I took a nap today... for about an hour and a half. It was incredible.

I know that posting this information might not make the best social media fodder. And it's definitely not a big life changing event, carefully worded insight or broad philosophical statement that I feel like a lot people on social media make, but it was a pretty big deal for me so I thought I would share the news. Most of my life is taken up by boring stuff anyway so I might as well 'own' my naps.

Not that my nap wasn't more meaningful to me, because it was. I feel so much better now. I can't even begin to describe it (even though I am trying to describe it) how tired I was. Since returning from my WisconsATHON adventure, I've been getting about 4-6 hours a sleep a night. I've been prepping for my upcoming South Pole expedition (more on that later) and it's been an all consuming process. Of course, I still have all the normal dad / family / life responsibilities as well so it's been a tough balancing act... as usual.

My mom mentioned, that I often times leave readers hanging with my blogs at the end of an adventure or expedition, never really writing a thorough conclusion. The truth of the matter is that, after being gone for so long, I am more focused on my family than anything else. The other truth of the matter is that I am more enamored with the process than the result. I tend to move on to the next thing (or in my case, many things) fairly quickly.

That being said, I wanted to offer up a huge THANK YOU to those who contributed to Riveredge Nature Center during my WisconsATHON adventure. We raised nearly $6,000 for Riveredge's summer programs. I am excited for those who will receive the benefit of these donations. Riveredge summer camps were a huge part of my life as a young kid and I feel that I learned a lot of valuable skills that I still use today. Of course, another huge THANKS goes out to Old Town, Citizen Watch, Stanley, Granite Gear, Therm-a-Rest, Mountain Safety Research, Trek, Wigwam, Seirus and Nite Ize who contributed 'Thank You' gifts for donors. The big news was that someone walked away with my beloved Old Town Castine Kayak in the raffle as well. I'm so jealous - it is such a well crafted boat (craft?). I also have to say thanks to my mom, Judy Larsen, who was a huge logistical help shuttling my bike. It was also fun to paddle with my old high school friend John Krueger, and on my last day, a crew from Riveredge.

Now that a bit of time has passed, I can reflect on my WisconsATHON adventure a bit more objectively. I can honestly say, I had a great time. Even though I was hiking in the dark, got lost, biked through blizzards and more, it ended up being both challenging and personally rewarding. My gear performed flawlessly as well. From my new Granite Gear blaze back pack to the Old Town Castine to the 520 that I borrowed from Trek, this was one of my first adventures ever that I didn't have any type of equipment failure what-so-ever.

The journey was surprisingly nostalgic for me, too which I wasn't expecting in the least. I always knew I would leave Wisconsin, but traveling through the back roads and back woods of rural Wisconsin, I was reminded that who I am is very much part of where I came from.