Pat and Bex meet on move-in day at Cal Poly SLO. Bex is immediately intrigued by Pat's mysterious demeanor. Pat is immediately overwhelmed by the quantity and speed of Bex's communication. Opposites attract!

Pat is pulled tighter and tighter into Bex's orbit. Her attraction tactics included: late-night SLODOCO donut runs, sorority dances, cool concert tickets, and hours upon hours of conversation.

After 2 years, Pat finally agrees to officially date Bex - how exciting! This is a picture of them on their first real 'date' - you guessed it, a hike!

Pat and Bex go on lots of adventures around California. Pat teaches Bex how to backpack, but carries all the cooking supplies, food, water, and tent for the two of them. Pat is able to brainwash Bex into thinking backpacking is fun and easy because her pack is mostly empty!

Pat and Bex both graduate from Cal Poly SLO. After months of searching, they are still unable to locate any photos from graduation (is anyone surprised?). Here is a photo taken shortly after graduation instead.

Pat and Bex move in together in Santa Barbara, CA, and begin their 'Garden Shed Era'. Patrick leans into his love for all things cycling, and Bex discovers her passion for backpacking with a fully weighted-pack. Pat does his first century bike race, and Bex solo hikes the John Muir Trail. Pat surprises Bex at the top of Mount Whitney on the last day of her 20-day trip, and she is very excited.

Pat and Bex grow bored of their perfectly good life in Santa Barbara. Just like any normal, early 20's, recent college graduate with limited savings would do, they quit their jobs and go to Europe for 3 months! Naturally, they choose to only go to places that are extremely difficult to get to, no one has ever heard of, and have pretty views.

Upon returning from Europe, Pat and Bex decide to buy an old, Toyota truck (Cliff) and live in it for 3 months while traveling around the western US. Publicly, the goal of the trip is to find a new place to live - applying to and interviewing for jobs along the way. Privately, multi-day backpacking trips in the sickest places ever quickly become the priority.

Bex and Pat touch down in Steamboat Springs, CO! Thanks to their sweet friend, Pepper (whom Bex met hiking the JMT), they are introduced to the beautiful, Routt County. Pat is excited about living in a ski town, and Bex is excited about being able to go backpacking from her front door. But mostly, they are both excited about never having to go to the Lone Pine Visitors Center to get permits ever again.

The next 6 years in Steamboat consist of mostly the same things (hiking, biking, skiing, rafting, traveling, playing in the dirt with our friends, etc). Notable highlights include: Bex learns how to ski, gets into trail running, and eventually, gets brainwashed into liking mountain biking. Pat also learns how to ski, becomes a local biking champion, and finally buys a Subaru. Pat and Bex buy a condo (woohoo!) and adopt a velociraptor in a dog costume. They also make an incredible group of friends in Steamboat who make living here an absolute HOOT!!