Zach's Story: The Sweet Life

This summer has been formative and informative. So many insights and perspectives have been gained. I truly feel as though I am returning to the world bigger and better than ever. I took on new learning, jumped out of my comfort zone frequently, lived in a variety of settings, met a bigger variety of people, was captivated by nature in ways I had never been before, I gained new focus, priorities shifted. I truly feel as though I have become an adult now. This trip encouraged so much growth and gave me new direction. I am going to be more present when I am at "home" (while still traveling when I can). I am a new fan of alone time and grew more mellow on this trip. Not talking all the time turns out to be quite the relief. New hobbies and interests have been acquired.... it is actually hard to articulate everything that this trip has meant to me, but it has encouraged me to think about teaching again, and doing so in a different state. A bigger focus is going to be placed upon

This summer's Grand Adventure has taken me far and wide, but in all of this time I have found myself spending the most time in New Mexico. Spending 3-weeks in various mountain towns of New Mexico. This is partially due to the fact that my aunt and uncle live in Alamogordo, so there was added incentive, but it is equally due to my love of this place and my desire to live on a mountain. Coming from Minnesota this environment is drastically different from anything that I grew up with. In Minnesota we have deep woods, lakes, and fields of corn... arriving in New Mexico I am finding that there is an impressive amount of environmental diversity. The desert landscapes that are historically pictured in your mind's eye when you envision New Mexico are accurate of some regions, however, they are not indicative of the state as a whole. My trip took me through Texas and into NE New Mexico. Driving through you are going to see cast desert/arid landscapes suited with massive windmill farms,