An older man with gray hair and a beard smiling and holding a glass of hard cider in a restaurant.

I’m Bryan.

I split my time between Minnesota and somewhere in Europe. I've always been drawn to new experiences, paying attention, and doing things a little differently than other people. After spending the last three decades building a career and raising four kids, I now find myself semi-retired with more time to pursue those interests.

JustBK is where I share stories, observations, and things I find interesting.

If you've ever taken the long way home just to see what was there, you'll probably feel at home here.

A Few Things About Me

Father of four adult kids

The third of four boys in my family

Both parents are navigating life with dementia

Spent more than a decade coaching youth baseball and basketball — learning as much as hopefully my players did

Outdoors whenever possible — hiking, paddle boarding, and skiing in the winter

Enjoy live music but will not attend an arena concert

Favorite movie: The Blues Brothers

Favorite book: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Most comfortable in a dive bar, but damn, I sure also appreciate good food and cocktails

I’m probably an introvert. Once I get going in a social setting, however, it’s hard to pull me away.

Dual USA and Luxembourg citizen currently based in Germany while exploring the rest of Europe

What makes me happy inside every day: sharing life's adventures with my favorite companion and she also happens to be a Luxembourger

If You Really Care About My Career

You can check me out on LinkedIn.

A panoramic view of Luxembourg City with a river, churches, and buildings on a hill under a cloudy sky.
Two men outdoors near a body of water, one holding a fish and making a surprised face, the other standing behind with a neutral expression.
Group of seven people wearing ski gear and helmets, standing on a snowy Park City, Utah mountain with ski poles, smiling and posing for a photo. Snow-covered mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
Street view of a bar or pub with Irish flags, outdoor seating, and a woman standing on the sidewalk. The sign indicates it is 'The Snug Temple Bar Dublin.' Red and black accents are visible on the building's exterior, with some greenery and hanging plants.
A smiling woman and man sitting together at a table in a restaurant with plates of food and glasses of water in front of them. The background shows framed pictures on the wall.
The Snake River in Jackson, Wyoming surrounded by green pine trees with the Teton mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Bryan Koemptgen and Jennifer outside Vianden Castle in Vianden, Luxembourg. Located in northern Luxembourg, Vianden Castle is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval castles and one of the country's most iconic landmarks.
A man with a jacket sitting on the tailgate of a truck in a snowy parking lot. There are cans of Coors beer and snacks on the truck's tailgate. Multiple parked cars and a large apartment building are in the background.
Frankfurt Germany city street scene with modern high-rise building in the background, white residential building with many windows, pink flowering tree, red hedge, parked cars, and street signs under a clear blue sky.
Bryan Koemptgen with his sons Ben and Isaac at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, cheering on the Minnesota Twins. Baseball has long been a part of family life.
Group of five people enjoying a boat ride on a lake in Wisconsin with trees in the background, smiling and relaxing.
A green and black hammock tied between two trees in a forested area with mountains in the background new Dubois, Wyoming and a partly cloudy sky.
Beach with tall grass in the foreground, rocky shoreline, and the Baltic Sea in Denmark under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Two people standing in front of a small waterfall in New Zealand in a rocky, outdoor area with green vegetation.
Bryan Koemptgen paddle boarding on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Spending time on the water reflects Bryan's appreciation for slowing down, exploring local places, and finding adventure in everyday life.
Three people in kayaks in fiords of New Zealand with mountains in the background.
Two men on a boat with inflatable paddleboards, holding drinks, in a lake surrounded by hills.
A man standing outdoors on a grassy area holding a shotgun, wearing sunglasses, a gray t-shirt, beige shorts, and red shoes, with a forest background under a blue sky.
A red train at a train station in Frankfurt Germany with a blue sky and tall skyscrapers in the background. The platform is empty with a patterned surface, and there are overhead electrical lines above the train.

Let’s Connect