15th Annual Sheets Run String Swing

Over the Labor Day weekend of September 3rd, 2021 I headed to the 15th annual Sheets Run String Swing on Middle Island Creek in West Virginia. This blue grass music festival is an annual event held by my family to celebrate traditional bluegrass music, libations, family, and friends . My family has had camps on […]

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Over Father Day weekend, I was invited to go to Harpers Ferry with My friend Chad his wife Michelle, and their three kids, Cayden, Mason, and Maya. I met Chad at his house in Albright, West Virginia, on Thursday, where we had a campfire that night and talked about our trip and building an Inipi […]

Swallow Falls State Park

Swallow Falls State Park is a public recreation area located on the Youghiogheny River west bank, nine miles northwest of Oakland in Garrett County, Maryland. The state park features Maryland’s highest free-falling waterfall, the 53-foot Muddy Creek Falls, as well as smaller waterfalls on the Youghiogheny River and Tolivar Creek. The park is notable for […]

Amazing food of Peru

While traveling through Peru, it became evident that the diversity and quality of the food are exceptional. Peru is considered 5th in the world when it comes to gastronomy, and the Peruvian people take great pride in their culture and food. The passion for the food is contagious. I became addicted to Peruvian dishes like; Lomo Saltado, Juane, and Ceviche but Cuy (guinea pig), on the other hand, was a taste I could not acquire. With the food comes a desire of the Peruvian people to share and celebrate their culture through food and festivals. Peru is also known for a drink called the Pisco sour, an alcoholic cocktail that’s name comes from Pisco brandy, its base liquor, and the cocktail term sour citrus juice and sweetener components.

ISHKON Spirituality and Fire Puja

After returning from Peru, I was able to secure a seasonal position at New Vrindaban. The job entailed attendant, organizing processes, maintenance, and material management for the temple and the lodge. I was interested in the experience and spirituality from the Krishna perspective. New Vrindaban is an unincorporated area and an ISKCON intentional community located in Marshall County, West […]

Moms Battle with Cancer:

It’s been a little over a year since mom passed away from cancer and I miss her more today than ever. Although it’s hard for me, I will share some of my experiences being by moms side as she battled cancer and some of the things I learned along the way. I have always been […]

Shirley’s 30th Birthday celebration in PTO

Chincheros, the Sacred Valley, and a very special day in Ollantaytambo

We woke up a little late and quickly got our packs ready to head out for a full day traveling and exploring communities in the Sacred Valley, starting with Chincheros. After Shirley spent some time organizing our transportation, we had a plan and met our driver. The cost for the entire trip 120 soles, which is […]

Trip to Cusco: Operation Alpaca Trueke

After spending about three weeks in Puerto Maldonado enjoying the city, jungle, family, and friends, it was time for Shirley and me to fly to Cusco to seek out Alpaca sources and communities to work with. I had booked an Airbnb in Cusco near Tupac Square for a week as our base. Shirley had contacted her friend Sumaq who would meet us and show us […]

Baptism Celebration and tour around PTO with Omar and Eza

Thankfully Omar and Eza, Shirley’s Uncle and Aunt from Abancay, were visiting Puerto Maldonado for a baptism we were also invited to. For the celebration, Omar’s family from Lima would be Joining in the celebration and ceremony. We started the day with a trip to the observation tower in Puerto Maldonado, which gives a good history and view of […]