Kneading Dough to Pass the Time

A recent spacebook update from my USFS friend in Mammoth reminded me I haven't quite finished this post.  I have led the life of a hermit... or a hermitress this winter and I want to explain why.

Traditionally in college, when I wanted to get away (from my thoughts) I'd borrow someone's dog or dogs, or start baking,  ride my bike, or I'd just do things by myself or with one or two of the same people. Having a conversation over a cup of coffee and horrible "cider" today with someone I haven't seen in ages reminded me of how time flies and it's so great to catch up with old friends.  I haven't been purposefully trying to be anti-social, but merely, that after a summer of wandering the wilderness in a job I was so lucky to have, I needed time to further reflect on where I am going.

Hiking North toward Ebbetts Pass.
Love this trail shot. Where am I going? Where does it go?

Passes Are Closing

Ebbetts Pass, almost to the summit. 

89 Monitor Pass and 4 Ebbetts Pass are closing tonight for "Storm Preparation" (so maybe temporary, but for winter for sure will be soon enough).  Perhaps I will prepare for the GRE and winter myself.  God knows I need to make a life-sized, freshie snow angel.

Too bad my chains are in Mammoth and I am Subaru-less, but not for long!

Happy Fall! Hope to get back to Vermont for a bit. Keep posted!

Snow Angels for Peace in snow off of Ebbett's Pass Last week.

Ebbetts Pass North on the PCT

Early September, my Supervisor and I did a tiny section of the PCT for "Wilderness Lake Monitoring".  We started at Ebbetts Pass/Route 4 and hiked North past Kinney Lakes and into the Mokelumne Wilderness.

 It was other-wordly.  The 'Northern California Pacific Crest Trail' book by Schaffer says, "...your trail bends noreast up to a broad ridge to begin an incredible route past one of the most bizarre, yet beautiful, landscapes to be seen along the PCT...your odyssey continues with a diagonal comb north to a windcropped sagebrush saddle...".

Land Before Time



Carson Valley Livin'

This is a long update...

I have started my new USFS job based out of Carson City, Nevada.  I am living in government housing about 12 miles South on US 395 in Minden.  It is the first time in 2 years that I’ve had to drive to work.   There are no bike lanes on 395.  Carson City has an active bicycle advocacy group I may get involved with. I'm somewhat tired of moving, but this whole year has been an adventure that I never planned. So I'm rolling with it, and making new friends, and missing my family and friends back home as always. 

GLORIOUS Housing behind a gate

I do love Vermont, but for the next 6 months I'm in California- this is about that

So here I am. It's snowing in Mammoth Lakes. I started work yesterday for the Forest Service at the Inyo National Forest Visitor Center. They gave me my ugly ugly uniform. I shortly thereafter went running. The only cool part of the uniform is that I get to not wear it after work, and I get to wear my Darn Tough VT socks with hiking boots of my choice. Other than that, I have a lot to learn.

I still need to go explore more of town, but it's great. First night here I got to have dinner with an old UMaine Parks, Rec. and Tourism buddy, Barrett, and his girlfriend (from VT!) Jill, and Barrett's best friend who used to work at East Burke Sports, Tyler, and his wife, Laura. Then I got to meet K-Wrig's friend, who was visiting town, and who is Jill's sister. If you are confused now, you should be. But basically it's like 6 degrees of separation Vermont/ Maine style- and right here in Mammoth Lakes, CA.

So my move here was purely because I already turned down an offer with the Forest Service before, and I just was feeling like I wasn't being an overly adventurous person. I think after this I will surely know what I want in life. I am pretty positive I want a more permanent job, maybe not with the government. Maybe more non-profit. Maybe with trails, maybe with kids. All I know is I left an amazing job at Onion River Sports (love you guys more than you know) and a supportive, outdoor family who I am so glad to have. I will keep in touch!

I also left all my best friends and family since like 4th grade, highschool, and college. But it's an adventure.

If it's one thing I've learned- it's that I have the most supportive friends anyone could ever ask for. Thank you to you all who have listened to me debate things numerous times and decide what is good for me. I love you all. I am so blessed. You all mean so much to me, and you all know who you are.

Well- this blog isn't as graceful and thought out as Tristan and Sarah's, but I'm going on hour 3 in this cafe, Looney Bean, in Mammoth Lakes, and I've had a lot of coffee. Time to sign out.

I'll come up with something better later.

Hear's to the best friends and outdoor adventurers a girl could ever have!