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On May 31st, I ran 13.1 miles in the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon. It was a long road getting to the point where I could even imagine running such a distance, much less completing it with confidence and in a time that instilled awe in many of my friends. Only five short years ago, I weighed 298lbs. I moved to Seattle, Washington from my home in North Carolina looking for a change in lifestyle and thank goodness I found it. Shortly after moving to Seattle, my sister bought me a pair of r … read more

This post is Part I of a two-part Trip Report about how to get the most from a one-day overnight in New York City. Part II coming soon!In early July, I visited the city that never sleeps for a 24-hour sprint through the greatest sights and destinations the city has to offer. I don’t get to visit New York often, and so cherish every second of my uncommon visits. Since I now live half a continent away in Ann Arbor, these visits have become even less frequent. So, when I heard I’d be getting a sol … read more

This June, I had the opportunity to go on my first ever mountaineering excursion. The hill? Mt. Adams, a nearly 12,500′ peak in Washington State’s Cascade Range. Mt. Adams is the largest active volcano in the Cascades, although its last eruption was over 3,800 years ago. On a clear day, Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Saint Helens are all visible from the summit. As far as “first peaks” go, I picked a mighty good one.Before I even bought my plane tickets, I had to meticulously research and plan t … read more

Restaurant Week is a celebration of all things Ann Arbor: community, participation, and, well, food. As you may have guessed by now, restaurant culture is central to Ann Arbor’s mystique. UM graduates proclaim it “The Best Food Town in All the Land“. Over 470 restaurants populate Trip Advisor’s Tree Town rankings. And twice a year, dozens of Ann Arbor eateries craft delicious, affordable tasting menus for the express purpose of exposing as many people as possible to all the fine dining available … read more

Southern Utah has always been a place near and dear to my heart. Growing up in Salt Lake City, outdoors destinations like Moab, Torrey, and Escalante were just a short drive away and made for the perfect weekend getaway. This past May, I went back to my happy place for the first time since moving to Ann Arbor. Upon arriving in Salt Lake City, I packed up my car with various gear and hit the road. Four hours later, I arrived at my campsite outside of Canyonlands National Park ready to relive my f … read more