I'm Published...sort of

I am BEYOND thrilled with how this came out!  They shipped me the catalog and I had NOT seen it prior.  I'd given them access to my Flickr account and all my photos and wrote the blurb, but had NO idea it would be so beautiful.    The graphic design artist who pulled this together from three of my photos meshed them in such a perfect way.  I wonder if they realized they'd chosen two of my favorite shots of myself and probably my favorite landscape shot I got from 2011? 

I've been an ambassador for Mountain Khakis since 2009.  I LOVE their stuff and will stand by it to the end.  Its gotten me through some really amazing experiences.  I encourage all of you to look at their catalog HERE and see what you think!  I'm may to try to pull together a GIVEAWAY on my blog if you all are interested?

Real-world ups and downs

Flipping back through blog entries for confirmation, its now officially later than it was the last time I got my extension to stay at this job longer.  The last extension came 7 weeks prior to what I thought would be my last day.  Now my new last day is a mere 6 weeks away and I have not been called in for those magic words that will mean I get to stay.  I'm getting nervous.  I like this job a lot.  I feel like I've made a big difference doing what I'm doing.  I'm learning so much.  I really don't know what I will do if it is over.

I'm looking and applying for other jobs here and there, not many, and not frequent, and I'm not going after them full-force.  But I'm trying, sadly trying, but trying.  Ideally I'd find something nearby so I could continue my on-the-hill ski patrol training at Canaan.

Time will tell.  

Had a brief moment of ohgodI'mgonnadie last night.  Town was a shiny slick of black ice and I sorely underestimated the whole "bridge ices before road" concept.  I was beyond fortunate that no one was near me at. all.  Crossed a bridge, car took out from under me (Toyota 4Runner, mind you), 180 in one direction, 180 in the other direction, 180 turned 360 in the first direction again, stall out facing oncoming traffic in. the. middle. of. an. intersection.  Oh boy, oh boy, can you say adrenaline rush?  Couldn't feel my legs for a moment due to it!  Thank goodness for distance between me and others and the ability of others to come to a halt where I failed to do so!!  Note to self: 4Runner does not ice skate well.

I was beginning to get a little down, first the thought of my job ending, and then a near wreck....  

But then I went to the riding club meeting last night I run into the Backcountry Horsemen rep. for our state.  Her first words to me were words I'd spoken to her back in October, "Take me, mold me".  She has set up an opportunity for me to go to NC/TN in Great Smoky Mountain National Park (a place I [surprisingly] have not been to) for a Leave No Trace Master Educator Course, a combination Leave No Trace Trainer & Pack horse course, and a LNT Pack course practicum - on the AT! For those who may be unaware, horses aren't allowed on the AT (Appalachian Trail in case you have forgotten from my previous posts).  But we are helping to maintain the trail so horses WILL be allowed for this special occasion. 

Big flippin' deal, y'all.  

It will encompass about 3 weeks of my June 2012.  I will emerge with a huge new set of skills I'm pretty psyched about, too.  Learning how to pack horses and travel in the backcountry with them is something I've dreamed about being able to do since I was really little.  I never realized how much work it entailed until I started putting a potential 3-day trip together in my head and on paper for this summer.  Obviously it never happened.  There were just too many details and it drove me mad that I wasn't comfortable with all of them. So I ix-nayed the idea.  Now I will learn, and I will be prepared in the future.  It will allow me a little more freedom to do some things in the future.

Life's back on the positive side now.

The real-positive side actually.  I was contacted by a rep. from Mountain Khakis this morning, a company whose products have gotten me through nearly all of my outdoors pursuits for the last 2½ years with flying colors, I stand by them all the way [seriously, CHECK THEM OUT], and she asked me if I would be interested in being the female Ambassador feature in their 2012 magazine.  Seriously?!  Wow.  Flattered, psyched, and more than happy to do it!  I'm working on gathering photos and a write-up currently.  I suppose I shall have to update y'all later when it comes out!

So my downs have been countered with two ups.  Karma?  Who knows, but I'm going to roll with it and keep hoping for some more good news about life and what it entails in the next few months.

Winter gear must-haves

So this is my list of outdoorsy winter gear that I love and reasons why.  They are all linked to Backcountry or Moosejaw or other popular gear site.  (Note:  I rarely paid retail for any of these items.  In fact, most I received for 50% or MORE off!  I suppose the methods in which one could attain cheap gear is a topic for another day though.)

North Face Nuptse Booties
TOASTY, TOASTY, PIGGIES...  These boots are a new addition for this year.  I LOVE them.  I am someone who is absolutely cold blooded.  My toes and fingers especially are always freezing.  I had a friend in high school who I would always give my hands to for inspection in the morning to see if I was "alive" or not.  Dead cold, thats me.  (Sorry for my morbidity.)  But if you want WARM feet, these are DEFINITELY the boots for you!!
Great for: snowball fights, sledding, traipsing through the snow to class
Not for: long strenuous hikes

OR Verglas Women's Gaiters
SEE YOU LATER ALLIGAITOR...  So, I wear these pretty much all the time.  Whenever I don't wear my snow pants and there is snow, you can bet your bottom dollar I've got these suckers on!  Outdoor Research makes bomber stuff, guaranteed.

OR Neoplume Women's Jacket
KEEP YA HOT ENUFF TAH FRY AN EGG ON...  This synthetic down hooded jacket was a gift from my boyfriend last winter.  Its probably my most worn jacket of the four-ish soft-shell-related jackets I own.  Unfortunately, this jacket is older and will be hard to find in stock.
Great for: super cold, super windy days

Marmot Spire Women's Jacket
RRRAAAAAIIIIINNNNNNSSSSSSTTTTTTTOOOOOOORRRRRRMMMMMM.  My first (and only, for now) hard-shell.  I love it.  I love the bright blue color I got it in.  And, it has yet to let me down!  The giant visor on the easily adjustable hood are really great for those wet days you don't want water on your face.  The pit-zips are a phenomenal feature as well for those of us who are inclined to sweat lots.

Marmot Threshold
My first true-soft shell.  However, this jacket doesn't have a hood, which is really its only flaw.  I love it on those crisp, windless, fall/winter days.


Darn Tough Socks & Smartwool Socks
DR. SCHOLS WOULD RECOMMEND...these sweet toe-warmers.  Both companies make pretty sweet socks.  I'm lucky enough to fit kids sizes in both so I can get them cheaper.  Its really a toss up as to who is better, so I'm recommending both!

Smartwool NTS Midweight Legging
OH MY GOD, BECKY, LOOK AT HER...merino wool leggings. I splurged and bought these for myself last week.  And can I say love?  I don't want to take them off!  They breath SO well, they're warm but not too warm, the wool is soft to the skin (unlike most), perfection!  I've done a short hike with them, and XC skied with them (paired with gaiters).  They are light enough to fit under a pair of pants too.  Perhaps not a tight-fitting pair of jeans, but anything else, definitely.

Mountain Hardwear Wicked Lite Tee
THE COLORS, DUKE, THE COLORS!  A perfect all-purpose base layer.  And they come in so many pretty colors!



Mountain Khaki Cottonwood Cords and Alpine pant
OH MOUNTAIN KHAKIS, HOW I LOVE THEE.  This company was started in Jackson, WY.  They make absolutely bomber pants for multiple occasions and I love, love, love, love all of them.  The cords and alpine pant are great winter pants.  The cords are a great around-town wear; they feel like pajama bottoms, they're THAT comfortable.  The alpine paired with a sturdy boot and gaiters, or XC ski boot and gaiters, make for great hiking/skiing attire.  They're super sturdy and put up easily with hiking through brush or briers.
Great for: fighting your way through a field of Rubus (blackberry bushes)

Patagonia Active Bra & Hipster Underwear
LOOK UNDER THERE! UNDERWEAR?  So there's underwear, and then there's UNDERWEAR!  And these are most certainly UNDERWEAR.  Breathable, double's as a swimsuit, quick-drying; and these are just a FEW of the words I have for these underwear.  They look great, too!  Forget Victoria's Secret.



Black Diamond Windweight Glove
TWISTER!!!....  A this year's Christmas present from Chris,these are already my go-to gloves to do anything in.  Windproof gloves are something I've always wanted but never had, and let me say this, THEY ARE FLIPPIN' SWEET.
Great for: biking to class in the 20-30 degree weather