vacation – Adventure With Brendan

In-N-Out: My Weekend In San Diego

July 16, 2012Brendan Scott

On June 30th I experienced the best fast food burger I’d ever eaten. I went to In-N-Out Burger for the first time. It was as good as advertised and well worth the 28 year wait. Plus, eating at the burger joint, which has a much deserved cult like following, capped off an extremely great weekend.

The day before, I stumbled out of bed in Colorado, a perfect state to live in, save for the lack of In-N-Out Burgers, and boarded a plane at an unhealthy hour of 6:00-am for San Diego.

The real reason for my early flight was a wedding. My good friend RJ was to be married on the beach behind the Catamaran Resort. RJ and I were in a men’s life group in college called Rootz (The spelling is still being argued over). Over the years our friendship deepened over our love of sports (I have to constantly forgive him for being a Patriots fan) and adventures. Our friendship grew stronger when I moved to Guatemala.

No, RJ didn’t ever visit, he was too busy trying to find his life’s calling here in the states, and I don’t blame him, because if he hadn’t, he never would have met his future wife. No, RJ was one of the few from Rootz who stayed in contact with me while I was in Guatemala. His commitment to the friendship meant a ton to me, and so when I received the invitation to his wedding in the mail, I knew I needed to be there.

His wedding was at 3-pm on Friday, June 29th, the same day as my early flight. I would’ve loved to have spent more time in San Diego, but on my meager budget I could only afford one night. I boarded my plane in hot Colorado, leaving the horrible forest fires behind, and half a morning later I walked out of the San Diego Airport. The clear blue sky and 70 degree temperature instantly made me love the city.

Around 2-pm I started making my way to the Catamaran Hotel with my friend Rob. We’d decided to walk over to the wedding, only a three mile walk, which is nothing when the sky is clear blue sky and cool breeze comforts you along the way. Walking is also a plus because Rob found a 20 dollar bill along the way. My discovery wasn’t as cool, but when I saw that one of the wedding guests was wearing sandals I was ecstatic! Without hesitation I peeled off my hot dress shoes and slid on my sandals.

The wedding was beautiful. RJ and his wife, Andrea, couldn’t have asked for a better day. Andrea was gorgeous and RJ looked stellar. But I think the wedding could’ve been in bland Wichita (my apologies go out to Marinés, my only friend who lives in the little Kansas town) and I still would have been thrilled to be there. Yes, it was a blast to dance the night away, to take a ferry across Mission Bay at midnight, but nothing compared to being there for my friend.

I wanted to be at the wedding to let RJ know I supported him and Andrea and that I would be praying for them as they took the next step in their lives.

I haven’t been able to attend all of the weddings that I’ve been invited to, but as I danced, ate, and spent a little time talking to RJ, I knew this was the best way I could say thank you for being my friend.

I believe strongly in staying connected with people. Sometimes it takes only a phone call and sometimes it takes a plane ride. I guess that’s why I went to the wedding, but it’s also why I went to In-N-Out Burger. The day after the wedding, after a great breakfast with RJ and Andrea, I met up with another friend who lives in San Diego. Kasey and I had worked together in Guatemala. We hadn’t talked in almost a year, since we’d both moved back, but as we ate, our friendship felt instantly renewed.

Maybe that’s what having a Dr Pepper, animal style french fries, and a burger with special sauce will do. Or maybe that’s what happens when you reach out to your friends. After we ate our burgers Kasey drove me back to the airport. I was exhausted. My trip to San Diego truly had been in and out, but even though it was so quick, it was very much worth it.

For me, even a quick trip is worth reconnecting with friends and showing them that you care about them. I mean if we didn’t have friends and family, who would we love and be loved by? Or more importantly who would take us to In-N-Out Burger?

What To Do In The Happiest Place On Earth

June 18, 2012Brendan Scott

Fulford, Colorado is the happiest place on Earth. At least that’s what my friends call it, and I tend to agree with them. And I am lucky enough to have friends who own a cabin in the happiest place on Earth.

This little mountain community is ten miles up into the White River National Forest just below New York mountain, away from any type of civilization. No cellphones, no tv’s, and no computers. You couldn’t even read my blog if you wanted to. Well, I guess some cabins up there have satalite dishes, but I sure don’t go up to the cabin to stay connected to the world.

Yes, Fulford is great for hiking, fishing, and star gazing, all great things to do in the mountains, but I love Fulford because it is a great place to relax. Whenever my family is able to stay at the cabin, we set aside any agenda. If we want to wake up early and go for a walk, we do it. If we sleep in and then relax on the couches drinking coffee or hot chocolate, we do that.

Fulford is not a place for the busy lifestyle. Last week in my blog, I wrote about how we need to slow down as we experience life. Fulford is a place that forces you to slow down. While I was up there this weekend, I finished the entire collection of Sherlock Holmes (of which I had been reading on and off for three years) took a hike, and napped.

If you really want to know what to do in the mountains, follow my advice. Find a quite spot, in a cabin, or in a tent, and read. Read until your eyes are too heavy and then take a nap. God wants us to relax. If we are always on the go we wont have enough concentration and energy to notice him.

I’ve been trying to live spiritually this year, and sometimes I forget that God just wants me. He doesn’t want me to do anything special, yes it was fun hiking Mt. Elbert, but he would rather have me. And that takes some quiet time. That is why Fulford is the happiest place on Earth. It takes you away from every modern comfort and forces you slow down. And I find when I am living slowly I feel more complete.

I hope everyone is able to go on a vacation this summer, short or long, heck Fulford was just a weekend trip, and is able to relax. If you haven’t found time to get up into the mountains or some other quiet spot, then turn off your computer and power down all of your other distractions, ’cause God wants you to have some time with just Him.

5 Reasons My Mom Is Better Than Your’s

May 13, 2012May 13, 2012Brendan Scott

In honor of Mother’s Day I thought I’d tell you why my mom is better than your mom. Now I could easily name more than five reasons why she is the best, but I don’t want you to get all upset. I mean if I listed seven reasons why my mom is better than yours, you’d feel seven times worse about your mom.

I really can’t help it that my mom is the best. I mean she brought me into this world, toilet trained me, and even put her foot down and said no to me a couple of times. Mother knows best! But those are things every mom has done, or should do.

Here are the five reasons why my mom is better than your mom:

1. She Will Not Steal Even If It Is Free.

How many of you take those free sugar packets from Quicktrip or 7-11? Not my mom. One day, after my older sister, Katie, and my Grandma came back from the gas-station, they were talking about their free sugar packets. “You take extra packets too, Grandma,” said my sister. “All the time,” replied my Grandma. My mom, who was standing right next to the two thieves, cut in, “That’s stealing. Taking one is okay, but to take more is wrong.” For the next thirty minutes she let my sister and her mother-in-law have it. So much so, that they swore off gas-station sugar packets.

My mom has morals. That’s why when I went to print out a picture for her Mother’s Day gift at Wal-Mart I made sure to pay for it. The machine printed out my picture and never charged me. I could have just walked right out of the store, but I knew my mom would never accept a stolen gift. So I found the nearest employee and asked to pay for the picture. My mom has taught me well.

2. My Mom Would Jump.

The crystal clear lake lay forty feet below. One, two, three . . . jump! This was Guatemala 2009, Lago Atitlan to be exact. We were all standing at the edge of the lake urging each other to jump. I jumped, made a big splash. My dad said no (Chicken). Emmy, my little sister, jumped on her first try (She’s awesome).

My mom is not a chicken, nor is she just awesome. She is a mom who jumped off of the highest cliff on Lago Atitlan. When my dad wouldn’t do it, my mom faced the big drop and showed her family how cool she is. My mom jumped off of a 40 foot cliff into the lake. As beautiful as Lago Atitlan is, with it’s stunning blue waters and the three volcanoes dominating the view, I will always remember that lake for my mom’s death defying jump.

3. My Mom Kicked Me Out Of The House

Okay, she didn’t litterally kick me out of the house. Five years ago, I was working at a job I hated. This lame job scheduled me to work on Mother’s Day. Three months later I found my self living in Guatemala. And my mom had everything to do with my move. No, it wasn’t because I wasn’t able to celebrate her on Mother’s Day. She told me to go to Guatemala because she saw my passion for missions and wanted me to have a chance to serve.

My mom is better than all the other mom’s out there because she has faith. She knew that she had to let me go so that God could work in my life. I would never have lived in Guatemala if it wasn’t for her.

4. My Mom Teaches Kindergarten

I know, I know. You are thinking that Kindergarten is easy. Those kids take naps. But in reality teaching Kindergarten is more like this video.

My mom pours her life into those kids, which means they are lucky. She is a fantastic teacher, who works super hard to make sure all of her students are socialized, and know their A, B, C’s, and know not to stab one another with scissors, and how to read, and how to deal with bullies, and how to do calculous, and how to write responses to their favorite Dr Seuss book, and when is the right time to go potty and where is the right place, and how to have fun all while staying in the lines. My mom doesn’t back down from any challenge. She teaches Kindergarten.

5. My Mom Would Impersonate You

My mom is immensely tallented at doing voices. Not a day paces by without her coming home from work with a story (remember she teaches Kindergarten) and those stories are always accompanied by a creative impression of her student. She always keeps her impressions tasteful and never stops surprising me with her versatility. She can pass as an old man, little girl, British nanny, and even my dad. Sadly I don’t have any video of my mom impersonating anyone, but she’ll do a voice for you if you ask her.

You might not be able to see my mom impersonating you, but that shouldn’t stop you from impersonating her. You should love kids like she loves kids. You should love your family like she loves her family. You should love and follow God they way she loves and follows God.

My mom is better than your’s because she showed me how to love and be loved.

Thank You Mom! Happy Mother’s Day!

Why I Love Guatemala

April 19, 2012April 19, 2012Brendan Scott

Where is the land of enchantment? No, it’s not New Mexico. You have to south of the boarder. Okay, a little farther south. That’s right, Guatemala is the real land of enchantment. Okay, maybe not all of Guatemala is that enchanting. But no other country, outside of the good’ol U.S.A., has my heart like Guatemala.

What do you love? — Do you heart Antigua?

So why do I love Guatemala? What follows is my top five reasons I love Guatemala and think it is a great travel destination and even more so an amazing place to live.

1. All of the gigantic volcanoes, whether they are erupting or just challenging me to hike or photograph, I love them.

Fuego! — El Fuego sits behind the volcano of Acatenango. I enjoyed watching it spout smoke from my safe rooftop in Antigua.

Even on a clear day in Xela a cloud loves to hang around the massive Santa Maria.

2. The Colonial Cathedrals. I love old buildings and well, these ones have stood the test of time.

Going to church in Xela — This Cathedral was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake.

Lights on at night — Some lucky couple was getting married the night I took this picture.

The Arch in Antigua — Nun's who couldn't live in the real world would use the archway to pass over the street. Or so I was told.

3. The Amazing Coffee. Err, I mean how everyone loves Guatemalan Coffee. (Everyone but me)

The coffee fruit — Before it's picked, dried, and roasted, it's sweet.

Coffee Bags — I know coffee lovers love these.

The bean — Coffee being processed forCafé Tranquilidad

4. The craftsmanship, be it food or a hand-knit blanket, Guatemalans can make some beautiful goods. Cuidado! Be careful where you eat, ’cause you want to take the beautiful hand-made scarf home with you, not amoebas.

Good eats — Found these at the store. I'd never had them before. Jury is still out.

Colorful Blankets — I love those colors!

5. Most of all Guatemalan’s have passion, which makes me love them right back. If you travel to Guatemala you will find that the rich and the poor, both have huge hearts. Their genuine way of life makes them extremely beautiful.

Super Chivo Fans — The Chivos Fans Love Their team!

Great kid — Can't you tell she's got a big heart?

Love being tall — Me and my spanish teacher.

I hope someday that everyone will be able to travel down to Guatemala and come up with their own list for why they love Guatemala. It is an adventure, but be careful you just might be enchanted!