From Tessa's Eyes

by Tessa Bacathe, one and only female participant in the 2015 program

Words cannot describe how relieved I was to see Cassie on July 26th.  Wait, actually, yeah, words can.

Now for me, I was going into this little road trip with a series of unfortunate events behind me, including a fresh knee injury and at that point, an unresolved issue with my best friend.  So, for several reasons, I was looking forward to seeing Cassie because something about this fast-talking, philosophical human being always seems to brighten up my spirits.  So, yes, I REALLY wanted this trip even though things weren’t perfect.

So we drove, the exact mileage I can’t say, blaring full soundtracks ranging from Johnnyswim to Pitch Perfect 2.  I had never seen this side of Texas; I had no idea Texas was even capable of having hills.   Every so often Cass and I would stick our hands out the window, using the GoPro to record the gorgeous countryside.  We eventually made it to the campsite, complete with running water and electricity, which we couldn’t help cackling over since we are used to backcountry camping with no frills.  There was only one other time we had been “glamping,” and even then we couldn’t help but make jokes about the luxuries.  Regardless, I would take nearby flushing toilets over a tree any day.

Now let the orchestra of complex music play: we organized our campsite, set up the tent, made dinner, and managed to get our fan going (yes, a fan. Because, c’mon, Texas hardly cools down at night). However, none of that went smoothly; Cassie forgot a spatula, the air mattress barely fit in the tent, and it took several attempts to get the electricity going.  Still, we ate Cassie’s “hobo food,” we were settled, and then we went for a swim.  By this time, Cassie and I (or shall I say Johnny and Joey) had adopted (who knows why) male, New York style, Italian-American personas and befriended a local who found our exaggerated accents intriguing.  This, in turn, inspired us to create multiple personalities and use them for the majority of the trip, which, now that I think about it, sounds incredibly unhealthy of us to do.

I had honestly forgotten how brightly the sun appears from inside a tent; we woke up early the next morning.  I’d been mentally preparing myself for the long, uphill portion of a bike ride we had planned, but as soon as we finished breakfast, Cassie told me she ultimately decided against it for safety’s sake.  We did, however, manage to fill the morning with activity before devouring juicy peaches for lunch and heading to the Longhorn Caverns in time for our tour.

The caverns were something else entirely; I have trekked up to some of the highest points in the U.S., but not once have I actually seen what lies underneath.  I have seen lakes wedged between mountains, but I hadn’t seen the effect of whirlpools in Earth’s crust.  While seeing stalagmites and stalactites was amazing, I’ve got to say that being in the cool air for a change really made my day (well, until I started feeling sticky from the humidity).  I rather enjoyed ducking down and wriggling myself between crevices —but I could’ve done without the occasional slip on the wet cave floor.

After the tour, we went back to Devil’s Waterhole and jumped from the cliff a few times, but mainly watched daring young men and women leap from some of the most questionable places.  We relaxed, coasting along the current, and met several other locals and tourists.  Soon after, we changed and went out for dinner in town at a lovely Thai restaurant.  Great food and lots of sun exposure left Cassie and me in a content mood.  Before we went back to our campsite, Cassie had this lovely idea of lighting Chinese flying lanterns to signify a new beginning. They didn’t take off, but I still appreciated the symbolism behind them, LOL.  I’m just glad we had enough matches to get them lit.

My content mood only lasted for so long because in the morning I felt like death.  I missed having central air conditioning, I wanted caffeine, and I wanted WiFi.  I felt so disconnected from the world, I had no signal, and I was exhausted.  My body had started protesting but there was no way I wasn’t seeing everything Cassie had planned: Hamilton Pool and Jacob’s Well.  Hamilton Pool was nothing what I expected.  Then again, I didn’t know what to expect (actually, I didn’t expect a Jello-like creek connecting to the pool).  At Jacob’s Well, Cassie took a good minute and thirty seconds to jump into it from the rocks above.  I chose not to jump but rather slink into the natural spring.  The water was freezing, but it woke me up from my funk.

This trip was coming to a conclusion, and knowing that this was also Cassie’s goodbye trip, it surfaced all sorts of feelings.  If it wasn’t for her, I would not have stayed or even joined Veritas at all.  I would have never felt so comfortable voicing my questions and opinions about life.  I admired her on so many levels; she had sass and compassion and determination and a tasteful sense of humor.  I kind of regret crying so much on the trip, but I couldn’t help it —this was the end of an era for me.  I hadn’t challenged myself to that degree ever.  I started really making decisions regarding family, friends, and school thanks to Veritas. Which by the way, I still continue to do. :)

After arriving home, Cassie helped me gather my things, and then she gave me a very special gift from the program.  I fought back even more tears (ugh) and made Cassie promise we would see each other again.

Here’s to the next chapter of our lives!

P.S. Can I give a huge shoutout to Grant, Jashley, their families and the board of directors?  Well, I am!  I only met you all a few times, but still, so much happiness filled the room when I saw you guys.  I felt extremely welcomed.  Thanks again for this extraordinary opportunity!

The Women Went To Wimberley

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by Cassie Byard, Women’s Director at Veritas Life Adventures

How do you say goodbye and move on from a season that has been so full and good?  You honor it with laughter.  With tears.  With good food and fun.  With photographs and long chats.  With silence.  This is how we (the women) wrapped up our last Veritas venture.

This trip to the hill country of Texas was a meaningful one for both its adventurers, as each of us is moving into different directions on our life journeys.  Tessa, this year’s sole female participant in the Veritas program, will be beginning afresh(man ;)) at the University of North Texas this month (with a well-earned, FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIP, I might add!) moving on to the exciting world of college life!  As for me (Cassie), this month marks the last of my time with Veritas.  I’ll be leaving in less than two weeks to return to the mountains of Switzerland for the fall.  So, to commemorate our Veritas experiences and make a few last memories for good measure, Tessa and I headed deep into the heart of Texas and explored caverns, waterholes, lakeside cliff edges and natural springs.

With iTunes playlists ready and car packed for two nights of camping in July heat (WHAT WERE WE THINKING?!?!), we hit the road for Inks Lake State Park!  Good company makes the time pass so quickly; before we knew it we were setting up camp and making dinner in our “glamping” electric skillet :) —I must say, short-term camping with the opportunity to make fresh food instead of dehydrated meals was a lovely way to end our Veritas saga!

Who says you can't eat healthy while camping??

Watching the sun set over the lake was the perfect way to end the day, and once sun was down it was “lights out” for us, too.  Though, even with the measures we took to cool down the tent, we still had a restless night of “sleep” due to the fact that it was July.  In Texas.

Sunset fun

So, how else should we counter the heat than spend as much time as possible in the water?  There’s a cove in Inks Lake with a section of craggy cliffs and large boulders called “Devil’s Waterhole.”  It’s popular for its straightedge rock face and water level deep enough for some mild cliff jumping.  I mean, you had me at “Devil’s Waterhole,” but add the option for cliff jumping and we are IN!  And here I must brag on the courageous determination of Miss Tessa Baca. While I stood at the edge of the rocks and deliberated my first jump for more than a minute, Tessa climbed to the top, peered over the edge and took the plunge with no more than a second blink!  As she swam over to me after the jump, I remarked on her fearlessness. “No, I was definitely afraid,” she replied, “But this was something I had to do, so I just did it!  I knew if I just stood there and thought about it I wouldn’t do it.  So I just jumped.”  Now THAT is how you face life.  It’s not about being fearless; it’s about staring your fear in the face, saying, “You don’t own me, and you can’t hold me back,” and pushing through it!  Waytago, Tessa!

After a snack lunch we headed down the road for an extensive tour of Longhorn Cavern, a fascinating underground labyrinth packed with mystery, history and natural A/C!  If you’ve never been in a cave, this is a great one to check out!

Fascinating underground adventures!

That evening we strolled down to the lake’s edge as the sun sank toward the horizon and performed a Veritas closing ceremony of sorts.  The plan was to light Chinese sky lanterns to commemorate the close of one season and beginning of another, but the wind had another idea.  An entire box of matches later, we said goodbye to two drowning sky lanterns that never got to fly.  Well, they flew a little bit.  Er… maybe they fell.  In style.  We’ll just say the flight was less like an eagle’s, more like a chicken’s.  But we chuckled as we watched our “futures” dashed, drowned and destroyed despite our best intentions.  At least we snapped a photo of one in the air before it died!  (p.s. we’ll do better with our actual futures ;))

just before our "dreams" crashed and fizzled.

Our trek home the next day required driving further south first, to experience the wonders of Hamilton Pool and Jacob’s Well.  Neither of these places can be described in words; they MUST be seen!  But even photos don’t fully capture their beauty and marvel, as Tessa would tell you (she cheated and looked up photos before we visited both places and was still blown away -but I’ll let her describe that in an upcoming blog!).  So if you haven’t been to either, plan a detour through Dripping Springs and Wimberley next time you’re near Austin.  I promise it’s worth it!

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In only two and a half days, we experienced the perfect conclusion to each of our Veritas journeys.  Throughout this season, we have found friendship and depth, love and acceptance, challenges and encouragement.  We have overcome obstacles, faced fears and crushed opposition.  We have grown, each of us in different ways, but always moving forward.  And now we move on to the future, glowing bright and flying high —and the wind will not blow us into the lake and put out our light! :)

We are READY for ANYTHING! (Well, Cassie is. ;))

You Don't Need Anything More

By David Valentine, co-founder of Rethink and partner/board member/practitioner of the Veritas Lifestyle and Veritas Life Adventures

If you were just thinner…if you had a girlfriend, got a raise, made a 4.0, won state, got the newest iPhone, had more sex—you’d be happier. These are the messages we’re sold everyday, usually with some innovative dish soap (how innovative can dish soap be anyway?). The reality is you don’t need anything more than what you have right now to be fulfilled.

You may be thinking, “Come on. Do you know my life? A little extra cash would go a very long way.”The reality is…none of those things would actually fill the void. None of them would bring about the promised fruit, because they bring happiness for a while until that happiness runs out.

The secret to a fulfilling life is contentment. And contentment starts with an evaluation of what you already have in plenty.

Are you healthy? Can you walk, run, jump? Do you have people in your life who genuinely care about your well being? Have you eaten today? How many meals have you had? Do you have a home to go to? Is there air conditioning in that house? How many cars sit on your driveway or in your garage? Is the water you drink clean?

If you’re reading this you have a body—and it’s capable of doing amazing things. More than likely there is someone, somewhere who deeply cares about your well being. It’s reasonable to assume you’ve eaten at least once today (since you’re reading this on the internet). You probably are reading this on your iPhone while sipping a latte at Starbucks in fact.

So…you’re healthy. You are loved, you are fed, clothed, and have a place to call home. Not to mention you never wonder if your water is safe to drink.

You’ve got everything you need right here, right now. The key is to recognize how much you already have.

You don’t need anything more. We already have more than enough.

Revelation Trip 2015 Conclusion: A bitter sweet symphony

By Grant Boatwright, ED Veritas Life Adventures

I know, a really cliche throwback reference to a great song; both dating myself and hopefully giving you a bit of a chuckle at the same time.  However, I cannot think of any better way to sum up the 2015 Revelation Trip with our graduating (well graduated now) Seeker men.  And much like a symphony's crescendo, the trip delivered a beautifully harmonized and emphatic climax to all our time, trials, growth, perseverance, setbacks, and triumphs that brought our Seekers 'there and back again'.  No great journey is accomplished without pain, both good and bad, and only the truly great ones continue on past their destinations.

I believe I can honestly say that for these 3 men, they were able to accomplish their journey with Veritas Life Adventures through the pains of growth, physical and spiritual hardships, and nutritional barriers better than anyone could have hoped or anticipated at their acceptance into the program.  In addition, I know that is not the end for these men as they returned home graduated Seekers of the program, but their true beginning into the lifestyle and application of all that they have learned over their terms in the program.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, triumphant men of God, and you always hold fast to those people, lessons, and your relationship with Christ that have brought you thus far!

Now, off the box, and onto how the rest of the trip went:

Let's see where did we leave off...oh yeah 31 miles of hikes including

Workouts in the morning to get the blood and muscles prepared for the beat down to come.

Thin air, 15 min AMRAPS, not easy.

A 13 mile hike to Latir Mesa with breathtaking views stretching all the way to Colorado.

LatirMesa

A 4.6 mile plunge and return in the opposite direction down the Rio Grande Box Canyon, complete with a 'legal' swim across the Rio Gande with a current that took us about 100 feet down river from where we started!

The top of the box

Contemplating the swim

Erik having a thought half way across on our 'wow that was harder and faster current than I expected thinking rock'.

Conner's swim underway

Jathan's survival pose after swim.

The 13 mile culmination, climatic, revelation single day hike to Wheeler's summit that....of course ended in us racing down the hill being chased by storms; including, but not limited to hail!  However, it did also have some the best weather, skies, sweeping panoramas, and greatest challenge with greatest reward!

Ummm...gorgeous Wiliam's lake...nothing more.

One of those sweeping views I mentioned. This one at Williams Lake below Wheeler.

The panorama from Wheeler's summit.

Last one, I promise.

Yep, we made it!

Now for excitement on the way down: skiing (in the summer), hail, you know...the typical stuff.

Who says you need skis, or winter.

Umm, the little white things, yeah that's hail.

And so ended our day mountaineering section of the trip, having survived the elements of mountain storms and swift currents in spectacular fashion.  We also gained and lost over 8,000 feet in elevation.  Also, if you are keeping up with the millage, you'll notice it is not quite 31 on the Garmin tackers; however, we started them late on a couple of the hikes so we added what is not recorded on to make it accurate (no, we are not cheating).  Naturally we ended with a most amazing meal of meat and mashed potatoes; only we did it Veritas style and sear/baked 24 hour marinated lamb chops instead of steaks, and mashed cauliflower and parsnips instead of mashed potatoes.  Extremely hearty and delicious after such a treacherous and tumultuous hike, so I will be sure to share the recipe on our blog page shortly!

Now we took a well deserved day off from our intense activities to recuperate and rest....NOT!!!!!  With all the rain the Midwest and Mountain regions have gotten this year the Rio Grande was finally up enough in volume to allow us to brave class 3 & 4 rapids down a 13 mile white water rafting run near Taos, NM called "The Box Run".  While paradoxically serene and peaceful at times, allowing you to enjoy the sounds of the river, gazing up at circling birds of prey returning home to their nests in the canyon walls,  and watching playful river otters and leaping big horn sheep; this run could turn instantly into a gauntlet of adrenaline pumping, wave crashing, paddling for survival torrent of adventure that clears the mind, focuses the senses, and leaves you rung out and giddy with fearful joy all the way to the end!  Thank you Cottam's for another amazing water adventure down the river.

The deep breath before the plunge.

Pure elation having survived all in the boat (Rule #1).

Driving back to the cabin content, sore, and basking in the revelations of all we had accomplished, thoughts and memories of the past four years swam through my head.  I am truly a blessed man to have been able to guide these 3 young men along the path they have journeyed with us and God.

I was quite depressed that I missed their high school graduations a few weeks back and had been told that it was impossible to get video of them walking across the stage.  However, being the cheeky little devils that they are,  they were but toying with my delicate emotions as they sat me down after all our extreme adventures were over and told me to watch something they took it upon themselves to put together.  What brought me to tears in the next few minutes was as follows...

I understand it may not move you as much as it did me, but to have these men do this for me, show us all they have experienced and learned, and do this of their own volition speaks volumes.  It speaks to the men they are now: men of action, men of principle, men of faith, hope, and love, and men ready to step into the world prepared to be the leaders of tomorrow.  Cheers brothers!

As we sat down together reflecting on all the nights journals we wrestled through and reading together what it was all for in His book of Revelations; we ended with the promise of a new name on a white stone, known only to him that He gives it, and only revealed to him that believes, accepts, and follows.  And so concluded our time together on the Revelation 2015 Trip, and so concludes our time together in the 2015 Veritas year with only our woman's Seeker graduate trip to go.  So be on the lookout for her trip blog detailing her adventures soon.

And thank you on behalf of the 2015 Veritas Seeker men for sharing in our adventure!

The men after completing their first hike on the tip at Cabresto Lake.

Defeat Resistance to get what you want

By David Valentine, co-founder of Rethink
and partner/practitioner of the Veritas Lifestyle and Veritas Life Adventures

Everyday I wake up, the day has unlimited potential. I can choose to do what’s most important and life giving: Meditate, read, work-out, do incredible work at my job, and spend time with people who are most important to me. The problem is…as soon as I wake up Resistance meets me.

I capitalize Resistance for good reason, because I believe it to be a force that stands against us doing what is most important each and every day. Resistance wants to keep us from being who we are, and what we were created to do. You’ve met Resistance if you’ve ever tried a new diet or work out program. You know the voice telling you it’s too hot outside to go for a run? That’s Resistance in all of its glory. It’s the voice that employs some bit of logic to stop us from doing the things that will bring us the most satisfaction.

Here’s what Resistance tells me everyday I wake up, “You’ve got important work to do today. You run social media channels for a lot of your clients. It’s probably worth surfing the web a bit to see what’s trending to get your day started…. You need to write a few blogs today, but you need to get the perfect cup of coffee first, then find a good playlist to really set the atmosphere for creativity, your desk is a little disheveled clean it up first, maybe you need to read some articles to spur on your creativity…

Working out today, totally going to happen. You probably need to drink more water before you work out though. You are going to eat in 30 minutes, so you’re work out is going to suffer because you’re hungry. You’ll probably need to wait an hour to work out because you just ate.”

I’ve been working to beat Resistance everyday with one simple tactic.

Get stuff done.

Don’t wait until tomorrow, don’t surf the web, don’t wait until after lunch do it now. Get after the things that matter early and often. I write 3 pages every morning as soon as I get up. I wake up before Resistance does, and after he wakes up, to his dismay I’ve already accomplished something.

Today you can choose to beat Resistance by doing the things you were created to accomplish. Don’t listen to the voice telling you to put down the pen, pick up your phone, or pause before you work out. Today, get stuff done.

Disclaimer: A book I’ve been reading has been incredibly instrumental in helping in writing this blog. “The War Of Art” by Steven Pressfield speaks at length about Resistance, and how it stops us from accomplishing our goals, hopes, and dreams. I highly recommend it for anyone who is trying to achieve anything of significance.