What is going on with that Erica Nelson you ask?

Well, I hated my job. I was sitting in my office one beautiful sunny Saturday and hit a point where I couldn’t put up with the micromanagement and corporate scene any more. Frustrated with the politics, an awful boss that assigned my days off, I couldn’t enjoy that day or any other weekend for that matter; I’d be entering a summer full of missing hikes, bike rides, disc tournaments, beer fests, backpacking trips, visits to see my family and other events important to my friends, weddings, etc. I feel like I am living to work and not working to live.

View from work.

This was the only picture I could find of Autumn, after 3 years we spent together.  HA!

My buddy Rachel

I am incredible thankful for Autumn Davis who took a chance on hiring me back in 2009 as her assistant and mentored me and encouraged me in my 2 promotions. I learned so much from her and realized what it was like working for terrible management was after not working with her. I also actually thank my terrible boss for making me realize I need to step it up to build a career I am passionate about. She made me realize I don’t want to put up with this or be like her in any sense which was the road I was heading down.

I saw a quote on day that read, “Follow your dreams or you’ll be working for someone else that did.” Whoa! That hit me hard. I am not on to listen to you bitch over and over if you don’t have a plan to do something about it. It was time to take my own advice and thanks to a dear friend, Rachel McKay for encouraging me to “quit your day job and do what makes you happy.” I remember laughing about this comic she had posted on her desk. What is even funnier and mostly ironic is I remember when Autumn and I hired her, I could tell she wasn’t into her job and not as passionate about it as I was or at least was trying to portray. I sat her down in our office we shared, closed the door and had given her the “is this the right job for you” talk. She was fairly upset and gave her 2 weeks notice the next day without another job and planned on moving back home to Grass Valley, CA. It was a bit awkward at first because when we met, I thought we had some connection however I was not one to become friends with my staff outside of work. However in her interview she commented on my Chaco tan lines, which was enough for us to become best friends somewhere down the line so here was my chance and it worked out and I am glad she gave me the serious, “is this the right job for you” talk in return.

Anyway, so what’s next? Well, I want to be free from being “grounded.” I donated my bed to a dear friend and his girl friend, couch & kitchenware to a poor college kid, sold clothes, bought an old Subaru big enough to fit my bike, snowboard, snow shoes, rock climbing, camping and backpacking gear. Which actually became a lot harder that I thought it would be! It was embarrassing to see the material things I became attached to and found difficult to let go – even knowing I would not need them nor ever used them. I can definitely go into detail here having experienced this now and I ended up having to leave more things behind along the road.

I miss being able to pick up and go when ever and where ever. I am not married or have any children and I should be taking full advantage of this moment of my life to explore new places and learn new skills outside corporate. I feel as a human I am so comfortable with the things we built and I have no basic survival skills. Ok sure I got lost in Alaska for 7 days no food or water and it was the greatest adventure of my life. I want more of this and looking forward to living a resourceful lifestyle. So for now I am taking the summer to marry my good friends, Michelle and Kent Gigger – which I am proud I wrote the ceremony myself - soak up the beauty of Utah, the Sierra Nevada’s, learn to raft rivers and take people to climb mountains.

I got to Portland from connecting with people in Utah, Alaska, Grand Canyon and Alaska for the 2nd time. I am anxious to see whom I meet along with way to California and where it will lead me. I was accepted to Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, which as a new career focus I will be continuing my education. I have the plans to end up there for the coming fall but again remaining open to see what happens. I’m on the no plan plan. Hope to see you on the trails!

Cheers!