tdpilot

[tdpilot]

wow, haven’t been on here in ages

I guess I will toss up an update on where I am, if for no other reason than to look back at it 10 years from now. Life is so much different than it was 10 years ago. In 2018 I got out of a long relationship and felt lost. ATC didn’t work out, flying didn’t work out, and I was working a dead end job that was just keeping me afloat. At the tail end of 2019 I met my now wife and just 4 months into dating made the decision to quarantine together in her tiny apartment in SF. In that tiny apartment I fell madly in love with everything about her and in 2020 I quit my dead end job, moved to a small town in Northern California with her and decided it was time for change. I went back to school and got my AS, then accepted to a bachelors program that I will complete this year. I’m currently applying to master’s programs which is something I never would have imagined for myself. Getting a bachelors seemed like a pipe dream, but here I am. In 2022 we got married in a small ceremony surrounded by friends and family. My wife and I also realized another dream, we bought a home together with property. In that tiny apartment in SF we talked about wanting space, chickens, a garden, a dog. We made that dream a reality last year and now live near the mountains on a winding creek with 3 acres and a bunch of chickens. We also got a Great Pyrenees named Tulip and a couple of cats. Our friends all live nearby and we have a beautiful community to share eggs and veggies with. 10 years ago I would have never imagined this life, but I’m so incredibly happy to be here. I don’t fly anymore, at least not for now. Someday I might get back in the cockpit, but for now I’m enjoying all the different facets of life. I hope you all are as well.

[tdpilot]

Dumpsterfire!!

So Tumblr is a rapidly sinking ship, if any of you want to connect on Instagram, I would love to keep up with you. As it is I dont post here much and will most likely completely ignore this thing moving forward, which is sad because this was such a great community a few years ago. Take care all!

ig- derek_.allen

[tdpilot]

Sharp noses puffer #travel #ocean #diving #fish #underwaterphotography #photography #urchin #reef #coral #scubadiving #backscatter #gopro

[tdpilot]

🐢 #diving #ocean #scubadiving #travel #seaturtle #underwaterphotography #gopro #backscatter #wildlife #turtle

[tdpilot]

This White Mouth Moray was really chill. #eel #scubadiving #photography #underwaterphotography #travel #diving #morayeel #ocean #backscatter #gopro

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I like these little box fish. Saw them all over the reef. #maui #ocean #diving #scubadiving #photography #underwaterphotography #fish #backscatter #travel #gopro

[tdpilot]

Found this little guy chillin in the reef. #underwaterphotography #hawaii #gopro #photography #scubadiving #backscatter #goprophotography #diving #ocean #maui #kihei

[tdpilot]

Sometimes you make it, and sometimes you don't #surf #surfboard #surfer #surfing #surfline #ocean #mavericks #bigwave #instaswell #california #jetski #mavs #surfphotography

[tdpilot]

#abandoned #abandonedplaces #blackandwhite #travel #travelphotography #california #barn

[tdpilot]

Looking east #getoutdoors #getoutside #travel #sunrise #clouds #naturephotography #explore #roadtrip #bestoftheday #photooftheday #igdaily #instagood #instadaily

[tdpilot]

These little guys are awesome. They will follow you around glacier waiting for you to relieve yourself on the trail somewhere. #mountaingoat #glaciernationalpark #animals #naturephotography #cuteanimals #travel #getoutside #getoutdoors

[tdpilot]

Anyone on Instagtam

Tumblr is pretty dead these days. How many if you are on instagram? @derek_.allen

[tdpilot]

If you look closely you can see @healeywaterops going left. Mavericks 1-26-17 #surf #mavericks #surfer #surfing #surfphotography #queenofhearts

[tdpilot]

Spent yesterday on a boat watching people drop in to massive waves at Mavericks. The power of these waves is absolutely incredible

[tdpilot]

Spent the day on a boat watching people drop into bombs at Mavericks.

[tdpilot]

[tdpilot]

I miss days flying like this. I think this was in Colombia, but I'm not positive. #flying #aviation #mountains #southamerica #clouds #travel