Hi! T.B. Pug here! My background is in IT and for the past 2 years I’ve been working as a GIS Server Admin. This is great for an adventurer like me, because it allows me to utilize ESRI’s super expensive software in my down time to build my own personal hiking and traveling maps as well as research any future adventures.
I haven’t always been an adventurer, but I have always loved the outdoors. My journey began back in 2015 when I purchased my first jet skis. They were extremely old, 1995 Kawasaki’s. One of them was a failure right from the start but I figured I could fix it since it was a two-stroke and those are generally easy to work on. I couldn’t repair it, so I wound up finding and purchasing a 1997 Yamaha Wave Venture.
The jet skis were fun for a while but then I wound up buying a boat in 2018 so my kids, friends and family could have fun and relax as well. It was a 2013 Bayliner BR220. It was great fun, but it became such a headache to get prepped and launched every time, plus the after-fun cleanup before putting it away became a hassle as well. I also found out from the Marina when I brought it in for repairs that the engine was a 2016. (The boat was a 2013 model). The Marina said “Yeah, I’m 99% sure this boat was sunk previously”. Not the news I wanted to hear. They fixed my issue and I immediately put the vessel up for sale.
Before I found out the Bayliner was sunk, I had already purchased a new Jet ski in November of 2019, a 2020 Yamaha GP1800R SVHO. For about 6 months I was trading off, going back and forth from the boat to the skis until I heard that news from the marina. I already had an order for a new 2021 Yamaha FX Limited SVHO in the works. But because COVID had started and we were 6 months in, it was causing huge delays. I finally wound up with a 2022 Yamaha FX Limited SVHO about 8 months after it was supposed to be ready. We had a blast with these skis! I dragged my friends everywhere… and we explored a ton of N.E FL, the panhandle, central FL and the Florida Keys.
The turning point for me came when I was trying to enjoy some peace and quiet at a local spring run on a weekday with a friend and after a hour or two several boats came in, anchored and started blaring their music, being crazy loud and disturbing the peace & tranquility of the spring run. It was at that point I said screw it and bought a Hobie Compass (I believe that was in 2021). I went all out and got the sail kit for it as well! It’s super fun, but I only use it in water that’s crystal clear. I don’t wanna tip over in gator infested waters! LOL
Fast forward to the present and I’ve officially gotten rid of ALL of my jet skis and my boat and currently use just my kayaks for water adventures. My stress level has reduced drastically now that I don’t have to deal with drunkin’ idiots, expensive repairs, $$$ on gas and several hours cleaning and putting them away AFTER having fun on the water. (I mean honestly, who wants to work after relaxing all day) I currently have 1 Hobie Compass, 1 Pelican and 2 Potomac kayaks. My friends, family and I have taken them out several times on adventures and they’re great fun on spring runs!
My hiking and camping adventures are where it’s at, however. Yes, I get some great and beautiful pictures and videos out on the springs but, in my opinion, they don’t even compare to the pictures and videos I get while hiking and camping in the mountain wilderness! The only drawback is that I’m solo… so no friends next to me that can “Ooo” and “Ahh” with me about the beautiful scenery. lol While I do a lot of my long-distance adventures solo, when I’m local, it’s always fun to have a couple of crazy friends nearby… I present, “The Peanuts Gang”. 😊 This was taken on Juniper Springs, and I’ll make that blog soon enough…
The Appalachian Trail has always been on my bucket list, and considering I’m not getting any younger I decided to start prepping for it in late 2023. I spent nearly 6 months training and exercising as well as gathering everything I need to be in the woods for weeks at a time. My first trip was in September of 2024 where I attempted the Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap. I did manage to make it to the Tray Mountain Shelter, but considering I had another 8 miles to go and an injury I’ve had for decades resurfaced, I was forced to suck it up, hobble back down the mountain and start researching surgery on my ankle.
After surgery and many months of recovery and P.T., I was given the green light to start hiking again in June of 2025. I’ve been training ever since! It’s amazing how your muscles deteriorate when your not allowed to use a them.
While recovering from surgery, (and before tariffs went in-place this year) I purchased a Naturnest Sirius 2 Clamshell Rooftop Tent. Glad I did too, because not long after, (about a week) they updated their price to around $300.00 more than what I paid for it. I guess they either weren’t paying attention to their inventory or, I bought the last one they had in the states before it took effect.
Stay tuned, there will be plenty of adventure posts! Oh, and I have tons of footage, so my posts won’t be in chronological order until I’ve uploaded ALL my past adventures.
See you on the trail!
~T.B. Pug