This is me. Well, me five years ago. I’m on a new(ish) computer and haven’t moved photos over, and most easily accessible ones are possibly a little too identifying and I have too much social anxiety/paranoia for that. But! I will tell you I’m probably about 50lbs heavier! And less fit! But happier! (Don’t be too fooled by the grin in that picture I just really love plants.)

I’m a theoretical nature nerd. Not a neo-botonist or some cool future plant-tech developer, but a fervent appreciator of the bounty and adventure of the wilderness… from my couch. My mother is a talented garden hobbyist and I have a possibly peculiar degree of affinity for trees, but save for a handful of camping and short hiking experiences I’ve never been very active within the outdoors. I have a lot of houseplants.

This year–2016–is the National Park Service’s centennial and I’ve been reading a lot about the history and trolling the NPS website and looking at pictures of all the parks. I’ve been fantasy touring. From my couch.

I’ve never been to a National Park (or National Memorial or Lakeshore or Trail). I’ve been to a few state parks. I’ve never gone kayaking. I’ve been in a canoe three or four times. I’ve never left the U.S. or seen the west coast or the south or been in a new place by myself. I’m 30.

Unfortunately this is getting a little Eat, Pray, Love for my tastes and isn’t as badass-rough-and-tumble as I’d like but whatever. I saw a TED Talk with the Eat, Pray, Love lady and she seemed cool enough. The point is, the plan for this blog is to chronicle my efforts to see more of the world and immerse myself within it, and particularly indulge my (currently theoretical) love of the wilderness and the environment.

And maybe I’ll show you pictures of my plants.

(They’re like cats, only they actually make your place look and smell better.)

(Burn.)