Vol. 1.
No. 1.
The
Overland Monthly
Devoted to
The Development of the Country.
SEPTEMBER, 2024.
San Francisco
J. Spurlock & Company, Publishers,
500 and 520 Third Street
London: Hunter & Co.
60 Paternoster Row
Basel: Wittert & Co.
Münsterpl. 9
Table of Contents
- From Redwood Groves to Baseball Diamonds
- Fireside Feasts and High Sierra Adventures
- Two Sentinels Camp
- Jackson, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Beyond
- The Road Trip
- Back to School
- Glaciers, Trails, and Two Wheels
Note from the Editor
Welcome to this special collection of my sabbatical adventures! Inside, you’ll find stories from the road, memorable moments in nature, and reflections on time spent with family. This collection is inspired by the spirit of the Overland Monthly, a magazine that John Muir himself contributed to during his efforts to protect our natural landscapes. Much of what I experienced is tied to the beauty of our national parks—places Muir worked tirelessly to preserve.
I hope these stories inspire you to explore, reconnect, and appreciate the little joys in life. More importantly, I encourage you to visit and protect these incredible spaces, ensuring their legacy for future generations. As always, your feedback is welcome—feel free to share your thoughts or questions. I’d love to hear from you!
June Dispatch
From Redwood Groves to Baseball Diamonds
June kicked off with an unforgettable adventure at Butano Creek, a camp nestled in the redwood forests of Pescadero, California. I attended a Girl Scout training there to prepare for the camp my wife and I would be volunteering at in July, Camp Two Sentinels. Surrounded by the towering redwoods, the training was an amazing way to connect with nature and get ready for the summer ahead.
From the peacefulness of the forest, I jumped headfirst into a whirlwind of baseball. With Little League All-Star games, Oakland A’s matchups, and everything in between, I found myself coaching, cheering, and attending over 25 games in a single month. The highlight of this baseball marathon was stepping in as one of the camp directors for Bronco Baseball Academy, running the camp for two weeks. It was a whirlwind experience but incredibly rewarding: Bronco Baseball Academy.
Adding to the baseball magic, I had the chance to play at Cleve Borman Field at the Veterans Home—a historic field dating back to the early 1900s. It was amazing to be part of the tradition of a place that has seen so much history: Cleve Borman Field.
On a personal note, I finally finished a long-awaited project—installing a new scoreboard at one of our baseball fields. This was a project I started back in 2020, but COVID derailed it for a while. Completing it this summer was a huge milestone and a proud moment for me.
June wasn’t just about baseball, though. I also had the opportunity to attend part of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference and watch John Gruber live. The highlight was an incredible live podcast at The California Theatre in San Jose, featuring special guests John Giannandrea, Craig Federighi, and Greg Joswiak as they dove into Apple’s latest announcements. It was tech heaven.
July Dispatch
Fireside Feasts and High Sierra Adventures
Two Sentinels Camp
Nestled among the Sierra Nevada’s towering pines and granite slopes, Two Sentinels Girl Scout Camp holds a treasure trove of history and tradition. Founded in 1936 by Paula “Vireo” Watt, who saw the need for a High Sierra camp for girls and built it with her own hands and the help of Swedish carpenters, this camp has been a haven for adventure and growth for nearly a century. From its early days as a camp with partially outdoor kitchens to becoming the longest continuously running Girl Scout camp west of the Mississippi, Two Sentinels has offered countless girls the opportunity to explore the wilderness, develop independence, and create lasting memories under the bright stars of the unpolluted night sky.
July brought a shift in plans for me at Camp Two Sentinels, where I originally signed up to be a driver, shuttling campers to various backpacking and hiking locations around the Sierra Nevadas—from north of Lake Tahoe all the way into the Yosemite Valley. I was pretty excited for that role, but a few weeks before camp, things changed. Due to some volunteer movement, I was reassigned to the kitchen staff. My new job? Running the flat top grill.
Though it wasn’t what I originally expected, the kitchen quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of camp. Mornings started early, with the sound of cracking 180 eggs for scrambled eggs or French toast, preparing enough hash browns to feed an army, and brewing life-giving coffee for the staff. There was a special camaraderie in that kitchen—we had fun every day, finding little ways to elevate the menu. One personal highlight was the day we made shawarma chicken, spicing it up to a level we thought might be too much for the campers. Thankfully, the cool tzatziki sauce we whipped up was a hit, and it became a camp favorite.
One of the more creative moments came when we set up a “drive-in moth theater.” Using a bed sheet and flashlights, we attracted moths at night, turning the glowing sheet into a stage for the campers to see these beautiful insects up close. A fellow staffer led the show, and photographing the event was pure joy.
From campfires and lake races to cooking with my family, this July at Two Sentinels turned out to be more special than I could have imagined. I’m already looking forward to returning next year to volunteer again.
After returning from our time at Two Sentinels, the original plan was to set off on our great western road trip. However, life had other plans. The unexpected passing of a close family friend led us to postpone the trip by a week so we could attend the funeral. Despite this, the spirit of summer continued with a steady supply of tacos, trying out birria pizza, and enjoying BLTs made with tomatoes fresh from the garden.
In between everything, we managed to squeeze in a weekend getaway to Serene Lakes, near Truckee, California. It was the perfect retreat, staying at a family cabin where we floated down the Truckee River, surrounded by stunning scenery. The sunsets were beautiful, and we took full advantage of the local bike park for some added adventure. It was a brief but rejuvenating pause before the next leg of summer began.
August Chronicle
Jackson, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Beyond
The Road Trip
Our much-anticipated Great American Road Trip began as we packed up and left our home in Concord, California, heading east toward Salt Lake City, Utah. The first leg of the journey took us to my parents’ home in Sandy, where we spent a few relaxing days. Between catching up with family, we drank what seemed like gallons of Swig and Sodalicious, indulging in Utah’s signature sweet drinks. We fired up the BBQ for a big gathering with the extended family and took a scenic drive up to Alta, where the wildflowers were in full bloom, set against the backdrop of stunning alpine vistas.
After our time in Sandy, we reconnected with dear friends before setting off for Jackson, Wyoming, our gateway to the next phase of the trip. We spent our first few nights just outside Grand Teton National Park, where the landscape felt wild and untamed, much like the adventures that followed.
Jackson quickly became a place of small delights, particularly our daily hunt for huckleberry ice cream, a local favorite. We made sure to sample it every chance we got, and the search for new ice cream stops became part of our routine. Staying by the aptly named Snake River, we even caught a few snakes, much to the kids’ excitement.
Camping, as always, brought out my love for outdoor cooking. Armed with our trusty grill, we enjoyed meals under the open sky before exploring the town. Window shopping in Jackson’s rustic downtown was a fun break from our wilderness treks—though, of course, we never missed a chance to grab more ice cream along the way.
Our hikes took us deeper into the park, and we were lucky enough to spot some of the area’s wildlife, including moose, deer, and even elusive pine martens. A special highlight was Jenny Lake, where we marveled at the flora and fauna before hopping on a boat ride that led to a hike up to Hidden Falls—a true gem of Grand Teton National Park.
Sharing the park with my kids was a particularly meaningful experience. Back in 2011, I had climbed Grand Teton, and it was fun to walk them through the route and recount the stories of that adventure. Reliving the experience, now through their eyes, gave me a fresh appreciation for the majesty of those peaks.
With our National Park Passport books stamped at Grand Teton, we set our sights north for the iconic Yellowstone National Park. Before making our way there, we had a memorable dinner at the famous Jackson Lake Lodge, admiring its stunning mid-century modern design. The Pioneer Grill was quirky and fun, a classic throwback where we could enjoy a delicious meal in a unique setting.
On our way to our lodging in West Yellowstone, we entered the park through the south gate around 7 p.m. The drive through Yellowstone at twilight was magical. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the landscape, and as we passed steaming vents and geysers, the atmosphere was both beautiful and solemn. It was one of the most serene experiences of my life, witnessing nature’s power and grace in such a quiet, almost reverent, way.
We spent five unforgettable days in the park, ticking off nearly every item on our Yellowstone bucket list. We marveled at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, explored the geysers and vibrant geothermal pools, and soaked in the rustic beauty of the park’s lodges. I especially appreciated the contrast between the classic rustic architecture and the clean lines of mid-century modern touches at visitor centers and eateries. Having grown up in the Western U.S., this was my first visit to Yellowstone, and it exceeded every expectation—I’m already looking forward to coming back.
To enhance the experience, I picked up “Yellowstone, Mystery and Marvel” from Wildsam Field Guides. It became my go-to reference for navigating the park’s history and sights. I can’t recommend their guides enough for future travels.
After our time in Yellowstone, we made a quick stop to visit family in Idaho Falls before continuing on to Twin Falls and Burley. Burley holds a special place in our hearts—my wife’s mom grew up on a potato farm there and learned to drive on the long country roads with her cousins. In a fun, nostalgic moment, each of our kids got a chance to take the family van down the same roads. Their excitement, mixed with our parental terror, made for a memorable experience.
We spent some time exploring Burley’s sights before heading down to Twin Falls for the night. The next day, we visited the iconic Perrine Bridge, where we watched a few BASE jumpers prepare their chutes and leap from the bridge—an exhilarating spectacle. A short drive up the road took us to Shoshone Falls, where we stood in awe of the roaring waterfall on the Snake River. The sights and sounds of the falls were a perfect finale to this leg of the trip.
With school starting in just two days, we packed up the van and began the journey back to California, knowing we had packed a summer’s worth of adventure into every mile.
Back to School
After a whirlwind road trip, we made it back to California just in time for the kids to jump right back into school. True to form, my wife and daughter squeezed in one last summer adventure before the school bell rang. Just like their spontaneous trip to LA for the Eras tour last year, they found themselves down at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, enjoying an Alanis Morissette concert the day before school started.
Meanwhile, I took on a different kind of project—demolishing the snack shack at the local Little League field, which had fallen into disrepair. With the help of my wife, Melissa, my son, Rush, and another Little League board member, we made quick work of the structure. In just a few hours, we had the building down and packed into a container, clearing the way for future improvements at the field.
Cruise Dispatch
Glaciers, Trails, and Two Wheels
Our Alaskan adventure began with an early start, boarding a 5:55 AM flight from SFO to Seattle. We chose the early flight to allow for any potential delays or mishaps, ensuring we’d still make the cruise if things didn’t go as planned. This turned out to be a good call—Melissa’s bag was left behind in San Francisco. Fortunately, Delta delivered it later that day to the AirBnB yurt we were staying in just outside Anchorage.
Opting for the yurt was one of the best decisions we made. With hotel prices surging to over $400 a night due to the cruise season, staying in a forest hideaway was not only cost-effective but also magical. Our little escape in the woods made for a unique and memorable start to the trip, surrounded by nature in true Alaskan style.
The following morning, we took a rainy shuttle from Anchorage to the Whittier cruise terminal. Along the way, we made a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood, where we were able to observe some of Alaska’s incredible wildlife, including bears, caribou, muskox, eagles, and owls. It was a peaceful and enriching stop, knowing these animals were living out the rest of their lives in such a tranquil, caring environment.
As we neared Whittier, we passed through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a remarkable feat of engineering and the longest tunnel in North America, stretching 3.5 miles. The tunnel, shared between trains, buses, and cars, operates one-way traffic, meaning we had to queue and wait our turn for the single lane to clear.
Despite the rain, boarding the ship was a smooth process. As we set foot on deck, we were greeted by the beauty of the bay, filled with stunning aqua-colored glacial water. Low clouds and dense rainforests framed the scene, giving the area a mystical, almost surreal quality.
After departing from Whittier, the first two days of our cruise were dedicated to scenic glacier cruising, and what a breathtaking start it was. Our first stop was in Disenchantment Bay, where we came face to face with the awe-inspiring Hubbard Glacier—North America’s largest tidewater glacier. Stretching 76 miles long, 7 miles wide, and towering 600 feet at its terminal face (350 feet exposed above the waterline and 250 feet below), the sheer scale of the glacier was staggering. Having only seen glaciers in books and on video, I wasn’t prepared for their grandeur, expanse, and the serene beauty of the bays. We attended a morning talk from a local naturalist who explained the fascinating process of ice flows and calving, helping us appreciate the dynamic nature of glaciers. A fun highlight was how the naturalist used a Milky Way bar to show the different movements of ice—simple but effective!
The next day brought us to Glacier Bay National Park, a wonder in its own right. Several park rangers came aboard, turning the ship’s nightclub into a floating NPS Visitors Center. This was one of the moments we had been hoping for, as it allowed us to collect another stamp and sticker for our NPS Passport books. As we cruised through the bay, we glided alongside icebergs, bergy bits, and growlers. A personal highlight was seeing hundreds of otters playing in the water, seemingly unfazed by the massive ship passing by. I couldn’t help but wish I could trade the cruise ship for a kayak, to be closer to those cute mammals and experience the bay on a more intimate level.
As the day came to a close, we capped off the experience by hopping into the hot tubs at the back of the ship. From there, we watched the glaciers and icebergs slowly fade into the sunset, sipping our drinks and soaking in the unforgettable views. It was one of those moments where time felt like it stood still—a perfect end to a magical day.
The next three days of the cruise were dedicated to shore excursions at some of Alaska’s most popular ports. We kicked things off with a visit to Skagway, Alaska, nestled at the heart of the White Pass Trail leading to the Yukon Territory. We rode the famous White Pass & Yukon Route train, crossing over the pass and taking in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The Skagway River, which started alongside us and eventually flowed far below, was a vibrant blue, matching the glacial waters we had seen. As we ascended, the clouds thickened, engulfing the train as we rode through the rain. It was cold, dreary, and one of the highlights of the entire trip for me.
After the train ride, we explored Skagway’s historic downtown. Many of the buildings have been preserved and are managed by the National Park Service, allowing us to step back in time and learn about the Stampeders who passed through this area during the Gold Rush. Walking through town gave me flashbacks to some of my favorite childhood books, White Fang and The Call of the Wild. We ventured out on a short hike to Smugglers Cove, where we found a small lean-to to rest and enjoy the peacefulness of the spot. I continued reading John Muir’s accounts of his Alaskan adventures, which added to the sense of awe and connection to the wild.
Next up was the capital city of Juneau, where I anxiously monitored the weather forecast. Rain totals were projected to be around 2.5 inches before noon—a huge number that piqued my interest, especially as a self-proclaimed rain enthusiast. (I even built a website to track rain at our local baseball fields back home, where more than 0.25 inches usually leads to closing the fields.) Fortunately, the rain didn’t interfere with our plans, and we opted for a rental car rather than a cruise excursion, giving us the freedom to explore at our own pace.
Our day in Juneau began with a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. It was incredible to see the falls and witness the stark reality of the glacier’s retreat. Watching time-lapse videos of the glacier’s evolution was a sobering reminder of how quickly these natural wonders are disappearing. The waterfall, once covered by the glacier, now stands much farther from the ice, a testament to the changing landscape.
From there, we drove to the end of the road (literally—the road just ends) to visit the Cathedral of St. Therese, a beautiful church and garden surrounded by rainforest, with ferns, moss, and flowers covering the island. We hoped to visit Glacier Gardens, but time slipped away, so instead, we enjoyed a serene walk along the beach to the former Treadwell Gold Mine. The mine, which closed in 1922, is slowly being reclaimed by the forest, with the lush greenery overtaking what remains of the old mining structures. It felt like stepping into a post-apocalyptic world, reminiscent of Horizon Zero Dawn, where nature has taken back what was once manmade.
Our final port stop was in Ketchikan, where we started the day with the entertaining and highly recommended Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Watching the sawyers demonstrate traditional felling techniques was surprisingly fun. Afterward, we explored Creek Street, famously known as the place “where both men and salmon go upstream to spawn.” The sight of thousands of salmon swimming upstream was incredible, and while I regret not taking the opportunity to fish, the sea lions provided plenty of entertainment as they pursued the salmon.
Our final day at sea took us through the stunning Inside Passage, a fitting end to an unforgettable trip. As the ship glided through the narrow waterways, it felt as though the nearby islands, including Vancouver Island, were bookends gently guiding the massive cruise ship through the passage. The views were breathtaking, with the lush forests and rocky shores of the islands framing our journey.
As we cruised through, nature once again put on a show. We were joined by humpback whales, their spouts breaking the water’s surface before their enormous tails kicked up waves as they dove. Later in the day, as the sun began to set, dolphins appeared, dancing alongside the ship, their sleek bodies cutting through the water like they were welcoming us back to shore.
The beauty of the Inside Passage, combined with the incredible wildlife sightings, made for a serene and memorable conclusion to our Alaskan adventure.
When we woke up the morning after our final day at sea, we found ourselves docked in Vancouver, signaling the end of the cruise portion of our adventure—but the journey wasn’t over yet. Our next and final stop was Whistler, a place that’s been on my bucket list since high school. I’ve always dreamed of coming in the winter for the skiing and again in the summer for the biking. On this trip, I was thrilled to finally check off that second item.
We took the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, where we shuttled our bags to an AirBnB within walking distance of the base. Our first day was spent exploring the area, with relaxing walks to Lost Lake, the Whistler Library, and Olympic Park, where we were treated to an amazing drag show. We capped off the evening with excellent burgers at Splitz Grill before heading to bed early, excited for our big day of biking.
The next day, I went all out and rented downhill bikes for us. Looking back, we probably would have been fine on enduro or even XC bikes, but riding with 8 inches of travel on those slack downhill bikes was a game changer—especially with the high pivot chainrings, which were a first for me. We hit the mountain early and caught the first chairlift up. The day was perfect: cool temperatures, clear skies, and plenty of sunshine.
After a few laps on Fitzsimmons, we grabbed the gondola to the top of the mountain and rode the famous Peak to Peak Tram—the longest in the world. The views from the top of Blackcomb and Whistler were stunning, making the ride all the more special.
The descent from the top was incredible. According to Strava, we covered 8.5 miles with about 3,500 feet of descent. One of the standout trails was Blueberry Bathtub, with its beautiful, flowy lines, fun jumps, and advanced technical sections. Both Melissa and I managed to get the wheels off the ground, which was a highlight of the day. I’m already looking forward to coming back someday, hopefully with a few days to really get comfortable on the mountain.
In true karmic fashion, I lost my day pass (probably on the first chairlift) and a glove (also on the lift). Thankfully, the glove was recovered, and the day pass was quickly replaced at the ticket office. Later in the day, I found both a season pass and a wallet for two other riders, which I happily returned. As a bonus, one rider let us use their season pass discount for lunch!
It was an amazing way to end the trip, and I’m thrilled to have finally checked Whistler biking off my bucket list.
As I look back on these incredible months, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Automattic for the sabbatical benefit that made this journey possible. The time to step away, reconnect with nature, and truly savor each moment with my family is a gift that I will always treasure. It was more than just a break from work—it was an opportunity to reset, explore, and grow closer to the people I love most.
To my amazing family: Melissa, Rush, Hailey, and Logan—I am so privileged to have spent this time together, building memories that will last a lifetime. Whether hiking through national parks, floating down rivers, or simply laughing over ice cream, we came away from this experience feeling more connected than ever. This journey reminded me just how special these moments are, and how grateful I am to have all of you by my side.
I’m reminded of something John Muir once said:
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
John Muir
This summer gave me so much more than I ever imagined—beautiful landscapes, new adventures, and a deeper bond with my family. I return to work feeling renewed, grateful, and ready for the next chapter.
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