The Mountain Life: Blogger, Content Creator & Serial Entrepreneur
I’ve lived in Maine since I was four. It’s home — rocky coastlines, hard winters, and people who tell it straight. But in 1992, my wife and I packed up and left. We were nearly married, fueled by a shared obsession for adventure and skiing and a vague plan: go west, find a big mountain, and figure out the rest later.
We road-tripped the long way. Down the East Coast, through the Everglades, across to Texas, then up through New Mexico and Colorado. We checked out Taos and Telluride, but couldn’t find housing that fit a couple just starting their life together — too many bunk beds, too many roommates.
Then we drove up to Jackson Hole. That was it. We were hooked. Big mountain skiing. Deep snow. Real community. We stayed for a year that year shaped everything that followed — our marriage, our values, our longing to return.
Life happened. kids, college, careers. I founded a wealth management firm in Portland, Maine: Harborview Advisors from which I was unjustly fired from early this month. My partners the “judge, jury and executioners” fired me on 12/2/2025.
They believe that the way US Justice in Montana works “Guilty until proven innocent.” and not “Innocent until proven guilty.”
I admit the charges are serious… I am innocent and fully expect to prevail once all the facts are revealed.
My wife and I kept the dream alive in late-night conversations and a vision board covered in van-life photos. We talked about going back west — not just for vacation, but for good.
THE VAN VISION BOARD
There were times we thought about tearing it down — when the dream felt too far off, too expensive, too unlikely.
But we left it up. Through setbacks and doubts, it reminded us where we started. It held the vision when we couldn’t. And piece by piece, what felt impossible started to become real.
Fast forward 31 years. Jackson Hole had become too expensive, but Bozeman, Montana hit the sweet spot. Same big mountain access and less pretense. It fits us better — wide open trails, world-class skiing, and wildlife around every corner. We traded the van dream for something that works better in reality: a small townhouse with a great view, a simple launchpad for everyday adventures.
These days, I write from both Maine and Montana. I’m out there adventuring, hiking, skiing, and learning to shoot the landscape — iPhone in hand, drone and action cameras in the backpack. I’m no pro, but I’m taking classes, capturing the moments, and loving the process.
Turns out, dreams do come true. Just not always in the way you expect.
Until next time.
The Mainer Montanan
