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. 

Washington- The Move

Utah-> Idaho -> Oregon ->Washington

Jake interviewed for a job on Tuesday, got it on Wednesday, bought a truck on Friday and we were on our way on Saturday.

He moved to Forks, WA to work for the Department of Fish and Wildlife for Washington State. He'll be marching around doing research and collecting data about the Juan de Fuca Watershed Complex (at least something like that).

I was terribly sad to see him go, but I'm also very excited about this sweet job and even cooler move. Maybe I'll end up there soon ;)

Our trip was event-less (which is what you want on the road). We spent the weekend camping in his bosses back yard in Olympia which is the capital of Washington. It's not my favorite place. We went to the coast and the rain forest and got to know the area a little bit. I flew home on Monday night but I can't wait to visit again.

The new truck - packed to the hilt.

On the road: Entering Oregon, and finally hitting something green - the Columbia River that separates Oregon and Washington. 

Getting to the coast- it was so cold!

The best fort I've ever seen

The Beach

The rainforest. We wandered up to Lake Quinalt that is on the edge of Olympia National Park and wandered around in the forest a little bit and saw some waterfalls and enjoyed the change of scenery.

  

BOZEMAN, MT

(Top: Me on our way home through the beautiful canyon. Bottom: Claire, Me and Megan going out on friday night - shortly after we arrived in town.)

BOZEMAN

Claire and I roadtripped to Bozeman, MT to visit Megan. We were roommates this last semester and couldn't stand to be away from each other much longer so we got in my little geo and headed the 5 1/2 hours up to see Megan.

On the way there we found some guys that were driving to Yellowstone from GA. We car flirted for about an hour through the Targee National Forest. They were a nice form of entertainment. We got a flip chart of messages and some funny memories of them rocking out. Silly boys.

Once we got there we went out to a Restraunt called The Bacchus. It was a fun place and we were out late. So the next morning we slept in, took it easy and then floated the Madison River. It was about 20 miles west of Bozeman. I swear all of Montana was there, just floating along. We were on the river for 2 hours, but we only put in half way. It was a nice way to spend a lazy saturday. That night we went to the Montana Ale Works restraunt. I liked the atmosphere and I decided Bozeman is where I need to live - everyone drives Subarus and wears Chacos. We took a tour around campus on Sunday and had a potluck with Megan's friends. It was a really fun weekend and so nice to get away from Logan for a while.