Final days up in Fish Creek with John were a blast. Enjoying big city life with two of my faves - John and Brandi! Good times, great walks along the lakefront, great food and laughs! Also, on a more melancholy note, John and I stopped by the old Wernecke farm in Manitowoc (been in the family since mid 1800s and...

I heard from a blog superfan Ann D this morning wondering if I was done with my trip! So, this is for you Ann! I rolled into the Wisconsin Peninsula Monday afternoon - my final camping spot on my journey. I highly recommend this whole area. Such awesome little villages along water - a mix of Cape Cod, Traverse City...

Heavy travel days the last two. But still managed to see some new places and meet more great people. In Minnesota I met another amazing person who is running a local restaurant/pub - her name was Caroline and she was awesome. She insisted that we take a picture together. I’ve met several courageous people running small businesses and she was...

Finished the day at the hot springs in Hot Springs SD

8+ hour trek through mostly Wyoming! Went from intense beauty to pretty flat with surface mining and miles and miles of rolling pastures. Starting my journey back east feels good though. Missing home for sure.

Back on the road big time again tomorrow. Heading to South Dakota near Mount Rushmore and some other cool sites. Quick note: I have interacted with a whole bunch of folks on this journey. I’ve been particularly impressed and heartened by the generation in their 20s and early 30s. Granted I had a positive predilection with John (and Brandi) and...

Went on yet another magnificent hike today in Grand Tetons. And saw this fella 8 feet off of the trail just laying there eating and chilling. I had a hand on my bear spray and one on my camera and snapped a quick one. As he was turning his head to me we said our quick goodbyes and I moved...

I went full Clark Griswold today and toured Yellowstone like a full on tourist (which, I guess, is what I am!). So I’m gonna share a smattering of the amazing diversity of what I saw.

Had to bid a fond farewell to Utah today. A special, special place. Travel day today up into Wyoming. Settled into a site in a more traditional campground…there are actual people and RVs and whatnot here! Beautiful spot. Flipping a coin between a hike and venture into Jackson Hole tomorrow (most likely) or do southern part of Yellowstone. Will let...

Another jaw droppingly beautiful site! 20 feet from my tent is this canyon rim that overlooks this amazing scene! I’m literally straddling the border of Utah and Wyoming! Shortened my stay here to one night and expanded my time up in Wyoming. My spot up there is smack dab between Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Jackson so I didn’t want to...

First ever time in a hot spring! Had this little gem all to myself this afternoon. Again, I’m at a loss for words. Spiritual, Renewing. Therapeutic. If you ever see a sign that says “Hot Springs Ahead” don't pass it by. Afterwards, I went to a proper grocery store (first time in 20 days) and I just stood in the...

Off my front “porch”

Pretty chill day. Work some in Duck Creek Village - big shoutout to Ground & Toasted coffee shop. Quick story: G&T coffee shop was closed yesterday but I was WiFi scarfing sitting in my car out front of the shop. And, at the time, I was unshowered for a few days and unshaven. I looked rough to be kind. The...

Cedar Breaks 11000 ft - views and little hike. Was amazing! And camp dog Zen sure did make me miss my buddies.

Big day in Bryce Canyon but I’ll dump pictures later. Suffice is to say the hikes at 8500 ft in the heat (but no humidity😀)wore me out. Anyway the cross: I’m walking back from showering this evening and there were 7 guys building something very enthusiastically and taking pictures with arms around each other. Clearly into something big! So I...

If you had a bent rain fly pole AND a flat tire on your DWern Journey Bingo card - you’re 2/5ths of the way there! The road to White Horse was rough to say the least. And on the way to the GC yesterday my tire pressure sensor went off. Stopped and could hear the tire hissing. Asked a local...

Had my first obstacle to overcome. Got literally blown off the rock at Abiquiu campground. 45 mph winds left one of my rain fly poles bent and basically wrecked. So I packed up after touring around on Monday (saw more amazing things - hope pictures come through). Anyway I had a brainstorming session with my man Cooper at Peace Outfitters...

Went to a full on catholic mass led by monks. Chanting and incense and a lovely homily. I won’t soon forget. Then went to Plaza Blanca — worth reading about if you have a chance.

Luxuriating at the Desert Inn after chewing up another 10 hours on the road! Authentic Mexican dinner and watching the Knicks v Cs (love Mountain time). Short trip tomorrow up to Lake Abiquiu where I’ll set up camp for 3 nights. Can’t wait!! Lots to see and do up there.

Packed up this morning early - got even more rain last night but not as torrential as the prior nights…so, I’ve got that goin’ for me. Turns out the Pisgah National Forest is considered a temperate rainforest!!! It did not disappoint. Now, in Cheatham Dam campground on the Cumberland River in Ashland City, TN. Absolutely beautiful spot…nice and breezy, sunny...

First big hike in a decade (when Casey and Laura gave me a baptism by fire in the Cascades!) - so I took on a route called John Rock trail. So named cuz some fella name of John once slipped and fell to his death from said rock. Soooo…once I got up to the top (1000 ft climb in less...

Packed up and ready to go! (I did utilize the packing consulting service of AmyWern.) Leaving a day early hoping to not be setting up for the first time in the rain…so, off to Asheville Sunday morning.