Pouncer it must tough when your younger. I stopped drinking for a couple of months when I was 27 in order to quit smoking (you could still smoke in pubs and bars then) Not having a drink was easy then as I wasn't an alcoholic but fending of people wanting to socialise, ie drink, was really hard. Now I'mm 55 I don't have that problem so much. Probably a good idea to "swerve" it in early days.
Mesa that is a great photo, I have never seen sides as steep as that.
Tetra neither of my sisters will have anything to do with their mum (I only see her on the bare minimum). We don't get to choose our parents so don't blame yourself. I would be heartbroken not to be close to my two girls and they are in their 20's.
Take care out there with those Robins LBrain, remember what happened to Tippi Hedren.
The idea of being a ranger sounds great