Ode to Yield

Driving down under was quite the experience, as I already mentioned.  One HUGE difference, besides driving on the wrong side of the road, was that almost every intersection was either a round-about or had a yield,or ‘Give Way’, sign. ...

Down Under Update

I’ve now been home from my trip one month, meaning I’ve been back longer than I was gone.  This is always a significant milestone for me because it’s generally when I start to feel like I’m finally getting over my PVSD – Post...

Home and Being Delinquent

Hi Everyone!  Just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that I am home, safe and sound.  It’s been a crazy week at work trying to get caught up from 3+ weeks being gone (I have the best boss ever).  I’ve also been squeezing in some...

Heading Home Tomorrow

My how time flies when you are on vacation!  I can’t believe I’m heading back to Seattle in short order!  It’s been an amazing trip, but I’m definitely ready to sleep in my own bed again!  Foam mattresses in hostels just...

New Zealand!!! Christchurch and the Northeast

I made it to NZ (pronounced N Zed) but not without incident.  It seems Australia wasn’t done taking my money, because as I was about to fly out a crazy strong Northeastern gale hit the airport, temporarily shutting it down to only one runway, and effectively...

Australia: An Exercise in Time Travel

I’m now in New Zealand after 4 whirlwind days in Australia.  What a crazy place!  Here’s a quick run down of my activities, before I get into some musings about the land Down Under. I arrived around 10am in Sydney after a 14+ hour flight and a...

Down Under Travel Prep

It’s now less than a week until I leave for my nearly 4-week trip to Australia and New Zealand.  I’m starting to get my ducks in a row: I’ve got hostels lined up for Sydney and my first few nights in New Zealand, I unlocked my cell phone so I...

My First Whipper

This summer I took a Whipper.  As defined in this previous post, Whippers are NOT awesome.  Mine was no exception.On July 30, I headed out to Exit 38  to meet some members of The Group for a little Friday-after-work climbing action.  I was...

Monica’s Wedding!

On July 22, 2010, my little sister Monica got married to her long time sweetheart Timothy Kittle.  I wrote all about their wedding details on Monica and Tim’s Wedding Website, but in case you missed it, here are some highlights:The wedding was held at The...

Summer Adventuring

This summer hasn’t been all about weekend trips away to epic places like Smith Rock.  There have been plenty of hiking and after-work climbing trips as well.I want to go on the record as saying I am so thankful to climbing because it has enabled me to meet...