...

Angkor

2010-11-19T19:23:00.032-09:00

Thailand

2010-11-13T14:23:00.036-09:00

The Killing Fields

2010-11-12T21:35:00.018-09:00

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2010-11-12T21:32:00.001-09:00

Siem Reap, Cambodia

2010-11-11T21:05:00.027-09:00

Southeast Asia coming soon...

2010-11-07T13:43:00.004-09:00

Pacific Northwest

2010-11-07T12:59:00.019-09:00

Salt Lake City...

2010-11-04T20:08:00.007-08:00

Denali Finale

2010-09-13T13:24:00.042-08:00

9-11-10

2010-09-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

Reality check

2010-09-06T17:58:00.003-08:00

This week I am sending all my love to the little town of Fox Glacier, NZ.

Rough news.

Fly safe, everybody.

Winter Itinerary

2010-08-31T23:50:00.007-08:00

2010-08-29T13:46:00.025-08:00

Finally got the sis to come visit me in AK. It was an awesome week full of cars, boats, helicopters, planes and busses. We covered a lot of ground and it was awesome showing this place off to one of my fav peeps. The colors are changing and the temperatures are dropping. Winter is coming fast.

The Stony Dome Backpacking Classic

2010-08-09T20:17:00.031-08:00

It's Time

2010-06-17T22:07:00.004-08:00

Bought my fishin license today.

Waders are in the trunk.

Destination: Lake Creek

Catch O' the Weekend: King Salmon

Gone Fishin, folks.

Be back when I feels like it.

*actually I'll be back on Sunday night...but whatevs

Life as of late

2010-06-13T12:34:00.036-08:00

Summertime on the Denali Highway

Summertime at work

Summertime on the Yanert

Tui

2010-05-18T17:49:00.005-08:00

(Read aloud in your best kiwi accent)

There was a girl called Mandy Moo
Who felt like her life was a little askew
So she jumped on a plane and just overnight
was in a strange place where the national bird did not know flight
There she met to her greatest delight
Two lovely ladies who filled her with light
As her life force unfurled
She was now ready to return to the world.

But for those left behind, life wasn't so grand
And we so miss that girl from the far away land.

Thank you Katie Lou.
Miss you ladies oh so much.

XO, Tui Moo

Reservations

2010-05-18T09:48:00.000-08:00

North 2010

2010-05-09T22:15:00.013-08:00

Salt Lake City, UT

Bend, OR

Portland, OR

Olympia, WA

Quesnel, BC

Fort Nelson, BC

Liard Hot Springs, BC

Teslin, YT

Whitehorse, YT

Tok, AK

Fairbanks, AK

Mile 229 George Parks Highway, Denali Park, AK.

A Farewell to the South Pacific

2010-04-16T07:20:00.048-08:00

Mission to Chancellor Hut

2010-03-10T17:14:00.008-09:00

In like a lion

2010-02-25T12:38:00.019-09:00

J.D. Salinger Dies

2010-01-28T10:02:00.001-09:00

Thanks, Mr Salinger for bringing me one of first favorite novels.

Mission to Almer Hut

2010-01-27T22:20:00.026-09:00

A Kiwi, a Scotsman, and a Yank

2010-01-25T20:52:00.022-09:00

I can't be bothered

2010-01-19T15:44:00.022-09:00

Some work

Some play

And some reading time in my room...

Ew

2010-01-12T19:33:00.002-09:00

My heart goes out to you, Utah...

2010-01-02T18:05:00.027-09:00

Flat out = Busy

Flat White = Latte

Bobs her uncle = it is what it is

Milo = Hot chocolate...sort of

Kumara = Sweet Potatoes

Pavlova = Meringue

To "call in" = to physically visit

ta =Thank you

gutted = really upset

pyjamas = pajamas

pissing = raining

pi ssed = drunk

mothered = drunk

coriander = cilantro

munted = drunk

sweet as = nice, I feel you, I agree, sounds good

jersey = jacket

jumper = jacket or sweater

pants = underwears

sunnies = sunglasses

gum boots = extra tuffs/wellies

quad bikes = 4 wheelers

stroppy = spicy, attitude

torch = headlamp

tea = evening meal/dinner

banger = sausage

biscuit = cookie

bugger = damn

chips = french fries

supee = supermarket/grocery

fortnight = 2 consecutive weeks

heaps = lots

piker = slacker

piss = any alcohol

tramping = hiking

ute = small utility vehicle or truck

Zed = the letter "Z"

capsicum = peppers, green or red

fizzy = soda pop

gridiron = American football

jandal = flip flop

lemonade = 7up

to suss = to figure out

cruisy = relaxed, cool, mellow

Above is main street in Franz Josef. I work in the building in the left hand corner. (Glacier Helicopters)

This is Sarah Lowell and I. I met her in Alaska a few years back and she is entirely responsible for getting me to NZ. Thanks Sarah.

Target practice: Fox Glacier

Company Christmas Party. People around here are really into costumes and costume parties. Im a good sport, what can I say? For clarification purposes, I am not pregnant and I do not smoke cigarettes. And I would certainly never engage in smoking and pregnancy at the same time. That is just silly.

Beautiful Fox Glacier, NZ

Christmas morning!!!

Disorganized Photos from the South Island

2009-11-30T19:40:00.037-09:00

New Zealand

2009-11-07T13:34:00.004-09:00

Totally sucks. I never get to do anything cool like fly in helicopters or eat lunch in ice caves.

Psych.

One hot little Utah minute

2009-10-30T11:04:00.022-08:00

(For your heroism, Leningrad)

Goblin Valley

2009-10-10T13:00:00.016-08:00

ZAY

2009-10-03T09:10:00.004-08:00

It sure just warms my little heart when I get to host some AK peeps right in my home town. They just don't grow them like this in Utah.

CO

2009-09-28T20:03:00.014-08:00

Have a nice life...

2009-09-23T09:15:00.003-08:00

I love you Ben Folds.

Punch Party!!!

2009-08-23T00:02:00.001-08:00

Punch+Pool = One dreamy Saturday

Spell Check

2009-08-19T13:23:00.003-08:00

While some may consider health care reform to be debatable...I think all sides could agree that proof-reading is STILL a really good idea.
I'm just saying...

Political Rally via...my work email???

2009-07-30T13:51:00.007-08:00

Whilst sitting at my desk today, trying to focus on my job...enrolling students in higher education...I (along with the rest of my coworkers) received the following email from the Stevens-Henager Chairman.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

I was raised and went to school in England, which was one of the first countries to socialize health care.

I can tell you from personal experience that the dental and health care in England is very poor.

See the attached article written by a British physician and note his quote, “…the U.K. is by far the most unpleasant country in which to be ill in the Western world. Even Greeks living in Britain return home for medical treatment if they are physically able to do so.” Whatever your views, I recommend you let your voice be heard with your local representatives.

We will shine in 2009!

Best,

(dictated and not read)

Carl X. Barney, Chairman

PO Box XXXX, 20 Somers Drive

Crystal Bay, NV XXXXX

Phone: (801) 288-XXXX

Fax: (775) 562‑XXXX

Never mind the article he attached. As you can imagine it was merely a subjective opinion on the current push for national health care in our country. A political opinion. One that should be saved for late night conversations over whiskey with friends. He didn't even bother making an attempt to somehow relate this to our job in online education.

So to the HR peeps out there, I just have one question:

Since when is it appropriate for the Chairman to bear his political testimony to his employees via email? Maybe during one of my 15 minute breaks I should craft an email to my coworkers about my thoughts on the meat industry, or the war in Iraq or even abortion. Far be it from me to judge this person who signs my paychecks...but I can only imagine that his six figure salary allows his monthly health insurance premium to be paid with little notice. I suppose I could be wrong.

Anyway, tisk tisk. Honestly, I really don't care that much. I don't have an aggressive opinion on the matter of health care at this juncture. But I do have an aggressive opinion about the appropriate venue to air your political thoughts. And my Outlook Express is not that venue.

Day 1

2009-06-17T20:34:00.005-08:00

26.5 years

That is how long I have been biting/massacring my fingernails. 26.5 years. Im pretty sure I was birthed with my little fingernails already nibbled to the cuticle. This evening as I was enjoying some tunes and tea, I decided it was time to paint my toenails. As I was painting Brick Wall 20 onto the nails of my toes...I got this crazy idea. Why not just try to paint my fingernails/nubs? This proved to be a difficult task..and upon completion, I realized that my fingers looked more as if they were bleeding rather than radiating the beautiful color of a brick wall just after a summer rain fall.

So tonight...in the name of discipline, I am beginning an exercise in self-mastery. Let it be known: I WILL NOT BITE MY NAILS FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 WEEKS BEGINNING RIGHT NOW.

Let it be written in history. I am taking the long and difficult path through unknown territory.

Life with fingernails.

I quit

2009-04-17T20:08:00.005-08:00

Just want to give a shout out to...

2009-04-14T21:59:00.004-08:00

...to my old buddy Tim. He is currently doing some awesome work in the bush of Alaska with native students and their communities. Only one paper away from graduation.

Do it.

Happy Easter

2009-04-11T15:53:00.001-08:00

Hello

2009-04-03T19:54:00.002-08:00

Goodbye

2009-04-03T19:50:00.001-08:00

Goodbye

2009-04-03T18:56:00.005-08:00

Indulge yourself

2009-03-22T22:15:00.004-08:00

For those of you who haven't enjoyed this little gem...

Advice From a Failure

2009-01-21T11:27:00.002-09:00

Nomad? No problem!

2008-09-14T11:34:00.017-08:00

SUN

2008-08-08T10:20:00.012-08:00

Why I Love Filling My Gas Tank

2008-06-30T10:21:00.003-08:00

Thank you ExxonMobil

This is funny AND enlightening!

EXXONMOBIL LEAKS AGAIN!!!!

Happy Solstice 08

2008-06-21T15:46:00.011-08:00

So, Neil keeps saying that he is coming to Alaska in August...these pictures are simply motivation to get his gangly bum in gear...and I know, I need to call you back! Golfing under the midnight sun? Backcountry heli-hiking? Frolicking on the glacier? Neil, listen closely...The Yanert valley is whispering your name.

The picture above is for anyone who has heard me use the term "WAD" and was not really sure as to what one (or in this case, two) such WAD's look like. This was a nice couple from North Carolina who were living out their Alaskan dream in great style out on the Yanert glacier, flown by none other than Scot Marshall.

In Scot's defense, he is required to wear a short sleeved denim shirt to work (circa 92). Bummer. Definetly time to update

60 and sunny out on the glacier. Not one darn thing to complain about.

ROUND 3

2008-06-02T07:57:00.010-08:00

Round three in last wild frontier has been a real trip so far. Drove up with two fine young gentlemen who shared the expenses and drive time...not to mention their fine taste in music. Id like to go ahead and give a shout out to Chris Hummell and Aaron Stapleton. 6 days, 3500 miles, bears, hot springs, gravel pits, nausea, Utah, Idaho, Montana, BC, the Yukon, Alaska... and we are still like peas, corn and carrots.

I should also note that as a new pilot, I have been a little spoiled by living on a dirt airstrip in the middle of the Alaska range. The good pilots here at Denali Air have been showing me the all the tricks of the trade here in the mountains. Dirt strips and taildraggers are a far cry from the good ol days of mile wide runways in Salt Lake, but I'm having one helluva time. The pics above and below are just some fun things to explore in Denali.

Danger in the skies

2008-05-02T18:13:00.004-08:00

After several months, dozens of hours and more money spent than I'd like to admit...I walked away from my private pilot checkride today with a license in my hand. Mandy Moo is currently accepting passengers! (and donations)

In other news, the annual trek North begins early tomorrow morning.

pstchshhhhhh...

2008-04-29T10:56:00.003-08:00

KSLC 291753Z 17011G20KT 10SM BKN130 BKN200 22/M12 A2975 RMK AO2 PK WND 18026/1658 SLP031 VIRGA NE-SW T02221117 10228 20178 56012KSLC 291720Z 291818 16016G26KT P6SM BKN200
FM2000 18022G33KT P6SM SCT200
FM0300 32020G28KT P6SM SCT120 BKN200
FM0600 30012KT P6SM BKN100
FM1500 32012G20KT P6SM VCSH BKN070

Gusting to 33 + Low Level Wind Shear = checkride delayed til Friday.

BOOOOO!

HANGIN' TOUGH

2008-04-08T19:40:00.004-08:00

STEP BY STEP.....OOOH BABEH....Gonna get to you girrrrrrrrl!
Thats right, girls. After years of our dreaming and praying...Jordan, Jon, Danny, Donny and Joey have finally reuinted for their big 21st century comeback.

Eat your heart out, Justin Timberlake.

NKOTB

I only have one question.

Is this one for the children?

A HEKKUVA TIME...Spring in DC

2008-04-01T14:26:00.015-08:00

I was lucky enough to spend some time with these sweet asses (literally) in our nation's capital this last weekend. Lucky us, it was the annual Cherry Blossom festival. The weather was mostly crappy, but we managed to have a killer time anyway.
We were hosted by these two fine gentlemen...one of whom refused to open his eyes for any photograph. The other reaked with patriotism as he inhaled the sweet scent of japanese cherry blossoms all weekend. Both hospitable, both handsome devils.

Emotions were high all weekend as experienced a full range of feelings.

From pure bliss...

To Anger...

To Sadness

To Contemplation

To the pinnacle emotion of the trip...patriotism.

We also learned a lot. Not only about our country, but about Donkey Kong, criminal defense, about lowering your center of gravity to take better pictures. And of course, we learned about ourselves.

After over 15 printed standby boarding passes, 5 legs and 7 complimentary beverages, I am back in SLC. All we have now are the memories.

Wise Words from a Wise Tranny

2008-03-18T20:58:00.004-08:00

The Old West

2008-03-11T15:47:00.000-08:00

Somewhere between Moab, Dead Horse Point, The Fiery Furnace, Eddie McStiffs, Goblin Valley, The San Rafael Swell, and the B&P Beep Bar in Salina Utah I realized...

Work sucks. The Old West dudnt.

Bigotry is alive and well in Utah.

2008-02-24T11:15:00.000-09:00

Is this guy for real?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Buttars

Its a lifestyle.

2008-02-18T15:10:00.000-09:00

Substitute teaching is not a job...its a lifestyle. Being the master of adaptation that I am...I thought that this job would only further my chameleon skills.

Here is a day in the life of a substitute teacher for Jordan School District.

5:30 am- phone rings...an automated voice alerts me that a job has become available. I am then led through a series of steps involving making decisions and pressing numbers in a state of unconsiousness. It will generally name the school. ______elementary. _______high school. If unfortunetly the system says _____Middle School....I tend to hang up immediatly.

Sometime in between 7 and 8 am I arrive at said school. I check in at the office, they give me a darling badge that reads "SUBSTITUTE" in a large, bold font. I then wander around like a 7th grader looking for my classroom until a nice licensed teacher directs me.
Introductions follow. If I get a good vibe...I go with Mandy (generally in a high school with kids that I like)....or sometimes it is simply "Ms. Nelson".

The next 6 hours are a bit of a blur. Assigning worksheets, pressing play on DVD players...sometimes interspered with actual teaching...or if I am lucky...conducting. Alot of time is spent looking at the bell schedule and trying to figure out what lunch I am assigned...and if it is "B" lunch...then which bell is actually for my class???
Somewhere in the day I am usually insulted. Some kid will tell me that I am too short to be a teacher....or they will ask if I have read the prophets latest book about the number of piercings I should have in my ear...or my favorite..."Did you go to school to be a sub???"

All in all I have a ton of fun. Kids are hilarious. Especially the special ed kids, which iIam lucky enough to work with quite regularly. Tim thinks that this is a premonition for my future. he has had several premonitions...none of which have really come true...

My favorite part of the day comes when writing the report for the teacher...lets just say...I name names. the good, the bad, the bratty, the ugly, the smart, the quiet, the hard worker and the iPod listener. If you or someone you know is lucky enough to have Ms. Nelson for a sub, they are in for a real treat!

Okay...next....so for my birthday I thought it would be fun to take my mom out into the vast wilderness of Park City and strap some oversized shoes on her feet. She was a good sport and I think she even had a little fun. We got to meet my dad for lunch and spend Presidents day outside in the awesome weather. Here are a few of the pictoral highlights.

Livin the dream.

THE CONTIGUOUS 48...WINTER IN UTAH

2008-01-01T10:31:00.000-09:00

Timmery and I were lucky enough to spend the day in little Cottonwood canyon playing in the snow. Utah is beautiful...sometimes I forget. Here til April...then back to AK...

RING OF FIRE

2007-12-07T08:34:00.000-09:00

Made it to Guatemala

Hiked Volcan Pacaya with a guide carrying a 12 gauge pistol grip shotgun with no stock.

Contracted Ringworm...

Ew.

Part of the package deal I suppose...

Me and my fungi will be returning to the ever elusive lower 48 on Tuesday...Watch out.

COPAN...an illustrated update

2007-12-03T11:26:00.000-09:00

Our day at Copan...in a nutshell.

First we had to consult a map...

Then...we walked to the ruins...

We looked up...

We looked down...

We walked around...

And viewed the sites...

Then we decided to rest...

And take more pictures...

Oh...those Mayans...sure do know how to put some rocks together.

Wrinkled toes

2007-11-30T13:44:00.001-09:00

SCUBA...Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparattus

As humans...we cannot live underwater. In fact...even the greatest holder breather or breath holder (whichever you prefer...i prefer holder breather) can only do so for 8 minutes 6 seconds. And lets face it... he´s a
freak.
The average human can be fully funtional under water for approximately 2 minutes.I have found myself to be less than average.
The Bay Island of Utila is the cheapest and quickest place for a person to receive their open water certificate. Purposefully not looking into why exactly it is the cheapest (or most economical...what have you) was key to me deciding to go forth into the Caribbean...and dive.
One week later...Im still alive. And even a fan of this "SCUBA lifestyle". However my next diving vacation appears to be in the somewhat distant future...Not sure if it was the eels, the fear of sharks, the risk of the bends, or the fact that every breath I took was one less breath of air in my tank.

Ew.

Enjoyable yes...Impressive, very....Relaxing,not so much.
For Mandy, relaxation is found at the surface of the water.

Now...about the showers. After looking back at my little travel log, it became evident to me that I have not indulged in a hot shower since November 9th. This is not to say that I have not cleansed my body...just that budget hostels dont usually come with amenities such as hot water and consistent supplies of toilet paper (but lets save that one for the next blog).

So my question , dear bloggers is...what is the best way to engage in a cold water shower?

Some argue that immediate full submersion is the best way to go.

I generally prefer the "use a sponge to slowly moisten your body one body part at a time...saving the back for last".

Have you ever tried rinsing your hair without letting the water runoff onto your lower back?

And truly...dont you get a better lather in hot water?

What about the handsplash shower? Although, one does seem to come out with soap film that can cause some itching while trying to sleep.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated considering I have about 6 to 9 more cold showers to take before the comforts of my home hot shower become a reality once more.

In other news...the trip nears its end. We have scootered and scubad, and florad and faunad and been cultured til we can be cultured no more.

One week in Guatemala, 2 flights north and back to SLC.

In the mean time...for those of you with a movie rental decision in your near future...try out my movie pick for the week.APOCALYPTO As a young girl I had many nightmares involving indians...mostly due to my shortlived obsession with Dances with Wolves. After several years of peace...and after seeing APOCALYPTO on Wednesday night...my nightmares have revived.
Scalpings, bows, aarows, war paint, face piercings, decapitations and jaguar attacks are just some of the few treats waiting for you in this gruesome historical flick about the natives of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Ew.

FROM MOUNTAINS TO MONKEYS

2007-11-05T10:14:00.001-09:00

It has been brought to my attention by several people over the last few months, that I have been rather neglectful... of my blog, that is. Since this trait is not a favorable characteristic in any person.....I am doing what any attentive and aware person would do. I am updating my blog.
After reviewing my last entry....dated July 16th, 2007....it would appear that I have done absolutely nothing with myself for the last 4 months. This, dear bloggers, is simply untrue. The following is a meant to inform, entertain and cease the rampant banter about what a neglectful blogger I have become.
In July, I was residing in Denali National Park, Alaska. Learning to fly planes, spending time with good friends and making sub sandwiches for the *WADS.
My summer went a little something like this...
I thought that it would be fun to play inside airplanes...

In my free time I hung out with the cream of the Denali crop. Sometimes I would spend time with homos, asians and EVEN a redneck!

Sometimes I would run out of gas along the Parks highway and be late for work.

My dad came to visit...but he stole all of the pictures...

Then it started to snow....and the bears got hungry...

So Russell and I decided to drive to Utah...
It took us about a week. Alaska, The Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho...and then Utah. We camped. I looked like this the whole time.

We saw bears.

Got to Utah. Took a shower. (This was key). We spent time with Mom and Dad and Meagan and Colby and the sisters and even Tim...in southern Utah. We hiked the around Zion National Park and bought plane tickets to foreign lands. Russell had a birthday...a big one. I even managed to swim through a canyon pool and drown my cell phone. It was a very eventful trip.

On October 9th...we got oin an airplane and flew to San Jose, Costa Rica. It was probably the worst place I have ever been besides this one bathroom that I was in last week that was just a hole in the ground with feces covering the outer edge. Ew. And, no. There was no TP.
Decided quickly to leave...to Montezuma. On the bus ride it started to rain. No big deal. Maybe even a welcome break from the crazy heat and humidity. And maybe it would have been just that. But it didnt stop raining until October 21st. This was disappointing. But hell....what are you going to do?¿? Luckily I had recently purchased a new rainjacket...and with the help of my much anticipated REI dividend the final cost was $3.23 below the retail price! YESSS!
Anyway...we went from Montezuma to **Monteverde** to La Fortuna...then up North through Liberia. We met up with an old roommate of mine named Lyndi..which was weird and very welcome. We ate hummus and drank Imperial´s, talked about the rain and went to a frog pond. I was very surprised to find out that frogs mate for up to 8 days at a time. This intrigued me. They also HAVE to close their eyes when they swallow... I like to close my eyes when I swallow...but it is hardly necessary to my digestive process.
We swam and hiked and saw volcanoes and waterfalls.

There was endless confusion surrounding bus systems and whether GALLOPINTO and PINTOGALLO were the same thing. (they aren´t). It should also be noted that the Costa Rican people are not familiar with the meaning of the term "vegetarian". Upon request for a vegetarian dishes they are very pleased to offer you chicken. i didnt get it either.

After being ripped off 8 dollars by a prepubescent Nicaraguan boy...we finally made it across the border into Nicaragua. Ahhh. Rode in some cars and boats and found ourselves on the island of Ometepe before sundown.
We stayed in a terrible place called Monkey Island Hostel. I disagreed with the large black spider who seemed to be tormenting me endlessly in my sleep`. We left and went to Omaha. We were greeted by howler monkeys, a beautiful Nicaraguan family and a variety of Flor de Cana sales reps. Lets just say...we got free T-shirts.

Back on the boat and then to Granada and Leon...Esteli is later this week. Then Honduras.

I got a wicked sunburn on my gringo legs....it blistered.

Oh and about those busses. They really seem to like Neil Diamond here.Every bus we get on its SWEET CAROLINE. I guess what I am trying to say is that that surprised me. Neil Diamond. Who knew?

So...in his honor (and also in honor of a very funny memory involving this song at the Tavernacle in SLC...DD, you remember...)

Where it began, I can't begin to know when
But then I know it's growing strong
Oh, wasn't the spring, whooo
And spring became the summer
Who'd believe you'd come along

Hands, touching hands, reaching out
Touching me, touching you
Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
I've been inclined to believe it never would

And now I, I look at the night, whooo
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two, oh
And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulder
How can I hurt when holding you

Oh, one, touching one, reaching out
Touching me, touching you
Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
Oh I've been inclined to believe it never would

Ohhh, sweet Caroline, good times never seem so good

*WADs= Toursits that are "Wild About Denali". These folks are characterized by being over the age of 60 and are slightly overweight. They carry fanny packs and oversized cameras and have recently exited the confines of their cruise ship. A WAD is generally somewhat irritable (with periods of likeability) and came to Alaska for one reason only....to find themselves a bear. They spend large amounts of money and spend a majority of their time looking forward to their next meal....generally a philly cheese steak. (often mispronounced....cheese cake). They generally pair with other WADs and often wear similar jackets....usually a bright shade of yellow.

**Monteverde was a lesson in...something. Hard to say really. After leaving Montezuma and getting stuck in the terrible town of Puntarenas, we took a series of bus and taxi rides...totalling more money than I would like to admit to...trying desperately to get to Monverde. Long story short...the last bus we took dropped us off in a town (more an "area" or "bench") called Legahto. At Legahto there was a dirt road and a sign that said "Monteverde 36 kms". It had been made clear to us that no busses were going to Monteverde due to the mud slides.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/EVOD-787GWC?OpenDocument&RSS20=22-P
So like any young adventurous backpackers would...we decided to hike it. Monteverde or bust.
Several hours passed..many hills had been trod. My Chaco´s were cutting into my feet...harming not only my feet but me ever diminishing adventurous spirit. We had 10 miles behind us and 10 more to go...and diesel rig offered us a ride on the back of their truck... Sitting on tires and cement blocks we pounded through the mud and puddles for 2 more hours on this truck. Only to have their gas tanks cut open by a hidden rock. Diesel fuel everywhere. But alas...this happened right in front of a hostel. We were there. And then the rain continued.
HMMM, maybe this story should not have been an astericked sidenote. Oh well.

Talkeetna......

2007-07-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

What happens in BC...stays in BC

2007-06-25T09:19:00.001-08:00

Yes folks, I too have driven the Alaksa Highway. In the last week I have driven over 4000 miles and made it to my final destination, Denali, on Sunday.
I just wanted to share a few pics from my last few weeks.
They were taken in Colorado,Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, The Yukon Territory and finally...ALASKA....the great North.

Im tired of driving...but it was a rather amazing experience.

The drive went very well....minus a few minor glitches which shall not be mentioned...
I am now living in Carlo Creek, AK with a few other folks including TIM!!!
Thus far the reunions have been good and the weather is beautiful.

GLAD TO BE BACK!!!

Something about leaving....

2007-06-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

I made it.....yes...back to Zion...my home.

Road Trips and Verifiable Income

2007-05-31T14:40:00.000-08:00

Well it seems that my time here in Denver is coming to rapid end....

Most of my time has been spent with boob pokers and head hitters at the state mental health institue.
The remainder of my time has been spent with a lovely older gentleman named Charles....rubbing cortizone on his back and discussing why Hilary Clinton would make a fabulous president of our Mother land. Other than that it has been a series of transportation mishaps and random dinners with The Neil....
Ready for road trips and verifiable income!

Coming to a Computer Screen Near You

2007-05-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

Yes folks....I am following the trend. Consider me a blogger.

Ill be posting soon.