Lately I’ve had a much greater desire to read than to write. However, it’s much harder to find the time of day to read on this trip than it is to find a half-hour of time to scribble some simple thoughts down. Maybe that’s all because writing is more physical and after a long day it is easier for me to stay up and write than it is to stay up and read. …

Ahh, Sunday afternoon, a time to relax for a peaceful time and just enjoy. Or, you could round up seven people and go to the local Airsoft arena and get shot at all day and end up with tiny little red dots all over your body at the end of the day. So it was another first. Hardcore Airsoft fans have a really interesting subculture. It’s strange to think how passionate people get into buying army gear and pouring hundreds of dollars into guns to shoot other people while working on tactics and strategies. …

This is a good lifestyle here in New Mexico. Things have been very chilled out. In 24 hours I’ve watched 3.5 movies. This is fantastic. I haven’t watched that many movies the last four months. Last night I watched Jackass 2. During lunch today I watched Star Wars Episode II. Before dinner I watched most of Master and Commander. Then this evening before bed we all watched Little Miss Sunshine. I’m letting my body relax and catch up with itself I suppose. …

Now on to the photos. I’ve become much more critical of my photography on this trip. And to edit the thousands of photos down to what’s on the site is such a task. “Should I use the one from the right or the left? The black and white shot or the color? Which shot is composed better? Detail shot or broad shot?” Hence, I usually just put them all up. Ha ha, not really. …

I force myself to keep my eyes open while I write another blog. All I want to do is sleep, but I know that if I don’t get things done now that I never will, e-mails, web updates, photo editing, writing, notes, and who knows what else. Usually I force myself to get at least eight hours of sleep the night before a driving day, but that didn’t happen last night, usually never does. …

A nearly perfect night and the only reason I say nearly is because I’m still not quite sure if “perfect” rally exists. Well this will be my one and only blog entry from Durango, CO, though there is probably enough to write about five entries. It’s only two nights here in Durango while on my way to New Mexico. My original plans to stay with my mom’s good friend Mike fell through as he’s out of town. …

I’ve been fortunate to snowboard out west the last four years. This marks year number five. It’s my second time snowboarding in Utah. My first time was in Park City in December 2002. As for today it was Snowbasin, just outside of Ogden. This trip was a little different. I was fortunate to have a tour of Snowbasin from Scott and Rick who both work for the National Forest Service. According to John, Scott is one of the top five snow rangers in the country. …

There is something different about the air in the mountains during the winter with snow on the ground. It doesn’t matter if it’s sunny or snowing, the air is just different. In my humble opinion it is the freshest air in the world. Maybe it has something to do with the elevation. I’ve only been in the mountains when there is snow, never without, so maybe snow has nothing to do with, I wouldn’t know. …

“What are you going to do when the trip is over?” That is the million dollar question. It is the question that I cannot get away from. Everyone continues to ask and I understand. But the more they ask the more I’m forced to think about it, the more ideas I get, and the more confused I get! What am I going to do! Hmmm… I’ve got a few ideas. There are a couple songs I think of. …

As for some more side notes… this morning John and I went out to breakfast at a local diner. I have to say that one of my favorite things on this trip has been going to local diners all across the country. It’s a true treat to find great locally owned diner. The strange thing is that I never used to like omelets, now it’s all I want when I go out to eat. …