2020: A Year I'll Never Forget

Hey internet.

It's been a moment; I haven't blogged in awhile, mostly due to all of the adventures I've been having during this pandemic.

What kind of adventures you asked? The great outdoors of course (because everything else is closed). Seriously, this was the year that I learned that I don't need a gym to get a workout in, enjoy my surroundings, and have fun doing it. This was the year that I learned new skills, made new lifelong friends, and became an official REI member.

There was a time before the pandemic, where I ran with the LADWPacer crew, made new hiking friends, ate a crap ton of food during DineLA, participated in 75Hard, and ran a marathon for the first time.

And then of course, the pandemic hit, which pretty much shut down everything (including hiking). All of sudden, working at the office became working at home.

As I just finished 75Hard, I learned something important: there will always be things in your life you can't control, and all you can do is pivot and work with what you do have. So rather than working out at a gym, I started working out outside and meeting with friends at a distance to keep my social fill and fitness routines going.

Maybe one of the hardest things I had to endure is have my birthday without being surrounded by all of the people I love and hold close all while getting ridiculously fed and drunk at the same time. Despite that, I still had a great birthday with a 50 mile cycle out from Santa Monica to Malibu with two close friends who made me a brownie cake.

As soon as hiking opened up, I drove my car a whole hour out from my area just to catch an early sunrise and get my fix on the valleys and hills out of the outdoors. I learned how hiking has easily kept me at ease during the pandemic.

One of the best skills I've ever picked up was backpacking. While it was our intention to go as a group and go across Catalina, that never happened with COVID. But I did end up using my sweet new backpack in Ojai out to a natural hot spring with Zoe and Grace. These two have literally changed my life for the better.

So many adventures...

Sunrise adventures...

Slotted canyons...

National Parks...

We have done it all. And I haven't forgotten our two additions along the way: Jeanne and Alex who are now a permanent part of the crew.

And of course, there were guest appearances all along the way.

So many countless adventures this year. Everything from stargazing, to offroading, to drinking my beers on my mountain, to road trips across America, I have so many memories of one of the greatest years of my life.

And while I'd like to see each and every one of you even during a state of pandemic, I understand that everyone's situation and comfort levels are different. I know I missed several faces who may have not made this post. All the more that you should know how much I think about every single one of you and how I miss just being around in your presence. Whether you know it or not, I've thought about all the people who I would see under normal circumstances.

For me, this has been one freaking amazing year and also one freaking frustrating year to get through. Despite a pandemic, I've had some amazing experiences and memories that I'll never forget. It has changed who I am and how I want to live my life. It's been a year of growth both from a physical and mental stance with the year being both fast and slow at the same time.

I truly hope everyone is staying safe and being well during this time. I hope we can all look back at this year, reminiscing on all the amazing moments of growth and memories we've experienced. Whether we are staying socially distant or seeing loved ones virtually online, I hope we close out 2020 with the belief that 2021 will bring even better memories and moments that are just waiting to be lived out.

Let's make unforgettable memories for 2021! Stay safe, happy holidays, and happy new year to everyone.

Yours truly,
Rainier