Thinking about kayaking

Alright, while I sit here in Omak I am contemplating which rivers to go run. This is primo flood season for a lot of the ones around here, so I have to be careful. Oh yeah, and aside from the planned trip to run down and see my rafting budy in Wenatchee, I am prolly going to stick to simple floats like the Okanagon river and the Methow. Less likely to encounter any issues.

Anyways, back to staring at the stats for the irvers.

Nic

Excerpts from my Drive

So later on I will update this replete with pictures, however here is some of my journal enterings during the day and a half drive up here.

First off, some of the tallies and notes I made along the way:

7 Antelope Herds Wyoming, with 3 individual males

Metal statues I saw on ridges or out in the middle of nowhere:
Colorado: a Buffalo
Wyoming: Horse, Horse and Rider, Sleeping cowboy on a horse, uhm... a sitting elk?, an upright cowboy on a horse with an American flag, the best one would have to be the triceratops located between a massive power plant, oil fields, and a Dinosaur museum
Montana: none....unless you count the derelict tractor left on the ridge.
Idaho: a Miner with a raised pick and a headlamp
Washington: 2 mules with hats in the middle of the town of Reardon, and my two favorites are the 6 native american figures dancing on the plateau and the sasquatch on the hill.

Alright, now to the various journal entries:

Wyoming

- For all of the bad drivers in the city limits, I am always thankful when I am back to sharing the blacktop with Semi's, Rv's, and farm equipment.

Montana
- followers of Jack Kerouac may have a special place in their hearts for route 66, however, that place in my heart is reserved for I90.

- Following the yellowstone river with the kayak on top makes me want to do a big trip kayaking it.

May 13th, Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
It's 5 am and the dogs are agitated. Soft low grumbles come from deep within their bellies. I wipe some condensation off the window and there, about 200 yards off, silouhetted by the early dawn are a few elk. At first I can barely discern what they are, black ghosts shifting in the prairie, then a male raises his head high. Of course my walk with the dogs scares the last of them off, and now I am left gretting the morning to the soft coo of the mourning dove. There are clouds creeping in from the west over the mountains..... It's amazing to think that I may be looking at the same sunset, or sitting in the same spot as the Lewis and Clark expedition, this is why I live, not for the cities.

Today is the day

Well it's about 630 on the morning on my departure, the sun is shining brilliantly through the window, nearly blinding me, Percy is at my feet, Tom is snoring in bed, and all of my packing and prepacking and checking and rechecking is complete. All I have left to do in the next hour or so is enjoy my cup of coffee, write this post (which happens to be my 100th post!!) and say my goodbyes to Tom and Lisa.

I am somewhat looking forward to the drive to Omak, but I am definitely not looking forward to the driving aspect. Aside from following the Rockies for a while and then crossing them, I will be spending the majority of my time on flat prairie. I have planned to make a stop every two hours for the dogs, and for myself to run around.

Tom pointed out something interesting yesterday while we were flying the stunt kite, first off it was a beautiful day, the sun was bright, the grass was green and lush, the temperature was just right... it was a perfect moment. Anyways, he pointed out that although I have taken quite a few road trips across long distances, even cross country, this is the first trip that I will be taking by myself. I thought about it, and aside from a few cross state trips, this will be the first long distance trip that I have taken by myself. I am somewhat indifferent when I think about it, yes I am excited this is my first solo trip, but also, it really doesn't matter to me, since all major trips have been just as exciting for me. If anything I would rather have company, that way we could talk and split the driving.

Well, I am going to go have my last breakfast in this house for the next 4 months. Play with the dogs, and wake up Tom and Lisa.

Love always, and I am wishing you all safe travels.

Nic

Turn Point Light station Update

Alright, so I am leaving on Monday from Boulder and driving to Omak, I am hoping to make it in two days. But I am leaving time and space for 3 days. So the picture above will be my 'home' for the next 4 months. Granted my view is going to be more like this:



As I will be staying on the camp host pad just above the lighthouse.

Funny, during a dinner with Marc, Julie, and Tom last night, we were talking about me writing a novel or a travel essay etc... and of course the topic of titles came up. For some reason we found the following hilarious and catchy "Drunk at the Lighthouse"

hahahahaha... all that that implies is kinda funny, especially since I most likely will not have any alcohol on the island.


Alright... back to packing. Okay that's a lie, I have been packed for some time, so now I am just at the point of re-arranging all of my packed materials.

~Nic

New motto

Thought about this when I finally found that new journal I had been looking for for 4 months... one that I can use for my Trip to Turn Point.... and I wrote this on the front page inscription:

I am headed to Turn Point, what will be your Turning Point

Summer Reading List

Suggested reading sent in from friends, and if you look closely a few from some of my respected professors.

"Persian Fire" by Tom Holland, about the Persian point of view of the battle featured in '300'
"The Invisible Cure" by Helen Epstein, book about HIV/AIDS epidemic and the race for the cure
"Making Race and Nation" by Anthony Marx, book about the Apartheid in South Africa with a comparative perspective
"Global Capitalism" by Jeff Frieden, the history of Globalization
"Talons of the Eagle" by Peter Smith, US and Latin American relations
"the Mystery of Capital" by Hernando De Soto, economic development
"1776" and "John Adams" by David McCullough
"The Founding Brothers" by Joseph Ellis
"The Battle Cry of Freedom" by James McPherson
"Theodore Rex" by Edmund Morris
"The Devil in the White City" and "Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson
"The Coldest Winter" by David Halberstram
"Supercapitalism" by Robert Reich
"The Great Risk Shift" by Jacob Hacker


Now of course the chances of me really reading all of these this summer is slim, plus i am supplementing the list with a few of my own titles. I will let everyone know on here as I finish one and move on to the next. Ok.. actually chances are I will be reading 2 or 3 at the minimum at any given time, but eh... that's alright.

Best Love and Wishes.... only 9 more days!

Shout out

I just want to give a shout out to those of you that have been using my webcall button. hopefully I have called back to you in timely manner, I am sorry if I haven't... that means I am an idiot.

Planned driving route

Alright here I go again, I am going to drive out of Denver on May 12th and make my way to Omak Washington. How perfect that I will be hitting up that old familiar stretch of I90 that my mom and I drove on twice when we moved to and from Wisconsin.

Right now I am trying to decide where I am going to make my stops etc.... and where I will make the overnight stop. I know that I will stop in Spokane and see some friends... but other then that I don't know.


Possibly sleep over in : Lewis and Clark Caverns or the Missouri Headwaters near Billings. Montana. That would put me there after roughly 10 hours of driving. Now in truth that would be leaving at or around 7 am, 2 stop overs for fuel and 2 hours worth of stopping for doggy walking etc.... that would hopefully put me in the campground around 7pm. Which this is pressing so my back up is Cooney State park that is 8 hours from Lafayette

If I stop in Cooney, then I have an 11 hour drive the next day, which I might just split into two days because I really do not want to drive for that long. Maybe I will stop in my old stomping grounds of Kellog Idaho before driving the long boring drive to Omak. From Spokane to Omak is a really rough drive through the Native American Reservation, 2 and 1/2 hours of straight, flat, grassland with no features. So easy to fall asleep... so hard to drive. Anyways, it's more that I have to think about, especially in reference to my trip back. If it's going to take three days to get to Omak, I need to plan on at least 4 days back from Orcas Island.

Persian Dance

Movie of the dance from the recent Norooz event I helped host at the college.

Feeling under the weather

Alright, so a quick update to my friends and family that watch this blog. I have finally come down with whatever it is that Lisa and Paul had, although I dont think that it is going to hit me as hard. It is just poor timing, because in the next three weeks, I not only have 7 finals, but I also have to make sure that everything is done and ready for my departure to the Turn Point Light Station. I am hoping that this summer will be the kick in the pants that I need for all of the little things that are an issue.

Anyways, hope that everyone is doing well....

Nic

Turn Point/Patos Update

well they just went and made my day... here are some excerpts from the email. I am smiling from ear to ear and jumping up and down like a retard.

"...During phase 1 BLM can offer a primitive camping experience with no running water, minimal electricity and a vault toilet nearby...."

"... must demonstrate proficiency with VHS marine radio... maintain daily radio contact... "

"...should work towards developing a SOP for further volunteers/docents/lightkeepers"


OH MY GOD!!! I can't wait.. I have to admit that the day I left Turn Point last year i started writing up a packing list of what I would need for a month or so on the island. Truth be told... I have been making more and refining those lists nearly every week since the new year. The thought is too amazing that I might just try and get a job next year (or not) so that I might be able to come back up the next summer and do it again. I have been thinking about all sorts of different things that I need to do before hand.. and I AM SO EXCITED!

Have a good one all.

Summer trip update

I have been talking to Nick from the BLM district that is in charge of the light stations etc. up in the San Juan Islands. Turns out, there is a bigger need for me at Patos Island. Oh darn.. have to go to an island that is close to Orcas (about 5 water miles) and live in a campsite. Those that know me will understand when I say that the following passage from the email I received made me giddy:

"So far, all things look like it will be a very primitive summer experience.
I am leaning towards a back-country ranger type of experience, very
primitive with lots of logistics to wrestle with."

Tee hee, I loved the following words in that last passage : primitive, back-country, ranger, logistics, wrestle.
mmmmmmmmmm conflict and planning all while living out of a backpack! MMMMMMMM
If anyone has any ideas for what I should bring with me, shoot me an email...

Love you all

Nic

New sick video

Big Timber Uncovered from The Risen Sun on Vimeo.

I LOVE GOOGLE!!!

Ok so here is the deal. From now on and forever you only have to remember the one phone number to get a hold of me no matter where I am in the WORLD! You can even click that nice button i put on the top of my page that will auto call me. See here is the thing, you call 720-204-3118, and it will call me where ever I am/want it to. Say I am sitting in the coffee shop on my computer and I don't have my cell phone... well.. I can still talk to you through my computer!, or... if I am at my mom's house and have no cell reception, no worries call the above number and it will automatically direct you to my mom's phone! Oh yeah, did I mention it's all free!

Anyways you can call me at 720-204-3118 and try it out.. no more remembering numbers now!

Nic

Summer Kayak/Climbing trip

Alright, I am in the beginnings of planning out a very long all summer long kayaking and climbing trip in Washington state and maybe BC. I am making an overall tick list of places I want to go and things I want to see. THE major ones on the list are my visits with family and friends. A family reunion in July, and spending some time in June with my mom in Idaho.

Other then that here is Version 1 of the tick list.

Near Spokane:
Kayaking
Hangman creek II-III+
Rock Creek II-III
Spokane River II-III
Possibly Sullivan creek, Sherman Creek, and Kettle creek up near the BC Border
Climbing
Kettle Falls 5.8+
Deep Creek 5.9-5.14
Dishman Rocks 5.8-5.12
Granite Point (near pullman) 5.7-5.13
McLellan Rocks V3-V8
Metaline Falls 5.10-5.12
Minnehaha 5.4-5.10
Paradise Point (near pullman) V2-V6
Pullman Rocks (near pullman) V2, 5.8 and 5.10b
The Rocks of Sharon 5.12c
The Zoo at Mirabeau point park v2+ 5.9+
Tum Tum V0-V13

Near Omak, Washington
Kayaking
Chewuch Creek II
Chiwawa III
Entiat Creek III-IV
Little Wenatchee III-IV+
Drake Creek to Methow IV-V
Methow River II-III
Peshastin Creek III-IV
Stehekin creek into Lake Chelan II-III
Twisp River II-III
Wenatchee River II-IV
Possibly Rock Creek near Yakima. Ingalls Creek near Leavenworth. Nason Creek on hwy 2, Sand Hollow creek outside of Vantage, and Beckler creek where it dumps into the Skykomish
Climbing
Banks Lake
Frenchmen Coulee near the Gorge at George MASSIVE AMOUNTS HERE
Omak Lake, still needs development
Peshastin Pinnacles


Near Orcas Island/San Juan Islands and Anacortes.
Kayaking
Breaking out the Ocean Kayak and toodling around the islands, just because I can.
Bacon Creek II+-IV
Baker River II
Canyon Creek IV-V
Cascade Creek II-V
Climbing - on the island at the private quarries?

Fresh Tracks in Caribou

There is truly nothing as beautiful as the sound of fresh snow crunching under your feet as you move along the untracked road. This photo was taken a few weeks ago while I was cross country skiing through Caribou with family. I came upon it again this weekend, I couldn't help but close my eyes and remember exactly when and where I took this photo. The wind was something fierce, (looks like fog in the photo) and if you made the mistake of stopping in an open area it would nearly blow you over if not form a snow drift around you. The snow was so light that had you picked up a handful and threw it in the air, you would see a thousand rainbows explode into a drifting cloud. In between the snow-laden gusts large swatches of a cloudless azure sky blazed against the crisp white of the powder landscape. I could almost taste warm hot cocoa and a chili bread bowl waiting for me at the end of trail, a blazing fireplace and a couch that envelops you as you sit.

Ok, I am going to go back to my memory and plan my next cross country ski trip.

Skiing in Vail/Beaver Creek

What a great weekend, Marc rented a condo at Arrowhead and we were a 2 minute walk from the slopes. The room was great and we were able to chill with family and eat veggie lasagna while watching the world poker tour after the end of a very long skiing day. We left around 7 am from boulder on Saturday morning to drive up here. The drive wasn't too bad till we hit Idaho Springs, from then on there was snow falling everywhere and there was 2 or 3 roll over accidents by idiots driving too fast for the conditions. Other then that the drive was fairly uneventful as we pulled into Arrowhead. Amazingly, there was barely any one on the mountain on a SATURDAY!!! and it was snowing big flakes of powder. By the end of the day I was still finding fresh tracks on the edges of most runs and through the trees. And oh my the trees. Big open glades of Aspens spaced evenly apart making for a tremendous run. I spent most of the day skiing with Jacki, and helping her down the hill, since her cataracts were acting up and I hated to see her struggle with blindness and bumps. A tragically sad situation that rarely turns out for the better. That night we ended up closing out at the hot tub, sipping on beers and faceplants. Only to wake up to a sunny sunday full of fresh powder that fell over night. Now, for the drive home, :(


Hope all is well with everyone that keeps up to date on my goings and comings.

Nic

Skiing at Arapahoe Basin

First off, this ski resort is my kind of resort.. my speed... my type of runs etc... I had to love spending the day up here. The drive up the mountain side made the whole trip worth it, let alone the incredibly runs and the beautiful scenery from the top of the mountain. Of course, finished off the runs with the classic FacePlants at the bar at the end of the day. I am geared up and ready to go for the next time! Can't wait to come back.

Nic

Cross Country Skiing in Nederland

Went cross country skiing with Paul and Lisa up at Caribou in Nederland. One of the many towns that we are looking to buy a house. It was absolutely fantastic, aside from the hard blowing wind and the constant stop and go advancement of our party.

We had first tracks through almost 2 feet of fresh powder, which of course made my one massive forward face plant on a downhill stint quiet enjoyable. After only a few days out on the slopes and on the trails, I have come to realize that the only time I truly enjoy Colorado powder... is when I am cross country skiing. When I am up on my Sticks on the mountain, it's no where near as fun as hitting the little patches of powder found amongst the Cascade Concrete. It's funny, after the last trip up to Breckenridge, I was talking to one of Marc's friends and he said the hardest days of skiing he has ever experienced was up in the formidable Cascade Crud.

Skiing in Breckenridge

Okay it took me a little bit to post this because sadly it took me a bit to load up the photos.

Went skiing at Breckenridge (first time back on some sticks on real snow) with Marc, Julie and Tom. The town is absolutely beautiful, still decorated in christmas lights and fresh powder.

Starting College

Well ladies and gentlemen, I am now officially an International Affairs student at the University of Colorado at Boulder... WOOO HOOO... For all of those that know me well, although I am now a 'Buff' on the surface, I will always be a Huskie/Coug at heart.

Caribbean Cruise

My family and I went on a cruise out of Galveston for the Christmas holiday.
What follows are some excerpts from my journal entries.

Dec 23rd: (on the road from Houston to Galveston)
One thing I notice right away as we drive along the miles and miles of cracked highway corridor; the advertisers must have it easy. Their flashy billboards and bright colors provide a welcome relief to the travelers eyes, bombarded by the utter drabness of dilapidated buildings, dusty laundry, and industrial parks. even the small vestiges of humanity that are tucked in between the tons of concrete are quickly forgotten. Their rusty memories congealing together in my brain leaving me with a feeling of despair

(on the boat)
We are finally onboard. Our room is great, with a beautiful balcony that looks out across the aft of the ship. Directly to the right of us is my mother and Jeff, then Irene and Wally.






Dec 24th : Christmas eve at sea










Dec 25th: Christmas with the family on board.
I am watching MASH.... and I can't help but say that I miss being in the military with my 'friends and family'.

Dec 26th : Jamaica - Snorkeling
Dec 27th: Grand Cayman - beaching....











Dec 28th: Cozumel Mexico, ATV TREK
(Tom split his lip on this trip)

Ice Climbing

WOOHOO!!! I went Ice climbing on the 9th of this month up at Estes Park through the Colorado Mountain School. Holy Cow, it was one of the best things that I have ever done. It was definitely hard to nail down the whole front points of my crampons slamming into the ice instead of bouncing off the toe of my boot.

The whole expierence was great, from the elk herds and the 3 coyotes on your path, to the amazingly talented and knowledgeable guide Eli Helmuth, to the hike in to the snow and the biting icey chill of the ice. I definitely have to give a big shout out to Eli and say that anyone that is looking into ice climbing, hiking, mountaineering, climbing in general or anything of that sort in the rocky mountains. His website is Climbing Life. Check it out, or sign up for a trip with the man yourself and fall in love with a new sport or an old one :)

Pictures from the trip version 3

The Garmin GPS took us down a dirt road that had signs that stated "entering flood area". WEEE have to love Topeka.

This is a photo of the GPS road map.







Percy and Rose as my copilots. (awaiting mom in the store)










Finally in Boulder !!!

Pictures from the trip version 2

Percy and Rose traveling in the car.
What wonderful traveling dogs. Nearly the whole time they slept on top of each other and behaved like two small drugged up doggies. Both of which, they are not (or were)









Camped on the Illinois side of the Ohio river. Able to actually light up a campfire.





St Louis Missiouri. If you don't recognize it, well, sucks to be you.

Pictures from the trip version 1

Good morning Rose, are you ready to move?







November 10th - bye bye Augusta..... breakfast brunch at New Moon Cafe at 0800.










The van is all packed and ready to go. at 1230.




Mom and I at Woody Gap nearly to
Deep Hole Campground in Suches Georgia.

Belated trip end.

Ok, so I feel really bad, I actually got into Boulder a few days ago. I have just been so drained that I couldn't bring myself to write anything. For once, I did not even write in my journal the whole trip. After the last stop in Nashville we drove across Kentucky and camped just over the Ohio river in Illinois. It was a little odd since the state park was located so close to a 'downtown region' that we listened to the deep rumble of trains passing by all night. It was nice to have the smoke curling off the fire as we played Scrabble (which I came to find out that my mom absolutely hates that game) and listened to the wind blowing through the trees and rustling the falling leaves. Thank goodness we had listened to the weather forecast driving across Kentucky, for it started to rain that night, and although it petered off several times, it rained consistently nearly the whole night. The drive through Illinois was droll and filled with miles and miles and miles upon miles of nothing but foggy flat country, dead deer and highway. That day we made all the way through Illinois and Missouri and to somewhere west of Topeka. A state Park out in the middle of BFE Kansas. It was beautiful driving in and seeing a flock of about 10 plump female turkeys, white tailed deer bounding across the road and the signs of many other wild animals (possible bobcat, wolves, raccoons etc..)

The next morning we took off about 6 am, drove and drove and drove across the windswept tundra that is Kansas. There is not much to speak of in Kansas aside from something like 80+ road 'waffles', 50+ mile per hour winds, and dust, lots of dust. It was nice as soon as we crossed the Colorado border and in short order started to see the rockies as floating large thunder clouds in the distance.

I really want to write more about my whole trip, but right now I am so blasted in my mind with all of the change and all of the things that I feel that I have left unfinished and all of the things that are yet to come. I will post the pictures and greater descriptions of the tour within the next day or so in between family visits and the holidays.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving.

Nic

Left home

Alright, will fill in more later, but left home at 1230 on Sunday and camped overnight at Deep Hole Campground. By far and large one of the best campgrounds in all of northern Georgia. Partly because it is cut off from all other major camping areas and also because it restricted to the 8 campsites there right on the bend in the river. It was quite notable how low the river was running, so much so that the usual canoe and kayak launch platform was about 2 feet above river level.



Overnight the temperatures dropped down to about 25 degrees as we watched Hoodwinked while we were all snuggled down inside the tent.

Early morning tried to make coffee in the camp percolator... what a well timed disappointment to have piss colored coffee to try and warm your fingers and your insides.

Left about 830 am from Deep Hole and headed up towards Chattanooga TN, which if we were to stick to the GPS road map that mom brought we might have found ourselves off-roading across the national forests of northern GA.

Now I am sitting at Panera Bread Company, thankful that I finally changed my underwear.


One thing is for sure, the changing color of the leaves on the trees in the Piedmont area were so amazingly beautiful that quiet a few times I wanted to stop and snap a picture.

Kinda on the road

Ok, so technically I am not on the road to Boulder at this precise moment. However I am in the process of cleaning out the van and making sure everything that is going in the van is perfectly packed and what have you to fit the dogs, myself, and my mom. I have tried to keep down to 3 large Tupperware containers (all of which can be removed at night to accommodate my mom's air mattress) I am perfectly content to sleep in the Mountain Hardware Skyview 2 tent (with Rose and Percy) on our prefectly comfortable Thermarests. It's silly that I have actually planned out the whole layout of the interior of the van when it's packed. I am just hoping that all of the incidentals will fit in to the nooks and crannys that might fit here and there. Add on top of that my momma would rather stay in a hotel at least one night of our trip (23 road hours but I want it to last at least 4 days). I am a little perturbed that my mother wass trying to dictate exactly how my road trip was supposed to go. I hate to say it like that and mean that this is solely about myself, but I had already started planning this trip ahead of time with stops in certain areas and my van situated a certain way. Eh... OH well.. guess what I get to do in the am... (after taking a van full of recyclables to North Augusta) clean, clean, clean the van and then go to Tuscany Spa for my pre trip massage...mmmm... massage.

Packing out and moving on up

Just had to note for those of you watching... I am watching the movers pack memories and mementos into boxes...... oops.. that cup just took a bit of damage. Sigh.. the joys of military movers, thank goodness I will never have to deal with the bottom end of the spectrum and the cheapest deal again. Unless I am desperate of course.

Alright everyone have a good one, the next posts will be from the road!!!

~ Nic