I recently received an "unofficial" job offer from the USFS...a wildland firefighter position in sunny Utah! I report to the Fishlake National Forest on May 14th, pending a background check and drug test (fingers crossed!!).
So many emotions...I'm ecstatic to finally not be worried about life or money (not something you generally hear after 8 months of unemployment)...also, to be doing something outside...something that I might actually enjoy. But, it will be difficult to leave Kaela for 6+ months.
We'll get through it though...life is "coming up US!"
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Why Venezuela?
Bon Bini!
Kaela and I just returned from a few weeks in Venezuela and Bonaire. We wanted to get in a little adventure travel, then settle down in the Caribbean for some sun and some diving. It was incredible!
Why Venezuela? Man, I can't tell you how many times I heard that before the trip. Well, gee...let's just say it has everything: mountains, savannas, jungle, turquoise sea...not to mention some of the most beautiful women in the world (most int'l beauty contest winners of any country). But, we originally went to see the world's highest waterfall: Angel Falls.
So, 22 countries visited now. I have to get rollin'!
Below is a brief summary of the trip. A lot easier to copy/paste than type out my travel journal.
Photos:
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=144687430/a=92091186/t_=92091186
We started out in an area near Caracas that was hit by massive
mudslides in 1999, and has never fully recovered. Over dinner our
first night (a Friday), we watched a few drunken revelers throw
bottles at each other before one finally pulled a gun and fired a
couple shots into the air, ending the skirmish. Most of Venezuela is
actually not too dangerous, but Caracas is a different kind of place
entirely.
Next, we flew to Ciudad Bolivar, and used it as a base to visit the
jungle and indigenous indian tribes. (In all, I believe Venezuela has
27 tribes). Our original intent was to see Angel Falls, but they are
not accessible by river in the dry season. Instead, we spent a week
traveling up and down the Rio Caura, stopping at villages, sleeping in
hammocks, and hiking to waterfalls. Howler monkeys, capybaras,
monkey spiders, river dolphins, boas, scorpions (our guide was stung!)
...it was all pretty exciting.
After a long, hot week of travel, we flew to Bonaire by way of
Curacao. For the last ten days, we've been relaxing and diving. It was
nice to be on a clean, beautiful island with all the influences of
South American and Caribbean culture, and all the comforts of Europe. I can't wait to go back.
On the way home, we volunteered our seats on an overbooked flight from Miami and spent a few hours in South Beach. Definitely not our scene!
Kaela and I just returned from a few weeks in Venezuela and Bonaire. We wanted to get in a little adventure travel, then settle down in the Caribbean for some sun and some diving. It was incredible!
Why Venezuela? Man, I can't tell you how many times I heard that before the trip. Well, gee...let's just say it has everything: mountains, savannas, jungle, turquoise sea...not to mention some of the most beautiful women in the world (most int'l beauty contest winners of any country). But, we originally went to see the world's highest waterfall: Angel Falls.
So, 22 countries visited now. I have to get rollin'!
Below is a brief summary of the trip. A lot easier to copy/paste than type out my travel journal.
Photos:
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=144687430/a=92091186/t_=92091186
We started out in an area near Caracas that was hit by massive
mudslides in 1999, and has never fully recovered. Over dinner our
first night (a Friday), we watched a few drunken revelers throw
bottles at each other before one finally pulled a gun and fired a
couple shots into the air, ending the skirmish. Most of Venezuela is
actually not too dangerous, but Caracas is a different kind of place
entirely.
Next, we flew to Ciudad Bolivar, and used it as a base to visit the
jungle and indigenous indian tribes. (In all, I believe Venezuela has
27 tribes). Our original intent was to see Angel Falls, but they are
not accessible by river in the dry season. Instead, we spent a week
traveling up and down the Rio Caura, stopping at villages, sleeping in
hammocks, and hiking to waterfalls. Howler monkeys, capybaras,
monkey spiders, river dolphins, boas, scorpions (our guide was stung!)
...it was all pretty exciting.
After a long, hot week of travel, we flew to Bonaire by way of
Curacao. For the last ten days, we've been relaxing and diving. It was
nice to be on a clean, beautiful island with all the influences of
South American and Caribbean culture, and all the comforts of Europe. I can't wait to go back.
On the way home, we volunteered our seats on an overbooked flight from Miami and spent a few hours in South Beach. Definitely not our scene!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
The Beginning
My first BLOG. Wow, I've really arrived, eh?
I guess I'll just start with an update. On Aug 1st, 2006, after nearly 8 years at Janus Funds, I left my cubicle for the last time. I decided to follow my passions. Since then, I have climbed in the Cascades with Mountain Madness, moved good friends to Napa, spent a month in Kelly, WY, getting my Wilderness EMT, joined another SAR team, spent time in Tahoe with my favorite group of people, and started the application process to become a wildland firefighter. No more TPS reports for me. No more silly office politics. No more "paradigms." ...alas, no more 401k...no more guaranteed paychecks...no more health insurance.
Hopefully I will be gainfully employed come March. If not?? Well, PADI could always use a new instructor!
I guess I'll just start with an update. On Aug 1st, 2006, after nearly 8 years at Janus Funds, I left my cubicle for the last time. I decided to follow my passions. Since then, I have climbed in the Cascades with Mountain Madness, moved good friends to Napa, spent a month in Kelly, WY, getting my Wilderness EMT, joined another SAR team, spent time in Tahoe with my favorite group of people, and started the application process to become a wildland firefighter. No more TPS reports for me. No more silly office politics. No more "paradigms." ...alas, no more 401k...no more guaranteed paychecks...no more health insurance.
Hopefully I will be gainfully employed come March. If not?? Well, PADI could always use a new instructor!
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