Can you keep a secret?

I grew up in the wilderness with no permanent neighbours. One year before I started kindergarten, my mom took me on little walking trips into the forested foothills that surrounded our house, straight from our front door. To get me excited, she always asked, “Wanna go on a secret adventure?” Those memories of exploring nature with my mom (and sometimes my dad and sister) filled me with a sense of wonder.

Over the years, our family invented place names for our adventures. Whether it was traipsing through the Emerald Forest, swimming in the rocky Baptismal Tank, relaxing at the Resort, or leaping off the Jumping Rock into frigid glacial water, these nature spots left an indelible mark on my spirit.

Despite my familiarity with these places, it was not until I grew up and moved away that I truly developed an appreciation for the wonderful backdrop that nourished my childhood. Upon reflection on these memories, I soon realized that I had only explored a fraction of the vast wilderness that was my own backyard.

This blog is a journey of remembrance, rediscovery, and exploration: I will be paying homage to my childhood places, as well as voyaging to new and hidden wonders. As a young boy, I remember driving west while looking out the window, getting glimpses of mountain caves, wildlife, and rushing water. My head was filled with daydreams. Now, it is time to finally realize them.

I will be writing about both my outdoor adventures, as well as philosophical reflections of uncharted topics that stretch my own understanding. The idea of publishing reports about secret adventures does seem contradictory. However, there are two kinds of secrets: the first kind is hoarded until the grave, but the second is shared with a trustworthy few. My adventures are of the second kind.

If I’m aware of adventures I’ve been on that can already be found on the internet elsewhere, I will happily tell you about them and provide detailed directions. However, some secrets have to be earned; all other adventures will only have a few pictures and no directions—as well as one hint. You will have to become an explorer and find these places on your own. While I firmly believe in sharing the joy of discovering wild places, I also believe in conserving and preserving local areas.

Just as my mom showed me what I was unable to see on my own, I am willing to share my backyard and thoughts with you—so long as you promise to keep them secret and safe.