Adventure Awaits: Rocky Mountain Drive and the Heart of Wildercraft
Today was a day for the open road. After an early start to catch up on blogging, I found myself getting lost in memories of my recent adventures in Los Angeles. By noon, I packed up, fueled up, and hit the road once more, leaving Utah’s striking red-rock formations in my rearview as I headed eastward towards Colorado.
The drive was beautiful in every way. There’s something about the endless stretch of open road that brings a rare kind of peace. No traffic, no distractions, just the stark red rocks of Utah slowly giving way to Colorado’s snowy peaks. I found myself completely in the moment, without music or podcasts to fill the silence. It was just me, the road, and my thoughts, reflecting on recent memories, pondering upcoming plans, and thinking about the people I’ll be seeing soon. In particular, I can’t wait to see my mom and brothers in a few weeks – it’s been too long since we all gathered together.
In the meantime, I’m hopping from one small-town motel to the next, making my way through the central and northern United States. Once I get to Scranton, I’ll be staying with my cousin Anne for a bit and then bouncing between friends and family throughout the Northeast for the next month and a half.
After reaching my destination and settling into the night’s motel, I logged onto Wildercraft, the Minecraft server I help manage as an Admin. For those who might not know, Wildercraft is a cooperative survival server with a twist of custom items, all while staying true to the classic “vanilla” Minecraft experience. In other words, it’s a friendly, community-driven server that holds onto the spirit of Minecraft’s roots.
Minecraft has been a part of my life for a long time – I remember playing it back when it was just a free, simple browser game in 2008. It’s incredible to see how far the game has come, from pixelated blocks to a global cultural phenomenon. Wildercraft, in particular, has been special to me. The server has been around for almost eight years now, and it’s fostered one of the most supportive, empathetic, and genuinely kind communities I’ve ever encountered online. That sense of camaraderie is what keeps me motivated as an Admin, working on everything from marketing and community engagement to managing events and keeping things running smoothly.
Lately, I’ve been working on a series of trailers for Wildercraft. It’s a new project, and it’s been a lot of fun to see it gaining traction online. Plus, it gives me a chance to flex my creative muscles, blending Minecraft with storytelling and visual design.
Halloween on Wildercraft: Spooky Builds and Community Spirit
In the spirit of Halloween, we recently hosted a Halloween Build Event on Wildercraft. The rules were simple: build something spooky, Halloween-themed, or pumpkin-related. Players had a few days to complete their creations, and today, we toured all the builds. It was like a haunted showcase, with eerie structures, creative twists, and a good dose of humor.
One of my favorite builds was an elaborate “Tree of Death,” complete with dark, twisted branches and incredible detailing. The builder must have spent hours, if not days, perfecting every block to give it that haunting look. It’s always amazing to see the level of creativity our community brings to these events. Another memorable entry was a DMV-inspired build. Anyone who’s ever stood in line at the DMV will understand why it was a perfect Halloween horror theme – it got a good laugh from everyone.
These events remind me why Wildercraft is such a special place. It’s more than just a game server; it’s a place where people come together, share their creativity, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. From kids to adults, players from all walks of life gather to build, survive, and make memories together. As an Admin, it’s rewarding to see the community thriving and to know I’ve played a part in creating a space where people feel welcome and valued.
Looking Ahead: Meetings, Miles, and More Adventure
Tonight, I’m wrapping up with a trip to a local natural foods store for some dinner, and then I’ll edit the timelapse footage from today’s drive and post my latest blog entry. Tomorrow promises another full day. First up, I have two Minecraft meetings: one with our Community Reps, a group of dedicated players who meet with staff to brainstorm ideas and discuss ways to improve the server, and a second with the full Wildercraft staff team. Our staff meetings are always busy – we cover everything from upcoming events and player feedback to bug fixes, marketing ideas, and anything else that needs attention.
Once the meetings are done, it’s back on the road for me, heading toward North Platte, Nebraska. I’m looking forward to another scenic drive, this time through the vast, open landscapes of the Midwest. Each mile brings me closer to family and friends in the Northeast, but also adds new memories and experiences to this journey.
When was the last time you felt completely in the moment on a road trip?
