#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.

#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!)

#7 - Run in the Henley on the Todd

The Henley is a world class rowing race held on the Henley River in England each year where teams like Harvard and Oxford race each other. It’s snooty. The Henley on the Todd is also held each year but on the Todd River in Alice Springs. The difference isn’t the prestige or the people though – it’s that the Todd River is bone dry.

Teams of six carry a boat with the hole cut out of the bottom through a sandy 50 meter course. Accidents happen. People fall. Teams tip sideways. It’s a mess.

I ran for Toddy’s Bar, a little place around the corner from where I’m staying that has been great to me the past few nights. My tour guide, Radz from the Uluru trip, hooked it up so there’s another reason to take the trip. I got free entry, a pair of sunnies, hat, shirt, and a shot at the title. Apparently our team theme was “BRO.”

Unfortunately one of the girls in our boat lost her grip just as we were crossing the finish line in first place. She fell out of the boat taking another teammate with her, so we got disqualified. C’est la vie.

Everyone from Alice got into it, and I got heaps of sand in my shoes. Good times.