#21 - Drift the Snake River

What's better than drunk rafting down the Snake River?

Not much. Maybe eating a great sandwiches while riding a T-Rex, but other than that...

My first visit to Wyoming started in the Teton National Forest. The bosomy snowy peaks of the aptly named Teton Mountain Range are best viewed while drifting down the Snake. So, I did.

With no planning at all I somehow lucked into the perfect combination of shocking yellow and red fall foliage and crazy hot summer weather, so getting into the chilly water felt amazing.

During the spring and summer the river rages several meters higher than the mellow depth we cruised at, making it a rush for whitewater enthusiasts. However, I wouldn't change the dreamy pace and serene views we took in while creeping along in the calm, shallow waters.

Wyoming is a beautiful place and I'm stoked I got such a great first impression.

#20 - Party on Hollywood Boulevard

Yes I'm from San Dimas, CA - home of Bill and Ted, and yes, I have had some excellent adventures. Thing is, even though I grew up a mere 30 minutes from L.A. - and I've been out a few times in L.A. to some rad bars - I've never actually rocked out on Hollywood Boulevard. Ever. One time I drove a friend around for an hour looking for the Hollywood sign which we didn't find. We ended up drinking and running into the ocean instead.

So when my brother's 31st birthday came around we spent that Friday at his office in LA just around the corner from the famous Kodak Theater. 5pm, beers flowed, and skablamee - I found myself swilling whiskey at a Hollywood pool bar.

I saw a red carpet, people posing with tourists, the walk of fame, the friggin Hollywood sign, and a few excellent bars.

I can't wait to get back to NY, but after seeing a different side of LA, it ain't as crap as I thought.

Well done, LA. Well done.

#10 - Surf Bali!

Ever since I started surfing in high school all I’ve heard about are boat trips to the Maldives, surf safaris to South Africa, and going loco in Indo. After all these years of fantasizing I finally got to cut my chops here in Bali.

And it's awesome.

I rented a sweet little phish (it was the owner's personal board and I had to chat him up to rent it) from a shop across the street from my weird little hotel and spent the day getting smile lines sunburnt onto my face. The conditions were so perfect for me it was ridiculous – 3-6 ft, steady offshore wind, nice mushy shoulder take-offs followed by some straight down the line pumping rights. It was tailor made for me, since I like some size but I hate steep hollow take-offs.

The locals and crowds were mellow. Nothing agro – if you were in position you got the wave – no snaking. I saw a few questionable paddles, but hey that’s just good surfing. I also somehow lucked into the wave of the day.

This amazing right came out of nowhere, a foot bigger than the back sets and wedged just in between the two peaks that had been breaking all day on my left and my right. It was ridiculous. I saw heaps of locals from 20 meters away frantically paddling to out position me, but I was centered right on it with no one around. I paddled, got heaps of spray in my face from the offshore wind and whooped my way down the line with a few nice pumps and a beefy kickout.

I’m aware I sounded retarded right now, but I don’t care. You know why? Cuz I’m surfing in Bali right now and you’re not. I’m gonna sound like an even bigger tool tomorrow!

(Sorry I don't have any photos of me surfing - I'm traveling by myself and I'm not taking my sweet camera to the beach to have it jacked!)

#5 - See the Sunset and Dawn at Uluru (Ayer's Rock)

When I was in Australia eight years ago (wow) I didn’t have enough money to go anywhere but to the East Coast in a van with a bunch of other people. Actually, I didn’t have enough money to buy a sandwich, but it was a good trip. I always regretted not getting to the Outback and Ayer’s Rock though. Seemed like a shame to come so close and not see it with my own eyes.

Now I’ve got one less regret.

The three-day two-night trek to Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and King’s Canyon was amazing. I was worried that I was getting jaded – seen one monument seen em all – but Uluru and the surrounding parks pumped me up. I was stunned by the weight of age there, the beauty and lushness in semi-arid landscape, the geological history, stories of the aboriginal people, the red earth – all of it was overwhelming. I met some great people, camped, broke firewood over my knee, slept in the open under shooting stars, all that. I don’t wanna do one of those posts, but screw it – it was rad.

I finally saw the sunset and dawn at Uluru – something I’ve been meaning to do for a decade – and I’m pumped to realize that I’ve still got fresh eyes on the road. That’s a first. Hope it happens again and again.