Outdoor Education Instructor

I mentioned that once I moved home I spent double the time looking for a job anywhere I could find one. While I was in Washington I met someone who told me about coolworks.com. So, I went online looking for something seasonal for the fall-spring. I found a job in Texas that didn't look too promising, but since I was holding myself accountable, I applied anyway.

Well, I got an email back, asking for an interview on August 8th and I had to remind myself what the job was (as per usual, luckily I had a system by then). I interviewed with a guy named Wes, the job was at a YMCA camp in the Dallas Fort Worth Area in Texas at a camp called Collin County Adventure Camp. At first I wasn't sold on the job, but the more I spoke with Wes the more interested I became. Wes told me to call my references because they'd be checking in the next few hours. I called Patty and Matt and lo and behold, they had already been contacted. Things were moving fast.

Within the next couple of days I was offered a job. I told them I'd think about it and let them know by Friday. I had about 10 interviews during this week, and most of them seemed promising, but as soon as I was offered the job I knew that it was the right decision. It just felt right. So, I called Wes and let him know I'd be coming. The information started coming and before I knew it I was having a going away dinner with my friends and packing the Geo to the hilt for my road trip across the midwest.

I was around to meet my newborn niece, spend time with my family, get surgery and see my friends before I left. I can't complain. I left on the 23rd of August and planned on arriving on the night of the 24th. It was a loooooong drive. I spend the night in Santa Fe, where I couch surfed with a really cool guy and pretty much had a studio apartment to myself. I would definately couch surf again if I needed to. I also hope to spend more time in Santa Fe. It was a pretty cool city from what I could tell.

The next morning I finally made my way into Texas. The day was sooooo long. I was driving through the most boring part of the state for nearly 10 hours. By the time I saw the sign for McKinney (which is about 30 miles from camp) I was jumping up and down in my seat. The trip took about 25 hours and $140 worth of gas. But, I made it, and that's all the matters!

I had the weekend to rest and get situated (which was perfect) then we started work the coming Monday! It was a whirlwind, but I know this is where I'm supposed to be so I'm making the most of it.

Leaving Utah. There was a storm that followed me the whole first day.

I decided to do a brewery tour on the way there - to split up the driving. It was a great idea.
This is a porter from Ska Brewing

Next stop: Steamworks Brewery in Durango, CO

Southern CO, Northern NM

Finally made it to NM!

My accommodations for the night in Santa Fe

Leaving NM, Into Texas! I was so excited but little did I know, I still had HOURS to go.

Wicked Beaver Brewery in Amarillo

Hitting the 1000 mile marker of the trip. Serious road trip people. 

Texas welcomed me with a rainbow!

By this point I was delirious with boredom and was singing show tunes to myself at the top of my lungs. Luckily I only had about an hour left, or I might have just died out there on the side of the highway. 

Snake River 2012

As I've probably mentioned before, my dad has the best job. This time Mariah and I got to drive up to Alpine, WY to spend a week on the Snake River, rafting with a handful of groups.

First we rafted with my dad's River Rafting students. We launched 4 times in two days. It's exhausting but so much fun. My dad insisted that I guide one of the times. I paid really close attention and thought I was ready for the Snake - I mean I've been up there a lot and feel pretty familiar with the river. Apparently not. I guided my boat through some rapids (no name) and wasn't close enough to the wall on River Right to make a quick turn in order to avoid an eddy. My boat got sucked into a rock called Haircut Rock and it knocked everyone out. Luckily nobody got hurt, we didn't lose any equipment and the only casualties were a couple hats, mine included (I'm actually still sad about it). Needless to say, I let my dad finish and held my place as a strong paddler for the rest of the week.

We stuffed 25 students into one 12 passenger van for our shuttle. Don't tell! 

Hanging around camp.

After the students were done my dad drove them back and left Mariah and I to watch the equipment and hangout in Alpine. We ended up riding our bikes and had originally planned on shuttling a ducky with our bikes and making a day of it with a ride and river run. It didn't happen because my parents were weird about it. We totally should have done it - next time. Mariah and I ended up in the Duckies later that week and had a blast!

We also treated ourselves to some Ice Cream at Yankee Doodle in Alpine. Great ice cream and great American atmosphere, as you can see. 

Teton National Park

My Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, some of their friends and the United Way group that bought the auctioned river trip showed up on Friday. We did a couple runs with them and then we had the campsite, the rafts and equipment to ourselves. As a family (and friends) we took a drive to Teton National Park and did a hike up to some beautiful waterfalls. It was nice to get out of Alpine for a little while. I love the Tetons. 

Tetons. We saw a random coyote in the parking lot at the visitor center. Pretty cool!

Mariah and I in the Ducky on the Snake. Killing it! 

Look at that intense face. That's real life.

We spent 6 days on the river and I couldn't have been more thrilled. I helped with food and helped my dad develop a 'camp cooking' class, so although I wasn't technically working I was building my skill set and totally enjoying my summer. I hope to see the Snake again next year!

7/25-31

Uinta Highline Trail

Two days after I got back from Washington, Mariah, Jose, my dad and I were leaving for a 60 mile trek through the Uinta Mountains. We filled our packs with the essentials: sleeping bag, mat, tent, stove, rain jackets, toilet paper and water purifiers. I was in charge of the food for the trip. We ate like kings and it ended up being pretty lightweight - about 6 lbs. per person!

We drove to our trailhead on Sunday, tried to wait out the rain, ended up hiking in the rain anyway and made it about 7 miles before we called it a day. I'll admit, at this point I was not a happy camper. I wasn't really expected what I had gotten myself into, but I'm not usually one to quit something I know I can accomplish so I kept on.

The beginning of the trail - rain gear on!

Food for four people for 5 days.

On top of Dead Horse Pass.

Dead Horse Pass was the first and I'd say the worst pass. It was nearly 3 miles of climbing and down climbing through a boulder graveyard, heavy rain and entirely sore feet. The lake we camped next to was beautiful and made it kind of worth the drag.

Lunch on day 3

Entering the Wilderness Area

After the hail and rain, playing dice games in the tent

On the top of Anderson Pass - Kings Peak (tallest peak in Utah) is in the background.

On top of Anderson Pass. We thought it was our last, but we had one more small one to conquer.

We hiked as far as you can see here.

On top of Dead Horse Pass. I'm not pleased with the situation.

On top of Rocky Sea Pass (day 2)

At the end of the trail - we made it!

What our trip pretty much looked like the whole time.

Dead Horse Pass. So Epic.

We hiked 60 some miles, camped 5 nights, hiked 6 days, went through a bajillion bandaids and tylenol, ate like kings, almost ran out of toilet paper, got rained on a lot and had an EPIC ADVENTURE! I doubt I'll be able to top this trip any time soon. 

My Visit to Forks

After I decided to move, I put in my two weeks notice and planned another trip to Washington to spend some time with Jake. 

I flew into Seattle and spent the afternoon with Steph (my bike riding buddy). We had clam chowder, walked through Pikes Place and spent some quality time together in the city. 

Clam Chowder!

Gum wall at Pike's Place

I then took 3 buses to finally meet up with Jake in Port Townsend, about a two hour drive from Forks. I was so exhausted that night and it was raining so badly that I just called it a night. Jake had to work the next couple days so I just spent some time seeing Forks and applying for jobs.
That evening we went out to first beach (It's in the twilight books). It's a beautiful place on the Quileute (kway-lute) Reservation. 

First Beach

Twilight Central. This is a real place.

The City of Forks DOES welcome me! Such a small place, but beautiful!

Building a sand castle on First Beach

We spent the 4th of July on First Beach with some of Jake's friends from Portland. We barbequed and watched the longest firework show of my life. The next morning we headed to the Hoh River to Third Beach Backpacking Trail.

Hoh River meets the Pacific Ocean.

This trip was amazing. It was 17 strenuous miles on the Pacific Coast. We waded through mud for miles, were soaking wet but had beautiful weather. I've never hiked anywhere like it. 

We had numerous overland passes where we had to either climb muddy cliff faces or skid down dirt paths. It was really hard, but amazing!

Our campsites had incredible views. Our second night was spend right by these sweet tide pools and sea caves. We saw all kinds of cool creatures including anemones and sea stars.

We had awesome fires, great food and great company. This backpacking trip may have made it into my top 10 trips! 

After the trip we got back to Forks and Jake had to go back to work. I spent time hanging around the city and applying for jobs. It was a great vacation and I'm really glad I got to go up there this summer.