Author: Phoenix

Posted on

Food Prep 101

…or ‘How trying to figure out how to feed myself in the woods almost broke my sanity (and bank account)’.

So….my vacation here in the US isn’t just for kicks and giggles, it is actually the prelude for my hike this summer. I have some wonderful friends who are willing to act as my ‘command central’. They have been accepting and hoarding packages of all the stuff I ordered over the last few months (mainly so I could avoid German customs and sales tax and shipping costs) and are even willing to ship out resupply boxes to me on the trail – making sure I don’t starve.

Well, in order for boxes to be there to be sent out, someone has to assemble them. Continue reading “Food Prep 101”

Posted on

Food planning is much less fun than food eating…

As you know, I will be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail southbound starting some time in June or July…. I still don’t know exactly when I’ll be able to head out on this big adventure, because winter is still here and my start date depends largely on the amount of snow in Washington and how fast it melts off. I am hoping to start mid-June, but that seems rather optimistic.

As of today, the snow levels at Hart’s Pass are 130% of average…..which sucks. I can only hope for a VERY hot spring so it melts off quickly enough. The rule of thumb is that 2 weeks after the snow at Hart’s Pass reaches a level of 0, it’s safe to get going. Not completely snow-free for most of Washington….but safe-ish.

So I can’t really estimate on when I’ll be able to start….but what I CAN do is start planning for food. Continue reading “Food planning is much less fun than food eating…”

Posted on

reveles romanum – 3

Tuesday, 6 March 2018

I woke up pretty refreshed and had the rest of yesterday’s grocery shopping for breakfast. It was POURING outside, not just a drizzle like it was yesterday, but full-on torrents of rain. But oh well, whatcha gonna do….I headed out anyway. I took the bus to the remains of the Caracalla thermal baths and tried to find the entrance. I walked all around the site, but just couldn’t find an entrance….

Continue reading “reveles romanum – 3”

Posted on

reveles romanum – 2

Monday, 5 March 2018

The day started with a free walking tour, something I usually take advantage of wherever possible. It’s a great way to get a feel for a city, a nice introduction and overview. Most times, the guides are great and I don’t mind paying them a tip at the end of the tour, instead of a fixed sum pre-tour.

And if the guide really isn’t living up to your expectation, or the tour is too long/ boring/ strenuous for you, you don’t have to feel bad for leaving in the middle, because…..you haven’t spent any money for it.

This time, I used Continue reading “reveles romanum – 2”

Posted on

reveles romanum – 1

Soooooooo….. I needed to blow my Emirates free miles on something before they expire and since Emirates is partnered with EasyJet, I was able to grab a return flight to Rome for …… free ^^.

As anyone who has ever traveled with me knows – I do an absurd amount of research before I go anywhere….most of which I never end up using 😀

But it gives me a sense of security; knowing a rough plan of what I want to see and experience. And in case of transportation and free tours and stuff, it is really helpful to plan ahead.

So let’s get started with this story, shall we?

Continue reading “reveles romanum – 1”

Posted on

Lisbon calling

Taking advantage of living near an EasyJet hub I headed to Portugal’s capital for a few days in February 2017. Over a year has passed since then and while I do remember the trip, the details escape me. So I’ll just rely on my travel journal from back then (yes, a PAPER journal 😉 *gasp*) and give you a glimpse of Lisbon in winter: Continue reading “Lisbon calling”

Posted on

Measure me this…

So….as someone born and raised in Germany, I was taught from a young age to aspire to the typical German traits – punctuality, discipline, being diligent, hard-working and logical.

And with the last of these characteristics is where I hit a wall in certain environments…namely:

Systems of measurements

For me, whatever is measured, usually follows the same logical divisions, whether it be distance, weight, volume, you name it. And the division is DECIMAL – 1000g in a kilogram, 1000 kilogram in a ton, 1000 tons in a megaton, and so on.

I mean, it`s even right there in the name….KILO, meaning one thousand of something.

But then I get to the US (or even just into the blogging world of long-distance hiking :P) and I am copletely thrown for a loop. Continue reading “Measure me this…”

Posted on

Home is where….

…you feel most like your true self. That´s my definition at least.

Whether it`s a location, or a person that defines your idea of ‘home’, we all know the feeling. That warm, fuzzy relaxation…the ability to breathe freely and just…let go.

I think that it`s possible to have several homes. Those special places where you can just be yourself and that you yearn for when you`re not there.

For me, one of those places stretches from the Mexican to the Canadian borders with the US. Along ~2650miles this ribbon of dirt passes through some of the most beautiful wilderness you can imagine and offers the inclined individual to truly get away from everything. What is this magical place, you ask? Continue reading “Home is where….”