Today was looking to be a nice one so I decided to head out on a coulee of errands and then see where I was gonna go.

As I posted earlier, I got rid on my iPad Pro. I had originally intended for it to replace my Mac but that was not happening. I still needed a Mac and bought a Mac Mini in 2021. Awesome device if you are looking for a full-blown Mac experience on a budget.

Recently I found myself spending too much time on the iPad. I also noticed that the battery was starting to need recharging more frequently. Then Apple raised the trade-in values and I jumped on it and got rid of the iPad with no intention of getting another one. Yeah it is handy, but it is about more than that – I need to get away from the damn thing.

I decided to start using my Mac Mini more because you can do more with it; an iPad is more of a consumption device. I would plug the Mini into the TV in my trailer but it is far away from the table so it is difficult to see. Then, a few days ago I discovered these things called “portable monitors”. I had never seen these before. It is like a wide screen iPad but thinner. You plug your computer into it then you can kick out the little stand and you have a desktop that looks like a laptop. Kinda weird, but a new MacBook Air was $1300; this was $88 at Costco and it is a decent brand.

While I was at Costco I got gas then went inside for some things – one being said monitor. It was busy as hell everywhere for a Sunday morning but I guess it is officially tourist season. I did not stick around inside for long. I hate shopping and the crowds so I get what I need and GTFO.

I was heading somewhere else next for another errand so after that I decided to go on to Glacier National Park since it was not much farther.

Now, before you get all excited…I got a few miles in after waiting in line and turned around & left. It was pretty busy and honestly I hate all of the commercialism with a passion. There was a sign along the way the said that Going to the Sun Road was closed 13 miles up. That was also a sign for me to turn around and leave. Way too many people, and if I can’t get to Logan Pass then what is the point? I would just be crammed in less room with more people.

It reminded me of how commercial it has all become, but it also reminded me of why I cut way back on summer travel. The traffic, the Karens, the posing “influencers”, the endless ways to overcharge people…just every damn thing about it. If you have the freedom to travel year-round then you can stay away. Granted, some places (like Glacier) ere seasonal so it is not. always possible.

I prefer the National Forests myself. A little more tendency to have less-strict regulations than National Parks, free camping is possible, and there is usually empty space someplace. Of course always check the regulations. Luckily, I have been to most of the Big Ones – Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Yellowstone/Grand Teton, Grand Canyon and such. I will still go to some I have not seen before or a place like Great Basin in Nevada, US where we did a quick stop in 2009 and I want to go back there. Since I was in these places the amount of visitors has skyrocketed quite a lot. Some of these places I saw when I was a kid so think back on your own visits and how much it has changed. See ya!

I hopped back onto westbound US 2 back towards Kalispell. The surrounding area was mostly National Forest so there are a lot of side roads to campgrounds, lakes, picnic sites and trailheads. I saw a sign that interested me so I decided to go check out Hungry Horse Dam. Oddly, I took no pictures of the actual dam (thought I did), but they are on the website link.

So it was not what I was hoping for on this little adventure, but stopping at the dam was cool plus it was a nice drive of just a few miles on a beautiful day you see in the pictures above. I returned on a road I had never been on so I saw some other new territory today along with the dam.

I got back and anxiously hooked up my new monitor. I honestly was not expecting much – it is very light and feels like it won’t last, but it IS a well-known PC brand so I think it will be fine. It has some adjustments you can make and USB-C and mini-HDMI.

It is definitely not the OLED screen of my iPad Pro but it is not terrible and will be fine for my needs.

I keep an eye on software updates and when my devices will no longer be supported. I decided that I am going to keep using the Mini and my Watch Ultra 1 unit they will no longer work. My phone is newer so it will last a while longer, but the watch now gets no more softwares and probably next year the Mini will be the same. I had considered buying a MacBook Air but if I can still use these then why not drive ’em into the ground? I was somewhat worried about the software but they will still get security updates so I am comfy with that. I was also worried about the price of memory driving up the prices of devices but I am gonna take my chances. AI is meeting a lot of resistance so there could be some pullback, affecting memory prices.

Even my keyboard and mouse have been around a while. I had them with my 27″ iMac and that was around maybe 2015. They still work fine so no need for a replacement. I think if this setup lasts me two years I will be happy.

Tonight it was a walk barefoot in the grass. Man…that is one of the simple pleasures in life. And no chiggers to worry about – what a nice change that has been. Walking through the grass in shorts without getting pests in your nether regions…finally. I spent around 30 minutes barefoot in the grass so I got some good grounding in. We’ll see if I can keep it up and if it calms my back/neck down any.

It was a good day and I always enjoy being outdoors no matter where. You should always be open to changes and you will have a good trip. I will get back to Glacier at some point, but I am thinking it may not be until September. I guess they had a rockslide and that is what closed the road recently. Who knows when or even if it will ever get fixed or reopened.

I will be getting out on another adventure again soon. I need to get my annual state park and state lands passes purchased and look into camping fees and regulations. I still need to get some paper USFS maps so I can start exploring for some potential dispersed forest camping nearby. Free is good if you are self-contained; makes for an affordable trip. I did take a drive around the area last night and saw a few roads but I need the map to see exactly what kind of terrain and obstacles to expect.

Thanks for checking out this post. If you are new here welcome and I hope you come back! If you are returning I thank you and hope you also come back!

See you again soon.

Shawn