Local Tips for Visiting Travertine Hot Spring
Sucking it up, I put my big boy pants on— mainly to avoid being left behind by Kristin—and head to the hot spring. It was my first time here, I didn’t know what to expect and I was blown away. The landscape was cloaked in a orange glow as the light danced down the mountains and across the fields in the distance. Staring out from the warmths of the hot spring, I was proud that we persevered.
First person Experience
Watching las light disappear behind the Sawtooth mountains, Kristin and I snuggled. Tired from a long day of shooting (we were shooting a catalog release for Coghlan’s), we didn’t want to drive back to Tahoe. So, we found a camping spot along a quaint creek, ate some dinner, and made an ambitious plan to dip in Travertine Hot Spring for a sunrise soak, while enjoying the warmth of a fire.
Beep Beep Beep Beep
The morning alarm went off, it was time to get up. “Okay, it’s time! Let’s go!” I said.
“UUHHH! Do we have to? It is cold!” Kristin responds.
“You said this was a dream of yours, let’s get it!”
“Okay… will you make coffee?”
“Sadly, we don’t have time.”
“UHHHH”
Kristin enjoys the sunrise view while soaking in Travertine hot spring near Bridgeport, CA. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Even though we both didn’t want to, we crawled out from under the covers and got ready. The van felt very cold! We tried to start the heater, but the propane was out. Starting the van and running the heater, I took down the window coverings.
EVERYTHING WAS FROZEN. The windshield and windows were coated, on the inside, with frost! Sometimes, living vanlife can be difficult. Times like these, you are just camping in a metal tent with a bed. However, the lifestyle has done well for me since 2016, so I am not complaining.
As the windshield melted, we got dressed and mentally prepared for the dip.
Driving a short ways, we were warmed up, but once we parked a little bit of internal regret overtook me. It was going to be cold. The van’s thermostat read 18f outside. While I might be a warm blooded California kid, I think 18f is cold for anyone! Especially knowing you are going to be in a swim suit.
Sucking it up, I put my big boy pants on— mainly to avoid being left behind by Kristin—and head to the hot spring. It was my first time here, I didn’t know what to expect and I was blown away. The landscape was cloaked in a orange glow as the light danced down the mountains and across the fields in the distance. Staring out from the warmths of the hot spring, I was proud that we persevered.
Driving directions to Travertine Hot Springs: Travertine Hot Springs, Bridgeport, CA 93517
Free camping near Travertine Hot Spring in Bridgeport, CA. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Pro Tips when Visiting Travertine:
Free Camping Near Travertine Hot Spring
The land surrounding the thermal springs is Forest Service Land, so you can legally camp for free in any of the pullouts along the back roads. It is primitive camping, with no facilities of any kind, so be prepared to be self-contained. Arrive late afternoon, set up camp, and walk a half-mile for a sunset soak.
Rise Early and Have Travertine to yourself
Rise before daybreak to enjoy the empty pool of your choice before anyone has even turned over in bed. It’ll be all yours for those precious few hours.
Cold Soak and rinse off in clean rivers close by
Make time for a cold soak in any of the nearby rivers (you’ll have to drive) to avoid any issues with bacteria infections. While these are very rare, they are easily avoided with a rinse!
FAQ about travertine hot springs
CAN YOU SWIM IN TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS?
Travertine hot springs are a wonderful grouping a naturally occurring hot springs in the Eastern Sierra perfect for soaking and swimming. Some of the pools have been dug out to be made larger, but overall the pools are waist deep and 5-10 feet in diameter. Since there are several pools you can typically find a pool to yourself to swim, or soak, in.
CAN YOU SOAK NAKED IN TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS?
When you visit the Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport you can soak naked. There will be a mix of clothed and nude soakers, so please be respectful of the company you are in. There is an unspoken ethic, if you are arriving to a pool with clothed people, and you want to soak naked, to ask before stripping naked. This is out of respect. However, if you arrive to a hot spring and have it to yourself, you make the rules!
HOW MANY HOT SPRINGS ARE THERE AT TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS?
Travertine Hot Springs has several, 11 pools, that you can soak in. The main pool is immediately in the parking lot, but there are paths which will take you to a grouping of four pools a short walk away. Additionally, there are more pools if you take the path starting behind the bathroom, I like these pools best. In total, I know of 11 pools that are enjoyable to soak in at Travertine Hot Springs.
In the distance while soaking at Travertine you will see the Sawtooth sub-range of the Eastern Sierra mountains. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
If you are up for an adventure, I have heard that there are more pools hidden in the landscape, so if you are up for a challenge, go find one!
ARE TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS OPEN DURING THE WINTER?
The Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport do not close and remain open for every season. These year round pools are an excelent way to relieve soar muscles after a long day in the mountains. Visiting Travertine Hot Springs during the winter is a great time because you will rarely find other soakers, meaning you will have pool of your choice.
Note: If there is bacteria outbreak, the pools will be closed. This does not happen often.
IS THERE A BATHROOM AT TRAVERTINE HOT SPRINGS?
There is a bathroom at the main parking lot of Travertine Hot Spring. This bathroom is a pit toilet and often has toilet paper. However, I suggest bringing your own toilet paper just in case. There is no way to wash your hands, so bring some hand sanitizer.
Discover More of the Eastern Sierra
How To Pack For Backpacking
The time has come to pack your backpack, hit the trail, and sleep in the dirt. Backpacking is an adventure combining hiking with backcountry camping, so be ready for a deep thigh burn and dirt under your fingernails. Living out of a backpack combined with the lack of conveniences makes backpacking an enjoyable type two activity. In the moment, as you labor up a steep grade, you might question your decision to go on this trip, but as you roast a marshmallow for s’mores and stare out at the Milky Way you’ll cherish those steep grades like a badge of honor. If this is your first backpacking trip, or your 10,000th trip, I promise there will be a nugget of goodness in this article.
Kristin and Abi testing out their sock-hop skills after arriving early to their campsite. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
The time has come to pack your backpack, hit the trail, and sleep in the dirt. Backpacking is an adventure combining hiking with backcountry camping, so be ready for a deep thigh burn and dirt under your fingernails. Living out of a backpack combined with the lack of conveniences makes backpacking an enjoyable type two activity. In the moment, as you labor up a steep grade, you might question your decision to go on this trip, but as you roast a marshmallow for s’mores and stare out at the Milky Way you’ll cherish those steep grades like a badge of honor. If this is your first backpacking trip, or your 10,000th trip, I promise there will be a nugget of goodness in this article.
Dalton warms his hands after a solo night cowboy camping in the Utah desert, coffee soon awaits. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Pick your style: Overnight vs Multiday
Once you know where and when you are going on your backpacking trip, the next step is to decide the style of travel, and comfort, you want while camping in the backcountry. In general, backpacking has two tiers; ultra-light or light. While a few ounces may not seem like much, on a backpacking trip, every ounce counts. The easiest way to decide your style is to select a backpack.
Ultra Light Backpacking and Overnighters (aka light-and-fast)
If I am looking to go ultralight, I’ll bring to a 40-50L backpack, my favorite is the Prospector 50L. Why 40-50L? If I am going ultralight, there is no item in my pack that doesn’t have at least three functions thus my gear can fit in a smaller pack. What I love about the Prospector 50L is the roll top, mesh pockets, and back panel access. As most of my ultralight outing are focused on a peak, or a climb, I appreciate the back panel access to quickly grab climbing gear without creating a yard sale to grab that locking carabiner sitting in the bottom of my pack.
Pros: Lighter, so you can go farther faster, your knees will like you more, you can accomplish a smash and grab mission with a short weather window
Cons: Less frills, you’ll probably eat mostly dehydrated meals, you’ll jump in fewer alpine lakes
Extended Trips and Multidays (aka slow-and-steady)
If I am looking to go the distance, I’ll bring a pack in the 60-65L realm, like the Parkview 63. With the added weight and bulk of the additional gear, I will be moving slower, but I’ll be able to stay on the trail for longer, especially with the added volume of the spindrift layer. The real reason I opt to move slower is to enjoy the place I am visiting with those I love. If I know I want to be more comfortable, eat well, and bring a camp stool. I chose to move slow and steady, so I can be with the people and places I love longer.
Pros: You can jump in all the alpine lakes (no watersheds!), time is on your side to cook better meals, more time with the loved ones in places you love
Cons: A bit heavier, more time between showers
Waking up atop Hourglass arch. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Pick your gear to fit your style
Once you know how you plan to move, your kit is the next key component. So, what are your options? For myself, I typically group my sleeping style as such:
Cowboy Camping
The closest you can get to sleeping in the dirt. Either you know it isn’t going to rain, or you don’t care, so you ditch the tent and sleep in the dirt, maximizing your Milky Way views. Pro Tip, bring a tent footprint to protect your inflatable pad from abrasion.
Solo tent
While cowboy camping is a great way to connect with the dirt, having shelter is essential in the mountains. The Copper Spur HV UL is a great option for solo trips. Pro Tip, you’ll need a bigger pack than you think when traveling solo, I would suggest springing for the Parkview 63L pack so you can make good coffee in the morning!
Sharing a tent:
It might be a little bit stinky as the nylon holds in the warm air generated from our bodies, but on a cold night, sharing a tent can keep you 10+ degrees warmer. One of my favorite parts of sharing a tent among others is that I can pack other luxury items, like my skyline ultralight chair. Pro Tip, if you have extra gear or winter gear, size your tent up to accommodate. I like the Tiger Wall UL3 when looking for extra comfort.
Packing light for the overnight climbing trip ahead. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
10 Questions to Answer Being Heading to The Trail
Do I need a permit to camp or hike throughout my trip? What about a fire permit or backcountry closures?
Where will I get drinking water?
Does my backpack fit correctly? Click HERE for sizing info
Do I have enough breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and dessert for this trip?
Have I double-checked that my stove works, I have a lighter, and I have enough fuel to cook my meals?
Have I checked the forecast? What is the weather going to be like while I am out?
Do I have warm layers and rain gear? Click HERE for puffy layers
Do I have the correct sleeping pad and sleeping bag packed? Click HERE for more info
Is there cell service? If not, how will I communicate in case of an emergency and route find?
Have I double checked for first aid, have everything packed, and let someone know my trip plan?
Desiring a casual overnight adventure, Kristin and Dalton packed their backpacks, climbing gear, and dinner for two to climb the South Six Shooter. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
With over 800 nights slept in a tent, I’ve come to find these little tips and tricks help to get started backpacking. When going into the backcountry, having fun and returning safely are always my goal. To do this, having the correct group, gear, and skillset is essential. Even-though I opened this article up by saying backpacking is a type 2 fun, there are several moments of type 1 fun along the trail. Heck, I wouldn’t spend roughly half my year under the stars if it was all type two! So, call your friends, pack your trail mix, and get out into the backcountry. And make sure to brush up on the seven Leave No Trace™ principles before you lose cell service.
Find Your Beyond
Rewinding one calendar year, to September 2020, I was slouched and red-eyed, staring at google earth dreaming up ideas, such as climbing notable peaks in a single season in three different mountain ranges like the High Sierra, the Tetons, and the Cascades. All of these ranges have a lifetime of climbing within them, so I knew I would be a guest, cherry-picking the classics, but I still wanted to give this a try. So, I started training. As the plans for the trip developed and I connected with past climbing partners, like Luan, Beau, and Kristin. I started to get psyched, but felt a void.
Rewinding one calendar year, to September 2020, I was slouched and red-eyed, staring at google earth dreaming up ideas, such as climbing notable peaks in a single season in three different mountain ranges like the High Sierra, the Tetons, and the Cascades. All of these ranges have a lifetime of climbing within them, so I knew I would be a guest, cherry-picking the classics, but I still wanted to give this a try. So, I started training. As the plans for the trip developed and I connected with past climbing partners, like Luan, Beau, and Kristin. I started to get psyched, but felt a void.
As I bouldered in the Buttermilks just outside of Bishop, CA, my gut struggled to comprehend why I wanted to make this trip happen. Questioning my intentions, I desired a trip with more meaning. So, I started looking in all the wrong places like at harder routes, more committing routes, and played with the idea of trying to solo all the routes to give myself that extra little bit of risk. Luckily, reality and the fear of gravity winning overtook me as I slipped off my warm-up boulder.
Kristin walks the bridge rail on String Lake in Grand Teton National Park, WY. Photo by Dalton Johnson
Sitting on my crash-pad, I received an email from a friend asking me if I had heard about Adventure Scientist - I had not. Adventure Scientist is a non-profit based out of Bozeman, Montana whose mission is to equip partners with data collected by leveraging the skills of the outdoor community that is critical to addressing environmental and human health challenges.
Fully invested in my rabbit hole with two bars of service, I sent off an introduction email with the idea of collaborating on the trip of the three ranges. To myself, I thought, “how cool would it be if I could summit a peak and collect water samples on my way down?” Needless to say, I was overeager and naive, but they responded politely and walked me through the requirements for data collecting… I didn’t fit the bill.
Data collection takes a very small commitment, the ability to return to a place over a couple of months. Since I was moving around, this didn’t work and I was gutted. Staring at the sky from my pad, I questioned what these last five years had been about, then it hit me. I flipped the script and asked if I could utilize my skills with a camera to create a piece for them, highlighting a few of their all-star volunteers. The door was opened and my training now had a purpose.
Kristin embraces the light as she takes in the magnificent view of the Teton Range in Jackson, WY. Photo by Dalton Johnson
As mid-July rolled around, the time to test my training had come, as did my ability to create with purpose. Three months on the road, shooting and climbing every day I could. Coordinating with Adventure Scientist, climbing partners, and reaching summits became my focus.
Watching the sunset from my van’s roof, sleeping in roadside pullouts, swollen knees, dust-filled camera sensors, hot spring star-gazing, and huddling soaking wet under a tree during a thunderstorm at the base of a climb have become my reality.
If you are interested in joining Adventure Scientist the process is streamlined! Head over to https://www.adventurescientists.org, decide if you are a scientist or adventurer, then go through the application process. In total, be prepared to spend two hours learning how to correctly collect and record data. Don’t let the idea of two hours hold you back! Instead of binge watching your next Netflix show, drop into the application so you can help preserve our planet’s natural spaces.
This article was originally written for and published by Oros Apparel. Read the original article at this link: https://www.orosapparel.com/blogs/journal/find-your-beyond-dalton-johnson
Did I Pull an April Fools Joke on Myself?
Two days later, I pedaled away from the hostel the man at the airport had suggested. Winding through the city streets of Christchurch, I was eager to make it to the main road that circles New Zealand’s South Island. Upon arriving at the T, I asked myself, “clockwise or counterclockwise?” For the first time, I had a hunch that I knew what I was doing. Feeling confident, I recall thinking, it’s the second half of summer, I should go south now, so I am in the north for the fall. So, I went right and pedaled along the coast, embracing a freedom that I had never known before.
Only a few days into the trip, I was already blown away by the beauty of New Zealand.
I landed on April 1st with a dream, backpacking equipment, and no idea what I was doing. When I say no idea, I mean a man in the airport lobby walked up to me and said, “Son, you’ve been standing there a while, do you know where you are going tonight? It’s going to be dark soon.”
Surprised by his voice and greener than green, I looked at the man and responded, “I’m going to bike around the country.”
His eyes look around me and in the nicest way possible, he musters up the courage to ask, “Did your bike get lost in route?”
I giggled to myself, I truly had no idea what I had just signed up for, “Nope, I was going to buy one here.”
“You know, all of the stores are closed already, right? You’ll have to get a hostel tonight and then tomorrow get your bike.”
“Okay, that sounds great! Do you know any hostels?”
One of my first nights on the road was spent here, in a storm, on the side of a grassy hill.
Two days later, I pedaled away from the hostel the man at the airport had suggested. Winding through the city streets of Christchurch, I was eager to make it to the main road that circles New Zealand’s South Island. Upon arriving at the T, I asked myself, “clockwise or counterclockwise?” For the first time, I had a hunch that I knew what I was doing. Feeling confident, I recall thinking, it’s the second half of summer, I should go south now, so I am in the north for the fall. So, I went right and pedaled along the coast, embracing a freedom that I had never known before.
Flashback a few weeks, I had graduated early from college, with a BS in Mathematics, but I had no direction. As a kid, I dreamed of seeing the world and being a writer, but, somehow, I studied math. Luckily, I had a professor who took me under his wing and shared travel tale after travel tale. His experiences made him a professor of life, more than a math professor. As I packed my bag, my worried parents barraged me with questions that I did not have answers for. These questions were simple, like; “where do you plan to sleep?” “How much money do you have and is it going to be enough?” “You have never ridden a bike longer than 5 miles, how far do you plan to ride?” All I knew is that I watched a Rocket Power movie about riding bikes in NZ and Professor Klosinski had told me of the natural beauty New Zealand offered.
Standing in front of my trusted steed, Roam’n, I used to cycle around New Zealand's south island.
Armed with a journal, an iPhone (without a data plan), and an overconfident mantra of “I’ll figure it out along the way” I disregarded crazy looks from my family and friends. How hard could riding a bike be? Naïvely, that last question should have been one I asked myself! But, I am glad I didn’t, otherwise, I would not be sharing this story.
Call it beginners luck, but the first two weeks had passed and I had not crashed, nor had I gotten a flat tire. I started to get in the groove and my days, while unplanned, developed a routine. Wake up, eat anything, pack up, ride, eat lunch, talk to myself… A LOT… ride, pitch my tent, read, journal, sleep. Oh yeah, occasionally reference the map that I carried, since I didn’t have GPS. My body was in good shape and to my butt’s surprise, it didn’t get sore! There came a day that I thought to myself, Maybe I have the perfect cycling butt, I never get sore!
As the summer faded into the fall, my dad and brother visited. We packed my bike, that had earned the name Roam’n, into the van they had rented. We drove around the island over 10 days. My wet and stinky self, pissed my dad off from the start. We couldn’t find each other and my sense of time had become non-existent. While a watch was strapped to my wrist, my attachment to social norms had gone out the window. Turns out, I was three hours late. Today, I understand why he was upset, but I was dumbfounded in the moment. As we drove around the island, we created memories. We made many side trips, hiked trails, and, as if I couldn’t get my biking fill, went downhill mountain-biking. Ten days go by quick, but Roam’n and I picked up where we left off.
My dad, brother, and I standing at a road side vista. These are a dime a dozen in New Zealand.
By this time, I had been away from home for over a month. The white line of the road had replaced the black line of the swimming pool, that I had stared at since I was three years old. I did not listen to music nor podcasts, so, I did the unbearable, I learned to sit with myself. When I started the journey, I did not know… well… anything. I was flying by the seat of my pants, without an agenda, only an idea that I honestly didn’t care if I finished because I had tried.
While trying is great, so is finishing, but sometimes you have to ask yourself, Is worth it? Not long after my brother and dad left, things started to break. My back tire had to be completely rebuilt as eleven spokes snapped. I popped two inner-tubes. My panniers were ripping from the constant moisture. Rain became a daily tradition and there was one weekend where I read I sign saying, “Flooding possible, 5 meters of rain expected.” My boots, yes I cycled in mountaineering boots, were sopping wet. I found out the difference between $100 and $600 rain gear is the duration of rain it can repel. I should have sprung for the $600 gear! I got the flu. And to top it all off, I received word from home, that a friend had been diagnosed with cancer and most likely wouldn’t be alive by the time I got home.
Each day and night was different, sleeping next to farms, on beaches, hell, I slept in a sheep shear shed one night! The further I went into the suffer-fest, the greater joy life brought me! People would stop and invite me, sopping wet, into their vans for midday tea and biscuits. I was offered countless hot tubs (but strangely not many couches or showers). Eventually, I made a Dutch friend to cycle with for two days, that was a delight! Ironically, a French couple had hair buzzers and we shaved my shagged head, putting a J and F into the sides to honor my friend and teammate, Julian Fraser. Other amazing acts of kindness included; my rear tire being rebuilt for free, a tip to use rubber gloves to ward off frost-bite, about seven meals, and honey, lots of free honey!
With only a couple of days left, I watched the sunset every night as I made my dinner. This is just one example of what it was like cycling around New Zealand alone.
As struggle was met with kindness, I continued to pedal. The rain never stopped at the end of the trip, but each night I was greeted with a miraculous thunderstorm. Headwinds turned into tailwinds as I rounded the top of the island for my last week of riding. That final stretch I took slow. So slow, I actually ran out of food the night before making it to Greymouth. With a hungry belly, I pedaled my way to a hostel for my third warm shower in two months. My legs burned in pain and I couldn’t sleep, only stretch. While I waited two days for a bus to take me back to Christchurch, I learned how to make bread from a German couple.
I knew my time in New Zealand had come to an end and it was time for me to return to California. While I had been insistently journaling about what I wanted to do in my life for 62 days, I was coming home with no answer. There was this side of me that wanted to return to the pool and attempt to make Olympic Trials for swimming. There was a side of me that wanted to return to school and get a master’s degree to become a teacher. There was another side of me, the one that weighed the heaviest, that told me I needed to go home and make money. Regardless of my choice, there was a pull that I could not resist, no matter how hard I tried, for me to continue to explore. But, what would that look like?
It’s a Micro-Adventure Kind of Season
A micro-adventure is a mindset and physical outing directed to exploring. Since these are small, most micro-adventures will happen in your backyard, wherever that be. Now, some people will be luckier than others because of where they live, but even a city-dweller can have micro-adventures. The goal is to change your perspective on your current life situation and push yourself to go. Most of the time a micro-adventure will leave you asking yourself, “why would I ever do that?” The answer is “because it sounds like fun… kind of.”
Several years ago, as I was diving into the world of adventure, I was introduced to the concept of micro-adventures. Alastair Humphreys is a human of the grandest and smallest adventures out there. I highly recommend checking him out and his book, Micro-Adventures, where coined the term and revamped backyard adventures in the UK. Some of the after-work adventures are silly, meanwhile, some of them are quite the challenge. In the United States, we would call a micro-adventurer a weekend warrior, but there is a difference.
Kristin Riegel enjoying a night under the stars in Joshua Tree National Park, CA. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Micro-Adventurer vs Weekend Warrior
Okay, yes, some of you might say that I am splitting hairs here, but I truly believe there is a difference in the mindset of a micro-adventurer and a weekend warrior. So, what is the difference? A weekend warrior lives for the 57 hours they have from the end of work on Friday until they begin work again on Monday. Meanwhile, a micro-adventurer isn’t afraid to make the most of any opportunity, no matter how small. Heck, you could have a micro-adventure during your lunchtime break if you wanted!
Are you a micro-adventurer or a weekend warrior?
Are you more inclined towards quick escapes or epic expeditions? Here's how to discern if you're a micro-adventurer or a weekend warrior:
Time Frame: Do you prefer short, spontaneous adventures (micro-adventurer) or longer, planned excursions (weekend warrior)?
Distance: Are you drawn to nearby experiences (micro-adventurer) or do you seek remote destinations (weekend warrior)?
Intensity: Do you enjoy moderate challenges (micro-adventurer) or crave extreme adventures (weekend warrior)?
Frequency: Do you seek frequent but brief escapes (micro-adventurer) or plan fewer but more significant trips (weekend warrior)?
Preparation: Are you comfortable with minimal gear and planning (micro-adventurer) or do you thrive on detailed preparations (weekend warrior)?
What is a Micro-Adventure?
A micro-adventure is a mindset and physical outing directed to exploring. Since these are small, most micro-adventures will happen in your backyard, wherever that be. Now, some people will be luckier than others because of where they live, but even a city-dweller can have micro-adventures. The goal is to change your perspective on your current life situation and push yourself to go. Most of the time a micro-adventure will leave you asking yourself, “why would I ever do that?” The answer is “because it sounds like fun… kind of.”
How to Become a Micro-Adventurer?
While having a badge, sticker, or challenge to say “I am a micro-adventurer” would be a great community builder, the fact is, it hasn't happened, yet. Or, maybe the muddy shoes and frizzled hair at work is the badge of honor. Regardless there isn’t glory, nor is there any financial gain, but you will do some pretty fun things! In the beginning, most of your friends will think you are crazy, just embrace the confusion. So, to begin keep your micro-adventures simple. Come up with a micro-adventure, I suggest doing it with a friend and trying it out. Keep it local, keep it simple, keep it fun! Below is a list of micro-adventures for you to try, all of them are accessible in some kind of capacity, but they do require you to get creative… but that is the point of a micro-adventure.
After-work Micro-Adventures
Rappel down a canyon
Ride your bike to the woods
Weekend Micro-Adventures
Paddle down a river with friends
Load up a pack, walk out your front door, and don’t come back until after work on Monday
Head to a lake, or pond, and catch your own food and sleep in a tent
Climb a mountain, sleep on top, come back to work a little bit stinky
Sleeping in tents under the milky-way in the High Sierra Mountains, CA. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Yup, you might seem crazy to your friends when you ask them to join you, but you just might be! Tell your friends about the trip and share the stories you accumulate. Micro-adventures are a reset to the daily grind, an opportunity for you to hit that reset button and lower your stress levels. Sleeping outdoors, under the stars, you’ll have a perspective change. You’ll appreciate your hot shower a little bit more. You’ll realize how easy it is to cook on a stove, with pots, in comparison to roasting a fish over a fire. So, stop waiting and start planning for your after-work adventure tomorrow. Get outside, explore your backyard, and have a blast!
Discover More Micro-Adventures
How to Stay Fit While Living on the Road
While six pack abs and bikini season are always around the corner, van life might prevent you from getting to those goals. Yes, you are closer to access the outdoors if you plan your van trips correctly, however you aren’t going to have much space for working out, especially if the weather does not agree with your routine. If you plan on being a weekend warrior in a van, fitness won’t be a point of topic you’ll stress much about. However, if you decide to commit full time and have aspirations of maintaining your gym-centric body, guess again! With that said, below are five tips to maintain your fitness level while crammed in your tiny home on wheels.
While six pack abs and bikini season are always around the corner, living on the road might prevent you from reaching to those goals. So, how do you maintain your fitness while living on the road? While traveling in a van you are closer to access the outdoors if you plan your van trips correctly, however you aren’t going to have much space for working out, especially if the weather does not agree with your routine. If you plan on being a weekend warrior in a van, fitness won’t be a point of topic you’ll stress much about. However, if you decide to commit full time and have aspirations of maintaining your gym-centric body, guess again! With that said, below are five tips to maintain your fitness while living on the road.
Dalton Johnson does yoga outside of his van at a trailhead near Bishop, CA
Staying fit while living on the road has been a main focus of mine as a travel photographer. After seven years of living on the road, I have tried I have found the best to stay fit is to be active everyday. Setting aside an intentional 30-60 minutes to be active has kept me healthy while living on the road. Being active can vary, but I have found yoga, running, or going to a gym to be the best.
1) Create a stretch/yoga routine
While stretching in your van can be difficult if you don’t have space, there is almost always a park or beach or parking lot to stretch in. For myself, stretching has been the key ingredient to maintaining a healthy body on the road, because I am driving just so dang much! All that driving means LOTS of sitting. So, to counter this, I have dedicated time daily, to loosen up my body.
Some of the stretching areas are the hips and the shoulders. For the most part, these are my high areas of use and abuse, but that comes with the territory of driving, surfing, hiking, and climbing. Also, tossing in a few core exercises have added significant benefit to my life, so maybe thing about that as well.
The best part about yoga is that you really don’t need much:
-Yoga mat (this one is rad! It is made of recycled wetsuits)
-A strap or belt to be lazy while stretching
I also heavily suggest using a foam roller! These are small, easy to use, and you fell AMAZING afterwards!
Click here to check out my yoga YouTube channel called Yoga for Dad’s
Sherman eats a well balanced diet while on a rock climbing trip through Yosemite National Park.
2) Eat mostly plants, avoid processed sugar
Maybe the influence of Micheal Pollen’s book, Omnivore’s Dilemma, had a greater influence than I thought, but pack your fridge, or cooler, with veggies and leave behind the sugar. At first, the added time of eating vegetables was tedious, then I learned about meal prep and life became just that much easier. Just because you live in a van doesn’t mean you can’t live like you live in a home, the van is just a small home.
The biggest difference was in the snack world. Transitioning from potato chips to no-bake protein balls was a game changer. Yes, I do take a day each week to prep some food, but it is worth the time. Letting go of processed foods has helped settle my stomach as well! Here are couple of ideas for you to whip up:
-Tacos… the easy way out, yet still delicious
Check out these cookbooks designed for healthy ideas while living on the road:
Note: I still love sweets and eat them on the daily. I am a total sucker for Oreos! They make me happy and as long as I don’t eat a whole box, I am going to be okay and happier in life.
Elliot bouldering on a V2 high ball in South Lake Tahoe, CA
3) Do something outdoorsy, like; running, hiking, swimming, surfing, climbing, skiing…
Everyone enters van life for their own reasons, however I have come to realize the majority of those I meet are interested in deepening their relationship with the natural world. Typically moving from one national park to the next, those who travel and seek beautiful places are keen to getting outside. One of the best parts of van life, is the access that is provided. You no longer need to go to a national park to see the beauty, you can explore other places, like BLM, Wilderness areas, and so much more. While you do this, you will find an activity that suits your interests the most. That could be surfing, hiking, photography, climbing… the list goes on and on.
Regardless of your interest, if you are getting outside the chances are you are burning calories. As you move your body more often, you will start to find those uphill hikes to be easier. If you are a surfer, or climber, you’ll find that all of these opportunities to practice, you’ll get better. In many ways, this tip is long winded, but the key here is to find something that lights you up and go do it!
Check out some trip reports from my recent travels:
-Lake Tahoe Sisters Link Up (Mount Freel, Jobs Peak, and Jobs Sister) in a day
-Climbing Mount Langley, a California 14,000 foot peak
-Photographing big wave surf spot, Mavericks, from the water
4) Walk to your errands, save gas along the way
The most expensive part of van life is your gas. Moving your rig takes time and fuel, so why not skip it?! Have a bike, a skateboard, or, heck, just walk to where you are going! Not only will you get your steps in the for the day, you will save money, see the neighborhood a little bit different, and help the environment out.
Now, excuses make it easy to hop in the driver seat and motor you way to the grocery, because you can’t carry those groceries back, but you have options. Here are some easy solutions:
-If you don’t have enough hands, bring a backpack
-If it won’t all fit in a backpack, buy less
-If buying less isn’t an option, make two trips
-If you just don’t want to do it, make it a challenge
I’m not saying do this every time. Just do it a couple of times a week, a month, a year. In the end, these are just ideas to get you out and moving your body instead of locking up those hips while sitting in the drivers seat.
Often the best views take a little extra effort to enjoy, so stay fit and go seek wonderful views while living in a van.
5) Have resistance bands for working out, this can easy be done inside of the van
Resistance band workouts were popular during my time in college for rehab, which made me discount them as a viable workout, but that was my mind trapping me. With the right thickness of band, all exercises with enough reps can become a workout. If you are trying to become Arnold Swartzinigger, the bands are not going to be enough, but if you are trying to avoid muscle fatigue and live a healthy life, they are great.
Bands that I use:
-The Roll… great just in case you break a band
-Circular Bands… you don’t need these but they are nice (just tie yours together)
Upper Body Routine:
Three rounds of:
-Internal Rotation (20 Reps per arm)
-External Rotation (20 Reps per arm)
-Rows (20 Reps)
-Biceps curls (20 Reps per arm)
-Strict Press (20 Reps per arm)
-Wrist wriggles (20 Reps per hand)
-Tricep extensions (20 Reps per arm)
I promise, you’ll feel the burn if you have the correct “weight” to your band.
6) Don’t be afraid to stretch in your bed! This might be your largest area.
Getting out of bed is a key to starting the day, yet, in a van your bed might be the largest area that you have to move your body—queue the middle-school giggles—so make use of the space to stretch. In my van, I don’t have enough space to do the pin-wheel stretch nor supine twists on the floor, but I do on the bed. Often, you’ll find me stretching while journaling before bed. I’ve found once I get out of bed, make the bed, getting back into bed to stretch or work, I don’t have the urge to sleep.
Conclusion:
In the end, enjoy your time in a van and try not to stress about your physicality. As you are closer to nature than you have ever been before, take full advantage of the opportunity. Go for walks, go for hikes, enjoy your time with the access to the outdoors, and find what makes you happy. If you are eating mostly plants and being active, you are probably going to be healthy. On the flip side, if you are training for a goal, get after it and understand you can remain fit and train in a van depending on the type of training you need to do. Either way, go have a blast and enjoy van life!
Three Most Important Life Lessons I’ve Learned To Date
In 2016 I took a leap of faith, bought a plane ticket to New Zealand as a graduation gift to myself for finishing college, and cycled around the South Island of NZ. Without a plan of action, all I knew was that I needed some time to sit with my thoughts and process as much as I could during that time. Sixty-two days is a long time without music, internet, social media, etc. but I can say, 62 days went quickly and wasn’t enough time to unpack the 24 years of living I had experienced. Getting caught up in the social conditioning of America is a road map to safety. Well, being safe isn’t living, and I wanted to live. While pedaling through rainstorms, almost sliding off roads, and sharing cookies and tea with strangers, I started to feel alive.
In 2016 I took a leap of faith, bought a plane ticket to New Zealand as a graduation gift to myself for finishing college, and cycled around the South Island of NZ. Without a plan of action, all I knew was that I needed some time to sit with my thoughts and process as much as I could during that time. Sixty-two days is a long time without music, internet, social media, etc. but I can say, 62 days went quickly and wasn’t enough time to unpack the 24 years of living I had experienced. Getting caught up in the social conditioning of America is a road map to safety. Well, being safe isn’t living, and I wanted to live. While pedaling through rainstorms, almost sliding off roads, and sharing cookies and tea with strangers, I started to feel alive.
I knew returning to the US would be a challenge to keep the stoke alive, but I did my best, ending up in a wide variety of seasonal jobs while launching a career in photography and writing. Now, six years have passed and I seem to be moving along quite well, so I wanted to share three of the most important life lessons I’ve learned to date. Check them out below:
1) Focus on long-term growth, meanwhile, recognize to grow over time you need to have a direction and perspective.
In a data-driven world, I’ve found the daily obsession around views, likes, follows, clicks, etc. to be intoxicating. In many ways, getting data drunk has been an obsession of mine. If data can’t show what’s going on, why even do it? Well, that is the wrong approach. Yes, day-to-day metrics show improvements and errors, but for a sustainable life, it is the trending slopes up, or down, that make the difference. Every day doesn’t need to be positive, and when there is a dip in the data, that’s an opportunity for growth. If a trend is upward, then you are growing. If the trend is down, zoom out, is it still down?
A view from Glacier Point of little Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, CA
In the hopes of understanding long-term growth better, I have started to look at data in sets of a week, month, and year. A week is the smallest time frame because that is all that matters. If I go viral, that is a great hype for a day, but that isn’t long-term. Yes, I will analyze what made that video go viral, but what’s going to matter more is consistently showing up, day in and day out, dedicated to your direction.
A quick note, goals are the tasks required for you to continue in your direction. In many ways, a goal is simply a step, hop, or jump in your direction. Each time you achieve a goal, you take one step further down your path, towards your north star. Now, in the end, we are all just racing towards the end of our lives, so make sure the path you are walking is one that you enjoy! If it isn’t, then start rethinking, you only live this life once.
Perspective matters. When it comes to data trends, I focus on the average low. When I say that, I mean, I am focused on raising my bottom line. For example, I had a goal, back in 2017, for my website to have zero days with zero visits. At the time, I didn’t offer much and my blog was complete trash, so I wasn’t surprised that I was getting zero views, but that focus made me improve. All I wanted was a minimum of one view a day. Fast forward to 2018, my goal was to raise that bar to a minimum of 20 views a day. That is an upward trend. That is raising the minimum bar over time. On the flip side, the spikes feel great! They raise the average and make the numbers better for sales purposes, but they are short-lived.
Okay, okay, I have shared enough on business—because it is tangible—, let’s get back to what matters, the soft skills. As a human, we have an obligation to ourselves to always strive to do our best. Some days, our best is better than others, but the key is that when we look back on any day, we gave 100% of what we had that day to that day. I have stayed away from this example because there is no data, so now is the time to get touchy-feely. Long-term growth as a human means that we become a better person, this you can/will only be able to define for yourself. Do you need to improve your relationships, your love life, your focus, your…? The list can go on and on, but the key here is to pick a few goals so that you take the steps towards your direction. One of the best, and most morbid, ways to understand your direction, is to write your ideal obituary. Once you have this down, check-in as to where you are at, identify the gap, and get to work. As you do the work, your path will change, that is okay, but if you don’t start, you won’t know the current path isn’t for yourself. So, get started!
To wrap up this life lesson, if you manage your perspective and follow your direction, you’ll be in good shape. In today’s world, it is easy to get lost among the numbers, but, at the end of the day, what matters is that you are enjoying your time in harmony, trending upwards over time, and trying your best not to get caught up in the rat race! Work towards you might change, more on this in Life Lesson Three, but that is okay. Start working on yourself now and, over time, you will be on the correct path.
Journal Topic:
-Write your ideal obituary/how you wish people to remember you. If this is too morbid, write down four adjectives you want to be remembered as.
-Once you know how you want to be remembered, objectively write out where/who you are today.
-Lastly, compare the two, then start making changes (you might be surprised to find out you are already on your way!).
Enjoy the journey, but also make this life count!
2) Invest your time into projects with a shelf-life.
I was told this by a couple of established photographers, especially around the concept of a portfolio-building road trip, but the lesson did not sink in for many years. At first, I shook my head and agreed thinking to myself, “Of course, you want to invest in projects with a shelf-life, I mean who doesn’t want to create something that lasts?” Then I headed off on a trip to climb all of California’s 14,000-foot peaks in a single push with a buddy. We summited roughly half, gave many more an attempt, but ultimately this was a learning trip. Once done, I had to head back to some seasonal work, at the time this was substitute teaching, to make enough money to survive. While teaching, I edited, wrote, and submitted images. Nothing.
A tip to making work last is to shoot a “timeless” photograph, such as this one.
One month, two months, six months passed and there wasn’t much of a bite. I had heard back from Patagonia, they archived some images, but that was all. The images I had edited found their place on my social media feed and in a few blogs, but nothing to generate cash. A bit disappointed, I photographed surfing every day after teaching and took the day off if the swell was good. As time continued to pass, I submitted more surfing images, met some of the local pros, and tried to keep my head high. Occasionally, I would get the odd photo job, sometimes a yoga portrait session, sell a print, shoot a video job, or write some copy for somebody just to keep the dream alive. It was hard! Then, almost a year later, things started to pop!
That trip I went on, started to get some traction. A magazine submission came back and was accepted, with 12 images and an essay. That was real validation. I received some money and had several spreads. Another month later, Patagonia licensed an image, then another. During that time, I had posted some of my favorite landscape images from that trip on my website as prints, those started to sell. That trip went from costing me a couple of thousand dollars to now being a profitable trip. As wild as it sounds, five years later, I am still licensing images from that trip. I am still selling prints. I am still writing digital articles with those images, about that trip.
So, while I didn’t understand what it meant to invest in projects that have a shelf-life at the moment, I was lucky enough to make my first trip count. While I didn’t know how to sell a project upfront, I did come to realize that there are ways to sell a trip once you finish. Honestly, I have grown to love creating projects and selling the work later. This kind of trip allows me to maintain the full creative license, but, this means there is a lot of self-disciplined work that has to be done following the trip.
Now, outside of photography, what does it mean to invest in a project with a shelf-life? The easiest way to express this is through a term called Mailbox Money. This means money comes in once the work is done. So, I will give some examples:
-Writing a Blog, if you can have advertisements on your blog, you are making money as people read your posts.
-Rental Properties, I agree, this might seem far-fetched for some, and I don’t have any rental properties, but if you are receiving rent each month, that is mailbox money… even if the rent is covering your mortgage ie building equity for yourself.
-Stock Dividends, once you own the stocks that pay a dividend, sick back and wait for your check. At first, this might be small, but over time this can grow if you invest correctly
-YouTube channel, once you publish the video, YouTube pays you after a certain amount of views. Find your niche and create videos, over time this will pay off!
-Books, online classes, print sales, NFT, all of these are great ways to generate income over time. You just need to create the asset first, then fulfill the request once purchased.
Journal Topic:
-List out 15 things you do that make you happy.
-Look at the list, and search each one on Google and YouTube, this will give you an example of the blogs and YouTube channels that exist, could you do that?
-Map out the process for you to start, then start taking steps! This will be your side hustle :-)
Not everything can be clear, so embrace the blurry side of life! Revist and revise along the way.
3) Revisit, revise, and update along the journey.
How often have you done something 100% right the first time? I don’t think I have ever done that! Heck, I am on my fourth version of this blog, second edit of this version, and still finding errors. Once we have started with a direction and recognized the important projects to focus on, the next step is revision. Refining our process, converting bad habits into good ones, and revisiting our compass to make sure we are headed in the correct direction along our journey. Let’s be real, that shiny thing over there is cool and I want it too. Heck, who doesn’t want that shiny thing over there? And, if we fall into our curiosity of that shinny thing, we should enjoy it. Recognize you might be off-course but start working your way back.
Andrew Muse enjoying the last bits of light after a full day of riding motorcycles along HWY 395 in CA.
Here is the dirty secret, starting is just that, starting. Once you begin, you will quickly recognize if what you started is for you. If it feels good, continue. If it doesn’t serve you, stop and revise. As you experiment with many different things, find the common thread of the ideas, actions, inactions to find the root of the path. Your path is unique to you, and you will never find it in the form of a blueprint. What you will find are emotions, feelings, intuitions, and data points all pushing/pulling you in a direction. As you wander that path, you are saying yes with each step. Each step forward is into the unknown, but that unknown will be filled with feelings. If the feelings are off, revise. Take a step back. Sit with the idea, flesh out new paths, then proceed.
This has been relatively meta, so let me break this down in a more concrete manner with a personal example. Once I returned from my bike trip to New Zealand, I was a bit lost and wandered for two(ish) years. The seasonal jobs allowed me freedom but did not pay much. Along the way, an Art Director, at Outward Bound, told me I should pursue a career in photography. At the time, I only shot for fun, but I took his advice and began developing my craft. I limited my time surfing and rock climbing so that I could photograph surfing and rock climbing. As I developed “my style” I realized I am not much of an action sports photographer, but more of a lifestyle shooter who conveyed the concept of fun. I was getting some jobs, but not much. A bit defeated, I started going back to the drawing board and re-found my love for writing (which was showing up in daily journaling practice as well as blog writing). At some point, I just offered to write a blog with photos to a client to tell the story. They said, “YES,” enthusiastically and immediately. That gave me the courage to offer this more often. I think the year was 2019, or 2020, but I went from one to two jobs a year to one job a month of photos and a blog. As that developed, I started to write two a month and now I am often writing/shooting 6-10 pieces a month! Kinda crazy!
I think this example directly sums up the power of these three life lessons. With direction and growth over time, I was able to develop a craft. At some point a few projects I invested in circled back around months later after a small revision in my approach. Then, BOOM! I started to thrive.
Journal Topic:
-List TEN things, both positive and negative, that you are currently doing that brings up emotions.
-Once ten are listed for both types of emotions, think of ways you could revise your position for the ten negative and think of ways you could deepen for the positive.
Life can feel overwhelming like wandering through the dunes of Death Valley.
Conclusion
Hopefully, there are a few nuggets of goodness in this for you, or at least these lessons got you thinking about your position in life. Please, take the time to dive into the journaling topics, reach out if you have any questions, and let me know what resonated with you. In the end, the goal of sharing my journey and my path is to provide some clarity for others that it is possible if you have a direction, invest in long-term projects, and revise along the way. You have the ability and the power within yourself to live a life of happiness. Go live that life!
Three Tips for Taking Better Silhouette Photographs
Imagine, it's a Friday night and you want to go hang with your buddies for an afternoon surf, but can't get in the water. This doesn't mean you can't have a good time. Heck, you might even be able to have more fun. Well, this is kinda the situation that I was in, but still wanted to hang out, so what did I do? Well, I grabbed my camera and headed to the beach.
Video Link at the BOTTOM for visual learners
Imagine, it's a Friday night and you want to go hang with your buddies for an afternoon surf, but can't get in the water. This doesn't mean you can't have a good time. Heck, you might even be able to have more fun. Well, this is kinda the situation that I was in, but still wanted to hang out, so what did I do? Well, I grabbed my camera and headed to the beach.
Locked and loaded with the 150-500mm lens, I joined in the action in my way, from behind the lens. Photographing @andrew__muse and @kickerdogmuse during a surf session. My goal was to shoot a little story about going to beach, focused on silhouette to create a timeless feel. Here are a few tips I focus on to get create silhouette images:
First, face subject into the sun:
While counterintuitive and breaking the "rules" of photography 101, shooting into the sun to make the subject backlit.
Second, place the subject just above the horizon:
This means, get your body on the ground if you have to. Heck, you will often find me rolling in the dirt to make this happen! Pro tip, don't wear your Sunday best while shooting.
Third, have a clean background:
The key is to have the background be simple, clean, and bright. Sunset or sunrise works best for this. You can shoot midday, but shadows become complicated!
Summary
Well, there you have it, this is how I focus on shooting silhouettes.
But remember, this is was more about joining in the fun with friends, even though you might not be able to get in the water for a surf. So, how do I do that? Well, as a photographer one of the best gifts I can give are images of my friends. So, I hook them up with some of the frames from that day and we get to laugh at some of the bloopers and crashes, meanwhile gawking at the images which capture them riding waves!
Long story short, there is almost always a good way for you to join your friends on an adventure, so get out there and live!
One Week of Van Life in the Eastern Sierra
Upon finishing the week long VLOG challenge, I am very excited to say that I completed the challenge and have been continuing with videos. They are fun to make and share with you all. Providing a glimpse into vanlife, a career of photography, and the long term value of living an engaging life.
Day 1: A crazy rainbow after a mountain storm breaks
It’s not every day you get to watch a storm break over the mountains, a full rainbow, and an epic sunset. I mean, starting the day in Bishop, CA I awoke to rain. At first, I thought the day was going to be a bust, because I didn’t get to climb, but instead it was quite the opposite. I mean, yeah, I didn’t climb, but whatever.
I ran around chasing rainbows with my camera and favorite @tamronusa lenses. I captured a few epic timelapses of the storm breaking, and eventually snapped a few sunset shots in the Alabama hills of Mount Whitney and Lone Pine. What a blessing today turned out to be! Well, I hope you enjoy day three of this vlog. If you like what you see, give me a like or comment. Heck, if you wanna be totally awesome, give this a share on your story and tag me.
Thank you so much for watching! If there is anything specific you want me to share let me know. You can DM me or drop it in the comments below 🤙
In this episode: Storm breaking Trail run Bishop, CA Whitney Portal Drone footage Sunset photos Driving Breakfast @daltonjohnsonmedia
Day 2: How to make the BEST pancakes in a van!
Pancakes!!!
Quite honestly, today was a day of bopping around and making the most of it. This morning was a slow one focused on journaling, business strategy, and photo ideas. From there I finished a blog, drank coffee, stretched, and MADE PANCAKES! I actually went into a deep dive of how to make pancakes my favorite way.
I met up with @andrew__muse and his adorable pup @kickerdogmuse Andrew drove to the Whitney portal from San Diego with a few packages for me from @tamronusa @kleankanteen and @timbersurfco so now we are set to head to Baja!
As the day progressed, I chased those two around in search of photos and epic landscapes. Pretty sure we nailed it. More for you all to watch and see here in the coming days!
Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful evening!
Sleep well and keep being awesome 🤙🤙
day 3: The start to the funniest video I have made to date
Why do we take ourselves so dang serious?! Well, today, I decided to stop! After a sunrise shoot with capitalizing on the alpine glow, @andrew__muse allowed me to suit up and put some creative ideas into practice.
While I still need to edit the video and put out for you all. As well as finish up the shooting, there are still a couple of ideas in the trunk that need to be pulled out. I am already excited for how outlandish this thing is. My guess, I find this funnier than you, but, hey, who is comparing?!
Anyways, we wrapped the rest of the day up with a few fun shoots, took the dirt bike for a ride and did some donuts, and then had a very peaceful and PG photoshoot in a tent.
All in all, today was fun. Lots of content was made, and we just had a great time doing it! I hope you had a fun day 🤙
Shout out to @timbersurfco for getting a board to me quickly before heading to Baja!
day 4: The MOST creative photo portrait session I have had!
Creativity for creativities sake! That was the mantra for todays.
At 5:20 am I awoke and started the day off with a photoshoot in a classic Alabama Hills locations with @andrew__muse
Once back at camp @mindbodywithleah and I put together a photo idea. Brainstorming an idea to try to balance the masculine and feminine.
Around 2:00pm we headed off on a hike to a really sweet location in the mountains that has a bit of cool climbing history to shoot the idea.
All in all, this was a blast to shoot!
Note, while I was shooting stills, Andrew was shooting video. I think he might be making a little cut from this outing as well!
Today is day 6 of my 7 day challenge. If you all have been liking these videos, let me know! Also, if you would like these to continue on, you should let me know as well!
day 5: I did it! One week of daily VLOGS
Well, it is day seven and it looks like I succeeded here! Very stoked to have given this a try and shared with you all along the way.
A fun week and honestly, these little pieces have been very fun to create! On top of that,the daily reflection has made this quite introspective. Life can definitely be fun if you look at the little details.
Heck, getting groceries today was fun and rewarding, especially because I knew I had nothing left to eat but a can of olives 😂
Anyways, I am totally rambling. However, I am thankful for you all! Hope you have had a great week 🤙
day 6: If money was not a thing, what would you be doing everyday?
If money was not a thing, what would you be doing everyday?
As life on the road has become my norm, I fill my days with fun, work, and curiosity. Through these three lenses I make my way through the day, typically finding something amazing I wouldn’t otherwise expect.
Todays gift was @mindbodywithleah taking the time to help me work out some chronic back pain I have had for the past few years. Turns out, my breathing, belly breathing, will be the driving habit to correct the pain.
Learning is cool!
Discover More of the Eastern Sierra
Rock Climbing with Comedian Influencer Beau Martino
After a little mix up, @cbeaumartino and I met up in the buttermilks just outside of Bishop, CA for some climbing. While waiting, the morning was quite productive as I worked on a blog about cool camping spots in the Eastern Sierra.
After a little mix up, @cbeaumartino and I met up in the buttermilks just outside of Bishop, CA for some climbing. While waiting, the morning was quite productive as I worked on a blog about cool camping spots in the Eastern Sierra.
Once Beau arrived, him and I went on a little circuit of V0-V2s and then scrambled the buttermilk scramble. It’s been a little while since I had climbed with Beau, but it’s fun every time! I’m this episode:
Bouldering
Rock climbing in Bishop, CA
Coffee
Van Life
Daily chores
Morning routine
Follow Beau Martino on Instagram!
Discover More of the Eastern Sierra
Creating Content for the Ford Bronco
Quite honestly, I would not have guessed when I made my business official (aka got a business license and started paying taxes under the business name "Dalton Johnson Media") roughly three years ago, that I would be photographing a campaign for @fordbronco or @outwardboundusa anytime soon. Realistically, I just wanted to pay my way by shooting odd jobs here and there to fuel my adventures. I really never had a list of dream clients, nor did I care to reach out to clients. While some of that has changed, my focus remains the same. I am here to live my life in accordance to my own view of success.
Throughout 2021, I was responsible to two major contributions to Ford Motor’s release of the Ford Bronco; the ambassador program with Andrew Muse and the Bronco Wild Fund collaboration with Outward Bound.
Ford Bronco x Andrew Muse Ambassador Program
Bronco Wild Fund x Outward Bound
Quite honestly, I would not have guessed when I made my business official (aka got a business license and started paying taxes under the business name "Dalton Johnson Media") roughly three years ago, that I would be photographing a campaign for @fordbronco or @outwardboundusa anytime soon. Realistically, I just wanted to pay my way by shooting odd jobs here and there to fuel my adventures. I really never had a list of dream clients, nor did I care to reach out to clients. While some of that has changed, my focus remains the same. I am here to live my life in accordance to my own view of success.
At first, I thought success meant scraping by, then I thought it meant making tons of money. I would hopefully say that I have matured a little bit since starting this journey, but one thing I am excited about are the opportunities that are opening up along the way.
I am ready for what is to come in this life, big and small :-)
Photo Gallery
Enjoying the Meaningless
Over the last year, I have focused on climbing more than ever before. Taking trips from Joshua Tree to the Tetons to the Buttermilks to Yosemite. Throughout that time, I have been able to meet tons of people who've showed me what dedication to a craft truly looks like. For the most part, climbing is a selfish pursuit, but a pursuit that is totally meaningless. Quite honestly, nobody cares who gets to the top of a boulder, crack, mountain. Sure, we may highlight the story within a community, but there really isn't much to be said about playing on rocks.
Over the last year, I have focused on climbing more than ever before. Taking trips from Joshua Tree to the Tetons to the Buttermilks to Yosemite. Throughout that time, I have been able to meet tons of people who've showed me what dedication to a craft truly looks like. For the most part, climbing is a selfish pursuit, but a pursuit that is totally meaningless. Quite honestly, nobody cares who gets to the top of a boulder, crack, mountain. Sure, we may highlight the story within a community, but there really isn't much to be said about playing on rocks.
Now, don't get me wrong, climbing is amazing and I truly think everyone should try it. Also, the lifestyle is admirable to me. For those who "give up their lives" to pursue something they care about are truly inspiring and motivate me, behind the lens, to push my craft and perfect my meaningless pursuit. Hell, it looks like we all are in the pursuit of meaningless things 😂
Please note, this is not meant to be pessimistic. I actually love the fact and find comfort in reassuring myself that taking photographs is meaningless in the moment, just like climbing a rock. However, it is what you do once the rock is climbed, or the photograph is taken, when meaning comes into play.
As my archive continues to grow, I am currently working through the idea/narrative I have built to understand where and what meaning can be found in these images. Where that will go, I am unsure. However, I am happy to see where that can go!
Considering Van Life? 6 Tips for Van Life Success
Vanlife, trucklife, bikelife, tentlife... all of them have their pros and cons, but the most important aspect is understanding why you do it in the first place. From the outside, a simple life can look like the dream, but there is also a reality that living on the road can be mundane, lonely, and scary. On the flip side, the highs are very high.
Vanlife, trucklife, bikelife, tentlife... all of them have their pros and cons, but the most important aspect is understanding why you do it in the first place. From the outside, a simple life can look like the dream, but there is also a reality that living on the road can be mundane, lonely, and scary. On the flip side, the highs are very high.
If you are considering living on the road for a night, a week, months, forever... Here are a few tips:
1) know why you are doing it
If you can understand why you want to live on the road, then the hours spent alone, wandering, wont hurt as badly. To use an example here, if you have the opportunity to understand your why then you can never get lost. How is that so? Well, if you are feeling lost—which all who live on the road do from time to time—you can circle around to your why and continue on the path. If, at some point, you realize your why is incorrect, that will hurt, but better now than later!
While on a rock climbing road trip to Joshua Tree National Park in California, Kristin enjoys her morning cup of coffee in her Four Wheel Camper adventure mobile. Photograph by Dalton Johnson.
2) find a community
Community is the saving grace. Luckily, almost every gypsy-like outing has a following of some kind. From climbing to kiting to under-water basket weaving, there is a group for you. Heck, just type that into Facebook, I’m sure you can find a group. Even better, I’m sure if you typed in, “Your Favorite Activity around Nearest Largest City” you will find something.
3) make sure to laugh everyday
Have fun! We can definitely get serious, focus a little to much, and get lost in the drive to be on the road. Especially when money gets tight. If you are feeling the pressure of finances, take a step back, take a deep breath, and acknowledge yourself for where you are at. If you don’t like it, start making changes today.
4) allow yourself to be a bit dirty
You are living on the road and most likely are not showering everyday, heck maybe not even once a week! Learn to enjoy this! Please, don’t be stinky while working next to me at a coffee shop, but really, enjoy your time as a digital nomad. Be free of the office, allow yourself to get a little dirty, wear a shirt a few times. Heck, learn how to do the smell check. If a shirt is in question, maybe toss it in the hamper—or get your partner to give it a sniff ;-)
With the backdoors open to ocean, Kristin enjoys the luxury of vanlife living while on a road trip through Baja, Mexico. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
5) always keep an eye on your water
Running out of drinking water is not a good feeling and I do not wish that upon anyone. Water is necessary for us to survive and let’s be honest, most Americans are not resourceful enough to seek out, purify, and store our own water. There are some of us. If you live on the road, you might want to figure out how to do this! But, for most of us, there isn’t a need, so don’t worry about it… until the zombie apocalypse occurs.
For myself, the rule of thumb I have for water is, once I have hit my last five gallons, I look to fill up. Five gallons lasts me roughly two, maybe three days. Usually, I can find a spring or public hose to fill up by that time. If not, there is always the water stations at a grocery store you can use to fill up a jug with water.
6) learn to poop in the woods
Call me crazy if you would like, but this is a skill all those living in a van, in a car, on the road, should be able to do. Now, I am not going to dive into the variety of tactics, nor the poop rating system that outdoor educators use while on course (this is an inside joke for any of you who work for NOLS or Outward Bound), but I will provide some good etiquette:
bring a shovel
dig a hole at least 6 inches deep
burry your poop
put a rock on top of it… if you would like, this is optional
Conclusion
Regardless of your road life vehicle, the freedom associated with living on the road is unparalleled. While times can be difficult, eventually you will find your stride. If you are considering moving into a vehicle, start slow. Consider doing a few weekend car camping trips with friends at first. Eventually, go for a longer road trip solo, or with a loved one. Once you have those under your belt, consider how you will make money to sustain the lifestyle, and then hit the road!
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out via DM on Instagram or through my contact sheet.
Discover more Van life Tips and Tricks
Backpacking Kearsarge Pass
Our thighs were burning as we tromped up Keasarge Pass to gain our first view into Kings Canyon. All three of us have explored different sections of the Eastern Sierra and JMT, but none of us had been to this area. To avoid the burn, we diverted our attention to the "What do you think is over there” game, trying to see who could paint a better picture of what was on the other side of the pass. Turns out, we were all wrong.
Our thighs were burning as we tromped up Keasarge Pass to gain our first view into Kings Canyon. All three of us have explored different sections of the Eastern Sierra and JMT, but none of us had been to this area. To avoid the burn, we diverted our attention to the "What do you think is over there” game, trying to see who could paint a better picture of what was on the other side of the pass. Turns out, we were all wrong.
The route, for those of you curious to do it yourself:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/kearsarge-pass-trail-to-kearsarge-lakes
Find your Ikigai to make your mission statement
At the chance of sounding like a self-help book, “Are you wandering, feeling a bit lost, and looking for a solution?” Well, I have the cure, just pay me $500… LOL! In reality, I was feeling like the above statement and was truly wandering, without much direction, until I was introduced to the concept of Ikigai. Now, I will be totally honest with you, I am not sure if Ikigai is a way-of-life, a philosophy, a concept, a practical guide to life, etc. Ikigai was introduced to me by a Jesuit Priest as he was reflecting upon his own life. While out at lunch, he shared his perspective and encouraged me to look into it for myself.
Introduction
At the chance of sounding like a self-help book, “Are you wandering, feeling a bit lost, and looking for a solution?” Well, I have the cure, just pay me $500… LOL! In reality, I was feeling like the above statement and was truly wandering, without much direction, until I was introduced to the concept of Ikigai. Now, I will be totally honest with you, I am not sure if Ikigai is a way-of-life, a philosophy, a concept, a practical guide to life, etc. Ikigai was introduced to me by a Jesuit Priest as he was reflecting upon his own life. While out at lunch, he shared his perspective and encouraged me to look into it for myself.
I get this sounds totally crazy, a Jesuit Priest introducing me to a word—that I am unsure if I can pronounce correctly—causing a spiral of events for myself after spending a few hours reading, listening, and learning about this word. Now, I am no expert on the subject, but I have dedicated at least 10-12 hours learning about the subject and more than I would like to admit thinking about the topic while wandering through the High Sierra in California.
Before this intro starts to drag,
Learning to Understand This Mysterious Word
After getting an introduction to the word, the first step was to understand. So, let’s dive into the word.
How do you say Ikigai?
As a westerner, I have no idea how to say this word! From the online translations, there is a general consensus the word should come out something like EE-KEY-GUY. That is the best I can do for you all. There is also a really solid Ted Talk on Ikigai where the speaker pronounces the word several times.
What is Ikigai?
Ikigai (ee-key-guy) is a Japanese concept that combines the terms iki, meaning “alive” or “life,” and gai, meaning “benefit” or “worth.”
Also, Ikigai can be loosely translated to “the reason for living.”
Why should you care—aka why keep reading?
If you are curious and want to learn how to look at this world through another lens, then this is an option. Ikigai can be another tool for yourself to become more self-aware. Also, if you are feeling off, the process to “find” your Ikigai is grounding as you will ask yourself a serious of questions and make lists about yourself, your skillset, and more.
Now, if you are skeptical because you feel great about yourself, then maybe this isn’t for you. However, I would make the argument that any opportunity to learn about yourself is worth the time. Heck you may learn something about yourself that unlocks that next step towards a long-term goal. At the worst, you wasted a couple more minutes of your life. Now, if you are Jeff Bezos, that would be expensive, but for most of us, this should be a fun activity.
How do YOU find YOUR Ikigai?
To “find” your Ikigai, you must put in some work. Well, actually a good amount of work. There is a process, so hopefully you have a journal, or something to write with, so that you can take notes and dive into yourself.
Learn about yourself by:
a) Making a list of what you love.
This list should include people, concepts, ideas, things, etc.
b) Make a list of what you can be paid for.
This list does not have be the things that you already are making money from, this could be a theory as well. For example, say you make sea-glass jewelry for yourself as a hobby… well maybe people would buy these and you could become a jewelry maker instead of an accountant.
c) Make a list of what are you good at.
Try not to overthink this one. What are you good at doing, making, sharing, connecting, etc. Don’t short yourself, we all know you are great at something!
d) Make a list of what the world needs.
What does this world need? What have you observed throughout your life that the world needs more of, make the list!
Ask the Following Questions:
-Where are the overlaps?
-What are the outliers?
-Is there anything that overlaps in all four categories; love, good at, world needs, and paid for?
-How does your heart differ from the voices in your head?
How I found mine and made a mission statement
Over the last couple of years, I have been working on this. Now, I will admit my attention has not been 100% given to this for years. Heck, I have given this the old college try, but the process has been helpful. Over that time, I took notes, journaled about these questions and made many lists. Eventually, I sat down and hashed out the final details. This is what it has turned out as:
“I would create a consistent message, with practical tactics, to motivate and awaken others from life's entrapments through photography and writing about adventure, nature, travel, and open ended questions.”
Now, I decided to take the step of turning my Ikigia into a mission statement. This might be a very western approach, but, none-the-less, this was a helpful opportunity for myself.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful, informative, or, at the very least, got something out of skimming this blog post. In the end, this is your life and you should live it as you please. There shouldn’t be anyone else taking control of you, your actions, or anything else. Be yourself and be happy with that! Be who you are supposed to be and contribute to the world as you feel you can.
How to overcome the fear of failing as a photographer
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to photograph a project for MiiR. The concepts were a bit broad and sounded a little something like, “we are releasing new colors to our classic bottle and want to showcase them in a lifestyle manner. We like your work and want you to just do what you do.” Now, when I receive assignments with directions that parallel this, I am usually at a loss. The wide open instructions for a photographic assignment often intimidates me for two reasons…
Everyday we have the opportunity to chose who we surround ourselves with, so chose spending time with those who make you feel loved, build you up, and fill your cup.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to photograph a project for MiiR. The concepts were a bit broad and sounded a little something like, “we are releasing new colors to our classic bottle and want to showcase them in a lifestyle manner. We like your work and want you to just do what you do.” Now, when I receive assignments with directions that parallel this, I am usually at a loss. The wide-open instructions for a photographic assignment often intimidates me for two reasons:
I never know if what I am shooting is what the client wants, even-though I am following their instructions
The measure of success is a complete unknown, so does that many everything is a success?
The way I counteract this intimidation is to logically move through the process of the shoot. Which kinda looks like this:
First, set an intention.
Whenever I pick up my camera, I set an intention. This can be as simple as a word, a feeling, a thing, or a statement. From my experience, if the intention is simple, you can use it like a mantra throughout your time shooting, which in turn keeps you focused. Often, I like to select a feeling. For this shoot with MiiR, the intention was love.
Second, concept the final product.
If you know where you are going, then all you have to do is get there. However, when you are given an open-ended photography assignment, the look and feel of the final product can be worrisome. This is where a mood board can play into the equation. A mood-board is a collection of colors, images, textures, designs, words that provide direction for the final product. Once you nail this down, you’ll know what the end result should look like!
Third, work backwards.
Once the concept is finished, I start to ask myself a million questions. When I say a million, that might now be an exaggeration. I want to flesh out all of the details that I can so that I can visualize the entire shoot. From the smallest details like what will the air feel like when clicking the shutter button to the logistical nightmares like acquiring location permits. The importance here, however, is to work backward from your final product concept. This process helps illuminate the fear of failing and is very loosely outlined below:
Final product is deliver to client
How do I save my finished files?
How do I edit my images?
How do I import and backup my files from the shoot?
How do I shoot this project? (this step will require at least 200 questions)
What does the final product look like?
Finally, let go and flow.
Once I have laid the foundation, the final step is to shoot. For myself, the best way I can do this is to share everything I have prepared with the team, have a pre-production meeting so we are all on the same page, and then let go. By letting go, I allow myself to be free of critique at the moment, I can trust everyone is doing their part, and I can have fun with the project.
To Wrap Up
Anytime I receive a commercial photography assignment, I am excited for the opportunity to push my limits as a photographer. Each opportunity can be stressful, especially if the creative is ambiguous, but trusting the process you develop for yourself will help alleviate that fear of failing, or letting down a client. In the beginning, it is important to allow yourself the space, time, and freedom to make mistakes without putting yourself down. Be hard on yourself, but only in a constructive manner. Hold yourself to the highest level, but allow yourself to flow. Most importantly, enjoy the process!
Four Must-Chill Hammock Spots
The real question is, “When was the last time you were upset after relaxing in a hammock?” As summer approaches and daylight extends well beyond that of a 9-5 job, what better way to spend your evening than in a hammock, maybe with a book or journal. For myself, living on the road my work hours are all over the map, but whenever I can find a place to hang a hammock and take in the view, I am in my happy place. Below are four of my favorite spots that I have hung a hammock.
The real question is, “When was the last time you were upset after relaxing in a hammock?” As summer approaches and daylight extends well beyond that of a 9-5 job, what better way to spend your evening than in a hammock, maybe with a book or journal. For myself, living on the road my work hours are all over the map, but whenever I can find a place to hang a hammock and take in the view, I am in my happy place. Below are four of my favorite spots that I have hung a hammock.
#1 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WY
Not far from the trailhead that provides access to the Grand Teton you will find a river and a few groves of evergreens. After a long day of climbing, trail running, and snapping photos, I found this spot, hung my hammock, and, as you can see, didn’t do much work. But that might have been the goal.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/EhpmtxRhMCJcagnB9
#2 BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON, UT
Sometimes life is most enjoyed when you remember that you are always a kid. While visiting Salt Lake City I found myself climbing in Big and Little Cottonwood. On a rest day from rock climbing, I went for a fun hike to Donut Falls (check this place out if you have the chance) and then headed out on a run with a pack filled with my journal and hammock. At first, I thought I was going to dig deep into the psyche, but realistically I ended up swinging in the hammock, falling on my face a few times, and laughing at myself.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/XE2XvySGViWFA34T9
Finding a perfect spot to hang a hammock in Colorado during the summer. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
#3 LEMON RESERVOIR, CO
Lemon reservoir has a small rock climbing crag where you can easily climb with friends, or top-rope solo if you are alone, in the morning and evening. During the day, it’s quite hot, so I escaped the heat among the aspen groves of Colorado, swinging in a hammock, with a book, and my legs kicked up. I’ll probably have a bite to eat as well, applesauce with granola has been my current snack of choice.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/k9DuUe8tvDRfcQgE7
#4 LAKE TAHOE, CA
Growing up just outside this adult playground, Lake Tahoe’s coastline is lined with perfect places to hang a hammock and journal. The blue water will put you in a trance as you stare, so watch out if you are on a timeline. Better yet, let go of your timeline and learning to take in the environment this earth has to offer.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/HN8pjnMcNs8uAbWP9
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Surrender to the Moment
When I first sat down to write this blog, I wanted to express the beauty and elegance longboarding holds. Erased line after erased line, the string of words could not match the self-expression and feminine endearment longboarding requires. My ego and masculinity wanted to force together words, hoping to create prose. Instead, I was faced with a challenge, similar to that of riding the nose or cross-stepping, to surrender.
When I first sat down to write this blog, I wanted to express the beauty and elegance longboarding holds. Erased line after erased line, the string of words could not match the self-expression and feminine endearment longboarding requires. My ego and masculinity wanted to force together words, hoping to create prose. Instead, I was faced with a challenge, similar to that of riding the nose or cross-stepping, to surrender.
To be frank, I do not think I achieved this in the lines, or photos, below. It’s still a work in progress for me!