Dreaming of Thailand

Going to Thailand had been a dream of mine for almost 2 years before I left. Of course, when I was an engineer, I could always afford it, but there was no way my employers would ever give me the time off needed to really make the trip worth it. You can only do Bangkok in the standard 1-week long American vacation, and let’s be honest, the time and money it takes just to see Bangkok is not worth it. Going to a beach in Mexico for the 23rd time is still better than only seeing Bangkok.

Ending Thailand

Yes, I’m ending my trip in Thailand because I need to come home and be in an environment with no distractions, no I shoulds constantly pulling me in 10 different directions, so I can focus on making it on my own, but I won’t say that was 100% of the reason.

Long before I had even considered someone like me could visit a far off place like Thailand, I always had another dream. This dream dates all the way back to high school. And with my last chance of living dreams staring me in the face, now is the time to realize it.

The Month of October

The month of October is the single greatest month of the year in my life. It is the month in which you can wear shorts and flip flops in Boulder; then head to the mountains to go snowboarding.

But October in Colorado is not what’s calling me back. In fact, October in Colorado is frustrating because you skip Fall altogether. Like I said, it’s still summer in the cities but goes straight to winter in the mountains. After a long, hot summer, winter is incredibly appealing, and I spend more time in the snow than enjoying Fall. Plus, Fall in Colorado isn’t even in the same ballpark as the Upper Midwest. I mean, no apples? No pumpkin festivals?? No corn mazes?!

Fall in Wisconsin.

I have a hard time putting into words exactly how that season makes me feel. All I can do is list all the reasons it’s amazing and hope that some of it resonates with you and you feel the same.

The temperatures are perfect. Average highs in the 50’s with big, bright sunlight. An occasional frost in the morning, and perfect sleeping temperatures at night. Open the windows in your room and crawl under 2-3 blankets to stay warm.

No mosquitoes.

Fish are starting to fatten up for the winter, and there’s no better time for catching walleye, small mouth bass, crappies, and Muskies.

Female deer are in estrous. Which makes hunting a lot easier to gather 6 months of protein.

With low temps and no bugs, you don’t mind wandering mindlessly through the woods looking for partridge and other birds to hunt.

Campfires.

Wearing hoodies, jeans, leather boots…..and not sweating

Oktoberfest in a part of the country that has a significant German heritage.

Green Bay Packers football.

Leaves.

Apples.

High school and college football.

Watching the steam rise from the river as the sun is shining through the vibrant colored leaves while sipping your morning coffee on the deck.

My Dream in Wisconsin

My dream is to spend the entire month of October without the burden of a job in Wisconsin. Of course, I do have a job, and I have projects, and I have other ambitions, but I don’t have anywhere I need to be. I don’t have to go sit in an office just to put in face time for 40 hours a week while only working 10.

I can wake up, drink coffee while fishing with my dad, come home and work online, go to the woods for a couple hours, and then work a little more in the evening. I don’t have the distractions of being in a place where “I should be climbing.” Or “I should” be doing anything. I can, Just Be.

If this is my last stint of freedom, then I’m going to do everything I can to realize as many dreams as possible, and this has been important to me for years.

I just hope you all get to realize yours someday, no matter how big, how small, or how weird they may be. I mean, let’s face it, who dreams about watching football and sitting in a boat for an entire month?