Many Waters of Virginia

One week in June, I went down to The Great Falls Park in Virginia. I met up with a good friend to go out for a day of hiking. We first started off with a warm up hike around Lake Anne, one of the four lakes in Northern Virginia. It has been modernized extensively, and included they Cafe, a bar, a couple retail outlets, and a bookstore that my friend and I went through to find some used literature. We walked around the perimeter of the lake, saw their Unitarian Universalist Church, and hit the road for Great Falls.

Blurry Aesthetics of the Great Potomac Falls.

In all honesty, I wasn't expecting the Great Falls to be as Majestic as they were, especially since I did not realize that I had already seen the other half of them from the Maryland side of the Potomac River. They were Majestic and grandiose, and the Riverside trail made for a very good 3-mile hike or so. It was a very easy trail of about a 2 out of 5. There's a network of trails in this area that you can choose from that extends about 12 miles, so pick your poison accordingly. Either way around, you will see the rivers, see the gorge, and see the beauty of nature as it was intended.

Take me with you to the ocean, sweet river.

After this adventure, we stopped by Cafe Sano, a small little cafe on one of the four legs. It was a Mediterranean restaurant that had very good small plates for decent price, with everything being fresh and mostly organic. It was here only got one of the best falafel wraps I've ever had, whilst enjoying the best homemade tzatziki sauce and ever had, was looking at the lake.

I then stopped at Cafe Amphora for a coffee and dessert with my friend. I had Tiramisu and a soy cappuccino, and fell in love with this little Bakery. It is here that you can actually sit in the Loft above the bakery and watch the bakers hard at work. It is a must-see for anybody who was in the area.

Fanny Mae Gardens  were the last stop on the days of venture, a Botanical Garden riddled with poetic prose and thoughts about the natural world scattered on top of stones throughout the pathway of the garden. It was behind an Urban spot of offices, and was really used by the people that work there. So on that day, we decided to put it to good use, admiring the beauty of nature, the flowers, and quotes by Henry David Thoreau, David Bryant, Sylvia Plath, and Emily Dickinson. They inspired me to be one with the world once more.

Although the hiking here wasn't the most intense thing I've ever done, it was still a very worthwhile trip to go and do for a day. I was extremely excited to be down in Virginia hiking with a close friend, and cannot wait until the day that I returned to like some more.

How to Travel on a Budget

The older I've gotten, the more my Wanderlust has grown. And as such, I've taken more and more trips, both domestic and abroad. Respectively, people have asked me how I go about doing it, knowing that I never necessarily worked in a high-paying job during and after my undergraduate years of college. Once you learn the secrets to budgeting, it isn't all that difficult. And today, I'm here to show you some tips and tricks on how to do it.

1) Make a list of places that you would like to go.

This part of the process is fairly intuitive. Before you step outside your front door, it's important to know where you think you'd like to go. Start by compiling a list of places that you would like to visit, and fines out what some of there average prices are for items. Websites like blank will help you determine the average cost of items as it Stacks up to your hometown so you can prepare accordingly.

2) Establish connections online and some of these locations.

If you are like me when I was younger, then you likely have played a lot of online video games. Guess what? This is one of the best ways to meet new people from different places. Every time you add somebody on Xbox, put them on your friends list after a friendly conversation on RuneScape, or play successful game of OverWatch, you will make a new connection in another part of the world. Sometimes, that is all it takes as well. If you go to school, you can meet potential travel destinations by getting involved with school clubs, especially ones that involve multiculturalism and students of different ethnic or faith backgrounds. From there, you can ask to be introduced to their friends, send them an email correspondence, and get the ball rolling wherever they live as well. And if this isn't enough for you to meet people, there are hundreds of websites online the people used to meet people, especially penpals. Through one penpal website, I met a girl from Russia, a guy from Denmark, a girl from Morocco, and two girls from China.

3) Travel around the deals.

Now that you have a reason to go and potentially a person to visit, it's time to book your flight. Or, to hop in your car. Either way around, there are lots of travel web sites out there that offer deals on a frequent basis. If you follow other travel agents and travel bloggers, they will likely link you to website or two that they use that has good deals as well. Going somewhere you slightly want to go to that is on sale vs going somewhere you really want to go that isn't quite in the off-season can be the difference of hundreds of dollars.

4) Find cheap lodging, which can lead to other Connections in other places.

Although several travel websites and flight pages will offer you combined housing/car rental/flight packages, it is often more efficient to do the app for mentioned your own way. Regardless, you will be paying for luggage separate most of the time, and you will be paying an insurance deposit for your rental car regardless. Hotels can also quickly rack up the bill. Globalfreeloaders.com and couchsurfing.com are two websites in which you list your couch or spare room to host guests and visitors, and in return, they extend the favor to you. Hostelworld.com is a comprehensive list of 35,000 hostels around the globe, and also provides information on what their bloggers have found around the world. Airbnb are two of my personal favorites, as they let you rent out a private room in somebody's home. There is also the option of staying at a farm (typically running price is between $80-$100/night) or at a monastery (you can find alot of places for $40 a night or so).

5) engage in work travel jobs.

I have met up with a couple of people that have traveled the world's, done really cool things, and developed amazing friendships, all due to traveler jobs. There are several web sites out there that I used to subscribe to in regards to this. Workaway is the website where you are able to trade services with somebody in exchange for room and board, and some places will give you a stipend as well. Some allow you to be a nanny or an Au Pair in exchange for room and board. Going through TEFL, you to become certified to teach English as a foreign language, what you can become a lifelong career for some people. Certain companies well also provide you with these opportunities. For instance, I interviewed with English first and Ameson Year in China, and both companies would have paid for a flight to China, got me certified to teach, and also give you half a year worth of rudimentary Mandarin Chinese, as well as a stipend for travel alongside your salary.

6)Undershoot on what you need to buy to survive.

If you're traveling on a budget, you likely are okay nixing some of home's comforts. That being said, a fast food sandwich and store brand apple juice will do just as fine as a fancy lunch that doesn't fill you up near as much. Try to bring as many things as you possibly can from him outside of perishable and not exportable items, such as food and certain liquids and medicines, and only by what you absolutely need. The exception to this rule is if you are planning on doing a food tour of some sort, or going on at or where food is included. There are plenty of web sites out there that advertise discounted travel fair and tour guides. That being said, if you know that you can survive on a very minimalist diet while you are traveling, it will serve you well in the long run financially.

7) Always - and I mean ALWAYS - Take advantage of free and discounted items.

Using coupon books bought at airports as well as Groupon has saved me a plethora of precious cash, as I found coupons for lodging, food, parking, entertainment at night, taxis, and pretty much anything else you can think of. There are several other websites like Groupon that you can subscribe to that all have discounted where's and fares. Also take full advantage of the hospitality of others. When I was in Cleveland, I got free breakfast because I meditated with the Harris. And Iceland, I talked to the owner of the restaurant I went to, and because he likes my interested in his business and personality, I got two free beers at his second restaurant out of the deal. Never turn down free for anything, and also remember the one you least expect it, the free things will come to you.

7)As Shia LaBeouf once said, quite literally, "Just Do It. Don't let your dreams be dreams."

I know several individuals who are traveling the world full time, and they aren't rich. They're finding websites like this one or this one for temporary work, offering their skills, and just going out and doing it.

Here's a case study for you: If I chose to drive up to Poughkeepsie New York instead of fly up, the flight would have been $200 more expensive then the tank and a half of gas that it cost me to get there and around. I met a connection at College, who happens to be my girlfriend at the time, and they put me up for a few nights for free. In exchange for a couple hours of music, I got two nights worth of dinner and some wine. I utilized their knowledge of New York and New York City to navigate for all of the deals, which included a beautiful lunch at a Foods truck stop for cheap one morning. Breakfast every morning was cheap, as I went out and bought a small container of granola, as well as having some eggs that they had at the house for me. We utilized the dads Commerce miles on the subway to get a cheap parking pass at the cheapest subway station by her house, and bought a one-way pass into New York City at student rate. In New York City, we went to as many free exhibits and stores that we could to see things and Window Shop. We returned home with another one way ticket, since this option was more cost-efficient than buying an all day pass.

End result - keep in mind some of these tips and tricks, and you will succeed at planning your adventures. I'm going to reflect upon one of my trips, specifically when I took my first solo trip up to New York.

Why I Hike

I've talked about travel. I've talked about housing; I've talked about a lot of different places I've been. But now, even more so than when I did my Boy Scout post, I feel obligated to make a post describing the top 5 reasons why I hike. Hiking, or glorified trail walking, is an activity that used to be essential for survival. With modern technology and conveniences, is become a long-lost art to too many people. However, there are still others amongst us who enjoy the act of hiking. Here is why I do it.

1) You are constantly experiencing new environments.

When you are out there hiking, you're constantly being exposed to many different types of terrain at any given point in time. It really challenges your physical and mental limits. Not only have that, but everybody’s body reacts differently to different climates and environments. When you're out in wilderness, anything can happen, and it teaches you to be engaging in your surroundings and to be completely present in whatever task you are doing.

2) It keeps you in shape.

This obviously depends on the frequency of what you go hiking, but in general, let it be known that it is a great cardiovascular activity. Even for the infrequent hiker, it is still a good break from utilizing the treadmill, jogging the neighborhood, or of course, from being a couch potato. You really learned to utilize every muscle in your body to its Advantage as you scale steep terrains, go for miles on end without stopping, and put yourself at the mercy of Mother Nature. And eventually, with perseverance and practice, you might just become like the guy that I saw sprinting up and down the Shenandoah mountain range, trail running an average of 10 miles every day.

3) You get away from Modern conveniences.

It is the 21st century. We currently live in a world marred by technology that lives around every single corner. Regardless of creed, personal agenda, or any other opinion, it is generally agreeable that too much technology can be detrimental to one's well-being. After all, none of our settlers had iPods or cell phones. Although this deficit of Technology may be startling to some, two others, it is sacred. You get to experience life without modern conveniences, which in and of itself can teach people if thankfulness for all of life's little things that otherwise wouldn't be mentioned.

4) You get a huge system detox.

Having been around patients on concentrated oxygen through nasal cannula, I can firmly attached that nothing beats Fresh Air pump to straight from the trees and the clouds. You also get a huge vitamin D boost, and read your bodies of impurities while sweating out toxins on the trail. Take Along some trail mix filled with antioxidant berries, pack some leafy greens, drink a cup of green tea, and you've got it made.

5) You will never see these sites or meet these people hiding inside your house.

I have met so many wonderful people just by saying hello on the hiking trail or in a Pit Stop Restaurant. You’ll never know what you’ll find, and when you might find it.

This is a short list, but a comprehensive one. So what are you waiting for? Strap on your boots and hit the dirt highway!

Forest Therapy

For my graduate field of studies, I jumped into the world of Occupational Therapy. I chose this because I deeply respected alternative and holistic medicine, and wanted to treat my patients without needing to jam needles into them. What I discovered one day in my private studies changed my life.

I was reading a book in a airport called Forest therapy. It was written in Japan, a country that is not only one of the most densely populated per square kilometer in the entire world, but also the country that is the most densely populated by forests and bodies of water in the entire world. it is no wonder that their folklore religions of Shinto and Zen Buddhism both have a huge focus on spirituality as it encompasses nature and all living things. Jainism shares a very similar belief process to this, and that everything has Life Energy and fragments of the Divine inside of it.

You don't have to be Japanese, pray tell, or even completely culturally competent to know about the benefits of horse therapy. Trees give us oxygen as we give them carbon dioxide. We are in a constant symbiotic relationship with them at all. When we are surrounded by them, looking up at the outdoor sights in reverie, we are really connected with the sky above as well. Even a half hour walk per day through a wooded area or by spending time by plants and trees has been shown to drastically increase mood, clear the mind, rid the body of toxins, and promote a sense of inner peace and well-being.

Quite frankly, I was a believer of this before I even discovered the book. But, I am now even more of a believer. It makes sense, as the great outdoors was all our ancestors knew, and the majesty of the outdoors is something that's not be replaced by computer screens or artificial intelligence. They give us the spice life. There's something so radiant and translucent about the color green that can make somebody want to stay in it forever.

Shinrin yoku, or forest bathing, has a body of research behind it now, which all can conclude that it is important for individuals to spend more time outside then they already do. Forest bathing teaches people to look outside themselves to become one with nature and one with something bigger. the research, which can be found online, definitely helps to support the claims that we need to spend more time outside and around nature.

Unfortunately, this might be very difficult for some individuals. Some individuals live very far from any natural area, or some trees in general. For these individuals, it will be important to have plants growing indoors or they have a garden near their house where applicable. A bonsai tree, small cactus, where small flower plant maybe a quick solution to this problem. Of course, these individuals should still definitely seek out retreats in nature as soon as they are able to do so.

Credits go to Morton Arboretum.

So what are you waiting for? Go and enjoy some nature. The payoff will be worth it.

Another York Park

Gifford Pinchot state park is a large State Park and central Pennsylvania dedicated to family usage. Several events are held here every summer regarding concerts and camping trips, as there is a lot of land and a lot of camping they can be done. In the center of the park is a large lake, which you can feel free to rent out a kayak and go on, or bring your own kayak. They also have rental paddle boats there, which can be used to take a swirl around the lake.

Surrounding the lake and the park itself are several miles worth of hiking trails, as well as a starting point to the northern part of the Heritage Rail Trail. The hiking is very light and family-friendly. When hiking, you can also see a large outdoor Frisbee Golf Course as well as some of the camping locations, cabins, and Yurts. If you are into Pokémon go, there are plenty of Pokémon that are found there as well, especially rare ones.

So ladies and gentlemen, pack your bags and picnic baskets, visit the Nature Center, go on a hike, and learn about the wonders of environmental chemist Gifford Pinchot. Because of this man's Legacy, York has a large portion of land dedicated to recreational use, to be untouched by modern life. Come by for a hike or a campout when you get the chance, and enjoy the process of slowing down.

Run like the Tarahumara

Rarámuri, also known as the Tarahumara tribe drama descended from the Mongollan (Uto-Aztecan) culture after 300 ad and descended into the Canyons of Chihuahua, Mexico, in the 1400s after the Conquistadors came. they quickly found their Nish as Trail runners and Messengers between tribes in different parts of the valleys and canyons, author name translates to tribe of the running feet. The average cross-country athlete trains 50 km a day and is in pain and Agony afterwards. The people of the Tarahumara tribe find Blissful joy and running, are always smiling when they are competing in there long distance races Tama and can train up to a hundred kilometers per day without injury or pain. with myself being an avid hiker, this long distance endurance thing really appeals to me personally, and so I decided to look further into it. I watched a few miniature documentaries Chelsea what they were doing differently compared to the rest of the world. here's what I noticed:

1) They were either flimsy running sandals or Nothing at All.

The Tarahumara believe in grounding, which means getting positive ions from the surface of the Earth as they run. Studies have been done to show the barefoot running improves body circulation and reduce the stress levels. Of course, being somebody that has run their foot on gravel before, I can't imagine running Barefoot through the woods or rocky Canyons should be all that comfortable. however, it is something that we should try, as it is part of their success and their happiness and overall well-being.

2) They are strictly nose breathers.

They take long breaths in, long drags out, and do it almost exclusively through their nasal passage. Their mouth is used instead for smiling, which I will get to in just a second.

By going against the grain of "in through the nose, out through the mouth", you allow more nitric oxide to build up in your nose, which boost your energy and testosterone levels, and allows anaerobic respiration to take place in your body, which will process toxins in your fat cells more. Strictly nose breathing during intense exercise and depriving the body of excess oxygen is quite similar to altitude training. And for an even better workout, you can cover your face with a surgical mask or cloth, which will allow even less oxygen in. Carbon dioxide is not the enemy here.

3) They find joy in running.

Running is their lifeblood, and they always look forward to their daily exercise. Instead of meeting it with Agony, they meet it with a smile. As they pass other trail runners, they are smiling and carrying on. Similarly, they travel light and are ready to break into a run or adventure at any time.

4) Group participation is key.

Studies show that running as part of a group not only promotes Esprit de corps, but boosts your engagement levels as well. The Tarahumara tribe always runs as part of a group, because they believe then no race and life is ever run for sole proprietorship.

5) let your heels heal.

Even though they do quite a good bit of running, they never run using their heels of their feet. Instead, they bounce in a Spring Lake motion off of the balls and front part of their feet, which continuously propels them forward with minimal effort and injury. When studying this foot strike, researchers soon learned that it was an essential part of maintaining Wellness whilst out on the trails running. stepping on the hill and rolling the foot and traces strain in the lower back and the ankles, whereas using only the balls of their feet about full impact and transfer of energy between the ground in the foot.

6) Waste no time or energy.

In both running and field work, the Tarahumara believe in the conservation of energy. When they are running very long distances with no breaks all day long with minimal calories, every single bit of energy intake and output matters. As soon as break time is called, all of them immediately sit down and rest. When they are running, they're keeping a steady pace, as it allows the most consistent burn of energy.

7) Go hard.

The Tarahumara are hard workers, always brewing homemade corn beer like tecate or tesguino, and find no shame in their culture of beer and work. although they remain poor financially, they are rich in soul and life simple, steadfast lives. They worked, farmed, ran, and partied hard, and still never looked beat after a 50 mile race.

At the end of the day, this is a tribe of incredible super humans that are very gifted in the art of long-distance travel and running. Individuals of any age and exercise backgrounds can take something away from their way of life in their approach to getting things done.