I’ve always been happiest outside. Some people collect stamps — I collect trail dust, creek crossings, dog hair. I grew up riding bikes, playing Sega and chasing steelhead. Spinners, drift rigs, the usual Northwest starter pack. Moving from Portland to Central Oregon rewired some of that. It’s a little different over here. Cold creeks, desert canyons, dusty singletrack and dogs that never seem to get tired (yes, the wiener dog goes forever).
I keep it real as much as I can. One morning I’m pedaling up dusty climbs on a mountain bike. The next I’m hiking a ridge with a dog trotting ahead. Then I’m knee-deep in a river swinging a fly through a slow tailout. Different things, same payoff: quiet, movement and that feeling that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Who knows, I might also be nerding out hard on some computer stuff. I can’t always be outside ha.
I love Spey rods and little fiberglass creek rods, whatever fits the drink. I chase new singletrack. I bushwhack into blue lines. I hike way too far for one small trout and call it a great day. I test gear until it breaks, fix what should be fixed and laugh about the stuff that never should’ve made it to market. The dogs come along for most of it, unless it’s snow, mud, snake-infested, or something that’ll require an unreasonably long bath later.
This site is where I keep it all:
- Pics of dogs
- Honest reviews of the stuff I use and like and the stuff that I wish I did not use
- Trail days, creek days and hikes with dogs
- Mountain bike and dirt bike thoughts from someone that doesn’t care about the “lifestyle products”
- Gear experiments, breakdowns and fixes
- Field tests where everything ends up dusty, wet, or dented
I’m not a guide, influencer, or expert on anything except enjoying the places I love. I write because I like remembering and maybe something here helps someone else get outside, ride a little farther, fish a little better, learn something new, or just take their dog on a trail they’ve never tried.
– Mike
