I have a lot to update you on!!
First, my
official website is up and running. Please take a moment to check it out, especially the blog section. I will be updating blogs as I travel the world until October with all of my amazing journeys. I hope you all like it as much as I do. I have already posted my first blog which you can read below if you would like too. All the rest will be only on my website.
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
Last October I decided I was going to take an adventure outside of the US and travel the world for several months. I spent the last few months since then saving money and preparing for this trip. My last day at my normal job was two weeks ago and that was just the beginning to my epic adventures. I spent the last three days out at Zion National Park. I have traveled through the area before but never with an extended stay. My intentions going to Zion were to have a relaxing trip away from the Las Vegas city with a bunch of friends camping. As it turned out, like in many situations, it ended up only being 4 of us including myself that traveled out to Zion. The first day we decided to do Angels Landing. I was already aware of how strenuous of a hike that particular trail was, so I was nervous as we started to climb. What I did not know was that when you get about 4,000 feet up the mountain you hit an area where the rest of the climb is climbed by holding onto bolted chains on the edges of the mountains. Now, if you know me personally, you'll already know I am afraid of heights. Little did I know how afraid I actually was. When we got to the point of the chains a man coming down from the top stopped to show me where the chains led to at the top. Seeing how far up we already were and how far we were about to walk with chains ignited a fear inside of me that I have never felt before. I was petrified to the point of having tears uncontrollably falling from under my sunglasses. Scared to the point I couldn't make any words and could feel everything inside of me shaking. What happened next most people would not believe. My great friend Shane looked at me and in his loving voice said, "You have to make this climb with us to the very top. The feeling you will get when you make it to the top will be like nothing else. They call this place Angels Landing for a reason and it will be the closest you can be to your dad. You have to do this." So, I did. I shook in fear the entire way to the 7,000 foot top of Angels Landing and made it to the top. The feeling of fear was gone as I reached the final steps to the peak that overlooked all of Zions National Park. When I looked around and saw what I had accomplished, I was filled with an overwhelming disbelief that I had faced my fear. I could feel positive energy in my bones and knew in that instant that my dad was proud of me for overcoming something I never thought I would do. At the top with me was my friend Shane, Dana and Carlos. The three of us sat there for over an hour meditating and soaking in the energy of the beautiful place we had come to. We then sat and shared with each other what we were feeling at that moment, our shadow we were carrying with us that day and our intention for that day. In that moment I realized how spiritual of an experience I had just had and how blessed I was to have been able to share that with them. After making it down from Angels Landing that day we stayed in a hotel and prepared for our two day hike through The Narrows River. We were fortunate enough to have access to a permit which allowed us to walk the Top Bottom pass through all of the Narrows and camp half way through. This is an experience that the majority of people don't do because it is very hard to get these permits and most people go from the Bottom up to see half of The Narrows. When I was going over the map off how far I would be hiking in two days I became very intimidated. This was over an 18 mile hike that we planned to accomplish in two days time while camping half way through. I have been camping before as a kid but never been backpacking where you have to carry your gear as well. I knew before we left that morning that this was going to be a test of my inner will and strength to make it that far in two days. We left that morning and drove two hours to the top of The Narrows entrance through Chamberlain Ranch. After an hour and a half hike through random farms and back country we hit the entrance of The Narrows and began walking through the river with beautiful scenes at every turn. At first I was overwhelmed with how heavy the bag was that I was carrying but as we kept walking I started to enjoy what I was seeing so much that I ignored how heavy my bag was.
It took us 7 hours to make it to our campsite and I was exhausted by the time we got there. We stayed at campsite number 3 which was on top of a lightly treed area next to the river. We were able to filter some water at this point which had been my main concern because of how hot it had been that day during our hike. We set up camp quickly and made dinner out of some dry food bags from REI that were surprisingly not bad at all. I felt accomplished for making it half way so quickly. It became dark quickly and the area we were in didn't allow fires so we set up some flash lights and a portable music player to relax and process how our day had gone. The sound of the birds and light wind in the air was peaceful as I slowly drifted off into dreams. The next morning we woke up later then expected, ate breakfast and packed up our camp. My feet had been badly blistered from the day before wearing terrible water shoes that they rented so I was nervous to continue to walk in them. Looking at the map we decided it was going to take us 7 hours and 50 minutes to get to the Temple of Sinawava where the bus would pick us up and take us back to our second car in town. From there we would drive to our first car in Chamberlain Ranch and head back to Las Vegas. 7 hours and 50 minutes is a long time to be hiking in water shoes with blisters so naturally I was worried I wouldn't make it. The sites we encountered this day were more breathtaking then the day before. There were so many different water pools to swim in, green forests growing on the site of waterfalls, and crazy cliff views above us. There was nothing but the sound of the water flowing and distant birds for the majority of our walk.
After about 3 hours of walking we hit the limit line where people without permits could not walk to. From then on out we were surrounded by many people all around us enjoying their experience in The Narrows with us. It was comforting to see people again because my feet had begun to be almost unbearable at this point. We started to hit areas where there was literally only the river and walls next to us and it breathtaking to see the way the walls had been carved out here. We ended up making it to the Temple of Sinawava in 5 hours and 10 minutes. This was a huge accomplishment for me because not only did we finish all of The Narrows in two days, but we did it faster then the map had told us we would complete it. Seeing that man made formation of the temple made me burst into tears of joy for accomplishing something I know I never would have done with any other people. I felt so good about myself to have completed such an unforgettable journey. This trip overall was an amazing experience for me. It tested my will and opened my eyes to the beauty that literally lays in front of all of us. I felt so connected to nature, to my friends and to the planet the entire time I was there. The love and energy that surrounded me still lingers with me as I write this. This trip was something I will remember for the rest of my life and I am truly blessed to have spent it with the people that came with me.
Second, I interviewed with BlastZoneOnline talking about my experience with suicide girls. If you would like you can check it out here I also am entered in their model of the month contest so feel free to vote for me if you would like.
Third, my travels begin tomorrow with a trip to Cabo and then LA and San Diego. I am very excited to take this experience and am so thankful to be able to have a chance to do this. I've listed my itinerary below
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
July 23-25 Rome
July 25-29th Belgium for Tomorrowland Festival
July 29 back in Rome for 2-3 days
July 31/Aug 1st Amalfi Coast for 2-3 days
Aug 3rd/4th Pompeii Ruins for 2-3 days
Aug 7th/8th til Aug 16th Florence
Aug 16th Siena for the Il Palio races
Aug 17th Cinque Terre for 2-3 days
Aug 20th/21st Capri for 2-3 days
Aug 23 Vince until the 24th
We will be traveling the islands of Greece Aug 25th till September 8th
Sept 9th Paris for 2-3 days
Sept 12 Amsterdam 2-3 days
Sept 15 Berlin 3-4 days
Sept 18th Prague 3-4 days
Sept 21st Vienna 3-4 days
Sept 26th Munich 3-4 days (We will be going to Oktoberfest)
Then I'm headed to Thailand
Fourth, my set is still in review. If you haven't checked it out in a while please go give it some love here
Fifth, I am in this months Alt/Inked Issue of Browz Magazine. You can get a digital copy or a hard copy here Shot by my good friend Alex Stone and Hair and Makeup by my best friend Alexis Harven
Sixth, keep your eyes peeled for this coming August 4th to member review. Shot by the lovely Brewin at LV shootfest last February.
Seventh, I will be at San Diego Comic Con this year working the Suicide Girls booth with a bunch of sexy ladies. Please stop by and say hello I would love to meet you
Eight, here's some pictures for you to enjoy!
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enjoy that trip to the max!