Almont, CO

The summer of 2013 turned out to be quite an adventure for me. On the tail of our trip to Wyoming, I had the opportunity to venture up (quite literally) to Almont, CO and spend a week at 10,000 feet, a retreat space located high in the mountains. It was here that I spent more time than I ever had before, disconnected from the world back home, unplugged from technology, and left with nothing more than the mountains, the hummingbirds, and good company. The retreat I was attending was one of the first of its kind hosted by my high school - a week long intensive with the goal of reconnecting to your faith and God. For me, the trip was less about affirming my faith and more an opportunity to ask questions. Questions of myself with fewer distractions than ever before possible. At this time in high school, having grown up in the Catholic Church, I was asking a lot of questions. My interest in philosophy, science, and the world around me had made for a harder time just accepting the lessons we were taught in the classroom. I knew I believed in something and that I loved most of what it meant to be Catholic, but something still didn’t sit right.

Over the week I made some incredible memories. I summited a mountain, climbing to 13,900 ft. I zip-lined across the forrest. I went without indoor plumbing for longer than most will their entire lives. I got to field questions to an incredible group of human beings that I still trust and love today. Although I may have returned home from 10,000 feet with more questions than when I arrived,I left comfortable having those questions and knowing I might have them for the rest of my life.

Although I don’t claim to be a practicing Catholic these days (2019), I still employ the lessons of love, acceptance, tolerance, and forgiveness that the church taught me - that the incredible people on this trip exemplified for me. For this, I will always be grateful.

I owe a special shout out to Lance Strother, one of my mentors through high school and the man who pushed me to make this trip. He is more of a man than I’m able to communicate here and I have more respect for him than I could possibly have time to write. I’m probably not where he expected or wanted me to be in terms of my faith, but that’s alright. I’m happy where I am, I have believe in something, and I try to live everyday with with love in my heart and respect for our world.