bloggin' foggin

New Blog

2010-01-31T22:27:00.000-08:00

I have started a new blog for the company Im trying to start..... Here is the new site - Check it out!

www.wisexpeditions.blogspot.com

The Christmas Carol

2009-12-24T18:07:00.000-08:00

The other night I treated Marcie, Amalie, and Mia to the Christmas Carol play which was performed outside of Portland. It was a lot of fun, the girls got all dressed up and were excited for the popcorn and pop Marcie treated them to. The Play was different than most versions of the Christmas Carol by the fact it was set as Charles Dickens was writing it. The actors were so full of life and spotanaty it made the play wonderful to watch... It was a nice way to bring in the Christmas spirit.

'In Loving Memory'

2009-12-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

Lady We will miss you!

2002 - 2009

Now a days...

2009-12-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

So now a days Im spending my time in the Portland area. Im staying with Lael and Marcie and am enjoying my time with them. I recently got a job working at the park and rec here in town so Im excited to start that new job. Hope it goes well... Here are a few pictures of when Mom was here. Enjoy the beauty of Multnomah Falls ~

Seward, AK

2009-10-13T22:29:00.000-07:00

Before I left Alaska I was able to go down to Seward and do a boat ride to see the glaciers and wild life. It was so much fun and the weather was perfect!

2009-10-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

Million Dollar Falls

Brown bear eating his catch

I view of one of the trails I explored

Haines, AK

Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau, AK

Alaskan Life

2009-10-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

So I guess its time for me to up date what is going on in my life for the one or two people who read my little blog... After I got off of the river I went on a little trip around Alaska and Canada. I spent ten or eleven days driving around and sight seeing things and areas I thought that I might not get another chance to see before I left the area. After we got off of the river I stayed a few days in Fairbanks waiting for my bus to Whitehorse. While on my 18 hour drive to Whitehorse the driver and I got talking about my trip and come to find out... He happened to do the same trip with a friend when he was nineteen. He built a row boat in Dawson and headed out. He said they didn't have a clue about what they were doing but that it was one of the best trips he has ever done. The trip took them about two months and when the got to a small Indian village called Pilots Junction (which is about to the Bering Sea) they realized they had no way to get home so... he stayed there for about 12 years. Met a girl, got married, and had a family. It was an amazing story. I asked him what he did for work and how he was able to support him and his family. He told me that the first couple of years he hunted and fished with the elders learning all he could about the people and living in that area, and after a few years he became mayor of the town/village, and the last several years he was there he ran the general store. He has recently moved back to Whitehorse so his children could have more opportunities than what they would have received in the village. A truly inspiring man...

Once I arrived in Whitehorse I picked up the car from the fly shop and spent a couple of days hiking and exploring the town and area. Whitehorse is one of the most amazing towns I have had the opportunity to visit. The people are wonderful - friendly and happy. The location is perfect for river running and there is great snow in the winter. The only downside is that its way too cold and dark in the winter.

After picking up the car and exploring what I could in Canada I drove down to Haines AK. The trip down to Haines was a beautiful aw inspiring drive with high mountains, beautiful flowers, and a few amazing waterfalls that I found. Once in Haines I searched for good camping, went on a few good hikes, and watched a few brown bears catch salmon in the river. While I was in Haines I thought I might as well head down to Juneau - cause why not. The ferry ride was a cool 4 hours. After arriving in Juneau I found a campground right next to the Mendenhall glacier and went to explore the town. Juneau was an interesting town - the downtown was a tourist trap with thousands and thousands of people coming off of cruise ships. But it is a really beautiful place. And come to find out its the largest city in the states - who knew.

After getting back from my Juneau escapade I headed back up to Fairbanks to pick up my river gear and then headed down to Anchorage with lots of stops along the way.

It was interesting being back in Anchorage - so much had changed, bus such is life. I went back to work and occupied my time with that until I left Alaska.

When I first arrived to Alaska I didn't like it at all, but I did grow to love it there. I have met so many wonderful people and have gained some wonderful friends. And now that I am no longer in Alaska I really miss it...

YUKON RIVER TRIP 09'

2009-08-17T15:57:00.000-07:00

I'm am off of the river and have made my way back to Anchorage and back to work. The river trip went well! I really loved it - the best trip I have ever done. We finished the trip earlier than we thought we would have so we ended up being on the river about 20 days. We traveled from Whitehorse, YT to Circle, AK covering a distance of about 800 miles. I experienced so many things I can't really express in writing so.... I posted a ton of pictures of the trip. I hope that you enjoy the pictures and will join me next year when I do the whole Yukon river - 2000 miles in 2 months :) The little blue car we packed to the top! we really couldn't have fit anything else! In the back you can see my van crying - he really wanted to go but he was in trouble for being such a shitty van....

Getting ready to get on the lake...

Testing out the boat and the frame I built. Worked great! the frame held up well and the boat tracked great through the water.

Lake La Berdge

Some Eagles we spotted just after we got onto the Yukon from the lake

2009-08-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

Ellen's first fish (Grayling) she was so proud!

Dinner prep - my job

Ummm.... don't ask

An old town we stopped at to "fix" the boat

loving life!

2009-08-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

heading into 5 fingers rapids

Another fire....

My favorite picture

2009-08-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Looks like I got a bit of sun that day

I was SO stuck!

and finally Im out....

Ellen

2009-08-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

The music festival...

Panning for gold with our new friend Reggie

I found some!!!!!!!

2009-08-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

Riding a couple of the stationary bikes in the crazy hostel we camped at outside of Dawson...

The Hostel...

Some of the guys we met on the river... They were from Spain, and don't worry they were much more friendly than what they look like in this picture - I promise!

Dawson, YT

Awe... back on the River

2009-08-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

One of the many fish wheels along the Yukon

Old Wheel at one of the history sites we stopped at

I found some rhubarb! yummy!

Panning for gold...

Ellen trying to lour a gull that kept dive bombing us...

2009-08-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

The Yukon

That sucks! ha ha!

Contemplating life.... Ha ha - not really. I'm probably wondering what Ellen is going to make for dinner.

A view from our campsite overlooking the Yukon and 40 mile river

Chopping wood...

2009-08-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

The town of Eagle along the Yukon was hit hard by the break up of the ice earlier this summer. The ice jammed up before the town and when the water pressure was too much it well... kind of exploded and ripped the town apart. Houses we ripped off of their foundations and thrown several hundred feet in different directions... The whole town was pretty much destroyed. So we stopped in Eagle for a day and helped a lady (Lennie) out by taking her house apart for her and sorting through the junk and the reusable wood. Some of the nails we pulled....

The clean up process...

Ellen, John, and I taking apart Lennie's house.

Leaving the town of Eagle

One of the most beautiful nights we had. It was crystal clear with great views in every direction!

2009-08-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Eating dinner ( cooked that night - I think the only night I cooked :) ) potato soup, it was really yummy!

Ellen fishing in 70 mile river - I think

70 Mile River

The boat!

One of the Yukon's beautiful sunsets

2009-08-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

We went fishing and hunting for invasive plants up the Nation River. We found this great swimming hole were we washed clothes, swam, and bathed. It was a great day!

One of the many wolf tracks we saw along the river. As you can see with Ellen's foot print along side this is not a small wolf at all :)

There were so many Raspberries around the cabin! We picked SO many!

This is what we did with the raspberries we picked. Yummy!!!

This is the food cache for the cabin. pretty cool looking mini cabin to me

2009-08-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ellen cooking outside the cabin

Inside the Nation River public use cabin. look Dad I have my gun with me - aren't you proud? :)

Identifing invasive plants along the river.

Look at the giant growing smoke cloud behind me. It just kept growing and growing!

This is one of the fires that we rowed past the last night. Pretty intense! By the way - thats my scared face :)

LIFE

2009-07-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

So I realize that it has been quite some time since I have updated my blog with any text, so here I go.... I have come to the realization that I completely love Alaska. It truly is a great place to live. The people are friendly, the scenery is beautiful, and the weather and sunshine has been great so far. I really am so glad I came up here to experience Alaska for myself. It was hard at first - like most good things, but has defiantly been worth all of the heart ache in the beginning. I have found a new love - trail running. I know what your thinking "but, you hate running" that's true I did HATE to run, but I have been running on the trails through the forest by the campground and it has been so nice. At first I would go running with Kori and I didn't enjoy it at all. She was fast, graceful, and in shape. And I was none of those :), but it has been a couple of months now and I'm getting faster and my lungs and legs have improved to the point where I enjoy the run. (I don't know about the graceful part, I still trip over some of the roots, and look goofy, but who cares about that, right). Kori has moved on to bigger and better things on Juneau and now Jen is my wonderful running partner. Last night when we went running we were heading down the trail and down a hill when we ran into a bear and two little little cubs (SO CUTE) luckily Jen is very cautious and we had bear bells and bear spray with us. Thanks Jen, if I was by myself I probably would of had neither with me. We decided to cut the run short and do a loop and not our usual run. I think that was a good choice cause this morning when I was walking to my van I ran into the bears again! but much closer this time - we were about 15 feet apart when I saw them and started yelling at them to get. Pretty crazy stuff, the momma bear ran back into the forest and the cubs scampered up the closest tree. I have never seen cubs so little in the wild - I mean they are tiny, like the size of a med. dog. I tried to take some pictures of them but my camera sucks so the pictures didn't really turn out. I think its time to get a new camera if I can scrounge up the money. Well enough about the bears....

Today is my day off so I'm spending money, packing, and working on my van. I have been working on my van so much lately that the guys in Shucks automotive know me by name - its kind of funny. One of the guys told me today that he wants to set me up with his nephew, he said " you guys would get along so well, he wants to get a Vanagon to fix up and live in while he is traveling around!" I thought that was so funny!!! Anyway my latest project on the van is to change the break pads, which should be easy right - well I can't get the lug nuts off (I think that its been years and years since the tries have been off) I'm going to take it to a Midas in the morning to see if they will use one of their tools to loosen them so I can take the tires off to change the pads. We will see how it goes.

Now about my little trip... I'm getting ready for my expedition and I'm so excited! We will be on the river for around 33 days traveling via a raft on the Yukon from Whitehorse, YT to Eagle, AK which is about 800 river miles. It should be a blast - well I'm hoping it will be :). I have environmental service set up with the NPS to identify invasive plant species along the Yukon through the Yukon - Charley National Preserve. And I'm also trying to get some community service set up in Eagle Alaska - the Yukon flooded this summer and did some major damage to the town. Hopefully that will go through so we can serve the people of Eagle. We will be leaving anchorage on the 8Th of July for Whitehorse, wish me luck.....

2009-06-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

So I know everyone has been dieing to see my van so here it is in all of its glory! HAHA!!!!!!!

2009-06-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Alaska
This is a view from the Eagle River Nature Center in Eagle River

The Kayaks at Eklutna Lake

Bold Mt. at Eklutna Lake

Welcome to Alaska - Ha!

2009-04-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

So as most of you know, I'm in Alaska. I am staying Anchorage for the time being and am actually hoping I can get out of the city ASAP!!!! I flew up here which I thought would be a great idea - it was a cheap flight and I thought hey I can take the bus around and all will be great. Well.... things didn't turn out how I would have liked to hope they would have- but that's life right? When do things ever turn out the way you want? For me not very often :) Anyway Gabi White (a friend of a friend) has been kind enough to take me in, and I am staying with her at her house. When I first got up here I was taking the bus everywhere - trying to figure out the city and looking for a job. The bus is great if you have nothing to do all day - you can spend your time sitting on the bus for hours at a time wondering if your ever going to find a transfer station to get on a different bus that will actually take you where you need to go. I have met all sorts of interesting people on the bus and at the different stops - really all sorts :) The first week I was up here I was riding the bus around and got really sick - like so sick I thought I was going to die! I abruptly pulled the cord so I could get off at the next stop. I ran off of the bus and tried to find a place to go that I could use the restroom. Luckily I was close to REI so I went in and used the bathroom (cause I thought that would help) well it didn't. I had the worst stomach pain I have ever had before and I thought that my appendix had burst! So of course like a little baby who do you call other than your mom? So I called my mom and told her what was going on and she of course told me to go to the hospital. I didn't want to go cause I don't have insurance, but I did cause I'm a good girl and listen to my mom :) Anyway to make a long story short I was admitted to the hospital and spent the remainder of the day in the ER. My appendix didn't burst but I did pass kidney stones - which I was told is worse than child birth! So I think that having kids will be no problem at all :) I was also told that I have another one of those damn stones in my kidney and I could pass it anytime - an hour or a year from now, great right. So after my lovely time in the ER I was leaving and trying to brace myself for the big bill that was coming, I walked up to the counter and handed the man my papers and he had the nerve to tell me that my bill was $3000! I was like no way! I can't pay that! I have no job, I have no money! I tried to convince him that the bill was only $3 but he didn't buy it. I was so sad! I gave the man my money and walked out of the hospital vowing to never go back - I don't care if I'm dieing I'm not going back there. Those dirty bastards! Anyway back to the bus situation, I was getting tried of trying to find a job while on the bus, its was taking me all day just to stop at a couple of places to pick up applications and then the whole next day to drop them off. I thought - this is crazy!!!! So I started to look on Craig's list for a vehicle, just something to drive. So I was perusing Craig's list and I came to a 1983 Volkswagen Vanagon (which is a camper van) for $700 I was so EXCITED!!!!! So the next day I went and looked at the bus and it seemed to run great, it wasn't that pretty but I didn't care - cause I wouldn't have to take the bus anymore!! Hurray! I told the man that I wanted it and that I could give him his money the following day and come and pick it up. I thought it was such a steal. Well..... it was good for the first day or two, then I went to go and get out of the city and see what Alaska was really like. I was heading down the road and about two miles after I hit the highway my roof of my van blows off!!!! How the Hell does that happen? So some guys pulled it off to the side of the road for me and I got off of the highway and turned around to see what the damage was. I got back to the wreckage aka roof and realized that I had no idea what do do with it. It was too big to put inside of my van and I couldn't put it back on so... I left it there. I went back the next day with one of the guys that I live with and he helped me strap it back to my roof. So now I have a huge hole on the top of my once cool van. Not quite sure what to do about it - any suggestions? Also I went to get it tuned up cause I thought hum I should have someone look at it and make sure it runs OK so I can drive it and be somewhat safe. So I took it in and payed the ridicules 200 dollars for the tune up and now it doesn't run quite right. Hum.....I'm starting to think that I have really bad luck! And that is no fun - no fun at all. Everyone is telling me to go back to Idaho and work - and I really have been thinking about it but I have a couple of interviews within the next couple of days and I will see what happens with that before I decide anything. I know that I make it sound like Alaska sucks but it hasn't been all bad. I have been on some really cool trails and I have been able to go climbing and yesterday I went with a couple of friends and we hiked Bird Ridge which is a lot of fun. Maybe I'll grow to like Alaska - who knows.

Beauty

2009-03-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

Have you gazed on naked grandeur where there's nothing else to gaze on,Set pieces and drop-curtain scenes galore,Big mountains heaved to heaven, which the blinding sunsets blazon,Black canyons where the rapids rip and roar?Have you swept the visioned valleywith the green stream streaking through it,Searched the Vastness for a something you have lost?Have you strung your soul to silence? Then for God's sake go and do it;Hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost.

From "The Call of the Wild," by Robert Service

ALASKA ADVENTURES!

2009-02-06T17:44:00.000-08:00

The time has come to let all of you out there know that I am heading to ALASKA! I am planning an Adventure Service Expedition on the Yukon River. Me along with a few others will be heading to the Headwaters in Canada at the end of May to float to the Bering Sea 2000 miles across Canada and Alaska. The jurney will take roughly four months. We will be doing service along the way in the different communities and on the banks of the Yukon. Here is a little preview of what we will be doing:

Yukon Service Expedition is a nonprofit group created by outdoor guides of many sorts, dedicated to the protection and preservation of the priceless Yukon River wilderness, along with the communities along its shores. In order to help raise awareness and provide needed environmental and community assistance to this unique area, our group will be embarking on a service expedition. During the summer of 2009, its members will be paddling the Yukon Passage in Alaska from its headwaters in Skagway, Canada to its end in the Bering Sea (2000 miles). Along the way, we will be performing environmental service focused on alleviating the shores of the Yukon River from invasive species in order to preserve its natural ecosystem. We will be documenting our experience in order to help raise awareness of the threats and needs of the Yukon River and thus inspire further work. We will also be connecting with the local communities along the river to educate and involve them in this cause. Along with educating the communities about us and our environmental goals we will be performing a variety of services in the communities to help fill any needs they may have. Yukon Service Expedition’s ultimate goal is to create an organization that will provide an annual service expedition similar to this in order to continue the preservation and protection of this priceless resource.

My hopes are that this trip will go well and we will be able to continue our work on the Yukon in the furture. I hope to create and establish a well needed non-profit orginization that will not only involve the people in Alaska but also colleges throughout the world. I hope to bring under graduate and graduate students on Adventure Service Expeditions where they learn outdoor skills, leadership (emphsizing on Service Leadership), and environmental needs for the Yukon. This would be a great trip for Biology students and recreational managment/leadership students to learn more about the land we live in and how to create solutions for the problems that we are faced with. I feel that this trip will open many doors for my future and I am excited about the new challenges that I will be faced with.

2009-02-06T17:19:00.001-08:00

It has been quite an adventure since I have left Jamaica. I traveled from Atlanta GA to New Mexico - Arizona- up through Utah and home to Montana and every state in between. I took three weeks traveling home stopping to camp, visit friends, and family. I Had quite the time. I now know that I love to travel whether its with someone or alone. I have an innumerable amount of memories storied in my little brain and hope to gather a lot more in the future.

I went from looking at this.... To this.....

To this.... in a few short weeks

My trusty car is officially over the hill... It hit 200,000 miles on the way home (but it now has quite a few more, I like to drive what can I say)

Epic travels

2008-12-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

So my time in Jamaica has come to an end. I had the time of my life learning and exploring the land of Jamaica. I have so many great memories of my times there. I will never forget the people I met and the places we visited. So thanks Tonia and Craig for allowing me to live with you and making my time unforgettable. I spent a month down in the sun and it has been hard to come back to the states to where it is so cold. (Sorry Tonia and Craig but you guys are going to freeze I'm afraid). I arrived back to the States on Thursday night where I stayed with Kevin Magart and his beautiful family. The next morning I thought that I better start on my epic road trip so I went out to start my car and nothing. My car was dead, I know what a good start for my trip. So Kevin Jumped me and I was off, or so I thought. I needed gas so I pulled into a gas station to fuel up (by the way I'm in love with the gas prices) forgetting that I needed to let my car charge a bit longer I shut it off. Big mistake! My car was no longer going to start the battery was shot. I had quite a few nice gentle men help me out, hitting on me, and asking for my number several times. It was great. After about an hour we were able to get the car started and I was on my way again, but to Wal-Mart this time to get a new battery and some other things done to my lovely car. After 4 long and tormenting hours at Wal-Mart my car was finely done and I was free to leave Georgia. The next couple of days were a blur, I just drove and drove. I drove from Atlanta Georgia to somewhere in New Mexico in a little under a couple of days, that's over 140o miles. Once I arrived to New Mexico (where I met a couple of friends) I crashed for a couple of days refusing to get back into the car. I spent my time just hanging out, biking, and eating some good food. I'm now in Gallup New Mexico where I met my good friend Erin. When I got into town we we on a little hike, which was beautiful. It reminded me that I miss the West and all of the beauty that it offers.

I will be hanging out at Erin's for the rest of the day and tomorrow I will be heading off to Arizona to see Cheri and Joe. Hopefully I can remember to take some pictures so you can see my travels. Take Care

Kicks and Giggles

2008-12-03T20:50:00.000-08:00

So I was bored and I thought humm.... everyone likes a good transformation right? so prepare to be amazed as the hair trasforms right before your eyes! :)

Holy Volume!
This is before: After:

And after, after:

Some more fun in the sun! ya mon!

2008-12-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

Today was a wonderful day in the sun. We went to a beautiful place on the south beach. We played in the water, ate some great food, and lounged around in some hammocks. It was great!

I believe that this cannon was from an old pirate ship called the black pearl, it was said to have magical powers and could out sail any boat in the Caribbean. It was a fierce crew full of scoundrels and scallywags that would take the hair off of your back! I know what your thinking, but don't worry because I know of a guy who knows a guy of a man that knew a monkey that saw the black pearl go down from a giant sea monster. The crew turned into tiny sea horses, the monster ate the ship, and all that has survived of that magical ship is this lone cannon.

What a beautiful place!

A couple of the girls thinking about getting in the water

HI!

2008-12-01T17:43:00.000-08:00

Oh how I love hammocks!

A view from one of the houses of the sweet property we spent the day at.

The flowers here are amazing

Manatees!

2008-12-01T17:24:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we went to Alligator Hole which is a little town on the island. Before you get to town there is a place on the river where there are Manatees, also know as the sea cow. They are a shy water living mammal that weighs around 1 ton. They are really cool and have made their way up on my list of favorite mammals.
After the awesome experience with the Manatees we went into town and ate at a little restaurant on the beach. Enjoy...

That's such a bummer! I only go fishing with dynamite :(

Mr. Anderson our boat guide

Tonia enjoying the sunshine and boat ride

Typical Jamaican paddles. Why do I spend so much money on my paddles? I'm sure I can get a custom made paddle for me here at a fraction of the cost!

2008-12-01T16:56:00.000-08:00

What do you see? Oh my gosh! its a Manatees!!!!! Do you see it? look close

This is a restaurant that we went to after seeing the manatees. It was called Little Ochi. Can you figure out what the sign means?

Some of the awesome seating arrangements on the beach at the restaurant.

Beautiful sunset!

Fun in the Sun!

2008-11-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

This weekend was so much fun. Tonia, Craig, and I went to stay at an all inclusive hotel here on the island, it was on the beach, outside of the town Lucea. It was a great place with beautiful rooms, lots of food, and lots and lots wind. We had a good time laying out in the sun, reading, playing bingo, going to the shows, and playing pool. After we were done with the hotel we drove through Negril where we walked on white sandy beaches, looked off of cliffs into the beautiful water, and watched some kids get in trouble from some police men. Once we left Negril we headed to YS Falls where there was tons of fun to be had. I posted some pictures so you all could take a look.

2008-11-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

Oh, sweet! Look at that form! Perfect Tonia.

This is my "I really love golf" face. Can't you see it in the eyes?

A view of the beautiful golf course.

Tonia and Craig

2008-11-23T20:10:00.000-08:00

A few views from our sweet hotel room

Educating myself while getting some sun

Catching some rays.

2008-11-23T19:55:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of the other side of the bay from where we were staying. If you look really close you can see some small white building on the left side of the picture. Well that was the hotel that we stayed in and it is actually huge! Humm... I don't think that is suppose to be there. What do you think?

Some locals playing a beloved game of cricket.

A beautiful white sandy beach in Negril.

2008-11-23T19:43:00.000-08:00

hurray! for YS Falls! YS Falls is a series of short water falls here on the island. We took a tractor ride up to the falls, where there was a pool to swim in, a gift shop, and a walk way following along up the falls. At the falls we took pictures, met Omar (my new boyfriend), swam in the river, jumped off of the falls, swung from a rope, and fell a few times. Ya know the usual :)

We drove through some really pretty pasture land up to the Falls.

2008-11-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

Tonia and Craig with the beautiful fall behind them. YS Falls

Flexing my HUGE muscles!

Umm... Hi everyone.

Craig and I

2008-11-23T19:11:00.000-08:00

Oh, yet another Jamaican boy after my heart. Love is in the air... Jumping from a rope swing at YS falls. I always have to plug my nose, I don't know why it makes me look like a dork.

Ha ha, I look like a drowned puppy dog. They said that it would feel like a massage but it really just hurt.

Hi Tonia.

what a cute bird!!!

Football Game!

2008-11-19T21:38:00.000-08:00

Tonight we went to a professional football aka: soccer game in Kingston and it was so much fun!It was Canada vs. Jamaica. The stadium was full, the crowd was happy, and Jamaica won 2/0. Poor ol` Canada. Here are some pictures I posted so you all could view the game. Enjoy...

The game Tonia and Craig

The fans

2008-11-19T21:25:00.000-08:00

The football game A guy selling peanuts (I think) at the game. He kept getting kicked out by the security, so funny!

The big ass security men! wouldn't want to mess with them...

More football

Walking back to the car with the croud

Quote of the day

2008-11-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.

-Samuel Johnson

Its party time!

2008-11-16T12:53:00.000-08:00

This weekend Tonia, Craig, and I went to a Jamaican party, and it was interesting to say the least. There was good food, drinks, loud music, and lots and lots of weed. Ya know a typical Jamaican party. It was tons of fun, we met some interesting people, swam in the river, and ate some good food (well, goat for me). The Jamaican men are well... a bit forward. I had a couple of guys want to "get to know me" I guess you could say. Kind of crazy! Anyway take a look at our Jamaican day.

2008-11-16T12:45:00.000-08:00

Kids playing in the river

typical Jamaican river pics...

2008-11-16T12:29:00.000-08:00

Sandie and Ken posing for the camera

Sandie, Patrick, Ken, and I swimming in the river

Oops I made a giant splash trying a back flip

Westley don't drop the bottle!

Ha ha, my new Jamaican boyfriend Patrick :)

2008-11-16T11:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a video that Craig took while at the party

2008-11-16T10:54:00.000-08:00

The Rapetta family shelter from the rain

some kids playing in the river

bamboo

the food cooking, yummm.... it was good!

2008-11-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

Some of the guys standing out in front of the shack aka bar, where the party was being held. Seamore cutting a coconut for me while he was smoking a joint :)

What am I suppose to do with this?

Sandie and I drinking coconut water

Craig are you really going to eat that?

2008-11-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

Me and Seamore

A poor little Donkey alongside the road

Bauxite plant

YA - MON!

2008-11-14T19:57:00.000-08:00

So my days in Jamaica have been great so far. This past week we went to Ocho Rios which is on the coast and a very busy touristy area. There were several cruise ships in the few days we were there. While in Ocho Rios we stayed on the beach in a cute little hotel. While at the hotel we (Tonia and I, Craig had to work :( ) went snorkeling and found lots of sweet treasures, after that we went to Dolphin cove which is a sweet place on the ocean where you can swim with dolphins, stingrays, sharks, and hold tropical birds. It was so much fun! It was something that I was able to do that I will never forget. I have been having so much fun with Tonia and Craig while I have been here, it has been so nice to spend some time with them. After an epic couple of days in Ocho Rios we came back to Mandaville and went to an art show last night ( I know what you are thinking the fun never stops, ya I know) which was really nice. The art was from local Jamaican artist and was very beautiful and expensive. I had a nice time meeting new people and looking at all of the art. But I think that I have been up on the mountain too long because I was getting stressed out by all of the people (there were a lot there I swear). Well that is all I have. Hope everyone is doing well.

2008-11-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

Jamaica, its crazy

I love snorkeling! is that my hair or seaweed?

Our treasures!!!! Tonia and I dove down into the depths of the ocean to find these great treasures which consist of; three dominos, a huge conch shell, and a fabulous wine glass. What a great Find

2008-11-14T19:40:00.000-08:00

swimming with the DOLPHINS "Lucy" and "Nemo" oh my gosh!
I was being pushed out of the water from the dolphins. It was so cool!

should I really hold this stingray?

Oh its ok

Me and Elvis

2008-11-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

Elvis the giant iguana Mike my Jamaican boyfriend :)

Awesome!!!!

They call me the bird lady :)

Day in the sun!

2008-11-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

My day in the sun was wonderful. We first went to Black River and saw a bunch of crocodiles! it was so cool. After the crocodiles we went to the beach and found tons of new treasures and then we went for dinner at Jack Sprat's which is a restaurant on the beach. It was a great day and tons of fun hanging out with Tonia and Craig. Thanks guys!

2008-11-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

Me and my new treasures! poor little blow fish

fanning my self with a sea fan :)

Searching for treasures with my new found grapefruit along side of me native animals of Jamaica... aren't they cute

2008-11-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

laying in a hammock on the beach Me and Tonia

beautiful sunset Tonia, Craig, and I

Me at a restaurant "Jack Sprat" on the beach

Oh No!...

2008-11-07T18:34:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh! the humidity here is crazy! I just had to take a picture of my wild and crazy hair, each day it gets more and more curly and crazy big. I think that by the time tomorrow comes around it will be a giant fro. Not quite sure what to do about it. Any suggestions?

My Solo Travels

2008-11-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

I have left West Virginia traveled south to Atlanta Georgia. My drive ended up being quite a bit longer than I had originally thought, it was suppose to last 9 hours and ended up being over 12 hours. Map Quest is not always as great as it seems. it had me going on all of these back roads in West Virginia and Virgina, which in those states you have to travel about 20 miles per hour because it is so mountainous. So I decided to forge my own path to the South, not the best I idea i have ever had. I got lost a few time and arrived at Kevin's house (in Atlanta) well after 10:00 at night. Even though I arrived so late to the Maggert's house they were still so hospitable and welcoming. I left Kevin's house the next morning at 4:30 and headed to the airport where I boarded a plane to head to Jamaica via Miami. I arrived in Jamaica went through customs at a phenomenal pace and waited outside for Tonia to pick me up. I waited and waited (ha ha, just kidding Tonia I really didn't wait that long :)), and while I was waiting about 15 men came up to talk to me asking if I needed a ride. Luckily the 15Th man was Tonia's driver Mike, but at the time I didn't know that and of course I denied him until I saw Tonia jump out of the van. My drive through Jamaica was to say the least interesting, most of the buildings are small run down shacks and homes, the bigger businesses are surrounded with barbed wire. The roads are full of potholes and swerving cars and as you pass a vehicle you give them a nice little honk to tell them thanks. Not at all what you use a horn for in the States. I seems like the houses are either small little shanties or huge houses and not much in between. Tonia's place is really nice with tile everywhere and fruit trees outside.
It is nice to be in Jamaica to experience yet another new place. I'm excited to learn more about the people and the culture and to explore all that it has to offer.

The beautiful little flowers and green things of Jamaica

Tonia's house and little neighborhood

More pictures are soon to come...

West Virginia and beyond!

2008-11-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

My days at TMI are over, for now anyway. I have had a great time with the people I worked with, they are all great people who are so passionate about the work they are doing and believe that it makes a difference. They started off as just people that I worked with and became good friends. To all at TIM: take care and safe travels.

We were playing a game called stump: you have a stump and everyone has their own nail. You are trying to get everyone else out by pounding their nails into the stump, you have to throw the hammer into a spin, catch it, and hit a nail in one swing. Sounds easy but its NOT. I am really bad at it, but its tons of fun.

Me on the top of Spruce Knob

Yurt at high camp

2008-11-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

this is one of the sweat lodges that we built The Whale aka: chuck's home in the woods

the center of one of the yurts at high camp

A stormy winter after a day of stream studies. Don't you wish that you could stand in a stream all day while its snowing with a bunch of kids... I love it :)

Seneca Rocks

Exiting the sinks of Gandy, a cave that we take the kids through

Ah.... Prim.... taking a drink after caving. So funny!

Spruce Knob lake

2008-11-05T07:31:00.000-08:00

I spent a week on the Potomac River with a bunch or 8Th graders from Virginia. We started on the Potomac at a place called 15 mile and ended at Harper's Ferry. Along the way we stopped and learned about the history of the C & O canal and its significance to the west coast and how it was built. I also learned a lot about the Civil war along the way, stopping at different forts and battle grounds. History is GREAT!

Hi everyone!

2008-11-05T06:27:00.000-08:00

The Fall here in West Virginia was one of the most spectacular beautiful things I have ever witnessed. The deciduous trees are so rich and full of life, in the fall when their cycle is coming to an end their true colors are surfaced and exposed to the outside world, it is beautiful and breath taking.

2008-11-05T06:12:00.000-08:00

This is the top of Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia 4880 feet high. Chuck one of my co-workers and a good friend. Hiking to Spruce Knob

I great view from High Camp

2008-11-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of when I got to The Mountain Institute in September

Here is the main Yurt at high camp. Its really cool!

Howdy from the East!

2008-09-15T14:59:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to up date you all and let you know that things are going great in West Virgina. My job is going great and the people that I work with are amazing. My first week was good, a bit different than I thought it was going to be, but good. I had a group of 8th grade boys from a private school outside of DC. They defiantly were different than any other kids I have ever been around before. They were awful at times and great at other select times :), it was hard for them to adjust to being outside all of the time with no electronic and not a lot of food. But all in all the week went well and no one died so that was good. This week I am working around the farm doing various jobs, helping out, and getting ready for another group of privileged kids from DC for next week, but girls this time ( I have a feeling that they might be a bit worse).

Hello Everyone!

2008-09-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been a long time since my last update, but since the last one on Fuji, I have left Japan and have moved across the country to West Virginia. It was a long drive of five terrible days but once I made it here it was well worth the drive. West Virginia is so beautiful I can't even explain it! Green and trees everywhere. The place i am working is called the Spruce Knob Mountain Institute and it is a non profit organization that works with students from different areas of the East teaching outdoor skills, science classes in the field (such as geology, ecology, and some different types of biology). Some of the students are from public schools and some are from private schools. The kids that come and do a course with us are mostly JH age kids, a few high schools, and some fifth graders. This week I am doing training and will be leaving tomorrow to go backpacking for about five days. It should be a good time and I am looking forward to learning more about the things that I will be teaching.

Mt. Fuji

2008-08-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

Top of Mt. Fuji John, Chelsea, and I at the gates to the top of Fuji

Crater at the top

2008-08-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

On the way up Mt. fuji.
There are different stations on the way to the top. These stations have bathrooms, food, and some of them have huts that you can sleep in. It is a crazy mountain to climb, it is unlike any other.

Hello, Hello...

2008-08-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Things are still going well for me in Japan, I have less than a month less! I can't believe it. I will miss this place so much. I have really grown to love the people and the culture. I will miss their kindness and generosity more than you will know. But I am excited to get back to a place where I can understand more than a hand full of words and there aren't 128 million people always surounding me.
This past week we held a skate camp for the kids, and we were lucky enough to get a few pro skaters to come and do the camp. Chad knight and Kenny Anderson came to teach skating. We hung out with them and took them to dinner. They are really great guys, kind and down to earth. It was refreshing, I have hung out with some pro kayakers and that experience was less than great. Anyway, I hope you all are doing well.
Take Care

2008-08-05T04:53:00.000-07:00

Chiba is one of the most beautiful places that I have been in japan. I can't wait to go back...

2008-08-05T04:41:00.000-07:00

Ellie and I at surf camp
The Japanese people love to surf... Chiba is so beautiful!
The kids
They love to stretch, its so funny

2008-08-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

I found a Kimono in the closet of the hostel that we stayed in. It took me a while to figure it out

2008-07-31T00:04:00.000-07:00

When we got back from the day in Nikko we went to kugenama-Onsen to find a hostel. When we got to the hostel there was a girl that was working was from Chicago and it was so nice to talk to someone who knew English. She told us about this sween party that was going on in town! check it out!

we met a geshia and her friend and got a picture with them! fun stuff...

2008-07-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

One of the temples we went to in Nikko
Hear no, speak no, see no evil...

Engrish is great...

2008-07-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hello. Hello...
I have had a ton of fun these past few weeks. I have been to Nikko, kugenua-Onsen, Tokyo, surfing in chiba for a week, climbed Mount Fuji, and played with kids in the ocean. I will post more photos in a bit.
Take Care

2008-07-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

On the way to the best weekend ever!
Heather and I in the trainwe found a little candy shop in Nikko with tasty little treats

a really popular bridge in Japan. Really neat... Pagdoa

I WENT GLASS BLOWING!!!!!!

Water Camp!

2008-07-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

So, the first week of water camp is over. I was a loot of fun, a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. We had pre teens (4th -6th graders) they were so good and they loved all of the activities that we planned for them. We went moterboating on the ocean, tubing, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, and had a fun little treasure hunt. How could they not like it, right? I have another week of water sports next week and then I have surf camp which I am looking forward to. At surf camp we stay in a pro surfer's beach house on the beach, surf all day, soak in an onsen at night, and eat raman for dinner. Gosh I can't wait to go! Kids learning how to snorkel
Lane after Cliff jumping
Chelsea, pretty intense...
Jumping off of the cliff with Sara
Sara and her sweet Ninja moves!

I love Food!

2008-07-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

Here is Japan they are obsessed with Italian food. It is kind of funny, but they do have some of the best italian food I have ever had. this is a little place that we found in Tokyo. yummm, so good......
Maybe I like it a little too much...
The best little pizza ever

Fun Times

2008-07-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

Heather and I went to the Zoo in Tokyo for her birthday on the 3rd of July. Here are some of the pictures from the zoo and the area.

Konnichiwa

2008-07-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

It is getting so hot here! the temperature is not that bad but the humidity is getting ridicules! All day I feel sticky and clammy. I went to the beach yesterday which was a huge party. last week the town of Zushi set up several little shacks that play live music, has bars and lots of little restaurants. We left around 5:00 yesterday and the party was already getting out of control, I can't imagine what it would have been like around 7:00. Once we left the beach we went to Kamakura which is one train stop to the North from Zushi. When we got off of the train we quickly realized that they were having anther celebration in Kamakura. They were celebrating a holiday about the love of two stars. Anyway there are whole streets that will participate in the celebration. They decorate the arches and shops with colorful tags that look a lot like prayer flags. It was a fun and exciting environment to be in. While we were walking down the street we came apon a little coffee and sweets cafe that was tucked back into a little alleylocated on the 2nd floor. We were intrigued so we went in. It was a beautiful little shop decorated like old Italy with fancy coffee makers and beautiful tea sets. The staff was so friendly and helpful. We were just going to get desert but I guess you have to order a drink no matter what, so I ordered strawberry tea (which was like heaven) and Ellie got a $7.00 (or 700 yen) glass of apple juice :) We didn't realize that is was going to be the cost of a meal but so worth price. I can't wait to go back, the experience was great, the atmosphere and the staff were warm and inviting.

2008-07-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

My roommate heather went down south to the next peninsula (Isu Peninsula) yesterday with a trip that MWR offers. She picked this orange yesterday for me. She is so sweet!!

Beautiful Japan and the things I do

2008-07-03T22:44:00.000-07:00

This is in Ikego (another section of Base) looking into a pond filled with turtles there are so many crazy signs that are poorly translated, it is so funny. This is just an example of one that I thought was hilarious! Seriously did they really need to put that in a stair well? oh, the joys of Japan.
we were able to go up to Minakami, which is up in the mountains. A beautiful place with great water, what more could you ask for?
Not only were we able to go rafting in Minakami but we went canyoning. Canyoning is diffrent here than it is in the states. Here they dress you in two or three thick wet suits, helmet, lifejacket, harness with a rubber butt, and gloves. Send you down the canyon water either head first or on your bum. As you go through the canyon you come in contact with waterfalls such as this one that is 65 feet high. And yes we went down it, the guide will lower you about half way on a rope and then drop you :) it is a blast!!!!!

2008-07-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Alcatraz canyon in Southern Utah. It was so much fun, anyone who likes canyoneering should try this canyon.

The Adventure of Life

2008-07-03T03:46:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would try out this whole blog thing, so that all of you out there can know what is going on in my life. Things have been pretty crazy these past couple of months. I finished up school in Rexburg and went on a last fun trip called Spring Summit with the school. It is a trip where you go down to southern Utah for a month of fun in the desert; hiking, survival, backpacking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and canyoneering. The trip created some of the best memories of my life. The group of people that I went with were amazing and now they are great friends that I cherish. I learned a lot about my self and the people around me. What is important and what is not.
The day after summit I flew out to Japan to do my internship working for the Navy as an MWR employee as a recreation specialist. I work with kids taking them out into diffrent parts of Japan rockclimbing, surfing, sailing, snowboarding (yes there is an indoor snowboarding hill here, so cool), wakeboarding, rafting, canyoning, and much more. I have learned a lot while i have been here, not only about hard skills like surfing and sailing but about the people and the Japanese culture. The Japanese people are amazing, there are over 120 milling people that live in a space the size of California! They are maticulisly orginized and clean. there is a job for everything here and every job has their own uniform, its so crazy cute. They love cute and cuddly things like hello kitty and they are obsessed with American Pop Culture, its kind of funny. The people are some of the most gracious, kind, and loving people i have ever met. They will go out of their way to help you if you are lost or confused about what to do ( I have first hand experience in this). As far as the land goes it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It has the beautiful ocean, grean lush forest, and everything in between. If I had the oppertunity I would live here for the rest of my life. It is truely a great place.