Quiet Reflection!

Peace comes from the Lord. Its quiet in Boswell, well, as quiet as it can be on a monday night at 11:40pm. Its cool outside but comfortable. Feels more like late september than August. The constant drone of the television across the alley at the sports bar creeps through the sleepy streets of this quiet little town. The crickets constantly play their stringed instruments. And in the midst of that gentle noise is peace. But peace does not rest on the shoulders of the town, or the porch I am currently sitting on, or even me. It comes from a deep satisfaction in my creator. It comes from knowing Him personally. I'm 26 years old but the Lord has placed a steadiness in me that makes me feel 70, perhaps. I guess I won't know for sure until I'm 70, but the Lord has removed anxiety, stress, and given me a hope and satisfaction like non other I've experienced. Not in the things of this world, but in the Holy Spirit. See, i have had to trust the Lord with my whole heart these past 4 weeks. I can truly say I gave it up to him entirely. I know I did because when it happened I no longer worried about impressing others with fancy words, or trying to meet the needs and standards of others. My words had purpose and were directed by his Word. I fixed my eyes on my lord and savior, Jesus, and purposed to be like Him. And put him at the direct center of my life. I am sharing this not to brag or boast in anything I did, but to honor the one who made my life possible. I also make this known so those whom I love and care for can keep me accountable to these words. See, it's happened before, I get excited about what the lord is doing and am on a spiritual high for a while and then come down and lose sight of how great God really is. But something is different this time and I want to make sure I don't lose sight of that. Its different because God is continually working on my heart. He has been trimming the branches out of my life that don't produce fruit which allows more of the sun, the Son, to get through. The peace I am experiencing comes with a disclaimer. It doesn't mean i won't face trials and tribulation. It does mean He will always have my best interest in mind. It does mean that my relationship with the one who gave me life and the One who saved my life deserve my full attention, and love. It doesn't mean I have done anything to deserve it. Thank you Lord! Peace comes from You!

Doot! Doot! doot! Looking Out My Backdoor...

"Just got home from illinois, lock the front door oh boy, got to sit down take a rest on the porch..." Creedence Clearwater Revival knew something about traveling, the wilderness and the benefit or resting in your own home. What they did not experience were gas prices reaching astronomical levels. So what wisdom can we gain from these talented musicians? "...imagination sets in, perrtty soon I'm singing, Doot Doot doot looking out my backdoor!"
While we all wish we could be journeying to new places, jumping from mountain top to mountain top, and juxtaposing ourselves in new cultures the reality is that sometimes we find ourselves sitting on our own couch dreaming of whats on the other side of the world. John Fogerty's lyrics are a sharp reminder that with some imagination we can turn our backyard into another world. In fact many times we only need to pick up a map or gazetteer to realize that exploring a new place or culture may mean driving only 40 minutes away and in some cases less.

The Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania which is relatively close to the border or West Virginia and Maryland. Just a stones throw from my back porch is the heart of appalachia. While many of the moonshining myths that go along with the word appalachia may or may not be true, poverty, farming, and mining are very prevalent. If you want to experience a new culture travel the back roads of southwest Pennsylvania to get a glimpse of a seemingly different world.

A great many individuals farm, mine and work hard to make a living in this area and many of those folks are dear friends. These friendships provide access to another culture that from an outside perspective can be misunderstood. Aside from the cultural differences the landscapes alone in my backyard are absolutely beautiful. There are streams, natural water-slides, waterfalls, hiking trails, and unexplored tracts of wilderness. Ohiopyle state park, which is located just east of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is home to fantastic white water rafting, kayaking, mountain biking and rock climbing. Artist and architects can find just as much enjoyment as an adventurer by exploring Frank Lloyd Wrights, Falling Water. There is an endless amount of exploring to be done just out my backdoor and as I slip into wonderment, I can only imagine what is just over that hill looking out your back door.

If you are like me and you find yourself lacking resources but are desperate for a trip, let your imagination go wild and travel somewhere new, right in your backyard, "...giants doing cartwheels, statues wearing high heals, look at all the healthy creatures dancing on the lawn..." who knows what you might see! "Doot! Doot! doot! looking out 'Your' backdoor"

Best,
Aaron

The Author in Franklin WV

Unknown kayaker on the lower youghiogheny

Below Cucumber falls, Ohiopyle

Sandy Run Explorer Hike!

I have been exploring this area, which is between Somerset and Ohiopyle, for about a month now. This was the second time I hiked in this area but the first time I made the descent to Sandy Creek. To see the specifics of my trip check it out HERE! This was a beautiful hike along Sandy Run and Laurel Hill Creek. I started on Doc Ferguson Road and hiked for a mile or so along a logging road. There is a sign that documents the area as the Barren Tract, which is state game lands. Activities in this area include and are not limited to Mtn. Biking, off roading, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and more. I provided pictures at transition points along the journey. A lot of what I traveled on is not a marked trail. I ventured off the logging road where the road opens up and seems to wrap back around the mountain. (see photos) Sandy Run is in the valley below. Take caution while descending cross country. There are a lot of loose rocks. I joined up with another trail about a third of the way down the hill. I hiked south on that trail for a few hundred yards and decided to continue cross country down the hill further in hopes of reaching Sandy Run. I explored a large expanse of tire size boulders before reaching Sandy Run. It was very beautiful. I decided to cross Sandy Run by dropping trousers and forgoing boots upon finding it because I thought there may be a trail on the other side. I was indeed wrong and about 200 yards down stream I had to cross back. I crossed about three times over the course of the trip. This is not required but it made the trip more adventurous. We have had a lot or rain recently, otherwise there would have been some places shallow enough to cross in my boots. Near where Sandy Run meets Laurel Hill Creek their is a jeep trail which runs parallel to Laurel Hill Creek. After some exploring I ended up following the jeep trail until I was near Doc Ferguson road and where I parked. I ended up following a creek which led me to the white bridge (see picture) that is located on Doc Ferguson Road. Overall an adventurous trip with lots of views and no people.

I suggest either taking a good detailed topo map, compass, and/or a GPS device. I used gaia gps for my iPhone and it worked very well. You can improvise your own version of this trip simply by following the natural lay of the land. This hike has difficult sections due to the exploratory nature of the hike and requires some intermediate level orienteering and land navigation skills. It also helps to familiarize yourself with the topography before you start your trip. Otherwise have tons of fun and feel free to contact me for questions. 

Desert Tower Climbing

Dust and snow swirl around making it hard to see. The temperature has dropped and the wind has increased. My fingers burn and tingle as blood struggles to reach my tips. I lay back off the rock and move up hand over hand delicately placing my feet in the fist size crack. My heart pumps as a try to focus on the valley floor. I can't seem to maintain a focal point because of the varying terrain. The valley floor is over 1000 feet below. I am on the second pitch of Castleton Tower in Moab Utah. The day before I climbed Ancient art a tower with a spindly finish and a summit the size of a pizza box. Dont believe me, check out the photo and take notice of the rope blowing in the wind. The wind was a challenge on all of the climbs but especially on sunday during the attempt on Castleton. I have another picture of me leaning forward off my heels and the wind is all that keeps me from eating the dirt.


Moab is a special place. It is no surprise that filmmakers have used this majestic place for the last sixty years. The land is filled with beautiful landscapes, scenery that photos cannot do justice, and an awesome peacefulness that both calms and chills all at the same time. It's a Mecca for the outdoor/adventure community and a destination for many family road trips. The desert can capture your heart, stop your breathe, and make you feel more alive than you ever have before. The landscape can be explored by foot or four by four, traversed on a bicycle and ascended by climbing the impressive canyon walls and towers that define this magical place. And if the desert is to daunting, the La Sal mountains, which rest to the east, keep a close watch on the valley. The snow covered peaks are a stark contrast to the dry red desert and steep canyons. An impressive display of Gods incredible creation.

On my way up!

In so many ways the title, on my way up, reflects the events of life, both upcoming as well as in the past few weeks. I will be ascending into the sky early friday morning by jet. Then again on saturday using my own strength while climbing Castleton Tower in Utah. The past few weeks has offered countless new experiences, from interacting with upcoming christian music artists to dabbling in the world of motion graphics. I have been blessed, stretched and challenged in my new role as the operations director of Citikidz.
Friday presented a chance to get to know a few of the members of Shachah, a christian rock/rap band. Awesome guys who love the lord and worship Him with their talents. I also met a few of the members of Level 3:16 an inspiring up and coming christian hip hop group that will be releasing their first album in a month. The scene unfolded in IHOP at about 1 am in maryland. I have some video footage of the experience, which I will be posting soon. It was truly an inspiring experience. They are all awesome, God fearing, wonderful individuals whom I am so glad to have met.
Finally I must say that God has been doing some awesome work in my life. I am inspired and excited to press forward and continue to learn and grow in the midst of His awesome presence. If you have any interest in supporting Summers Best Two Weeks Citikidz, or would like to learn more about what God is doing with this awesome ministry I would love to sit down with you and tell you all about it!

Starbucks!

Lame title I know but that is where I am right now. They have internet and its only about 15 minutes from where I live. There is not even a movie rental place where I currently live I just moved to Boswell ???? I know most of you are thinking where on earth is Boswell. Surprisingly,it is a nice town, located very near to the beautiful Laurel Mountain which I love for obvious reasons. It is a short drive, and by short I mean a 3 hour drive from my hometown. Why am I here? Well I accepted a job as a photographer and videographer and operations director for a christian sports camp. This is truly an awesome opportunity. I get to use all of the skills I have acquired over the years.

So lets see. My new house actually feels like a house. In fact it is a house. I am living with housemates again. This is different but they seem like fun guys. While I was sad to leave my apartment in Grove City which I have called home for a year and a half, I am glad to be living in this new place. The moving process was overwhelming at times but mostly because I tried to pack everything I could into the two weeks I took off between my previous job and my new job. In those two short weeks I put a roof on the porch at my parents house, went rock climbing in Texas with a great friend, went climbing in West Virginia with two great friends, went on a date with my girlfriend and moved all of my stuff. No one seems to feel bad for me, not that I want their sympathy, because I spent part of my time off traveling.

While many of my blog entries have to do with climbing, this one is more informative and only lightly dusted with a hint of climbing. Don't worry there will be more to come about climbing. I have been on many trips and will be taking many more in the months to come. Anyway, I have found that one of the downsides to moving three hours away from anyone you know is that you don't have anyone to hang out with and I am currently in the process of trying to meet folks to hang out with. In this process I have found that while I am able to be outgoing in the last few years I seem to have become introverted and it seems like a job trying to go out and meet new folks. Oh well, all part of the process.

Reaching New Heights!

Its true, the title of this post reflects the title of the blog itself. I will be 25 this month and that title was the only one that seemed to fit. At 25 years old I feel like I have accomplished much; However, I still have much to accomplish. Each day I learn something new about living life. Each day I strive to reach a new height.
In high school I did not prepare myself intellectually or even care what was next. I was content with being a C student, however I made high honor role in the last semester of my senior year. For what reason? I do not know but i did it. I spent more time with people. Perhaps, that taught me the importance of people. The importance of listening to others, observing others, and understanding how others feel. Perhaps that prepared me more than any class ever could.
I am not upset with my inability to study in high school in fact I carried the same attitude into college. I cared more about my job than college. I graduated from Slippery Rock University with average grades. I have very few regrets. I suppose there are people I have hurt in the last 25 years and while I can't say that we have not taught one another things. I thank you for the lesson in life and apologize for the temporary pain I may have caused anyone. I say temporary because as the days roll by and the months turn into years, much will be forgotten and much more will be replaced by new memories.

One thing I learned is that I am responsible for the way I feel whether good or bad. I choose the mood for the day.

I won't comment on the past anymore in this post but I felt it was necessary to mention some things. In order to know where I am going I have to know where I began. Thus, so did you. Today I am enjoying the comfort of an apartment. Fully furnished, stocked fridge, bills paid, with a little on the side for entertainment. I am extremely blessed. God has afforded me many opportunities and I take advantage of them all. I try and be thankful but I fall short more often than not. I have been given the wisdom to succeed in the workplace as well as in life. Thank you!

Finally I look forward to what is to come. I hope to climb many mountains and enjoy many wild vistas from around the country and the world. I look forward to excelling in the work place, providing insight and wisdom into the lives of others, both staff and students. I also look forward to the struggles that each day may lay upon me. For it is the testing of faith that develops perseverance. I want to be successful, not for myself but to fulfill a plan bigger than myself. As I approach the day of my 25th, I feel like I made the final moves of a hard climb only to find there is a lot more climbing left to be done. And I am overjoyed!
Things to look forward to this month for me and you. The ending of a season and the entrance into a new one. Hopefully this month will provide an opportunity for me to continue to write new music and perhaps play some of it at an open mic night. As well as post some for everyone to hear. I just started reading a new book and finished reading Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey. A great read. It describes the desert country in such a way that made me want to pack up my car and drive west to live in the beautiful desert in Moab Utah. I have also started writing again. I may have to offer previews to gain insight as well as criticism on my work. Its only by standing the test of fire that I can prove to be of worth. And with the coming of warmer weather comes a new climbing season and I am feeling strong. As always climb safe! Climb often! Climb hard!