I fell in love with the road, when I was unexpectedly left to travel (backpack style) for a year alone. Initially a hiking/climbing trip around the world, turned into a cultural experience that I was far from ready for, but what I needed. Since my return, I have been saving money by working in an outdoor gear shop while playing in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. Now ready to hit the road for another year starting on my 30th Birthday (August 20, 2011). This time with a purpose, as far as purposes go. I will finish a children's novel and post children’s bed time stories, travel blogs, and other various writings, while I participate in library and school readings. Having this purpose will focus my climbing bum/van-living tendencies, hopefully! On top of riding my beaten down 10 speed bike 300 miles to Burning Man, I will be rock climbing my way to British Columbia, ice climbing and back country skiing in Alberta, flying to the UK for two months with my mom, and hiking with my little sister across Canada, to land in Florida where my Italian Godfather promised a cruise. All the while living in my van (1993 Toyota Previa starting at 240,000 miles) and the occasional bivy, I hope to maintain my Paleo diet, and a travel style of van Crossfit, learn Spanish and guitar. Wow, that was a mouthful, but that’s me, now how about tomatoes! Tomatoes are anti-oxidant fighting carcinogens, full of vitamin A & K & calcium, chromium which helps insulin levels, and great for skin and hair, but they are not vegetables, they are in fact, a fruit. A thousand words is a lot, so I’m going to end at 360, you’re welcome.