My favorite place in the world is away from civilization. That won't come as a shock to anyone who knows me. But whether it be some dark woods, excruciatingly tall mountains, the vast open deserts, or golden plains, when I get to be alone and experience the natural world around me, I'm happy.
But I haven't had the chance to indulge in that lately as life has been busy. Parent-teacher conferences, dance recitals, soccer and gymnastics, the endless hours of work I do here to make RideApart the best place on the internet, and countless other pieces of life haven't let me get outside. These are facts of life, ones I signed up for, but they can take a toll on you and your soul after a while. At least, that's the way for me.
I needed a break. I needed time away. I wanted to stand out on a mountain's knob, stare off into the distance, close my eyes, breathe a deep breath, and exhale, letting my anxieties and fears and tension free. Setting them aloft to make myself lighter. And I got that in the deserts just outside of Las Vegas, a desolate place that further bred my need for adventure and time away from people. A place gorgeous in its starkness.
