trail that is wide, groomed and well packed. 
• This portion of the trail is so packed, that, honestly, you wouldn't even need skis or snowshoes. You can just hike ! It will keep you light and fast ! ( as you can see from the picture on top ).

Also, this portion of the trail is groom and very hard packed, but... there are NO broken tracks for xc (cross country) skiers ( which makes it hard to ski), and because it's hard pack, it really doesn't make sense to use your snowshoes.

The Junction:

• Here the trail breaks into two directions : to High Hut (on your right), and to Yurt and Bruni's on your left.

From Junction To High Hut:

• This portion of the trail is "poorly groomed". The tracks for snowshoers are narrow and barely broken. Once again, no tracks for skiers. I ended up hiking this part of the trail also.

The Hut:

• Honestly I imagined it to be a bit ... roomier. Depending on occupancy, the hut can get pretty crowded. There are a couple of bunk beds on the "first floor", and more floor space on the "second level".

 Snowshoeing/Skiing With Dogs ?

• Dogs are allowed on MTTA trails, BUT... NOT in the huts.... Also, if you're traveling with your dog(s), PLEASE KEEP THEM ON THE LEASH !

The Atmosphere:

• Are you a social butterfly ? Do you like spending your nights in the company of complete strangers ? How about listening to their boring pathetic life stories ? Personally, I lasted about 15 minutes before getting the hell out of there, and I was glad I didn't reserve the night in the hut.

But if you're an introvert like me, and do decide to spend a night at the hut, and have your morning breakfast with the killer view of Mt Rainier, consider brining some booze, ear plugs, and your favorite book to survive the night.

Want to get into cross country skiing ?

Buy affordable gear on Amazon !

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Big Sur Road Trip : Driving California's Pacific Coast Highway In 2014 Toyota Highlander

Driving along California's Pacific Coast Highway, and especially its most scenic part - Big Sur, has been on my Bucket List for a couple years !

An exhilarating driving experience, this twisting, cliff-hugging, 123-mile (198-kilometer) route along the central California coast takes about five hours to complete at a leisurely pace. Designated an All-American Road—among the nation's most scenic—the drive encompasses both the Big Sur Coast Highway and the San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway. ( National Geographic ).

Though I used to live in Southern California, have visited San Francisco and Sacramento, camped and hiked at Yosemite, visited Mt Shasta's Caverns, I've never been to Monterey/Carmel area before ( where Big Sur "officially begins" ).

That's why I was especially excited when Toyota invited me to test drive their stylish and luxurious 2014 Toyota Highlander in that area !

Ideally, my road trip along Big Sur would be driving a red convertible Mustang 1966 ( and hitting every major surf break along the way ! ), but cruising in a brand new Toyota Highlander Hybrid and relaxing in upscale Carmel Valley Ranch,  sounded like ( at least half of the ) dream come true.

Following National Geographic's advice, I explored Monterey : visited Royal Presidio Chapel, Monterey State Historic Park, Custom House, Casa Soberanes, took a stroll along beautiful Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, had gourmet dinner ( in the empty !!! ) Monterey Bay Aquarium surrounded by beautiful fish (!!!), and learned about Monterey Canyon.

Then I took the Highlander for a scenic drive along winding 17 mile drive, and stopped by the famous Mission San Carlos Borroméo del Río Carmelo.

Agri-tourism ( a unique experience that combines traditional agriculture with tourism ) is growing in popularity in states like Washington, Oregon, California, as well as in the Midwest. I got a taste of it touring a couple local farms, learning about produce, and tasting unique treats ( deep fried artichokes  ? with garlic sauce ?  delicious ! ).

Unfortunately with so much time spent in Monterey/Carmel, it didn't leave me enough time to go on a full size road trip along Big Sur. I reached the famous ( and much photographed ) Bixby Bridge, and decide to head back home.

Over the past few years of travel, I've realized that there are places where I want to go back. With so many things not seen/done, I'm sure Big Sur will be one of them.

2014 Polar Bear Plunge At Point Defiance In Tacoma

How do you celebrate New Year day ? Do you have any traditions/rituals to mark the beginning of a new year ?

Every January 1st, thousands of people around the world ring in the new year with a polar bear plunge, to shake off their hangover, and cleanse the body to enter the new year rejuvenated and energized .

The dips, thought to have originated in northern Europe, are now a global phenomenon, with countless thousands taking the plunge each year, typically in large groups. The biggest is in the Netherlands, where more than 30,000 people join in the “neiujhaarsduik” (New Year’s Dive). Dating back to 1960 in the town of Zandvoort, it has spread nationwide, with a record 37,000 participants in 2013.

In South Queensferry, Scotland, more than a thousand people gather annually for the Loony Dook. Participants dress up for the occasion and parade through the town acting like “loonies” before the impending “dook.” According to local media reports, and the BBC, most participants are still inebriated from New Year’s Eve celebrations and/or have lost a bet.

Here in the U.S., local Polar Bear Clubs organize annual events from Bar Harbor, Maine to Washington State.

While many organizations and groups use Polar Bear Plunge as a fund raising event, more people jump into icy cold waters to celebrate New Year in a fun and memorable way.

Polar Bear Plunges have grown in popularity in Washington state. This (2014) year, hundreds of people from Seattle to Tacoma participated in this invigorating event.

XHyperActive crew decided to join them by jumping into the new year with gusto !
It's also a good way to flush out any negativity and start fresh. What better way to begin the new year than by feeling completely alive....and in a little pain.

Adventure Travel Goals For 2014

As you know me, I can't stress enough the importance of writing your goals down... or the least, having clear, measurable, and achievable goals. I think goal setting is the first, and THE MOST IMPORTANT step on your way to personal growth and self improvement. They give you a clear target to aim for, and help keep motivation high by providing an objective way to measure progress.

Don't get it wrong ! There are many types of goals ( one research review came up with a list of 135 (!)  different kinds of goals that people tend to pursue ). But since the main topics of this blog are adventure travel, fitness, and the outdoors, I will focus mostly on these ones.

So, without further ado, here is my (short ) list of goals for 2014:

Business Goals 

1 - The most important goal I've set for myself this year is to make my blog ( and everything else I do online ) "career/full time job/". Since I started this blog almost 4 years ago, it's become a huge part of my life. I'm very passionate about it, and I love what I do !

2 - Since I've already been working  ( on/off ) online full time for the past 2 years, I'd love to share my knowledge and experience to help people journey their adventures to share their stoke and excitement with friends and family ( while making extra money on the side to get that new outdoor gear or extra cash for that dream trip ).

3 - I want to create XHyperActive brand, something like Red Bull ( mines poisonous drinks, and low-paid sponsored adrenaline junkies ). Instead, I want to focus on people just like you and me, I'd say "Regular Joe's" - somebody who wants to live a happy, healthy and adventurous life full of  great memories and memorable evens ! Somebody who is not afraid to get out of their comfort zone to pursue their goals, and to take necessary steps to accomplish their Bucket List adventures.

4 - I realize that many people who would love to get into fitness and outdoors, simply don't know where to start.  That's why I'd like to take XHyperActive brand offline to go back to training people, and personally encourage, motivate and guide ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Adventurous Goals

- Do more kiteboarding ( and may be teach it too )
- Make soul surfing/SUP surfing a monthly event ( to help me battle my ADD and find more peace )
- Introduce my son to surfing... Go to Westport and California !
- Get my next scuba diving certificate ( and eventually become Dive Master )
- Take paragliding classes ( to learn something new, and see if it's something I can do long term )
- Do my first static skydiving jump ( tandem jump was fun, but solo should be awesome !!! )
- Take a sailing class ( and who knows, may be buy my first boat ! )
- Go bow hunting/spearfishing/fly-fishing ( and learn how to cook my kill/catch )
- Go skiing/snowshoeing/snow camping to Goldmyer Hot Springs this winter
- XC ( cross country/ski touring ) hut-to-hut in Mt Rainier
- (Finely ) go skiing Mt Adams
- Climbing Mt Baker/Olympus/Rainier ( again )
- Now that I dove with sharks in Florida's Aquarium, I want to do that again in our state
- Kayak and bike touring/camping has been on my list for the past few years ( just need to find 4-5 days to do that, and may be somebody to go with )
- Canyoneering is gaining more popularity in WA... I had fun canyoneering in Utah, and hope our state can offer places as breathtaking as the ones in Moab
- Haven't been climbing for a while... There a still a bunch of epic places I haven't climbed... The two I really want to do are : Leavenworth, Mt Erie, and Smith Rock ( in Oregon ).
- Since I sold my motorcycle, I've been feeling really sad :( Hope this spring to get into dirt biking, and buy a bike ( either dirt, street ot dual sport ).
- Windsurfing my SUP/paddleboard was fun, but would love to try something more challenging ! Hood River offers both amazing kiteboarding and windsurfing opportunities. Learning water start and switching to shorter/faster boards will make it more fun !
- My first sailing experience was a complete disaster ! If you're ever offered a cheap "sailing class" by Seattle Mountaineers/Seattle Singles Yacht Club - run ! It's not worth your money and time. So, this year, I hope to find a reputable sailing club to actually learn how to sail.
- I also want to introduce my son to sailing, and take him sailing on one of those historic tall ships.
- Bungee jumping in WA
- Balloon flying, and fat biking in Winthrop !
- Backpacking Olympic Coast/ Wonderland Trail/ Go back to the Enchantments
- Visit San Juan Islands !!! Can't believe I can't make it there 3 years in a row !!!

Adventure Travel ( outside WA )

- Visit Colorado !!! Would love to go skiing and try speed riding in Aspen !
- Neighboring Oregon has been inviting me for a long time to check out its adventures ! Visiting/xc skiing Crater Lake; skiing, ski-biking, airboarding at Hoodoo ski area; dirt biking/sandboarding Oregon's dunes; chilling in one of many famous Oregon's hot springs are just a few things I want to do there.
- Introduce my son to the beauty of travel ! First stop - California ! then...
- Not sure about border crossing laws yet, but would love to take him to Whistler, BC !
- The BIGGEST trip I'm planning this year is visiting Russia, and hope to explore Europe on the way there !

What are your goals for 2014 ? Why are they important to you ? Are they clear, exciting, measurable achievable ?

I wish you achieve every goal that you set up for yourself this year, and hope you'll share it with us !!! And remember :

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hope.” - Andrew Carnegie

Goodbye to 2013... It Was ... Uneventful ( Almost )

How was your 2013 ? What kind of memories have you created for yourself ? What have you achieved ?

Hope 2013 was better for you than it was for me... Since I started this blog, 2013 was the most uneventful year so far, and, as you know,  I blame myself for not writing my goals down and not planning the year ahead. 

But I can't complain that it was that bad. I had a few great moments, like:

- visited Roslyn, WA ( the unofficial "movie town of WA" )
- tried fly fishing for the first time
- did a couple gigs for Toyota
- went diving at a new spot in Washington
- went sailing ( it was awful ! )
- lived off-grid for 3 months in my Subaru
- celebrated another great birthday surfing at Westport
- had another great winter working my favorite job !

But one thing that made 2013 great and memorable for me was the time I spent with my son ! We had a few great father/son moments :

- we celebrated his 6th birthday in our favorite cabin in Leavenworth
- got to go flightseeing over our beautiful Seattle
-  picked up a new sport ( archery )
- tried skimboarding at a popular skimboarding beach in WA
- went camping, hiking and caving at Mt St Helens
- hiked Point Defiance in Tacoma
- switched to a BMX bike and electric scooter
- chilled ( a lot !  ) at a local waterpark during summer

So looking back, I can honestly say : "I'm blessed, and 2013 wasn't that bad" :)

It's crazy how all that happened in just one year !

The Importance of Setting Clear, Written Goals

Let me begin this post with a couple of my favorite quotes about goal setting, afterwards, I'll explain why these are my favorite :

"Never begin the day until it is finished on paper." ~ Jim Rohn

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible" ~ Tony Robbins

"People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine." ~ Brian Tracy

2012 was a great year for me ! My online business was booming, I traveled a lot, had tons of fun, and met many inspiring, adventurous, stoked folks ! All that I owe to my goal setting the year before.

2013 on the other hand was... not so great. Untill I got to sit down to write this very post, I couldn't understand why... I went back to my blog just to realize that I didn't put my goals for 2013 in writing !!! Yeah, sure, I had my "Bucket List"  board on Pinterest, but as it states above "clear, written goals, accomplish far more" than just simply wishing ( even if you have a visual representation ).

Until you write it down, your goal is just a dream. Dreaming is elevated above execution. And that’s never good. That doesn’t get you anywhere. It makes you feel good, but then later you have all these regrets that surface.

I am not saying that committing your goals to writing is the end-game. It’s not. But it is VERY important. Writing down goals clarifies priorities to keep the person on track. It’s preeminently important for your goals to exist in written form, not floating in that ether that exists in your head.

When you put pen to paper you turn your thoughts into something tangible. You can actually see it, touch it, and even smell it if you want to. Your goal is no longer just a thought.  It becomes something, what motivates us and creates a gut feeling inside.

 Even the act of using the eye in coordination with the hand holding the pen makes a much stronger impression on our mind as we write out the phrase or expression. Now when we read and re-read that phrase or sentence the impression on the mind becomes deeper and deeper.

There is something semi-magical about writing one’s goals down which makes achieving well-written goals an almost certainty.

If you want to make commitment to your goals even more solid, share them with those around you. In essence, this is another reason for my blog - feeling accountable to my readers motivates me to stay on track.

Have you committed your goals to paper ?  Do you have a deadline for your goals ? Are you accountable to your friends/family/followers ?

And remember :

Living In Your Car Like A Bohemian ( Or A Bum )

For me, the word "adventure" has always been associated with something that presents a challenge, something that offers an unbelievable, firsthand experience,   and creates unforgettable, vivid, self-defining memories.

Since I started this blog I've been blessed with meeting, reading and writing about people who push their physical, mental and spiritual limits, who challenge orthodox social viewpoints, who possess a burning desire to expand their knowledge through firsthand experiences to test the limits of their own strength and endurance, and in doing so, discover their true self.

There are many names for people like this :  adventurers, wanderers, vagabonders, nomads, minimalists, bohemians... One thing they have in common - living the life on their own terms.

The choice to live an adventurous lifestyle is not an easy one. It is very difficult to break free of the monotonous routine of daily life when you have been repeating it for years on end. There is only one way to break the routine, and that is to just do it. And that's exactly what I did...

Living off-grid in a trailer/RV/van like a traveling nomad enjoying life, going on adventures, and writing inspiring stories has been on my Bucket List for quite a while. I talked to people who lived "RV life style" full time, read and followed the blogs of those who went off-grid in tiny houses , wrote about fellow adventurers who perused their passion full time while living in vans and camp sites, and even created a visual aid to help me try this new exciting way of living. Until one day, I just decided to go for it....

Since I'd been traveling for quite some time, at that time I didn't have too many possessions. Everything I had fitted in  a  5x10 storage. It just took me a matter of two days to rig up my faithful Subaru, and "hit the road".  Because of my family circumstances I didn't go too far, and spent the next 3 months living in my car.

Unlike many unfortunate folks out there, my experience wasn't created by a financial situation. It was a pure adventurous and social experiment. Inspired by people I read and write about, I wanted to see if I had the guts to walk away from the convenience of every day life, challenge a few social norms, and to see what I'd be capable of physically and emotionally. 

As you might know, many stories that I write about I experience myself firsthand.  Surviving and off-grid living haven't been the topics of this blog... not till now.

Today I'm starting a new category " Survival/Off-Grid Living ".

Looking back at my adventures living in a car, traveling cross country, spending majority of my time playing in the backcountry, and coming from former USSR with nothing but $50 in my pocket ( and surviving the first 7 years as an "undocumented alien" ), I think I've deserved the right to share my knowledge and experience to help people prepare for times when SHTF or/if they fall into harsh financial times.

How Do You Celebrate Your Birthday ?

There are only two major holidays on my calender : my birthday and New Year. For me, both of these dates represent a new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate. It's time to look back and reflect on my goals and achievements, and time to make new exciting plans for the upcoming year !

It saddens me to know that many people don't really celebrate their birthdays. In my opinion, if you don't celebrate your birthday, you don't celebrate (your) life.

As somebody said : "If we are to appreciate the fruits of life, we must first appreciate the tree that bears the fruit: birth itself."

I've never considered myself to be religious, but I think a birthday is the Greatest Gift of Life, the Miracle, the Once-In-A-Life Time-Occasion that you have a chance to celebrate every year. The same energy that God/Universe/Nature invested in you at birth is present once again. It is our duty to be receptive to that force.

A birthday is a time to celebrate birth itself, the joy of life. It is also an occasion to rethink your life: How great is the disparity between what I have accomplished and what I can accomplish? Am I spending my time properly or am I involved in things that distract me from my higher calling? How can I strengthen the thread that connects my outer life and my inner life?

Celebrating my birthday by going surfing is my way to get in touch with my soul.

You don't have to be a hard core "surfer dude" to enjoy this, I'd say, most spiritual "sport/outdoor activity". And I put it in quotes, cause I can't even call surfing a sport. Yes, surfing has its competitive side, but for most folks, surfing is the way to engage nature in such an intimate way that very few people have access to. I call it Soul Surfing.

In soul surfing, we challenge the ocean, we challenge ourselves, and  not other people. Soul surfing is not about scoring points and winning titles, it's about having fun, it's as much about physical challenge as a spiritual experience. Especially at times of good surf in beautiful surroundings.

Soul surfing is one of the best ways to find your Zen, your inner peace, your "True Self".
The Ocean will clear your mind, get rid of stress, anxiety, and negativity, it will recharge your tired mind, and will strengthen your spirit.

As J.F.K. once said : " "We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." 

So your next birthday, I advice you to give soul surfing a try. It doesn't matter if you don't catch a wave, or you won't be able even to get up on a board. It's about the experience, the feeling, the memories you will create for the next year ( OR MAY BE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE ).
                                                         It's all about STOKE !

GET STOKED AND SHARE THE STOKE WITH OTHERS !

"Each birthday is a new beginning, full of promise and opportunity and the chance to make dreams come true."

Flightseeing Around Seattle, WA

To have your childhood dream realized is a really big deal. At least for me. When I was a kid, I dreamed about becoming a test pilot, and later, just like my childhood role model Yuri Gagarin ( the first man in space ), a cosmonaut. But sometimes life has different plans for us...

Yet, the dream of flying one day is still very much alive. A few years ago, I was looking into getting my pilot license, but once again, I found excuses why I couldn't.

This time, I wanted to see if my son would share the same passion, and just to make his childhood a bit more memorable, I planned a scenic flight that showcased a bird's-eye view of Seattle sights and the surrounding area.

A one hour flight took us high and above our beloved city, we caught a beautiful view of Mt Rainier ( when the Mountain was "out" ), and flew over and all, but into Snoqualmie Falls.

I haven't given up on my childhood dream. One way or another, sooner or later I will fly. And who knows, may be one day, my son will share my passion of flying.