2023 was a pretty chill year compared with more recent years.
Zero complaints. None at all.
Of course, after an absolutely insane 2020 full of unexpected (and unwanted) transitions — such as being involuntarily terminated from the Peace Corps, evacuated from Ukraine, unemployed for half a year, moving to Flagstaff and starting a new job — everything seems pretty chill in comparison.
2021 and 2022 saw a few big life events. I met Ryan, adopted Yukon, moved into our current apartment, took a temporary work assignment in northern California and started teaching at YogaSix.
So, in comparison, 2023 has been really, really stable. Ryan and I rang in 2023 here in Flagstaff, and I’m still with Ryan and we’re both still in Flagstaff (with Yukon, of course). I still have the same job… and that job has been keeping me very busy.
There weren’t any major accomplishments or transitions this year, but I still did a few pretty cool things and achieved a few minor accomplishments this past year that I wanted to revisit.
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Backpacking the Superstitions
At the start of the year, Ryan and I took a weekend trip down to the Tonto National Forest, where we went backpacking in the Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area.
It was a really intense trip full of hail, rain, blisters and lost goldseekers, but it was one of my favorite experiences of the year.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’
This was a big one. I went to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour with a few of my good friends.
We had obstructed view nosebleed seats, but it was still such an awesome experience!
Durango, Colo.
Ryan and I drove out to Durango, Colo. earlier this year for a holiday weekend trip to see two of our friends. We had an absolute blast hiking and hanging.
Back-to-back Michigan trips
I made two separate trips back home to Michigan this year: The first was alone, and the second was with Ryan.
While a funeral isn’t the best circumstance under which to travel home, I’m glad I got to see so many of my family members. I’m glad I got to introduce Ryan to some more of my family, and I’m also glad I got the chance to show him some more of Michigan — including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Traverse City area.
The Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team
I spent a lot of time working on wildfires this year — probably part of the reason my adventures were so few and far between. One of my best accomplishments? I spent the summer working as the Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team’s (unofficial) Public Information Officer (PIO).
I applied for the position again next year and was (officially) accepted earlier this month — so once my task book makes it through the Red Card committee (hopefully come January since it’s been submitted), I’ll be fully qualified as a Type 3 PIO as well!
Seattle and central Washington
Ryan and I flew up to Seattle earlier this year to visit our friends Vandy and Bre. After a few days in Seattle, we drove out to Wenatchee to attend an anniversary celebration for Ryan’s former fire crew.
We had time to sneak in a few hikes and stop in Leavenworth.
Winter hot springs backpacking trip
Ryan and I joined a few of our mutual friends to visit the natural hot springs located in the Lake Mead Recreation Area.
It was my first backpacking trip, and I’m glad I could spend it with my really cool friends.
Ryan’s pilot license
Ryan passed his check ride and got his private pilot license this year! He celebrated by taking me on a scenic flight around northern Arizona.
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
This concert wasn’t quite as hyped up as Taylor Swift, but I was able to see Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness perform here in Flagstaff.
I had a front row spot, too.
Paid my Jeep off
It’s not quite as exciting as driving it off the lot for the first time, but after three years of loan payments, my 2020 Jeep Wrangler is officially paid in full!
It’s such a relief to not be making those monthly payments anymore.
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I did find time for a few more adventures, like bike rides with friends, tubing trips down Arizona’s rivers, hikes around the Southwest, concerts and shows, and visits from friends. If you’re interested, you can read my 2023 winter, spring, summer and fall recaps.
I can’t wait to see what adventures 2024 has in store.
