Adventures in AmeriCorps

Mt. Adams


I'm now officially employed. I will be re-entering the job force on Feb. 23rd as team leader with Northwest Service Academy. I applied for quite a few jobs through AmeriCorps and was lucky enough to get my first choice! I'm excited, nervous and happy all at once.

I will be based out of Mt. Adams, Washington about 1 and half from Portland, Oregon. I'll working to help maintain trails in Washington, Oregon and California. Basically, I'll be getting paid to hike, camp and travel. I know it will be lots of hard work and an experience unlike any I've ever had. I can't wait to learn how to use a huge chainsaw!

Since I started my journey on August 30th, 2008 I've met a few people that have hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. The P.C.T. is one of the most beautiful trails in the U.S.A. It starts in southern California and ends in northern Washington. I loved this program because I will train for 6 weeks on the P.C.T. in southern California. I may even get to work on the P.C.T. in different locations.

I wonder what life is going to be like in 2 or 3 months? I've yet to make it up to Washington or Oregon. It will be fun to explore new places while helping make the forests better for everyone's enjoyment.

Forest Falls, CA

This is the view right outside my house. The sky is an incredible blue almost everyday. I have to drive over this creek down a "road" to my new home. It's the most beautiful place I've ever lived.
























I've been neglecting my blog and I'm sorry. I decided to stay in the San Bernardino Mountains outside Redlands, CA about 2 months ago.

I rented a room in an amazing log home in Forest Falls, CA. The first couple of weeks of living in a house again were strange. I had gotten used to living out of my car and a tent. I've been enjoying my new mountain home and town.

Forest Falls is a small town of 1,00o people. There is one general store and a Mexican Restaurant. It's absolutely beautiful. I'm within walking distance to wonderful trails that make me feel like I'm in the middle of the wilderness. I've seen a couple of bears and a bob cat since moving here. Pretty cool! I may have a home base right now but the adventure continues.

My new love, Rock Climbing!

I've been rock climbing almost every weekend for the past month. This is New Jack City in CA. I thought New Jack City was an actual city and we were simply going climbing in the desert to climb outside of New Jack City. I climbed to the top of the first rock and looked around, where was the city? Ha. Joke was on me when I asked this question to my fellow climbing buddies. I was in New Jack City. It's just a spot to go climbing in the desert!

We arrived on Friday night and camped all weekend. We climbed all day Saturday and Sunday. Wow, was I tired on Sunday night. It was an awesome weekend.