There comes a moment in every Gen Xer's life when you wake up, look in the mirror, and think... "Wait... when did THIS happen?" Seriously. Yesterday I was blasting Bon Jovi in my car, eating Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizzas after school, and trying to figure out how to record songs off the radio without the DJ talking over the intro. Today? I'm researching compression socks, comparing running shoes like they're luxury handbags, and getting excited over a Costco-sized bottle of i

What I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Running at 50 Spoiler Alert: Running isn't the hard part. Learning everything that comes with it is. There is a quote that says: "The best time to start was years ago. The second-best time is today." Whew. That one hits differently now. Looking back, I'm not sure I would have listened to that advice twenty years ago, but I sure wish I had started this journey a lot sooner than the ripe old age of 50. About a year ago, I casually asked

If you’ve ever been to Reno in April, then you already know the weather spins a giant wheel every morning and decides your fate. Will it be snowing? Will it be windy enough to blow your eyelashes off? Will you need shorts, leggings, a raincoat, and emotional support? The answer is usually: yes. Raven and I at Reno,NV 2026 But somehow, for the 2026 Reno's Biggest Little Half Marathon, we hit the weather jackpot. It was absolutely perfect running weather. Cool enough to be comf

Alright, fellow thrill-seekers and fitness fanatics, listen up! If you think adventure is just for the two-legged crowd, think again. Your pug, that adorable little snort machine, is totally down for some action-packed escapades. Sure, they might not be scaling Everest anytime soon, but these pint-sized pals have a surprising zest for life. So buckle up, because I’m about to spill the beans on the best pug adventure activities that’ll have you both panting (and not just from

Alright, fellow thrill-seekers and fitness fanatics, let’s talk about something close to my heart: adventures with my pug. Yes, that adorable little snort machine who thinks every walk is a marathon and every squirrel is a personal nemesis. If you’re ready to swap the couch for some fresh air and tail wags, buckle up. We’re diving into the best pug adventure activities that’ll have you both panting (in different ways) and grinning ear to ear. Bubby at the park for a walk day

Let's talk about GLP-1s. By now, most of us know someone who is taking one. Maybe it's Wegovy. Maybe it's Zepbound. Maybe it's Mounjaro. Maybe it's your neighbor, your coworker, your cousin, or the person who suddenly lost 50 pounds and claims they "haven't changed a thing." As someone who has been on a GLP-1 since 2023, I wanted to share my experience—the good, the bad, and the "why is my body doing this?" moments. I'll also share some of the information I discuss with patie

Alright, fellow wanderlusters and shutterbugs, listen up! If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your globe-trotting escapades and camera-clicking obsession into a full-blown travel blog that makes people stop scrolling and actually read (gasp!), you’re in the right place. I’m here to spill the beans on how to create a travel and photography blog that’s as addictive as your favorite Netflix binge and as eye-catching as that perfect sunset shot you nailed last summer. Silver Lake,

Alright, listen up, shutterbugs and pixel pushers! You’ve got a camera, a dream, and a bunch of killer shots that could make Ansel Adams jealous. But here’s the kicker - if your personal photography portfolio looks like a hot mess, no one’s gonna stick around to admire your genius. So, buckle up, because I’m about to spill the tea on how to craft a portfolio that actually stands out in the wild jungle of online photography. Why Your Photo Portfolio Tips Need to Be More Than

Sometimes a lake feels like a secret gift from nature—and Juniper Lake is one of those places. My family and I try to visit every year, but life (and wildfires) has made that a little harder recently. If you follow my blog, you know I often talk about the devastation caused by the Dixie Fire in 2021 . Sadly, Juniper Lake wasn’t spared. Located within Lassen Volcanic National Park , Juniper Lake is not accessible from the park’s two main entrances. Instead, you’ll have to do

Lake Almanor is one of the most popular lakes in Lassen and Plumas counties—beloved by locals and a must-visit spot for travelers. With its sheer size, there’s no way to see it all in one trip! My family’s favorite hangout is near Rocky Point and the Plumas Pines area. Sony 6700 with E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens, ISO 100, focal length 50mm, aperture f/5.6, shutter speed 1/400 sec. 📍 How to Get There: 🚗 From Reno, NV : About 170 miles (3 hours) 🚗 From Chico, CA : About

Silver Lake in 2025 four years after the Dixie Fire Have you ever been to a lake that feels small, cozy, and surrounded by the cutest little cabins? That’s Silver Lake in Lassen National Forest. A few years ago, these cabins were nearly lost in the Dixie Fire , so seeing them still standing today feels like a miracle. That said, the scars of the fire are still visible around the lake, and you’ll often spot locals working hard on brush cleanup. These two photos are taken from

Review of Walker Lake, Lassen County Sometimes one lake just isn’t enough. That was the case for us the other day—we started at Crater Lake (aka my “Baby Crater”), but quickly found ourselves lake-hopping to Walker Lake when my son got the fishing bug. 🎣 Crater Lake – Where Are the Fish? My son had his fishing pole ready, but rumor had it Crater Lake might not actually have fish. Later, some locals told me that fish do exist there—but they’re way down deep. Either way, my

Lassen Volcanic National Park: Snow, Sulfur & a Whole Lotta Burnt Trees Because nothing says “spring hike” like... surprise snowbanks and the lingering scent of egg salad left out too long. Have you ever stood somewhere so jaw-droppingly beautiful it made you gasp — and then you looked around and went, “Oh wow… this place has been through it ”? Welcome to Lassen Volcanic National Park , where Mother Nature’s beauty and fury go on awkward double dates and still somehow make it

Let’s talk about Northern California—the state's best-kept secret (and no, I’m not just saying that because the SoCal folks forget it exists). This place is a total movie set come to life: trees that look like they were sketched by Bob Ross, lakes so clear you can see your regrets at the bottom, and trails that make you say “I totally work out” even when you don’t. We recently took the chaos (aka the family) to Whiskeytown Lake National Recreation Area—one of only sixteen of