Brandon O'Brien

Monday, March 24, 2014 @ 4:30 PM in Miscellaneous

I got pretty used to writing daily travel journal updates while spending 6 months in Europe so I decided to update my website and add a non-travel blog. I probably won't be updating it every day like I was when I was in Europe, but I'll keep it updated with all the random stuff I do and trips I go on.

Since I've been back in Albuquerque I've been spending a lot of time running and hiking through the foothills in my backyard. I had almost forgot how nice it was to have such easy access to some really nice hiking, running and mountain biking trails just outside my back door.

I was out the other day and discovered a full mountain bike course full of ramps about a mile and a half from my place. I bought a commuter bike that will work well as a starter mountain bike too. I have some mountain bike tires that I'm going to put on it and take it out and see how the little mountain bike park is.

I'm attaching a photo gallery of random photos I've taken in the foothills over the last couple months. I was out trail running with Canyon a few weeks ago and saw a huge herd of deer. That was actually the first time I've seen them this close to town.

Teaser photos:

View Entire Photo Gallery

Tags: albuquerque, foothills, new mexico

Posted from: United States

Sunday, March 24, 2013 @ 11:10 AM in 2013 Europe

I've been slowly buying things I'll need for my trip and collecting them in the corner of my office. So far I've got my big backpack (the REI Vagabond Tour 40), day bag (REI Flash 18), water bottle, flip flops, sleep sack and more ready to go.

I decided to go with the REI Vagabond Tour 40 after reading several reviews online and trying it on in the store. It's large enough that it should be able to hold everything I need for my 6 month trip but it's small enough to still act as a carry-on for most flights.

I'll use the smaller day bag for walking around cities or for day-hikes when I'm in the Alps. It has an integrated pouch for my Platypus water bottle and can be turned inside out and used as a stuff sack when I'm not using it during the day.

The sleep sack is used in hostels as a barrier between me and the bed/sheets. It packs up extremely small and doesn't take up too much room.

You can check out my entire packing list by clicking on the Preparation link at the top of the page.

Teaser photos:

Posted from: United States