LNT Master Educator

I just spent the last 5 days in the backcountry of Philmont getting the LNT Master Educator certification. This job is so awesome: so I just got a $1000+ certification for FREE, and I got PAID during it! NOLS, eat your heart out! So now I am preparing for my boss to show up, getting materials together and the office cleaned up and my drivers certification for Philmont in line, then I am going to be going on a ton of training. Anyhow, I will continue to update as the summer goes on.

Another semester down, another summer coming...

Well, I am out of college for real, and I am headed back to those famed Sangre de Cristo mountains of New Mexico. This year I am the Environmental Education Coordinator in the Conservation Department of Philmont. I am gonna be there through August 22nd. This summer may be the roughest one yet, as I am going to be leaving my girlfriend and the love of my life behind, not knowing what the future is gonna bring the two of us. Right now I don't know if I am going to return to North Carolina after the summer, or if I am going to extend my contract till November. It all depends on what the Peace Corps says about my getting a position with them and where my girlfriend ends up getting a job (in the US or overseas). It is a really stressful time right now. I wish I knew where this life is heading. But for now, I have a job to think of and a move to get on with and a summer to prepare my mind for...I just pray that God continue to give me strength and guidence.

How time flies

Looks like I did not get any posts in over the summer...or over the entire subsequent semester for that matter. Oh well. Not much has happened on the outdoors front, I took basic rock climbing to finish up my Outdoor Leadership minor, I wrecked my bike the first day I rode it (just like riding a bike my ass! well, at least cross country biking takes a bit to get used to again). Umm, what else? Took my gf for a day hike, stayed the night in a cabin -- roughing it with a fireplace and a hot tub and a king sized bed...but at least I was out of Raleigh. Senior Design and class and traffic and homework and bullshit have piled up on me again and now I need an escape more than ever. I am an escapist, I use the wilderness to remove the layers of civilized life that have piled up on my soul. now i have to study for thermo exam to graduate....more on this later.

Time to go HOmE

It is April 19th, and I will be back at Philmont by May 14th. Lots to do between now and then: pack up all my stuff at the house, get backpacking gear together, set up place to live for next semster...oh, and pass my final exams of course. It has been too long since I have been HOmE (Heaven On Earth), and I have butterflies in my stomach in anticipation. I am ready to get back to the primitive, hit foot to trail and sleep on the ground. Anyhow, I will be updating the blog throughout the summer, along with picasa pics, so keep an eye out for those. See you at the Ranch!

(Man, I have to stop looking over my shoulder on the way out, or else I may never stop going back!)

Day Twenty Six: May the Trip Never End in Our Hearts...

wake early and leave



tom gets ticket



dinner at my place



late night construction (jeff's driving)



home sweet home



ps - we beat the other DU's home

Day Twenty Five: National Heroes (on tour)

Drive to St. Louis



"Check in" at hotel, shower, start drinking



Mingle with DU's, say hey to our chapter



Free Hooters



party (LSU DU with loser room mate)

Day Twenty Four: A PhD in Kansas Bars

Drive to Kansas City



see Rachael Tindall and ????,



go to the many overpriced bars with bitchy women and rich preppy MD's



Skinny dipping drunk at apartment (climbing down from 2nd floor)

Day Twenty One: Gods' Homegrown Veggies

Left gunnison


Drove to Alamosa, ate at #1 green chili place in CO, locked out of car


Great Sand Dunes


CO Springs, ate at Panera


Garden of the Gods


Aunt Kat (aversion to animals, showers)


Sleep

Day Twenty Three: Lazy Boulder

Drove to Boulder(saw Kellt O's family, street performer)



Gonna drive to Estes, weather sucked, we all pass out on way to Lee's house



Rent Hot Fuzz, eat dinner, pass out

Day Twenty Two: Trampede!!

Air Force Acadamy (trunk bombs, museum, not interested)





Denver (walked around downtown, watched Simpsons, escaped yet another parking ticket, wincoup happy hour, walked around for a bit)





Rebecca Lee (dinner? lost in Golden, Trampede)