He would return 4 days later….

No InReach, no satellite phone, no communication- just me, alone in a very far away place with no idea when the plane will be back to pick me up. All I was left with was my gear, a tent, ten days worth of food, my camera, and a gun.

I wanted a good hook for this post, so here’s what I’m thinking: A recent PhD graduate, a priest, an ex-Marine, and a French Bulldog share a canoe for four days, paddling and portaging 60 miles through one of the most unique Nationally Protected Wilderness parks in the United States.

I’ve played ice hockey for 20 years of my life, and nothing beats the sound of your skates cutting through a frozen lake. To get the opportunity to go out via plane in search of a beautiful place to tie up the skates, step out on a frozen lake, and pass a puck around with your friends has always been a dream of mine. I have talked about it for years, hoping to get the perfect weather window. What was once a dream is now one of those special moments in our lives

This year, my goal has been to work on those relationships I didn’t have time for. I quit my job, spent more time with my family and traveled the country. I’ve reconnected with old friends and made new ones, going on adventures with the people I care about. But I haven’t been able to spend time with everyone this year, it’s hard to get the timing right. As you grow older, time becomes more valuable, and you learn that life doesn’t wait. People move on, start families, fall into careers, and you end up missing out on opportunities as you get caught up in your own life. Ones you’ll never get back.