ADVENTURE LOG
Welcome to the EXEN Adventure Log! Learn about past adventures, read adventurer testimonials, and enjoy some of our favorite pictures from the trip. We hope that this log inspires you to Experience the Encounter with us!
ADVENTURE LOG #4
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
The first of many "trips of a lifetime". London, Paris to St. Jean Pied de Port. The start of an 800 kilometer, or 500 hundred mile, hike from France through the top of Spain. Why? It is one of the most traveled Pilgrimages and one that called for us to travel. It was the physically hardest, mentally most challenging and the most beautiful thing we have done so far in our lives. The 33 days on trail was almost like walking through the last 30 years of our lives together. The ups & downs, pure joy, hard conversations, breakthroughs, beautiful conversations & connections with others is something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives! The ultimate combination of outdoor adventure and spiritual direction we were blessed to experience.
ADVENTURE LOG #3
BIG PINE LAKES, CA
While it seems like we are on the upswing from the Covid Pandemic, it is still a “thing”. Sadly our guest for this trip tested positive the day before we were leaving. Dominic, after having Covid, was witnessing the effect it had on his breathing and energy levels. I am thankful our guest didn’t try to push through the 4 hour drive and 13.5 mile hike with weak lungs. It also gave Dominic and myself time to just “be”. We escaped the heat wave with high humidity that was gripping Los Angeles (which we are not used to anymore). I am thankful that we are able to drive a couple of hours North and high up into the mountains where the air is cooler and the stars are abundant. I am thankful that Dominic and I still enjoy each other’s company as we approach our 29th year of marriage. I have looked at couples sitting in restaurants and wondered why they weren’t talking. I see now that there is a natural rhythm and unspoken timing that just flows when you have been together this long. It is comforting. This trip allowed us to visit a property off the 395 by the Kern River that we had been toying with buying. It was absolutely beautiful! 80 something acres that backed up to BLM land, a really well-kept trailer under a portico with a huge deck. A short drive to a General Store with a restaurant that caters to PCT hikers. The owner at the bar with his white hair, long beard and broad smile. Seemed perfect. Then we got in the car and both thought, do we really want to own anything? Will it limit us to one place and there is so much out there to be seen? I’m sure our kids will settle in somewhere as their careers take off and they begin to have kids and it will be great to have the flexibility to move with a very small truck. I love that we were afforded the time to process and move onto another dream. I am glad we decided to go on this adventure, even though it wasn’t what we planned. No matter what your expectations might be, it may not always turn out that way. What you get however, will be exactly what you need. Hope to see you on the next adventure! Cassie Rivkin
ADVENTURE LOG #2
YOSEMITE, CA
Yosemite. The awe-inspiring view takes your breath away as you emerge from The Tunnel. The history of John Muir. The rock climbing movies and epic feats filmed on El Capitan. Half Dome in all its grandeur. Bright running streams and waterfalls. Stunning. It was much warmer than we expected, high 80’s during the day, but there is no need to complain when there are cold mountain rivers to sit in after a long day of hiking up and down in the valley. It was great to be back in the park after the pandemic, two of our group were still suffering the longer-term effects so we took it slow. For reference, most hikes in Yosemite are similar to doing a stairmaster for 3 hours. This was a different experience for EXEN Adventures as it was planned by one of our board members. Thank you Ali! Everyone contributed meals which brought such a feeling of community and gave us time to relax. All this time in the outdoors always has us amazed at the feeling of energy and groundedness I feel when we get home. Cheers to the next adventure!
ADVENTURE LOG #1
COTTONWOOD LAKES, CA
We watched the temperature drop almost 10 degrees per mile as we ascended to Cottonwood Lakes from Lone Pine. At 10,040 feet the trailhead campground offered us a cool night's rest before our 12 mile hike the next day. Our two brave adventurers spent a quiet morning, reading and writing and preparing for the day while Sequoia the trail dog chased chipmunks up trees. On trail, we chatted about beauty and generosity, about solitude and community. Our campfire conversations continued into the night, as a sky full of stars and tummy's full of peach cobbler provided the sense that all would be well with our souls. We woke up to beautiful sunshine, puffy clouds and no agenda for the day. Over breakfast, we talked about walking through the meadow, and hiking up to see where the trail intersected the JMT and PCT. The conversation continued about jobs, goals, perspectives, and permission to make life choices and changes. By mid-morning we started packing up camp as it got warm and we, reluctantly, headed back to the city, satisfied with our time spent outdoors. One hiker who has chronic back issues said they had never hiked that long before and was feeling sore and proud! Sequoia the trail dog fell sound asleep during the serpentine descent down the mountain and we all breathed in the lingering scent of pine and campfire.