Onwards from AKQA on Vimeo.

October 21- 25 happened to be the peak of the Fall Colors in Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Chris, twelve friends, and I were lucky enough to absorb the experiecne below the canopy as we set out on a 3 night 4 day 21 miles backpacking trip.

We all raced from class to Battle Creek, MI where we rendezvoused at my home. We hit the road with excitement and energy, Great Smoky Mountain National Park or bust. 14 deep, we drove through the night. 7 people per van allowed little time for sleep. As we approached Pigeon Forge, TN the horizon began to illuminate. By the time we were climbing the twisted Smoky Mountain roads, the sun was peaking her face over the Appalachian Forest horizon. With a reclaimed energy we convinced ourselves to start our 4 mile day upon arrival. We trekked up, up, and continued to climb elevation, not until our food deprivation matched our sleep deprivationdid we arrive at camp; exhausted.

We woke to an Autumn rain that was pleasing to to the ear, and our feet soaked up the weather. It rained throughout the day but we battled the elements. Without a complaint we did everything in the rain; hiked, cooked, set up tents, ate lunch, dinner, went to bed.

The third day provided a great mix of terrain that led us into a stand of old growth forest. Trees towered above us, some as much as 10ft diameter. We arrived at camp, a small group occupied the designated site, so we cross a stream onto the stream bank and found just enough room to construct our tent city. Once we were established, we realized that the site was closed due to bear activity. However, the sign looked faded, and we would make sure to take ALL necessary precautions.


Day four, we climbed again, this time to victory; to the concord (van). For some it was their first trip, the most miles ever hiked in one day or in one outing, others enjoyed the company and new friendships, others reconnected, but we all enjoyed the simplicity of our party of 14, living in the backcountry.

Fall Colors Tour 2009!

This past weekend, some friends and I were lucky to be part of the 2nd Pine River Extravaganza. Tanner, Carsten, Chris, Trent, Matt and I made the trip into the Huron-Manistee National Forest to a hunting cabin secured by Tanner. We all opted to sleep under the stars instead of using the security of the trailer.

I was happy to be able to sleep in my hammock and took full advantage of the area and found two trees that would suffice. However when I was awaken, fear running thorough my blood, by the yelling of some Michigan wildlife I was wishing I had someone near to confirm the bloody kurdaling scream coming from 20ft. At first my panic placed me in Colorado, with campers sleeping all around me, once I realized that I was in Michigan and there is nothing to worry about, I was able to fall asleep. The next morning we concluded it must have been a rabbit being slowly killed or making love, yelling like a school child or Nevadan prostitute. (one or the other)

The Pine river is the fastest running river in Michigan, and it gave us a wild ride. The river meanders seemingly unaltered by human activities which provided some technical terrain for us to navigate. We all made the complete trip on water without a single canoe tipping over. Big improvement from last year. This trip was wonderful and we really lucked out with the weather, blue bird skies throughout the weekend. It was a great end to summer. Yesterday being the autumnal equinox, it's time to welcome the cooler nights, foggy mornings, changing leaves, and apple cider.

All moved in, Grand Rapids, MI. Year five of college has begun at Grand Valley State University. One more year until I hold the bachelor in hand. Classes have begun and the great Michigan fall is near.

My latest adventure was for a college credit. Large boat sailing, in fact. The most fun credit I have taken at Grand Valley State University by far. 8 students met on a sail boat in Great Lakes marina, located on Muskegon Lake. The first evening we took the boat out and learned the skill by doing the task, Myudic (the name of the boat). We had light winds but nothing extreme. That night Capt. Rick took us to a funky pizza place, but had delicious beer and pizza.

Day two we were able to go out on the Big Lake, Lake Michigan. I was amped to take the boat out and sail in some great wind. Unfortunately there was no wind forecasted, and indeed none came. However we made the most of our adventure to the depths of Lake Michigan, and jumped off the boat (pic above). The water was clearer than imaginable. I was able to see the sail boats keel underwater from 20ft away. I took the opportunity to try to swim as deep as I could, and was surprised when Capt. told me he could see me the whole way.



Marina, include your email in a comment, so I can contact you!!

Today is the final day of my work agreement with Camp Chief Ouray. Yesterday the final group of campers went home to get ready to start school, and today we cleaned.

This past week was spent in camp, having our group of international campers get involved within camp to help them develop better leadership skills. I was thoroughly impressed with the group, as they rose to every occasion, always exploding my expectations. On Monday night, we were lying on the ground in a circle looking at the beautiful night sky. I repeatedly tried to get the campers attention so that I could show them the milky way, which looks like a large cloud stretching across the sky. Just as they all finally were paying attention and looking towards the horizon, I said "Now if you look up right there you will see..." the rest of the sentence was going to be, ... a cloudy area which is the milky way. But instead, as I finished saying "...you will see...", a HUGE meteor (big enough that I could see a dark circle with fire coming off behind it with a bright orange trail following behind, painting the sky) darted across the sky, exactly where I was drawing their attention. The campers freaked out and were very impressed, but I assured them that "I just know these kinds of things". It was possibly the best counselor moment I have ever had.

It was a fun week, but the summer is now over. All of my gear, along with Chris' fills my mom's Camry, waiting to return to Michigan. I am excited to return to finish my final year of school, and move into my new place. It has been a wonderful summer, one that I always had in my sights, but it surpassed all of my expectations.

This week has loomed ahead of me all summer, I had no clue what to expect, what the program would look like, who the campers were, how many campers would be coming to camp, or even where we would be taking them backpacking.

On Sunday, all 10 campers arrived at camp, from Denver by bus. Three Italians, two Belgians, two Spaniards, one Austrian, one German, and one American. 10 campers that all came to CCO through a program, Rotary International, to learn about the American culture, practice their English, pick up on American slang/and style (I must add), and learn leadership skills.

This past week we took the group of campers on a backpacking trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We hiked flattop mountain, starting at roughly 8,500 ft, climbing to roughly 12,300ft, and then descending back to roughly 8,300ft. I was not sure what to expect out of the European group. They were new to the environment, especially the altitude. We started our first day and had an impressive pace. The mocho guys (which three of the five tower over me, giants, making me feel like I should go back to the McDonalds playplace) asked "this is our hardest day?" with doubt in their delivery. The second day was easier putting us at about 11,200ft (treeline). This night we went to bed early so that we could awake at 3:45am to attempt to catch the sun rise on top of the 12,300ft. ridge. We lay under our tarps and as if someone was shinning flashlights into our eyes, lightning followed by thunder rolled in on top of us. Lucky it didn't bring much rain, but the intensity of the lightning and sound of the thunder is amplified when you are only hundreds of feet from the cloud.
The next morning we awoke extra early, to a full moon still in the sky. We cooked breakfast (oatmeal which was a new concept to the Europeans, and many ate it with bitter looks on their faces), packed, and set off on trail. Once we broke the treeline, the light from the moon was enough light to guide us on the trail. Each step brought the sun closer to the horizon until finally it illuminated the majestic surroundings. All the campers trekked across the ridge with ease putting us to our next camp site at an early 10:10am; enough time for a nap....before lunch.


This is a special group that I have been lucky enough to counsel. They are full of energy and life, they are all willing to learn a lot about America and themselves. I have also learned that I am the only dumb one in the group, knowing a measly one language. Most of all I am excited about this group of foreign teenagers, as I anxiously await my parents return from Kazachstan, hopefully with two new sisters by their side.


This week is the final week of summer, the 14th my work agreement ends, and my summer job will be finished. I look forward to an exciting culminating week ahead, as I look to put a final exclamation point on my favorite summer yet!

Session 7, it was time to go back to my roots, my first job in Colorado, enter the world of a cabin counselor. I was assigned to be with 12year old boys, in the Cherokee cabin. The theme of the week was space invaders, and all of the camp games and spirit were influenced by the theme. The first day of the cabin was a little rough since three of the boys played lacrosse together so they were excellent at showing each other they were good friends, but in a very physical manner. Once we established the "keep your hands to your self" rule, the week smoothed out. The week was cold, each day feeling like spring. We just couldn't keep the thunderstorms and rain away, most days. The week went very well and my co-counselor Greg and I got along well, both very chill counselors with very few rules, letting the kids do what they please, until it got out of control. We were pleased to receive a small care package from a parent on the final day, filled with vitamin water, soda, candy, and trail mix. A good cap to the week.

This weekend Chris and I took a mountain bike trip just across the road of camp property, but we were surprised to stumble upon the famous trails of winter park and the surrounding area. We were climbing tight rocky switchbacks and dodging low branches, as we climbed to the top of the mountain. We spent a lot of time riding up the trails, powering over boulders, and steep climbs. The descent was much more enjoyable, flying through the forest on a small 8in wide bike path is quite exhilarating. As we zipped past a pile of logs we herd a quick rustle and pleasantly spotted a HUGE porcupine.

This week, I start a two week program, with a group of Rotary International students. We have 10 campers, 5 girls and 5 guys, each representing one of five countries; Belgium, Austria, Germany, Italy, and Spain. (oh and one American camper and two American counselors) They are great kids that are ready to have a lot of fun. I am very excited to take them into the backcountry and show them the American wilderness. Some of the best in the heart of the Rockies.

Two weeks of camp sessions left.