Hi there! I’m Quincy Koetz, an outdoorsman and Nurse Practitioner living in Northern California.
I started this webpage when I was an EMT living in Southern California. Recently graduated from college and not entirely sure of what I wanted to do with my life, I figured why not start a travel blog like everybody else. I hoped that my photography, writing and guides would inspire others.
My website accompanied me through many chapters of life in the past 14 years. I wrote about my great road trip from California to Maine where I lived several years and wrote about hundreds of hikes, climbs and kayak trips of New England. Following that, I moved to Chicago. The hyper-urban lifestyle was uncharacteristic of my previous pursuits but I fell in love with the city and explored the greatly underrated Midwestern outdoors.
Now I’m back where I started! Marriage, career choices and family lead me to the place I call home; Northern California.
The Travel Blog/Website world is an interesting one that’s governed by the capricious changes in fashion and one’s prowess in social media. I read many stories of millennials who boldly quit their jobs, traveled to every continent, dozens of countries and happily live life on the road. Its like the new American Dream. To be honest, that’s never been my goal nor do I find it appealing. I love my work, love my current lifestyle and find plenty of great adventures domestically.
I continue to write about all great and small trips I take. The Bay Area and Northern California constantly surprise me as I explore “my backyard”. My year is punctuated by several large road trips and attempts to visit blank spots on the map.
Happy Trails!
8 Comments
Holly Madrigal
January 3, 2021 @ 07:48
Very neat. Your blog came up as a friend now does the Cahto Peak climb once a year. I’ll have to give it a try. I’m guessing you have adventured up the Lost Coast?
Quincy Koetz
January 7, 2021 @ 16:17
Thank you so much! I tried hiking Kings Peak a few years ago but didn’t make it to the trailhead in my car- that road was way more than I bargained for! I hope to hike the Lost Coast sometime in the near future thought. Always been on my bucket list!
Dr. Tom Scantlebury and Marion
January 15, 2021 @ 02:07
Interesting – We lived in Maine for a number of years and did a lot of tramping and exploring – my forte was caves — but love the outdoors. Unfortunately health and age have curbed my ability and I look forward to continuing my explorations through blogs like this one Thank you and good hiking – KEEP SAFE. (P.S – welcome to the career in medicine – I was an active physician for 42 years – Canada-USA-New Zealand-Pitcairn Island + Cruise Ship doctor. Miss the outdoors but many great memories.
Quincy Koetz
February 13, 2021 @ 18:10
Oh that’s kind of you to say! I admit part of the reason I got into healthcare is how conducive the career is to traveling. I haven’t had the chance to do travel medicine yet but I’d sure love to. At one point I considered doing primary care on the coast of Maine; there’s a few islands that have sizable populations and small offices that nurse practitioners float to through the summer season. Oh well- plenty of time for that in the future! Hope to be back to regularly posting soon.
-Quincy
Terri Pease
November 10, 2021 @ 00:44
Hi, there!
Happened upon your blog while looking for directions to the Leasburg Slot just north of Las Cruces.
The hubs and I walked into the Broad Canyon slot this afternoon – if you’re unfamiliar, it’s further north on NM 185 – just beyond MM 19. We were disappointed to find it blocked at the western end – I think the crazy rains we had through the summer moved some very large rocks into the slot and it doesn’t look like they’ll be easy to move!
Anyway, I was seeking info on the southern slot, off Rocky Trails – I’d been told it existed, but didn’t know how to access. Sounds like a true desert scramble that we’ll attempt this winter.
Thanks for the information – stay safe in all your adventures!
Terri P
LC NM
Joe Dyke
October 10, 2022 @ 01:11
Thanks for the detailed description of your Hot Springs Mountain hike. It’s on my list…need to find some others ( seniors) to hike it with.
Joe
dutchman
Linda Jagger
February 3, 2024 @ 00:58
found your app looking for info on hiking mt Jacque Cartier, Canada. I sent comment on that site, hope you can see it. would like to get current info, camping info, is there a lodge.
Quincy Koetz
March 8, 2024 @ 22:18
Hello! sorry for the delayed response. Best information is from the national park website (https://www.sepaq.com/pq/gas/index.dot?language_id=1). There is an upscale lodge in the park (https://www.sepaq.com/pq/gma/index.dot?language_id=1) and camping options close to the highway (https://www.sepaq.com/contentAsset/raw-data/1c2f2ddb-b49d-468e-b681-09ecaac16acd/fileAsset?language_id=1). Current conditions are also on the website. Thank you, hope that is helpful!