Michael Deininger-Bell: February 2014

A few weeks before I packed up my life and moved to Brooklyn, I found myself in a weird place. Things were happening and things were not. And I needed a little escape for a second.

So I jumped in Judas and headed West.

I needed a weekend of leisure for the body, but more importantly, a weekend of clarity for the brain.

I needed a weekend with my friend Russell.

I could go on about Russell forever. His view of the world is infectious and inspirational

and I am (not worthy) so lucky to have Russell as a friend. After a 5 hour drive to the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, Russell and I had Manhattans and dinner at the Grove Park Inn.

And talked about the world.

Mind running crazy with newly inspired questions and possibilities- I dreamt a lot that night.

I was moving to New York in a week!

Obvious fears and excitement were flooding through my dreams.

But first I had to enjoy today.
The following morning Russell let me join him on his morning hike. Waking up with the sun, far above the clouds, was as chimerical as you would think.

I clearly came to the right place to get a fresh piece of mind.

Russell is a natural host, always keeping the itinerary full. Our next stop was down the mountain and up another to the tops of the trees.

Our friends at Naviat we're waiting to navigate us through a zip-line course.

It was fantastic. I have always been a tree-climbing boy and this was obviously a tree-climbin dream.

Everything was so lush and dinasour-like.

Our team for the day was accompanied by this super hero, Justin.

We showed off all of our favorite super powers as we flew through the trees.

Luke's mom had superpowers of her own to share.

As did our super hero host!

I realllllllly loved climbing through the trees all day.

I totally needed some time with nature to clear my head and this couldn't be a perfect spot.

What an amazing day we had.

As soon as my trip began, it was over. After our trip through the trees I grabbed some dinner at a local Asheville grocery and got ready for the evening. The night was filled with another great dinner, full conversation, and live theater. I mean, really Russell?

What a pleasure.