Sound Quality

I spent years as an audio engineer, and I can confidently say that at this price range, you cannot get better sound than this model. Two 8-inch woofers produce punchy, balanced bass, while a 3-inch tweeter provides crisp, clean highs. This allows for larger than life sound – music you not only hear, but feel. For me, this is a crucial part of the karaoke experience.

This is actually a perfect little PA system as well. I imagine it would be well suited for contests, company retreats, and family gatherings.

500 Watts Peak Power, and Solid Battery Life

Impressively, the JYX Speaker retains excellent sound – even at the highest volume range. I set it up outdoors under the stars in Death Valley. We were a large group that had a blast singing at full volume…for hours. In fact, the 5200mAh rechargeable battery lasts up to 4 hours in such conditions.

The JYX Speaker Has Great Lighting Modes

I used to find rainbow “karaoke lighting” rather cheesy, but now I’ve come to embrace it as part of the whole festive experience. Haha. There are a few solid color options to choose from, and also no lighting at all (which is what I choose when I use the unit as a bluetooth speaker for Spotify.)

The light “dances” and pulses along with the music, which is a pretty cool effect.

An Assortment of Mic Inputs / Options

The included wireless microphones work flawlessly. There are even 2 more inputs for wired mics. The bluetooth range and functionality has always impressed me. This means it’s easy to connect the speaker to your phone, tablet, or computer. However, there is also the option of inserting a TF (SD) card, which I assume you can play audio files from.

I have not had any luck getting this to work, so I’m not sure if I’m using this as intended. Same goes with the USB input. To be fair, I misplaced my instructions, and the info is probably in there.

Supposedly you can even record yourself on the SD cards & usb sticks! I’m sure I’ll use this at some point.

USB Charging

Speaking of which, there’s also a USB output, which is super convenient for keeping your devices charged while you sing.

Stereo Pairing Capability

This is such a cool feature. I only have 1 unit at the moment, but apparently you can connect 2 of them in tandem for true stereo sound!

More JYX T9 Pros:

• Portable – pull out handle, with convenient wheels for easy transport
• Decent size + large sound, yet somehow minimal weight
• Great battery life
• Remote works with my Macbook (assuming I’m using a youtube playlist for vids)
• Quite affordable

Cons:

• Mic cutoff to save battery (soft voices may have to sing louder to let sound through)
• Mic levels cannot be adjusted separate from each other
• Mic volume / Echo strength buttons are labeled backward, confusing for U.S. users

My Conclusion

Honestly, this is one of the best purchases I have ever made. It is simply unheard of to find all of these options, with superb sound quality…and at a price point like this. I have used it every week for 16 months straight. It still works just as it did the day I bought it. Since it’s lightweight and easy to move around, I’ve taken it many places with me.

So. Much. Fun.

Where to Buy

The unit is available on Amazon HERE. As of this writing, I have had no communication with this company, and I purchased this model myself. Do keep in mind, though, using my Amazon links does help me provide this kind of content.

Sing on!

Nathan

(Follow me on FB:)

You can check more of my reviews HERE

The post JYX Karaoke Speaker Test – 16 Months of Singing + Joy appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

There’s no way around it…of all options, the E600LFP seemed to be the best value. The most bang for the buck.

Power Station Specs

In fact, it’s actually quite amazing how many features they managed to pack into such a reasonably priced model. While most competitors at this range feature 600W peak power, the Pecron boasts a whopping 1,200W, with an AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter. It even has a surge of up to 2,400W! This was the main selling point for me.

There’s a large capacity 614WH (watt hours). I don’t use it, but there is also a wireless charging surface on the top of the unit. Again, shocking at this price point.

Multiple Charging Options

The E600LFP can be topped up quite rapidly with an external charge pack (provided). You plug it into the wall, and it can finish charging in just a few hours. There is a special input for this, and amazingly, you can also use up to 400W of solar charging through this input as well! I tested up to about 300W and it worked great.

(Note, the new units seem to mention a max of 300W solar charging, instead of the 400W that mine came with. Not sure what’s going on with that.)

There is also a normal DC style input, for use with provided 12v car charger, and smaller panels as well. I believe it goes up to 100W max. I tried this with a 120W Elecaenta portable solar panel.

LiFePo4 Technology

I don’t know much about it, but this unit has a “LiFePo4 Battery with 3,500+ Life Cycles to 80%”. This is said to increase the lifespan substantially.

11 Output Options

The Pecron has plenty of outputs to run / charge appliances & devices. There’s standard USB of course, as well as a super fast 100W USB-C option. 3 AC outputs, and 3 DC as well.

E600LFP Pros

• Folding handle, with flat top surface for storage / small spaces
• Rugged design, with protection on corners
• Feature-rich, at a great price point
• Customer service (in China, I assume) answered questions quickly

E600LFP Cons

• Less sleek, more utilitarian (some may prefer this, I guess)
• Fan kicks on for some reason when panels have no more sunlight (must unplug or battery slowly drains)
• Some users have reported inability to charge multiple USB devices at once, though I don’t think I’ve had this issue.

Real World Use – Pecron’s Portable Power

Honestly, I found this unit to be so useful that I bought a second one. I charge each of them with Vevor 200W portable panels, and believe it or not, I run them almost daily. I have used them extensively – at home and on the road.

Surprisingly, after many many months of continuous use, all features still work. I do notice a bit of a rough “cycle” sound with the fan when I turn one unit on. It hasn’t affected use so far, though.

These models can even run certain appliances that are over their max ratings. Somehow the technology is able to lower the current to a manageable level.

It can flawlessly run a 1200W microwave during power outages, and I sometimes even power my medium sized fridge with the Pecrons. I might only get 4-5 hours of power, but if it saves my food during summer, it’s worth it.

One thing I’ve noticed is recently one of the units will shut off while running the microwave, once it’s down to 20% battery. Before, it could go all the way down to 1% without shutting off.

Conclusion

For the money, I would not hesitate to recommend this product to friends and family. I think anything remotely comparable will cost 50%-100% more. As for reliability, it’s still going strong for me!

Where to Purchase

You can find it on Amazon HERE. (I was not provided anything for this review, and have no connection to the company. However, if you use these Amazon links, it will help me continue providing useful information like this. )

Cheers,

Nathan

(Follow me on FB!)

You can check my boondocking adventures HERE

The post Pecron E600LFP Review – After 18 months of Heavy Use appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

Our first stop was Virginia Lakes, and we quickly realized that the trees at the lake had mostly shed their leaves at this point. Still, it was nice having lunch at the lake, and in the late afternoon we managed to find a colorful grove at a lower elevation.

I was a bit sad we missed the aspens at the lake, but very few people know about this location…so we kind of had it to ourselves. These trees at “golden hour” really made for a memorable experience.

We found a nice site tucked away in the pines where we spent the night.

The next morning we departed for the aspen groves up on Lobdell Lake Road. Here, we would set up camp right in the middle of the action, and we had no idea just how idyllic the experience would be.

This was a great place to escape near-record temperatures in October. We were lucky to have perfect weather during the days, and colder temps at night, which keeps the trees increasingly vibrant. As a bonus, unlike the similar springtime temps, in fall there are no insects to bother you.

It’s quite surreal to drive miles out into the barren eastern Sierra, and suddenly come upon this creek setting with an explosion of color!

Abbie had a great time playing in the leaves and climbing the boulders around our camp. She loves being out in nature just as much as I do.

I took her on a hike along the creek, and decided to teach her how to take a photo. I wasn’t holding my breath that a 3 year old could take a decent photo, but she surprised me! I’m grateful to have a rare picture of me out in my “happy place”.

She wanted to climb out over the creek as well. I realized it was also a good opportunity for her to work on her balance and coordination. Every trip out is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Speaking of which, we set her up to learn some spelling and do artwork out in the forest. I hope she retains all these memories. If not, at least the photos are here to help.

We felt such a strong connection to this place that we decided to leave some of my mother’s ashes here. That way we can always return and be close to her in the future.

Abbie hasn’t learned to fully ride a bike yet, but this was the first trip I decided to bring my bike out on.

It really was exhilarating riding through the crisp, cool mountain air at 9,000 feet. I even experienced a brief (and mild) rainstorm along the way.

The wind picked up and began to blow the leaves off the trees along the road. As raindrops started falling, I realized I was a bit far from camp. As I huffed and puffed back up the mountain, my phone played Bob Dylan’s “Shelter From the Storm”. It was just too perfect.

The “storm” quickly passed, and a bit later I rode up the mountain to catch the sunset. Feeling grateful to be able to be out in my element once again.

After a few spectacular nights here, we packed up and headed up 395 to refuel and cut over to Monitor Pass. We hadn’t planned on staying up there, but we turned down a rugged forest road and found a perfect spot.

She found some sap on the rock – or I should say…the sap found her.

We didn’t have the ground clearance to make it down the road to the aspens, so I did a solo hike in the late afternoon to check it out. The thin air up here does an aging body no favors, but thankfully it was a bit less grueling than my bike ride up the mountain the day before.

After a few miles of this meandering dirt road (and noting countless carvings in the trunks of the aspen trees), I wanted to return to get the rest of the family. The lighting on the mountains was really something! A great way to cap off the day.

Our ultimate destination was visiting aunt Dana near Roseville, so as we made our way west, we decided to stop at Silver Lake and visit more of mom’s ashes I placed up here a few years ago.

Mom’s grandfather (who Dana was named after) was the mayor of Stockton, California a hundred years ago. He loved this beautiful lake, and gave the commencement speech at Stockton Camp, along the east shore.

Very close to here is the “Potholes Trail”, right along the river. I was happy to finally bring the family to one of my favorite hiking spots. They loved it, and I even took a refreshing dip in the chilly water!

From here, we followed the Silver Fork of the American river all the way up to HWY 50, then continued up to Icehouse Reservoir for a brief stop. I had never seen these places, and while the windy roads did a number on Shella, the scenery was fantastic.

Well, that about does it for this journey. I imagine the next one will be a desert trip in the winter, but we will see.

Until next time,

Nathan + fam

The post Camping in California’s Golden Aspen Forests appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

In the parking lot we briefly talked to a maintenance worker, and I mentioned being a bit concerned about carrying Abbie back out with my (sometimes) bad back. “Well, wish us luck”, I said, and we hit the trail.

It was a perfect summer day up here at 6,000ft. The hike in is no problem – just a short 1.5 miles down into the canyon.

I have been to this beautiful grove many times…I actually brought Shella and her cousin Brenda here a few winters before Abbie was born. There is a rustic old cabin near the grove that’s always locked and boarded up.

Abbie and I hiked into the lush, creek canyon nearby. As you can see, so far she was in good spirits.

We sat on a log and I told her about the Native American tribes that lived among California’s giant trees. I mentioned how some of them believed these groves to be sacred…that these trees contain the spirits of their ancestors.

It was so etherial and serene there – I asked her if she noticed any kind of special feeling. You might think it would be difficult to explain energy and spirituality to a 3 year old…and well, you’d be right. However, she said “I do have a good feeling here”…and well, we have consistently been amazed by how much she absorbs and comprehends. You never know.

As we turned around and started climbing back out, I could see that her enthusiasm for hiking was starting to wane. This was the part I was dreading. She’s quite a trooper for being 3 years old, but continuous uphill (& high elevation) hiking is obviously where she draws the line.

I could probably manage with her on my shoulders – I just wasn’t looking forward to it. I’d carry her as long as I could, then take breaks. After a few rounds of this, we noticed the same maintenance guy driving his truck down the dirt road. I figured he was on his way to get some work done. I simply waved and continued hiking as he drove by.

As it turned out, though, he had come to check on us – and offer a ride back up! Really nice of him, and it was fun for Abbie to drive in one of the “work trucks” she sees on her favorite show, Blippi. Good thing I planted the seed at the start of the hike. As my mom used to say, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”.

After a quick chat with him back up at the parking lot, we said our thanks and I took Abbie to Rush Creek Lodge, where they have an assortment of games and toys for kids to play with it. It’s a tradition of ours, and probably her favorite place in the whole world.

Above, we found a set of 4 simple puzzles that she finished in a flash.

(Starting at age two and a half, Abbie was blowing us away with her ability to do puzzles. Grandpa and “grandma” Linda came for Thanksgiving and couldn’t believe how much faster a two year old was than any of us. It’s quite unreal, and a bit of a hit to the ego, to be honest. At 2, she was already doing puzzles for ages 6 and up!).

A Swim in the Tuolumne River

Anyhow, I had one more surprise in mind for today. The weather at this lower elevation was quite hot, so we went to the nearby Carlon Falls trail to take a dip in the chilly Tuolumne river.

Due to snowmelt from the high Sierra, it’s freezing cold if you swim here in May or June. By late August, however, the snow is gone, and the water is much more agreeable. Still, though…I don’t want to make it sound like it’s warm. Haha. The temperature didn’t slow Abbie down one bit though – she loved it!

Thankfully, we do these trips often. They mean the world to me, and I can’t think of a better way to spend my free time.

Until the next adventure,

Nathan

The post Father Daughter Trip to the Giant Sequoias appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

However, could I replicate this at home in the U.S.? Long term travel is much too expensive there, but at last, I figured out a simple solution.

“Lucille”, at the Petrified Forest – Arizona

I found a 2nd gen Toyota Sienna, in the exact color I wanted. I had to drive all the way to New Mexico to get it, but the cost was minimal – and it was loaded with fancy options.

It had a sunroof, leather seats, a 10 speaker JBL sound system, and most importantly…everything still worked.

“Sleeper Conversion”

Even though I’m over 6 feet tall, I loved staying in Asia’s tiny “pod hotels”. I used them for inspiration. If I was going to convert this van to a little family camper (I call it a “sleeper”), I’d have to make the bed as comfortable as possible. 

The first order of business was taking out the third row seat, which could fold down into the floor.

With that removed completely, a lot of cargo space opened up in the back. I built a bed frame with plenty of room for all our stuff underneath.

Believe it or not, we installed a full-size memory foam mattress and plush comforter. We used our large pillows from home, and even threw in one of those useless decorative cushions. This thing is cozy!

*Note, we were able to add 3 more inches of headroom since this photo was taken.

Our “sleeping pod” on wheels

The middle seats fold in half, and support the foot of the bed. When we pack up to drive, the mattress folds back on itself (totally flexible), and the middle seats pop back up for passengers.

We made custom-fit privacy covers for the windows, so the van is a completely incognito little “camper”.

Outside or In?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to RVs and camper vans. If you want to experience the outdoors on a limited basis (while having ultimate comfort in the process), a large, fancy RV is what you need. You can’t take it everywhere, and of course, you’re going to spend a lot of time behind a desk to pay for it.

However, if you plan on spending most of your time cooking, hiking, and relaxing outdoors (and you want to travel indefinitely), a humble little camper van fits the bill. You just need a comfortable, secure place to sleep. Think of it like a hard-walled tent on wheels. You save so much money, and can go soooo much further.

Yes, I learned valuable on simplicity while backpacking the world – the further you want to go, the less you end up taking with you.

Oh…and also, an adventurous spirit definitely helps.

AWD, Surprisingly Capable Off-Road

The “Alabama Hills” – California

This Toyota model (and even specific year) was carefully chosen because of its legendary reliability. It’s got a roof rack, a hitch, and a removable center console, which is super convenient (we replaced it with a fridge

Ground clearance is as good as it gets for Sienna models, but it’s still a minivan, so having a spotter definitely helps in rugged terrain.

My lil’ spotter in Moab, Utah

Our little van (we named her “Lucille”) is a perfect combination of minamalism and efficiency.

Mileage is fantastic, and she turns on a dime. We can get in and out of tricky locations where even 4X4 Sprinters won’t dare try.

Insurance is quite reasonable, parts are readily available if you happen to need them, and she is a dream to drive.

Monument Valley, AZ

This country has an abundance of beautiful public land you can camp on, and we learned there are also plenty of places you can pull in and sleep for the night. No expense whatsovever.

All of this adds up to saving a TON of money, so that means long-term U.S. travel really is feasible.

My wife, playing around in the desert

So hit the road, we did…and with no plan to come back. As you can see in the photos above, we started by driving to Arches National Park and Moab, Utah.

Our “Sun Powered” Lives

If we wake up and a certain location is warmer than we’d prefer, we simply pack up and head for higher ground. No matter where we go, we’re always “home”.

We have up to 400 watts of portable solar, and a total of 1200Kwh of battery power. This runs our little fridge, and all our devices.

We cook with a small electric induction stove. We also have a grill if we want to cook on a fire, but it’s much more messy and inconvenient.

A shade awning is a must – Ouray Colorado

It’s quite amazing how much we managed to fit in this van – we really are ready for anything.

There’s a 10ft X 10ft screen room, a full set of tables and chairs, and even a portable shower (though taking a dip in a cool, mountain stream is much more refreshing).

No swimming in Yellowstone’s hot springs

Into the Great Wide Open

It’s hard to put into words the feeling one gets from venturing untethered, deep into the American West. There is a romantic quality to it all; a poetry in the freedom to wander these vast, iconic landscapes at will.

We still have our creature comforts, and can even find signal in some of the most remote wildernesses.

The best part is we can avoid summer crowds – by carefully timing our visits to the busiest national parks.

So. Much. Wildlife.

Days turn to weeks, and before you know it, weeks can turn into a month. It’s addictive.

Here are more shots from Yellowstone National Park, and a Montana ranch where we visited friends for the 4th of July.

However, for us, Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming was the peak of scenic beauty.

A hike to remember 

There are endless opportunities to teach my daughter about the world around us.

On this trip we spotted coyotes, elk, deer, marmots, bears, and bald eagles. Oh, and bison. Thousands of them.

She is is learning how to respect nature without being afraid – but also how to be prepared for anything.

Here we camped at a cool 8,000 feet elevation…which meant wildflowers were still blooming in the middle of summer.

Nature – It’s Not All Sunshine & Rainbows

If life were perfect all the time, I’d have no perspective to appreciate anything. That’s what I told myself as swarms of mosquitoes descended on me up here.

This was one of the few locations that we set up our screen room. Lifesaver!

There’s a strange satisfaction that comes from relaxing comfortably with a great view…and seeing hundreds of mosquitoes stuck to the netting just inches from your face.

Knowing that none of them are able to feast on you.

Ah, life’s simple pleasures.

Nothing like a campfire with a view like that.

The Sun Gives Energy…& Can Take it Away

A lesson we learned was how challenging it is keeping charged with sunlight each day. Sunny, open areas are best, but then you must be high enough in elevation to stay cool.

Lower elevations are warmer, so you need shade…but then you must keep moving the solar equipment as the shadows creep across your site every day.

Ugh.

Still worth it.

These final pictures were taken up above Mono Lake in California. The eastern Sierra is a great place to escape the peak summer heat.

What we love about being on the road is the constant new horizons. We get plenty of exercise as we hike and explore each day.

I don’t think Native Americans even had a word for exercise…

There is only living.

We fall into healthy, natural sleep cycles that follow the rising and setting of the sun.

It is a deep, restful sleep.

Not to mention how limited our screen time is, and how much we enjoy being in the great outdoors together as a family.

I’ll never forget the peace I felt waking up to a sunrise with my two favorite travel partners.

* I have included a few Amazon links to products I personally use and recommend. Visiting them will help me keep sharing adventures like this. Thanks for reading!

The post Family of 3 – So Wild, So Free appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

Eventually, I grew my following to the point where fancy hotels and resorts were inviting me to stay and write about it…so…

What happened?

Well, first of all, let me apologize for the cringey HuffPost-circa-2013 style headline. The truth is, yes, parenthood did end up changing my life of travel…but only for the better, and in ways I could never have imagined.

My daughter and I

What happened? Well, my daughter happened…and it was clear to me that my life would never be the same. Somehow my wife and I hit the ground running with our new baby…something primal took over, and we seemed to know exactly what to do.

Raising a Child is Constant Change

You might ask how I could make the transition from “solo wanderer” to “committed father”. Good question.

What I realized is that I was kind of addicted to ever-changing circumstances. I wish I could be OK with a stable office job, and a perfect cookie cutter house in the suburbs…but to be honest, that would be my own personal hell.

Well, If there’s one thing I could commit myself to in life, it’s change. It turns out this is one of the strange, unexpected ways a world traveler could be well-suited for parenthood. I had no idea how drastically things change as childhood progresses – especially in the first two years!

The constant novelty of physical growth and developmental milestones…I reveled in it.

My Daughter Revived My Love For Travel

Yes, it had lost a bit of its lustre for me, and I thought I might be ready to leave that world behind. However, then I realized how well my daughter traveled.

She did a cross country roadtrip – from California to Maine, before hitting her 1st birthday. By 3 she had touched down in Singapore, and made multiple trips across the world to the Philippines.

In fact, being out here with her has kickstarted a whole new era of exploration for us.

Strapped, in Yosemite

Everything is new and exciting to her. I’m once again seeing the world through the innocent eyes of youth – and endless possibilities.

She learned to walk in the Arizona desert

Picking pumpkins in Vermont

The seasons change, and so does she – California

“The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” – Cliche, but Sooooo True

I was one of those who thought maybe I’d never have kids. It’s hard to put into words just how rewarding the experience is, though. 

Waiting for “Old Faithful” – Yellowstone

I came from a generation whose parents had a lot of children. It almost seems like they had kids because that’s just what you’re supposed to do.

Hiking in Grand Tetons National Park

As a result, I often felt like I was just in the way. One of the upsides to people having far less kids today? They probably grow up feeling more appreciated.

The downside to an only child is that they can grow up being “helicoptered”, and end up spoiled and entitled as a result. Hopefully having the Filipino influence in our family will help keep this from happening.

The Playground Of Life

Rock Climbing in Idaho

We visit plenty of actual playgrounds while we crisscross the country, but there’s nothing like nature’s playgrounds.

We are a “free range family”, with plenty to learn on every trail – and around every corner.

In Utah, we visited a real-life dinosaur bone quarry. In Idaho, a volcanic site with large fissures in the ground. She’s just 3 years old, but she’s already absorbed and experienced more life than I did in my first three decades!

Here we leaned in to smell the bark of the “Jeffrey Pine” tree. These behemoths grow in the high Sierra, and have a sweet smelling bark reminiscent of butterscotch. She loved it!

So. Much. Wonder.

I want my daughter to know what a distinct pleasure it is to live on this earth, a planet with so much beautiful life and diversity. To know that life is to be enjoyed, not simply endured.

I fell in love with the world decades ago, now I consider it a great honor to be able to share everything I’ve learned with her.

It’s the most important job I’ll ever have.

So…my life of travel is a thing of the past. Now it’s our life of travel – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

– Nathan Allen

You can check out more of our U.S. adventures HERE.

The post Having a Child Ended My Life Of Travel appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

Opulent Decay

The Internet was non-existent, the exterior was weathered and falling apart, and to top things off, during one of many lackluster meals there, I was served a pizza that literally had a cockroach crawling across it.

Now, if this had been a budget hotel, it would have been easier to forgive conditions like these. However, this was billed as the most extravagant place to stay in the region. To put things in perspective, this hotel looked down over one of the poorest parts of the Philippines. It would take the average citizen a month’s salary to stay just one night in a basic room here.

Dilemmas, & Lessons Learned

I was now obligated to promote this place. How could I do so in good conscience? Well, in my mind, I did the write up in the most acceptable, but honest way possible. I learned a valuable lesson. From then on, I only accepted invitations after fully vetting the properties and individuals involved.

Part of the Corruption

Sad to say, but back then at least, the easiest way to gain wealth and power in the Philippines was to join in on the corruption. If you are touring around, visiting the more upscale resorts in the country, it’s almost inevitable that you will be supporting some unsavory characters along the way.

The Need For Change

However, this wasn’t the only reason I grew tired of my blogging lifestyle.

There really is such thing as too too much of a good thing. Just about anything can lose its appeal if you do it enough.

My experience on the beautiful island of Boracay comes to mind. I found a way to stay there for an entire month – enough time to make any adventurer salivate with envy.

Let me tell you…for me, it was a unique form of torture.

Island Fever

You would meet people from all over the world, party with them…have the time of your life, then be left alone on a tiny island you were already done exploring…waiting for the next batch of tourists to help bring the spark back to this vacation paradise that you called home.

Eventually it didn’t feel so incredible anymore…it just felt…OK. I hated myself for feeling this way. I knew I was supposed to love this life, but mentally, I had already checked out.

The novelty can wear off. You get older…and if you’re like me, you’re desperate for change.

Time For a Rebirth

The truth is, I have lived many lives already…reinvented myself several times over the years. Those who know me as a “travel personality” have no idea that at age 19, I started recording and producing my own music as an artist.

Diamond selling artist “Nelly” became a fan of my music, and linked to my page from his own. I ended up on a few worldwide charts, even surpassing artists such as Q-Tip and Snoop Dogg briefly. Still, a paycheck was elusive.

Stick Figure

I thought it was more sensible to create an audio production company, and I began taking on clients from around the globe. Most notably was Scott Woodruff, also known as “Stick Figure” – now one of the top reggae stars in the world. To realize this was all possible, starting as a young guy in his childhood home…I couldn’t believe it.

However, as had happened previously, I started to wonder what else might be on the horizon. If there ever was an overarching theme in my life, it would be my love of travel.

“I Dreamed of This” is Born

I started finding ways to be able to work online as I traveled (I suppose I was one of the first to do this as well). I loved photography and storytelling, and after a few years of this backpacking lifestyle, I started this website, and my experiences in the Philippines went viral.

If you’ve followed my journey for a while here, you probably know what happened during this time.

Uneasy Success

My newfound notoriety seemed to interfere with my ability to freely capture the experiences I was having. It’s one thing to travel solo with a white face in the Philippines, quite another to do so with an increasingly famous white face. For me, more and more success brought more and more discomfort.

I never wanted to be famous. I guess this is why I passed up several opportunities to appear on TV. I wanted a simple, happy life; to photograph and learn about the fascinating people and culture surrounding me.

Additionally, being on the other side of the world in Asia, I was in desperate need of genuine friendship. Sadly, sometimes my sudden and unexpected success made me question the intentions of others.

I’m sure it wasn’t always the case, but back then there were a lot of social climbers in the Philippines.

“The Process”

Unfortunately, writing and posting on my page began to feel routine and formulaic as well.

When I wrote my first article “What the Philippines is Really Like”, a friend in Manila told me that it was just a fluke, and I probably wouldn’t have another viral article like it again.

Well, the next article was two or three times more successful! It reached millions. I was able to repeat this process a few more times after that…but that was the problem. It was a process. I discovered a formula, and though I wasn’t in a competition with others, I was in a competition with myself.

Why Am I Doing This?

Almost without realizing it, instead of focusing more on authenticity, I began crafting my message in such a way to maximize my reach. I knew how to appeal to emotion, and keep my wording simple to get through to more people. I knew how often to post, and at what times. I began using programs that helped optimize my articles in terms of word count and “readability”.

In other words, to appease the algorithm, I kind of lost my voice. I didn’t like who I was becoming.

Decline of Credibility

To add to this, realizing that traditional media outlets were likely being compromised in the same way (in order to stay competitive) was quite disheartening. In the United States, MSNBC and ABC had gone the way of Fox news. The days of objective journalism are loooong gone.

Now it’s nothing but political propaganda and hyperbole as far as the eye can see…and it’s sad to watch people I care about get lost in the chaos.

Of course, this idealogical capture is even worse at certain times of the year…on Facebook, I like to joke how great it would be to “snooze people until after the election.”

Anyway, I called it years ago, but it’s no surprise that credibility in the media is at an all time low.

Polarizing For Profit

Back in my “blogging” days, I always needed to feel like I was moving forward, so I kept pushing for higher and higher engagement (that’s a buzzword you get real familiar with as a blogger).

I realized the best way to reach more people was to get people commenting on your posts. Comments sent the message to Facebook that your article was interesting…and they then opened the floodgates so more people could find you.

Unfortunately, the best way to get people commenting was to spark conversations that resulted in arguments.

Not enough people realize that the news organizations are still businesses at the end of the day. Emotional people in the comments are a gold mine for these companies, but when our media is there to enrage rather than inform, what does it mean for society?

Moreover, could I somehow be contributing to this?

What Needs To Be Said

At one point it seemed I was reaching more people on Facebook than the national media in the U.S. & the Philippines. I was adding 10,000 Facebook followers a day. It was surreal.

It became a sort of game to me. In order to reach the most people possible, I think I may have unconsciously starting saying what people wanted to hear, not necessarily what needed to be said. I believe the vast majority of creators have fallen into this trap, simply because the system rewards them for it.

“Audience Capture”

My tens of thousands of readers had certain expectations of me, and it was reflected in my decreased reach…anytime I strayed from what they were looking for. This phenomenon is known as “audience capture”. Eventually I became uninspired, and lost interest in posting altogether.

I always felt like monetizing my website would ruin what I loved, so thankfully, I never fully went down that path. However, this “competition” I was in was also ruining what I loved.

Rise of the “Content Creators”

I realized that I was at my happiest when I was free, doing unrelated online work, and traveling with my modest income. My photos and stories were a labor of love, not simply content.

Content just sounds so routine and sterile.

“Content Creator” – wow, what a depressing title for a truly artistic person to bestow upon themselves. I remember seeing the beginnings of this in 2012…

Plastic Posts, Plastic People

I would be at a picturesque waterfall in Cebu, in complete awe at the beauty surrounding me. Waves of foreign tourists would arrive on motorbikes, usually couples. They would quickly find the best angles, and he would take countless photos of her fake candid poses in a skimpy bathing suit.

The two of them would be back on the motorbike and on to the next destination before you could bat an eye. It seemed at some point that convincing others you were there, enjoying the moment became more important than actually being there, enjoying the moment.

This was not real life, and no, these were not my people.

Desperate For Clicks

I recall joining foreign blogger groups early on…and being entirely dismayed by what I saw there. On top of people openly talking about how easy it was to “mine” Filipinos for clicks, another example was a member who was reported to have mental health issues, and suddenly went missing. His situation went a bit viral because nobody had seen him.

He later surfaced, openly complaining that his “disappearance” didn’t garner enough hits on his website.

Gross.

A Creative “Dark Age”

These people did not seem to be creatives; producing evocative photos, narratives, and insight that fill readers with a sense of wonder and awe. Instead, they were narcissistic robots, all churning out the same “optimized” drivel.

Congratulations, you’ve left your “9 to 5″…and turned your new, life-changing experiences into…yet another job.

Now, one can even feign talent and personality (and quite convincingly!) with artificial intelligence.

Lord help us.

(It is for these reasons that I tried to refer to myself as a “travel writer” instead of a blogger. In my mind, “blogger” has changed meanings from someone journaling online, to someone who is paid to promote experiences. For the record, I know plenty of non-narcissistic working bloggers who fit into this category, and they are quite good at it. More power to them.)

So What Happened To Me?

I am nothing if not a total cliché, so as the blogging / influencer movement gained more popularity, my “inner hipster” began pushing me in the opposite direction. I started posting less and less. In fact, I went old school with my adventures. I texted photos directly to my friends and family, rather than broadcast them out to thousands online. Haha. Strangely, it felt great.

Before all the attention, I had already learned how to love life, and I returned to this simple pursuit – without the distraction and expectations of others.

Marriage & Priorities

I got married and had a daughter. They are my whole world now. I appreciate all of my readers from over the years, but I hope you understand just how much work it was for me to share my travel stories. I had certain standards I set for myself, so that meant hauling around 4 cameras, multiple lenses, chargers, and a laptop everywhere I went.

With a mess of cables and plugs, simply transferring files from SD cards was enough of a struggle – let alone trying to upload videos with non-existent wifi, deep in a remote jungle!

Who am I kidding? I loved every minute of it. It’s just not sustainable anymore.

The Adventures Will Never Stop

However, lately I’ve found a new motivation to write. First of all, with the help of newer tech, I’ve been able to streamline the process a TON. I can now do the same amount with 10 times less gear / effort…and without sacrificing quality.

Second, now I’m motivated to do it for my family and I, to have a record of our adventures together. I want my daughter (and future generations) to be able to look back and gain insight into who we were, and what made us tick.

In other words, from now on, I’d like to continue “I Dreamed Of This” in the most genuine and authentic way possible. I married a Filipina, and I’m quite certain it’s the best decision I ever made. We have a home base, but now we’re living a life of discovery as we raise a daughter out on the open road. There’s a lot of life to live.

We’re trying to teach her Tagalog, and if all goes well, hopefully Bicol and Cebuano as well. I want her to know the value of who she is, and where she comes from.

I’d really love for you to follow along, but we will keep this ball rolling either way. HERE is my very first post in this new format.

(Life has been a rollercoaster lately, my daughter was born, and my mother passed away soon after. Parenthood has triggered some important realizations about my childhood as well. It’s been a lot to process, sorry to leave you hanging while I regained my footing and adjusted to this new reality.

Again, thanks so much for all your support over the years!)

-Nathan Allen

The post The Moment I Knew I Was Done With Blogging appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

The thing is, this cabin doesn’t even belong to us! The Young family has been inviting me here for many years – offers that I’ve always been more than happy to take them up on.

While the exterior of the cabin may have been modernized over the years, the inside still retains its vintage charm. There are shag carpet-era blinds on the windows, and the kitchen still has those groovy 70s hues. The walls are adorned with family photos…my favorite being pictures of the cabin itself, being built in the early 60s (by hand), and by the owners themselves.

This place even has its own old-timey aroma…you could take me anywhere in the world, blindfold me, bring me back to the cabin, and I could take one whiff and know exactly where I was. It’s endearing, and instantly takes me back to that time and place. 

Put simply, the cabin is a vibe. So much more than just a vacation property…to me, it’s the story of a family. A slice of post-WWII Americana – a symbol of ingenuity and prosperity. It’s a time capsule.

In fact, my brother bought property with an old house near Yosemite, and I used this cabin as my inspiration to try and create something similar there. It’s got the same 70s feel, complete with a classic hi-fi and a wall full of vinyl records.

Still though, I realized it could never compare. It’s just an old house pretending to be a cabin…and the family I grew up in would never be the Youngs. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but as Sinatra liked to say…”that’s life”.

Anyhow, this time Billy invited us here while we were on an epic trip through the West. We had actually just seen them at their family ranch in Montana, and had been on the road for quite some time. Even though I was a bit beat up from our adventure, I still couldn’t pass up more quality time at the cabin.

Of course, the Youngs went all out with quite a spread to BBQ and partake in. There’s nothing like sitting out on the deck enjoying your food under the canopy of trees above. Abbie had fun playing with Billy & Gina’s son Jamo.

Activities around the cabin usually include a trip to “the meadow”, where one can find wildflowers and butterflies during the day, and plenty of stars at night.

A day trip to the small, community lake never fails to hit the spot as well. The kids had a blast here.

Billy loves to take people to explore the forest roads on the side by side.

His enthusiasm for this is matched only by Abbie’s excitement to come along.

Driving up to the lookout is a great way to catch a golden sierra sunset.

As the little ones nod off after plenty of forest adventures, the adults catch up and reminisce about the “good ol’ days”.

Boating on Pinecrest Lake

Billy surprised us with a trip out on a pontoon boat. Pinecrest really is beautiful.

The warm weather was perfect for a day out on the lake. His twins enjoyed climbing and exploring the granite rocks. Pinecrest is much more crowded than it was when we were younger, so it was nice to be able to cross the water and find a “beach” of our own.

Billy and Gina took turns driving the boat with Jamo. He seemed to revel in it.

Plenty of sunshine, great music & food…this is what summer’s all about. It was Abbie’s first trip on a boat, we couldn’t even peel her away from looking at the water long enough to take a family photo! Haha.

I later met up with Billy and he recounted that this was one of the best cabin trips he’s ever taken. I agreed, and when I thought about it more, I realized it’s probably because it’s the first time he’s had an old friend up with their family, too.

There’s something special about watching the next generation – your own children – partake in the same rituals you did when you were younger. They’re exploring the same meadow, boating on the same lake, and even playing with the same classic toys. There’s real continuity there.

Billy and I have a sort of brotherhood that has spanned decades, and now it’s extending out to our spouses and our kids. I realized I, too, have history at this cabin. In a way, their family story has also become my family story. We are now “honorary Youngs”.

Before we got back on the road to finish this epic 6-week trip, I snapped this photo of Shella giving Billy a big hug. The picture says it all.

Cheers,

Nathan

The post Back to the Cabin – After All These Years appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

We then set out for Moab, Arches, Ouray, and Jackson Hole. Somewhere up in the vibrant aspen forests, I realized we better order some new portable solar panels. Ours had been damaged when the wind blew them over, and even more so when the Colorado rain hit.

I learned a lesson about these portable panels – convenience factor is through the roof, but you really need to be careful with them.

On the Banks of the Yellowstone River

Anyhow, as chance would have it, an old friend was having his family reunion on their ranch in Montana, right along the river. Our friendship spans 3 decades of my life, and we jumped at the chance to join them up in “big sky” country.

The best part was that we could have our powerful new solar panels shipped right to their front door!

Here we were, a thousand miles from home, ordering items in a remote aspen forest, and having them delivered to an iconic Montana ranch, right along our route.

What a time to be alive.

Well, this was an incredible addition to our trip – the weather here on the property was just perfect. Not too warm, not too cold…and with a distinct lack of mosquitoes. How is this possible right in the middle of Summer?

The ranch is just north of Yellowstone National Park, which we had toured extensively on the way up.

After a few weeks of being out in the wilderness, our little family was definitely ready for a nice social gathering. We couldn’t ask for more than a friendly 4th of July BBQ. Here Glen is chatting with some of the guests.

I could sense how excited Billy was to share these traditions with us as well. In many ways, his was the family I always wished I had…a motley crew that was wise to plant these adventurous seeds many decades ago.

Now they not only have this Montana ranch, but also a quaint cabin in the Sierra. Thanks to their grandfather (and the stewardship of his children), generations of Youngs will grow up with this “wild west” legacy.

Champagne Wishes & BBQ Dreams

Anyhow, this family knows how to have a get together. Other friends, new and old, joined in on the fun. The classic rock was playing, the drinks were flowing, and the BBQ was superb. Thanks, Jared.

It’s rare for me to meet “my people”, but here indeed, I found them. Jared shared some of his encyclopedic knowledge about The Who, Dire Straits, and Badfinger, while others chatted with the neighbor photographer, who was responsible for the iconic “Marlboro Man” ads back in the day.

I can’t tell you how surreal it was to be out there catching up with the Youngs, while the ranch hands arrived in their dusty old Ford trucks. These cowboys are the real deal. I hope Abbie is old enough to remember all of this!

Of course, there are plenty of “toys” on a ranch, and Billy loves nothing more than to take the kids out and see the joy on their faces. This is part of the reason I have always felt Billy was a kindred spirit – he may live hard and fast, but he seems more intent on celebrating life than escaping it.

The world simply happens to most people; they are perpetual victims of circumstance. Conversely, Billy is the kind of person that happens to the world. I think I can relate to that.

In addition to the 4-wheeler, there is also a classic Willy’s jeep and a side-by-side to get around on. Billy and Gina’s kids jumped in the back with Abbie and they all had a blast.

Theresa is Billy’s mom, and Shella seemed to really click with her. Billy had always mentioned there was some Filipino blood in his family, and it was great to get more info about this. His brother Derek even told us that their grandfather spoke Bicol, the rather obscure language that Shella’s family speaks!

I know this connection meant a lot to Shella, being so far removed from her home and culture. I don’t want to make it sound like she isn’t enjoying it out here, but everybody gets homesick now and then.

Kaboom!

Well, the fireworks were a hit. The Youngs go all out in this department – these were not the “black cats” and bottle rockets of my youth! We had no idea we would be treated to a professional-grade fireworks show at the base of the rocky mountains.

We explored some other parts of the ranch during our remaining days. There is an iconic red barn, with chickens roaming the grounds.

Shella bonded with their friendly pointer on the back deck

The Old Saloon

Well, Billy reminded me that no trip to Montana would be complete without dropping by a saloon. This one in particular (aptly named), is over 120 years old. They have live music on certain nights, and a part of me wishes I got to experience that before we left. There’s always next time.

Oh! Speaking of kindred spirits, I would be remiss if I didn’t shine some light on ol’ John, the ranch caretaker. This guy is straight out of a movie…you could live your whole life and never meet another like him.

Crude, witty, and downright hilarious, he is…and a true lover of music, to boot. This weathered cowboy embodies the wild west ethos, for sure.

Overall, the experience on this ranch was the highlight of an already spectacular trip through the American west. We’d like to thank the Young family for their warm and festive hospitality.

Until next time,

Nathan + fam

(More adventures HERE)

The post 4th of July at the Yellowstone Ranch appeared first on I Dreamed Of This.

Well, apparently the town needed some kind of claim to fame, so it changed its name from “Baxter Springs” to “Dinosaur” in 1966. As you can see above, some of the local ranchers have capitalized on the discovery of dinosaur bones nearby as well.

There is a small museum here where you can find more information. With a large femur bone from a T-Rex, this little stop was just a taste of what was to come (I guess you could say the monument “threw the town a bone”…I’ll see myself out.)

Dinosaur, Colorado really is tiny, but we did stop at the playground and notice that even the street names have been changes to dinosaur names.

The rangers had told us the main Utah location had a real-life dinosaur bone quarry, where bones still lie in-tact, directly in the mountainside…you can even go up and touch them! Well, indeed it did not disappoint…even the drive there was spectacular.

The visitor center was quite impressive. Here, Abbie was able to see Allosaurus bones firsthand – a dinosaur she had recently just learned about at home. You can look at this foot and clearly see how birds are directly related to these creatures.

One of the best parts was the free shuttle ride to the bone quarry. That was an experience in and of itself.

The countryside was beautiful, and we had a front row seat with the driver, who was pretty “colorful” herself. We had some good laughs on the way up.

I had no idea how amazing the quarry would be! The building is built right into the hillside, which has hundreds of fossils visible right in the rock face.

As you can see, there are expansive views of the high desert as you walk inside.

I loved that Abbie had the chance to get “hands on” with actual dinosaur bones. It really brings learning to life.

I swear, we could have stayed here all day. This is a full-grown and complete Allosaurus skeleton.

What an excellent last-minute addition to our trip north into the Grand Tetons. Highly recommended. The landscape itself even feels prehistoric – one could easily gaze out and imagine these great beasts battling and foraging for food.

The best part was that admission was free with my National Park pass.

Well, more to come. Until next time,

Cheers.

Nathan + fam

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