Extreme Adventures

When I was in my early 20s, fresh out of college, I embarked upon a cross-country adventure that took me to the Eastern Sierra region. I spent quite a bit of time in Big Pine, Bishop, and Mammoth Lakes, hiking and camping along the John Muir trail with my boyfriend at the time, Thor. (Yes, that's his real name. Yes, he's Norwegian-American. And, yes, he was a ski instructor at Mammoth Lakes Ski resort). There was nothing like the freedom of being able to grab our packs and head up the trail, just us, the sky, and the mountains. There were even a couple of times that I took the sojourn myself, carrying some books on the trail to read along the way. Spellbinder Books was where I met the poet Gary Snyder and actor Peter Coyote. And Schat's Bakery was where I would eat the best Deli sandwiches EVER and have my first taste of Sheepherder's Bread. (Erick Schat was an amazing notable local. Truly a force of nature). I spent an entire year in the Sierras, meditating upon my next life moves while eating healthy, and indulging in my more adventurous spirit. My creative writings from that time period reflect the nature that surrounded me, as well as a more contemplative, Zen-like spirit that I embraced. 

I miss that adventurous aspect of myself and would love to be able to reclaim it.

That being said, we have some amazing selections in our nonfiction section about real life extreme adventures. Much more adventurous than my year in the Sierras. 

Extreme Adventure List: 

After the North Pole

Pirate Hunters

The Lost City of Z

Shackleton's Endurance

The Lost City of the Monkey God

Across the Ice

Everest

To the End of the Earth

Lost in the Valley of Death

Lisa's Backpack Booklist: 

Siddhartha

The Hobbit

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Tao Te Ching

The Dharma Bums

No Nature

The Art of War

Final Thoughts:

Summertime is absolutely beautiful here in the Bay Area. We have so many outdoor events, and access to beaches, parks, trails. Be sure to check out a Parks Pass with your San Jose Public Library card and get outside. Enjoy the Summer!