The winter I lived in an oil camp in Northeast Alberta while working for Conservation Canines was a special one. Not only did I get to drive on ice roads and break trail through thigh deep snow for an adorable yellow lab named Waylon, but I got to be part of a crew that was as “Lord of the Rings” – loving as me. Although the food was delicious and…
Monday 18 July 2016, week 10: Buldir Island, 21:20 Regarding that last post about personalities in camp… another good line from Kevin: With all our trail maintenance by garden shears and machete, I finally got a great big blister from the juice of putchki, the primary plant that grows too tall. Its liquid irritates the skin and results in 2nd degree burn conditions for some people. McKenzie mentioned the juice…
In early December I took a birthday weekend trip up to Seattle to see some missed 4-legged and 2-legged friends. The visit was just what I needed, but I do wish I could have stayed in the fair state of Washington. Waylon felt the same way, as evidenced by his texts the day after I left… D’awww I’ll be there next weekend! I’ll cancel Christmas with my family! Sigh. Thanks…
In about an hour from now (around 01:00), I will have landed to visit UAF for a long weekend exactly 8 years ago. My, how the time flies. A few weeks ago I realized that – for the first time ever – I had completely forgotten that March 20th marked the anniversary of my puppy Pixie’s passing. If anyone missed my sob story about how she directly connects with my…
To cut straight to the point, this park is badass. After multiple backpacking trips inside the park, I’ve determined that’s the most fitting description for its personality. Seriously, Mount Doom is wicked steep and a pain to hike up because of the scree, but the surrounding landscape has nothing as ominous as the otherworldly feel of the slopes of Mauna Loa. Both of my trips were recommendations from a friend,…
I’m doomed. While in NZ I discovered that author Bill Bryson writes highly entertaining books, and many of them just happen to be about his travels. I’ve read a fair number of them since, and a friend just passed on another to me: Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe. I knew I’d be in trouble dreaming up trips before I even cracked open the book. Bryson didn’t fail to…
There I was, peacefully watching the scenery of the Cascades region of Oregon pass by, when the announcements started. First I heard, “Will available attendants immediately report to the downstairs of train car #13.” A few minutes later: “If there’s a doctor on board, please make yourself known to train attendants.” “We’re looking for anyone with emergency medical training.” Huh, I wonder what’s happening, I wondered to myself. After a…
While I won’t say I’ve found my calling in life, I’ll say I recognize what makes me happy. It’s true that many friends of mine can list off the favorites that seem to define me, such as purple, puppies, polar bears, plaid, New Zealand, Alaska, and Michigan State. However, the kind of life that I enjoy doesn’t necessarily revolve around those. Here’s one moment in Hawaii that just gives me…
The time has come to finally take a healthy break from base layers, thin puffy jackets, fleeces, hiking boots, wool socks, and long pants. For the first time in years, I’m about to spend a solid month with minimal time in pants. I’m headed to Hawaii! (And if I get tired of that, I’ll be halfway to New Zealand, so I’ll just start swimming.) No longer will my brother be…
Looking at fish for most of the day, day after day, really provides plenty of thinking time. Unfortunately there’s only one place my brain seems to find itself wandering around. If you know me, you can probably guess where that might be. Really, can you blame me? Herring are fish, so therefore they look like trout. Turangi calls itself the “trout fishing capital of the world” and happens to be…