Tag: first

June 24, 2019 – Crosslake, Minnesota

And I’m back. I can’t say that I ever really pictured coming back to Crosslake for round two, but here we are. I visited Mari and Syr (my first hosts) recently, and Kaia happened to be in town …

February 10, 2019 – Kirkwood Mountain, California

“Do you want to use this as a pillow?” I ask a guest as I present a bag of small towels. “Oh, thank you so much,” he responds as he lays across a number of lined up chairs …

April 22, 2018 – Sierra Foothills, California

And like that, I’m starting year four. [After an epic road trip from Iowa to California.] This place is beautiful. My host (Meibao) lives in paradise – surrounded by a pond, various mountains and forests, numerous pastures, and …

April 26, 2017 – Trout Lake, Washington

Over two years in, but here’s another first. I’m sitting at Jack’s neighbor’s house (Karen and Stuart) eating dinner with them and three travelers who arrived earlier today – Will from England, and Leah and Alex from Minnesota. …

May 31, 2015 – St. Paul, Minnesota

Has it been five months already? Tonight is my last with my first hosts, and the feeling is bittersweet. I’m afraid Mari and Syr have set the bar a bit too high. They’ve shown me the undeniable strength …