"Stop listening to that same old Clapton album"

First let me apologize for the lack of communication this past month-and-a-half. I am still alive and doing well here in Haines, AK. The season is almost over and I plan on heading out of town for the Lower 48 at the end of September.
Now, a brief wrap-up of the summer that never made it to Haines. During the coldest summer since 1979 I have gone from living in my truck to a tent on a scenic ocean point, a few house-sitting gigs, and a brief stint in a mildew-infested trailer and back to couch surfing. There was the drive up the Alaska Hwy, the bear incident and all the things I have learned about Southeast Alaska’s people, natural and cultural histories. My Mom and Dad made it to Haines for a perfect S.E Alaskan day. Although I am ready to lie in the sun and enjoy a day above 60 degrees, the time I have spent here has been great. It’s no Shangri-La but never-the-less, special. As for the job, there are obvious things I would change, but all-in-all AMG has allowed me to continue growing and dreaming.

But back to the point of this dispatch…today I find myself eating at the Hotel Halsingland which operates out of one of the buildings in Historic Fort Seward. Best burger in town with a sweet potato fry option but the worst playlist coming over the bar speakers. Not that I frequent this establishment often, but the last time I was here the same Eric Clapton playlist was on. And, it’s not that I dislike Clapton, Derek and the Dominoes and Cream… great music, but solo Clapton, not for me. Then I start thinking about all the “routine” things here in Haines. Each restaurant has its playlist, same people eating the same menu item on the same day every week, driving the same 3 roads that lead out of “downtown,” etc.. I am as guilty as the rest--same pizza every time I wash dishes at the Fireweed, breakfast at the Pioneer Bar every Sunday, same 3-4 CDs in my truck all summer, same excuses to put things off. That is the problem with a town with so few choices--routine and complacency sets in. Not good, especially for a guy who gets sucked into that vortex easily. I guess that is one reason I went quite for the last 5-6 weeks, nothing new was happening; my life got routine again.

Now it’s time to mix things up!

Instead of driving straight through to Marietta I am going to head south to the Pacific Northwest and then east through Salt Lake City, Lincoln, St. Louis, Virginia, the Carolinas, and finally home, taking about 1 1/2 months to make the drive instead of the
6 days I drove to Haines. Along the way I am going to be presenting for the International Wilderness Leadership School (www.iwls.com), a division of AMG, at several colleges and universities. Then I will be heading to Tanzania in East Africa to guide on Mount Kilimanjaro for 3 months this winter. I am excited about the opportunity, nervous about what to expect, but most of all shocked that the adventure is continuing. Six years ago when I walked across the commencement stage at App. State I thought I had my life figured and that choices I made had put my dreams of traveling and seeing the world on my own terms to sleep. Those dreams have taken longer to realize and the process has taken me to places I never imagined and through some trying experiences. The great thing about the last 2 years, including the AT, Second Nature, Aconcagua and Alaska, is that every experience, although different, has introduced me to people who either share similar goals or know some of the same people, and make this life feel like a “small world”.

I am kicking off www.projectwanderlust.blogspot.com, an online portal that will hopefully spread the itch for people to explore their dreams and leave their comfort zone. This will allow me to continue writing about my travels, hear from friends and family, and continue to gain inspiration from others. My travels in East Africa will be the first official “Project”. The second “Project” begins when I return to the States in March. I am planning to ride the Trans-America bike route. Yes, peddling from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific, finally ending in Bellingham, Washington, to catch the Alaska Marine Hwy ferry back to Haines for the summer.

“Embrace the Wanderlust”

Oh ya, I almost forgot,
“Stop listening to that same old Clapton album!”