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michellehadfield.DEV

Life Beyond Code

Personal Life

There's more to me than pull requests and rapid prototyping — this is how I recharge.

An AI generate brushstroke portrait of Michelle Hadfield
Michelle Hadfield in front of a mountain lake

My Passions

  • Michelle Hadfield in front of a mountain in winter

    Adventure

    I was born and raised in Colorado, spent seven years exploring the PNW, and have since returned to put down roots in Denver. I love exploring new cities, new trails, and revisiting the nostalgic mountain retreats that shaped my sense of awe and adventure since I was young. I am fortunate to be in a place with convenient hiking, skiing, paddling, mountain biking, and camping and I share these adventures on my Instagram.

  • a camper van in front of a mountain at sunset

    Van Life

    Kelso "The Charming Van" is my first custom adventure rig. Starting with an inexpensive 2005 Ford E-150, I've spent (probably too many) hours learning from YouTube and trusted neighbors and mechanics as I iteratively improve the design and functionality of the van. Van life is a humbling but rewarding cycle of emotional highs and lows. Planning for contingencies and managing less-than-ideal situations with a calm demeanor and problem solving has fostered resilience and self-reliance that has built great confidence and given me some entertaining stories.

  • a brown dog with a white chest in front of a lake with small purple flowers in the foreground

    Thumper

    Little Miss Thumper is a rescued boxer/pit mix and she is my soul dog. We enjoy daily walks in our local parks, weekend camping and hikes, and lots of quality time with my sweet little couch potato. She is gentle and quiet little angel but when the campfire is lit, she gets adorably animated and will greet you with a Wookiee-like trill until you share your hotdog. 🥰

  • Michelle Hadfield in a bike helmet in front of a river in the desert

    Cycling

    Bicycles are one of my longest-running fascinations. I've learned how to build, repair, and maintain bikes and I ride hundreds of miles a year on both road and mountain biking trails. From the summit of Mount Blue Sky - the highest paved road in the US, along the streets of Portland Oregon, to desert rollercoaster-like trails in Fruita, CO, I've had countless treasured memorable adventures doing my best to keep the rubber side down. My next personal challenge is to expand past my overnighter bikepacking experiences and ride and document multi-day bikepacking routes.