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A Dream Life

• December 2010
• Hi Steph Travel

Hello Steph,
I read an article about your climbing and adventurous life while sitting in my chiropractor’s office. I was wondering if you could, if you have time, throw me a little advice. I am a 19yr old student. I just moved to Boise, Idaho from Texas to go to school at Silverhawk Aviation Academy so that I may one day be a helicopter pilot.

I have not always wanted to be a pilot. The idea came to me last July when I was wondering which classes to take at UT Austin; I realized that I did not want to waste my money to get a degree that I didn’t really enjoy just so that I may wait in line for a job that I hate. So after some research I decided to move to Idaho because flying Helicopters seemed way more exciting. I mean I get to travel and fly! What could be better? Yet no matter how much I fly, I am still missing something. Something that I only get when I’m hiking alone by myself. I need my life to be spiritual and fulfilling. My idea of a dream life would be living in a shack or a tree house, hunting, fishing, music, good friends, and a talent that can be used to help people. Do people like that exist I wonder? I’m sure they do and that they are wonderful people but I just don’t know where to look.

I’ve always had an itch in my pants to travel and be adventurous. I have always wanted to try rock climbing and I love the outdoors. It’s something that makes me feel so very human, unlike the rat race that western society has thrown all of its youth into. The creativity and freedom that comes with nature is the closest to God I can get.

Yes Steph, flying helicopters is exhilarating but in the end I will always be at someone’s beck and call. I want to fly for myself, on my time. The only time I feel alive is when I face nature and all its majesty. I want to do that for the rest of my life but I know not where to begin!

I guess my question is how did you muster up the courage to drop everything and dedicate yourself to the outdoors? What was life like for you before you started climbing? I find myself saying that I will eventually have the time to go out and try climbing or base jumping or camping. Yet I am terrified I am going to wake up one day and look back and wonder where my pursuits have taken me. I do not know anyone who does any of the things that I dream about and they are far too dangerous (maybe) to try on my own. I do not want my naivety to get the best of me.

Do you think it is even possible for a girl like me to live a life like yours? You just seem so happy with what you do and you are always surrounded by people who appreciate the beauty in life. I would like to find people like that, people who are just as passionate about passion as I am! If that makes sense at all.

I’m sorry if I have wasted your time but any advice would help so very much. Right now you’re the only person that I look up to believe it or not and I haven’t even met you. I am somewhat broken and frustrated with people and society’s view on what a successful life is. Thank you so much for your time and I respect what you do more than you could ever know.

– Christie sitting in Boise, Idaho

Dear Christine,
It is kind of funny for me to get your letter, because there are two paths I always kind of think I might have taken instead up until now….to be a veterinarian, or to be a helicopter pilot. My dad worked for Cessna and flew small planes, and I have several friends who are pilots and helicopter pilots. One thing I know is that it’s a long process, and one that can be very technical and detail-oriented. I imagine it’s not always fun or inspiring when doing things like IFR, on the daily basis. I think this is one situation where it’s possibly worth banging through the grind because ultimately you will be in an amazing place. Also, life is long. If you finish your studies and become a helicopter pilot, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be doing something else entirely after that. There are so many times when things feel frustrating and not worth it, but those feelings do change. I guess you have to ask yourself if you like the idea of flying all the time, and if you do, it’s worth it to stick it out through the process.

I also know that at your age it’s pretty overwhelming to try to figure out what exactly you will do with your life. Personally, I had no clue whatsoever when I was just out of high school. I got a degree in literature because I liked books 😉 You seem like you are a lot more directed than that, at age 19. I did question things a bit when I was getting a master’s degree….why am I doing this, what will it lead to, etc etc. I think at a certain point if you are in a situation where you have the opportunity to learn something, even if you question what you are doing there, you should just have faith and go as far as you can with it. The opportunity to learn is always always the best opportunity you can have. When I was getting a master’s, I had a teaching assistantship. So I was not paying for school, and I was also teaching freshman writing classes (that was the deal with the TA-ship). So although I had no idea what I would actually do with a master’s in literature, it wasn’t taking any resources from me, I was learning and writing, and I was also learning how to teach. I’ve never regretted that time, and I would venture to say that any time spent learning something is always time well spent.

It sounds like you are also anxious about finding kindred spirits, and you are not necessarily finding them where you are. I do know that most pilots are professional rather than adventurous, and that’s probably what you’re feeling in school right now. Again, don’t worry! Because you will find them. If you want to start climbing or skydiving or backpacking or helping, just go ahead and do it. Obviously you are brave and motivated, otherwise you wouldn’t be in helicopter school right now. When you have the opportunity, do the same thing, and just get going with another pursuit the same way you did with this. All of the pilots I know are jumpers (the ones who are more adventurous than professional!), and it is a pretty interconnected world of some pretty wild people. The people and environment you have in school are not necessarily the same as the ones you will find in the future. You might find yourself flying helicopters in Alaska, living a very independent and wild life. Or you may finish and decide to go live in a cabin in Alaska, with your feet never leaving the ground, because like I said, life is long. It doesn’t all have to make sense right now. But something made you go to Idaho, so don’t be afraid to trust yourself, in either direction.

So stay passionate, try not to worry. Things will unfold.
Steph