⚡ Building a Personal Network from San Antonio to San Angelo: Cybersecurity with the Human Touch ⚡
- cyberlikeaviking
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
Every Cyber Viking journey begins with a mission—but the best ones become something more. This trip from San Antonio to San Angelo wasn’t just about cybersecurity… it was about people, connections, and the human side of the cyber world.
And this time, I had an awesome travel companion riding shotgun for part of the journey—the Cookie
Maiden—making the road trip even better (and yes… helping make sure we didn’t miss any great food stops along the way 😄).
🚗 The Journey Begins: San Antonio → Menard
On the way to San Angelo, we made a stop in Menard, Texas—and right away, this trip took on a whole different feel.
We stopped at Texas Scratch Kitchen and I finally got to meet Maia Prest in person after years of connecting through Facebook. That’s one of my favorite parts of this journey—turning online connections into real, face-to-face conversations.
We spent time talking, swapping stories, and just enjoying the moment. One story that really stuck with me was when she shared her experience meeting Chet Garner (The Daytripper). She said he walked in and introduced himself to everyone—like a regular guy—even though everyone already knew exactly who he was.
And honestly? That says a lot.
No matter how well-known you are, taking the time to connect with people—that’s what makes an impact. That’s what people remember.
And of course… the food? Outstanding. Let’s just say the Cookie Maiden and I were very glad we made that stop.
🍫 Sweet Stops & Strong Connections in San Angelo
Once I made it to San Angelo, I had to keep a tradition alive—stopping by Cowboy Up Chocolates and Halfmann’s Cake Cottage.
Every visit includes catching up with Mr. Charlie Mullins, and it’s always a highlight. Great conversation, a few laughs, and just genuine connection—that’s what keeps me coming back.
And let’s talk about the treats for a second:
Lemon bars 🍋
Texas Chews 🤠
Pecan tarts 🌰
And the fudge… yeah, the fudge is my go-to 🍫
Let’s just say the Cyber Viking secured some “provisions” for the road.
🎙️ Conversations that Matter: The Podcast Experience
While I was in San Angelo, I also had the chance to sit down with my friend Gabe Menchaca for a podcast—and this was one of those conversations that reminds you why you love what you do.
We talked about:
The 5th Annual Youth Cybersecurity Expo & Workshop
The Cyber Storm CTF experience
How AI is impacting cybersecurity and business
And my own journey into the cyber world
It wasn’t just a podcast—it was a real conversation about where we are and where we’re going in cybersecurity.
⚔️ The Main Event: Angelo State University Cybersecurity Expo
Angelo State University’s 5th Annual Youth Cybersecurity Expo & Workshop was the centerpiece of this entire journey—and it absolutely delivered.
I had the honor of leading:⚔️ Cyber Storm: Capture the Flag Showdown ⚔️
Now, no great Cyber Viking battle begins without a little chaos… and this one stayed true to form. 😄
Right as we were getting ready to launch—boom—technical issue.
But that’s the world we live in. In cybersecurity, problems aren’t setbacks—they’re part of the mission.
With the incredible ASU IT team jumping in alongside me, we went straight into troubleshooting mode. Working together, we tracked down the issue, fixed it, and got everything up and running like nothing ever happened.
And once Cyber Storm went live?
🔥 It was game on.
We had multiple rotations of students come through, each group bringing a different level of experience:
Some seasoned CyberPatriot competitors
Some with a bit of cyber knowledge
And others experiencing a CTF for the very first time
And here’s the best part—it didn’t matter.
Every group leaned in, got hands-on, and got to work. You could see it happening in real time:
Students asking questions
Teammates helping each other
That moment when someone solves a challenge and the whole team lights up
That’s the spark.
Cyber Storm wasn’t just about solving challenges—it was about building confidence, learning how to think, and working together under pressure.
And honestly… watching that happen never gets old.
Because events like this aren’t just about cybersecurity—
👉 They’re about showing students what they’re capable of.
(And while the Cookie Maiden was holding down the fort outside the expo scene, she definitely made sure the Cyber Viking stayed fueled and mission-ready for everything else on the trip.)
🍔 The Cyber Viking Feast: Junction, Texas
On the way back home, we made one final stop—because every Cyber Viking journey deserves a proper feast. We pulled into The Milky Way in Junction, Texas and ordered up a double meat burger…
And wow!
No exaggeration—one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Safe to say, the Cookie Maiden approved as well.
Sometimes it’s the simple stops that end up being the most memorable.
🧭 It’s Always About the People
This trip wasn’t just about cybersecurity.
It was about:
Catching up with great people
Making new connections
Sharing ideas
Supporting local businesses
And enjoying the journey
From San Antonio…To Menard…To San Angelo…To Junction…
And sharing part of that journey with the Cookie Maiden along the way.
Because at the end of the day:
👉 Cybersecurity is all about people.
⚡ Final Thoughts from the Cyber Viking
This journey was a reminder that the miles we travel matter—but the people we meet along the way matter even more.
From conversations in Menard…To reconnecting in San Angelo…To a well-earned stop in Junction…
Every moment reinforced why I do this.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about systems, tools, or competitions—it’s about people, relationships, and investing in the next generation.
To the students—stay curious and keep pushing yourselves. To my friends and partners—thank you for the conversations, the laughs, and the support.
And as for what’s next…
The road is always calling—and whether it’s another cyber mission or another great stop along the way, you can bet the Cyber Viking (and maybe the Cookie Maiden too 😄) will be ready.
The Cyber Viking
Cyber Like a Viking! ⚔️ Skål!
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