My first love is being outdoors. I enjoy backpacking and have a soft spot for butterflies and wildflowers. I worked as a scientist for many years until I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a park ranger and outdoor educator.Currently, I live and work in SE Utah.
My life philosophy:
Pacific Crest Trail Association- It's not all about the thru-hike: A Walking Meditation
My favorite posts...
Trail Dames Beginner Backpacking Trip - what teaching backpacking skills means to me
No New Gear - a year-long experiment
Three Months of Two Miles - appreciating the trail outside your backdoor
Pacific Crest Trail Association- It's not all about the thru-hike: A Walking Meditation
My favorite posts...
How to have a successful hike - the biggest lesson I learned on the PCT
About that dream you have- life lessons
Why I joined AmeriCorps- the importance of giving back and making a difference
The Thing about Montana - what it feels like to hike solo in Montana Trail Dames Beginner Backpacking Trip - what teaching backpacking skills means to me
No New Gear - a year-long experiment
Three Months of Two Miles - appreciating the trail outside your backdoor
Most popular posts...
Umbrella rigging - how to attach your hiking umbrella to your pack
Beginner's Guide to Going Stoveless - backpacking without a stove
Stress fractures- a guide for backpackers
Gear Review for the PCT- pack, hydration system, stoveless kitchen, electronics, etc.
Disclaimer: This blog reflects my personal opinions and not the views
of the National Park Service or any of my other past or current
employers.
Well it's pretty much snowing in Oregon, where on the PCT did you do your training hike in the rain? PCTJim
ReplyDeleteHi PCTJim- Ah, sorry I didn't make the location of the training hike more clear- I just edited it. :) I'm still in Georgia, so I do my training hikes to get ready for a PCT hike in 2014 around here in GA for now. Enjoy that snow out there in Oregon!
ReplyDeleteHave an amazing journey Joan and don't forget (especially on those days when you're asking yourself why the hell you're doing this) that our more-than-human community will always show you exactly what you need to learn in that moment. Nature is amazing that way, and I know you understand this.
ReplyDelete~Michele "Certain"
Wise advice, Michele. Thanks so much for the encouragement and the reminder to trust that I can keep learning by being open even through the difficulties. It's sometimes so easy to loose sight of that, but I'll do my best to keep that perspective. :)
DeleteGeez, Joan, you went through Utah but didn't visit me -- after I followed your blog all summer. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteWatch out! I'm still unemployed and couch-surfing- might be going back through Utah again...
DeleteHey Joan,
ReplyDeleteWhat are you doing in Kentucky?
You haven't posted in a while and I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms.
I left my home town of London Ky, 41 years ago for the upstate of SC and never looked back.
I hope to see you in this neck of the woods again some day.
Swampfox
Hi Swampfox! Sorry for the late reply. I was working at Mammoth Cave over the summer. I got pretty close to London, KY when I went out to the Natural Arch Scenic Area, Cumberland Falls, and the Beaver Creek Wilderness. Nice to see the rhododendrons and mountain laurel in bloom. I was sorry I didn't make it to GA/SC this summer but hopefully some other time!
DeleteJoan, I have enjoyed your posts. I used one of them in developing my own post on Tree Foam and mentioned your site. All the best outside.
ReplyDeleteAl Johnson
www.stonefig.com
FYI: swimming is not allowed at little crater lake!
ReplyDelete