Thursday, January 14, 2021
South Rim Loop Hike | Big Bend National Park, Terlingua, TX
ODOMETER: 82,789 | MILES TRAVELED: 4,844
by Grant
After a restless night we got up at 6am, took the puppies out and loaded up the Jeep in preparation for our big hike.
We got away by 7am and arrived at the Chisos Trail Head just before 8am. We set off on the 15-mile hike with overall elevation gain of over 3,000 feet and the corresponding descent of over 3,000 feet. It is classified as a strenuous hike and that is the truth.
The trail was well marked, but very icy in places. The ice was the most treacherous part of the hike and added a lot of time as we carefully navigated the icy trail sections. We slipped dozens of times, but luckily never fell. Regardless of the ice, the trail was every bit as challenging as we had hoped.
Jana and I had an incredible time. The views ranged from spectacular to majestic. The flora shifted significantly as we changed elevations and we saw some amazing birds, deer and even a Road Runner.
We arrived back at the trailhead at 3pm and were tired, sore and elated! It was probably the best hike both Jana and I have been on together, or independently. So worth the effort!
We headed back to the RV, got there at 4pm and took the puppies back to the dry gulch for one more romp.
We went to the Cottonwood Market for some staples and then headed back to the RV.
I had some chores to do getting ready for our travel day to Carlsbad, NM the next day and Jana took on the monumental task of compiling video and starting to sort photos out.
We both were ready for sleep and Jack and Ellie were pretty settled so we called it a night.
Rim Loop up in Big Bend National Park and knew it would be a big day!
The views ranged from spectacular to majestic. The flora shifted significantly as we changed elevations and we saw some amazing birds, deer and even a Road Runner.
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Sailing Tahiti to Australia | Leg 4: Fiji to Brisbane Passage
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Sailing Tahiti to Australia | Leg 3: Bora Bora to Fiji Passage
After having waited in French Polynesia for two and a half months, we excitedly sailed out of Bora Bora around 7:30 am on Saturday, September 4th. Like the rest of French Polynesia, Bora Bora was in COVID lockdown, and we had spent the last week waiting for our departure paperwork to go through all the requisite bureaucratic channels. This required multiple trips to the local gendarmerie (police station), where Grant quickly befriended the two kind and helpful officers, Alex and Bruno.
Sailing Tahiti to Australia | Leg 2: Mo’orea to Bora Bora
It took us about 24 hours to get from Mo’orea to Bora Bora on August 28 2021. Like the rest of French Polynesia, Bora Bora was in COVID lockdown, and we spent a week there waiting for our departure paperwork to go through all the requisite bureaucratic channels. This required multiple trips to the local gendarmerie (police station), where Grant quickly befriended the two kind and helpful officers, Alex and Bruno.
We made trips to get water, fuel and provisions, but apart from that we had to stay on the boat. We passed the time snorkeling (saw a giant moray eel!) and inventing new water sports.
Once we received our exit paperwork, we were finally free to leave for Fiji.
Reflections
Reflections
These are our personal thoughts on some of our experiences.
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Father’s Day 2025
Mount Jerusalem National Park
Happy Birthday to My Greatest Adventure Partner!
Happy 20th Birthday, Jack!
Our family has embarked on another adventure. This time, instead of sailing across the South Pacific, we’ve taken on an abandoned filthy and dilapidated shack on some beautiful land near Mullumbimby in northern New South Wales, with the goal of making it liveable in 6 weeks.
Angourie Beach & Blue and Green Pools. NSW, Australia
Yamba, NSW, Australia 🌊
Grant’s built homes, companies, and communities, but the most beautiful thing he’s built is the life we’ve gotten to share for more than 21 years now. It’s a life grounded in love, kindness, and deep gratitude for our family and all the experiences we get to have together, thanks to him.
I love Grant’s integrity, purpose, passion, and his heart-centered generosity of spirit — whether he’s working on visionary wellness communities or transforming an abandoned shack into our next family home.
Right now, I’m so grateful for Grant’s support during the hardest health challenge of my life, whether it be helping me walk down the stairs, dressing me, driving me to endless appointments, or reminding me of my own strength when things get scary. He holds space for all of who I am, supporting the choices I make for my healing, and supporting my dreams with unwavering belief in me, in sickness and in health.
At the same time, Grant is the best dad to Jack and Ellie. Watching him with them, celebrating their gifts, supporting their journeys, and being their safe harbor is a blessing and a joy. He parents with empathy, kindness, an open mind and endless patience, and show them, every day, what it means to be a man who leads with his heart.
At work, Grant is a force of nature. He inspires positive change, connection, and makes the world better, one project at a time. But beyond his impressive accomplishments, it’s his humility, his servant leadership, and his genuine care for people that truly set him apart. Grant doesn’t just work to improve businesses, he works to improve lives.
He’s taught me that true success is measured not by what we achieve but by how much we care. And Grant cares so much; about his family, his friends, his community, and this planet we all share.
Grantly, thank you for being wild and free, for embracing life’s chaos with open arms, and for loving me and our family unconditionally.
Happy Birthday!
Today, as you begin your twenties, we want to pause and celebrate the beautiful human you are. Your authenticity is a light, shining through in everything you do. You live your truth with a courage that inspires all of us. Your creativity is captivating, lifting the spirits of those who witness it. We admire your dedication to your own art and your profound connection to music, film and art in all forms.
Your unwavering selflessness, kindness and compassion are strengths that move quietly but profoundly, touching lives in ways you don’t always realize. The warmth and care you extend to others is a true reflection of your being. It’s a gift to watch you uplift those around you, always consciously mindful, always compassionate.
As you continue on your artistic journey, know that we are with you, supporting you always. We believe in your art, unlimited by commercial constraints and free from the mainstream’s narrow definitions of success. Your authentic vision, your voice, and your perspective are important and needed in this world.
Keep following your passions. Keep being you—because who you are is truly a gift to this world. Here’s to more years of creativity, joy, and the pure expression of your true self.
We love you so much, Jack. Happy 20th Birthday!
With all our love and admiration,
Mum & Dad
Our first week has been nothing short of transformative—both for the shack and for us as a family. From wielding crowbars and hammers and dodging snakes, wasps and massive spiders, to celebrating small victories like straightening the foundation (it was only 100 mm off 😱), we’re leaning into the chaos and creativity that comes with building a home together. We are also very much enjoying camping on the land and swimming in two beautiful swimming holes in the Brunswick River that flows around it.
We’re not just building a home; we’re creating a way of life. Our family is deeply committed to reducing our footprint, building sustainably, and living in harmony with the land. This project is about so much more than walls and windows—it’s a chance to align our values with our daily lives, to tread lightly on this beautiful Earth, and to honuor the natural beauty of this incredible community in Mullumbimby.
This video montage captures the mess and hilarity of Week One. There was plenty of dead stuff, dirt, dust, questionable dance moves, some minor “oops” moments, and a sneak peek at how the shack is slowly turning into our dream sanctuary.
We’re so grateful for this opportunity to roll up our sleeves, make our way through the challenges, and create something beautiful—not just a home, but memories that will last a lifetime.
A big thank you to the friends who drove all the way from Brisbane to help, especially the Jorgensen brothers, Darcy and Kelly (and Blinky!🐾).
Check out our first week on the job and drop your best renovation advice in the comments (we need it!).
#sustainableliving #consciousliving #renovation
Our Trip
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Our Trip
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TRAVEL WITH US!
We are currently sailing the South Pacific to Australia.
Thank you for joining us, have a great day!