Monday, August 4, 2008

Switch Day in Valdez

I'm sitting here in Valdez right now in between the sea kayaking portion and hiking portion of this NOLS course. I just spent the last 14 days with 11 people sea kayaking in Prince William Sound. Highlights include breaching wales, sea lions, puffins, paddling near a tidewater glacier (and nearly getting stuck in an ice flow), catching, filleting and cooking my own fish (my first!), and of course beautiful beautiful scenery. Unfortunately it rained much of the course - 72 hours straight at our first few days on the water.

Now - after a hot shower and doing laundry (which has never felt so good in my life!) - we will get on a bus in the morning and head off to Wrangell - St. Elias N.P. for the backpacking portion. From what we've gleaned from the group we're trading off with, it's a lot of bushwacking through slide alder, enduring rain, cold and wet feet for 14 days - all while carrying a 50+ lbs pack! I'm nervous!!!! But they said the veiws were amazing and completely worth it.

I do have one thing to say: I'M SO GLAD I SHAVED MY HEAD!!!! Don't get me wrong, I do miss my hair - especially after the initial novelty wore off, but may had it been soooo easy to take care of.

So I'll be back in a couple of weeks with pictures to post!