June 8, 2005
RECENT MOMENTS: 1, 2, AND 3
FYI... I'm ripping off the 'recent moment' format from my friend and web mentor Luke over at Decisive Moments (Luke's the king of 'recent moments'... I only hope that my version is someday as insightful and inspiring as his).
Okay, so here goes... my first three 'recent moments'.
Recent Moment #1: I'm sitting in a airplane headed for Chicago. I start talking to the person seated next to me. Twenty-four-year-old Alex is on her way to Minnesota to work as a backcountry wilderness guide for YMCA Camp Widjiwagan. Alex participated in Camp Widjiwagan trips as a teenager, so she's intimately familiar with the 75-year-old wilderness program with its base camp firmly situated on the edge of northeastern Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area. I learn that after staff training, Alex is leaving for Alaska to lead Camp Widjiwagan's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) trip... a 7-week backcountry trek thru one of North America's great unspoiled areas. Much to my surprise, I also learn that Alex will be leading the trip--which involves guiding five 16- to 18-year-olds--totally by herself. No co-leader and no one to provide her with relief at any point during the nearly two-month long trek. Everything I know, either thru personal experience or from having worked in and written extensively about the outdoor education/recreation industry, tells me that something's wrong with this picture. Alex, who I'm sure is an excellent guide with great skills and wildreness savy, has never once stepped foot in ANWR, nor has she ever led a 7-week trip of this kind, let alone alone. Upon my return to Indianapolis, I visit YMCA Camp Widjiwagan's web site, and right there in plain English it clearly states "...one counselor leads each group of three to five campers..." on a number of the camp's trips. Frankly, I'm shocked and blown away. Sending five teenagers out on a 7-week ANWR trip with only one guide is just asking for trouble.
Recent Moment #2: I'm standing in front of my refrigerator with my girlfriend. While she opens the door to the fridge, I open the door to the freezer. I comment, "How come freezers never seem to have lights?" We're both puzzled.
Recent Moment #3: On the suggestion of someone in my health & weight management class, I purchase my first-ever Ugly Fruit. Four days later I comment to myself, "Man, I'd better eat that thing or throw it away before it gets any uglier." I cut it open like a grapefruit, and much to my surprise, even though it looks like a compressed orange on the inside, it tastes like pear. I discover that I like Ugly Fruit and that I think it'd be even better served chilled.
Posted by Mikal at June 8, 2005 5:58 AM
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Insert snarky comment about taking that ANWR trip now, since it won't be there in a few years, here.
Why do you need freezer lights? What are you keeping in your freezer? I can distinguish bacon from ice cubes by touch. And that's about it for my freezer, anyway. :)
And what in the world is "Ugly Fruit?" I don't think I'd buy one of those if someone paid me to do it!
One of the best things I have read on your Blog in recent months were the words "I was standing in front of my refridgerator with my girlfriend".
Congrats Bud!!!! We love you both
Your friend,
B.L.
Hi, i came across your blog by doing a google.com search for Widjiwagan, and just to let you know, Alex's trip to ANWR was great, no incidents, everything went fine, and she did an amazing job.
While I can understand your hesitation at the thought of a young woman of 24 solo-leading an expedition, in this case it is unfounded. I would encourage you to do more research before claiming such a program is doomed to fail. The fact that Widjiwagan has been in operation for 75 years alone should give you an inkling as to the remarkable success of the camp. Widjiwagan's trail staff are much more than your stereotypical 'camp counselors.' To be selected to lead an Arctic expedition, each one of their counselors is highly trained and very experienced. In spite of your surprise at Alex's age, she is an outdoor professional and highly qualified to lead such an expedition. I would be happy to discuss this further, as I hate the thought of anyone believing Widjiwagan to be reckless.
