The Ultimate Summer Vacation

Day 1: Leave at 5PM and drive to Buena Vista (1.5 hour drive) – arrive by 6:30/7:00 PM

          Camp

Day 2: Climb Mount Antero (~ 5 hours)

           Swim/Fish in Arkansas River

           Leave for Durango (4 hour drive)

           Camp

Day 3: Catch narrow gauge train from Durango at 9:00 AM

           Arrive at Needletop Station at 11:30 AM

           Hike to Chicago Basin (6.5 miles/3 hrs)

           Camp

Day 4:  Climb Sunlight and Windom Peaks (~6 hrs)

           Camp

Day 5: Climb Mount Eolus (~4 hours)

           Hike to Needletop Station to catch train at 3:00 PM (leave before noon)

           Arrive in Durango by 5:00 PM

           Stay in hotel

Day 6: Leave for Mesa Verde (1.5 hour drive)

           Camp

Day 7: Leave for Royal Gorge (6 hour drive) – Park closes at 7:00 PM

           Leave for Home (2.5 hour drive)

Jim gets one week off between terms, and we've never taken full advantage of this break. The summer is too short and Colorado is too big not too spend one week exploring.

Helpless

There is nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of a disaster and being completely helpless to stop it. It would be an understatement to say that I am upset about the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It makes me physically ill. I have nightmares about it. Maybe I shouldn't let it affect me personally to such an extent, but being affected is appropriate and human. Remaining ignorant and silent on matters such as these is cowardly, to say the least.

We have become way too comfortable in our isolation. We have become weak in our boundless pursuit of individualism. In our shameless pursuit of personal comfort and "happiness" we have become hardened to anything that does not have a direct effect on our personal lives. We may feel a twinge of guilt or pity when we remotely observe disaster, but rarely do we take action to incite change.

America was once known as a revolutionary nation. A nation of pioneers, bound by our common struggle for a place in the world. We have become complacent in our global leadership; cautious, cowardly. We are afraid of making any move that would cause an offense or step on a toe. Hurt feelings will fade, bruised toes will heal. We will never be able to amend for our omission of just and proper action.

We have a responsibility to each other, and to the planet on which we live. In our selfishness we have neglected that responsibility.

In many ways, today, I hope the world ends on December 12, 2012. That may be the only end to the misery we are creating for ourselves.

Taking Action

Last night at family dinner (celebrating Allison's graduation from CU), her boyfriend made the comment that he's tired of "hoping" for things to happen, and wants to start taking action to make things happen. 

I've been struck with this notion lately too. 

Today, I'm taking action. 

The AIR Foundation has been operating without tax exempt status for 3 years. It's time for that to change. A non-profit is absolutely limited in what it can accomplish without 501(c)(3) status. I arranged a meeting with a volunteer who has her MA in Non-Profit Management to help me get this knocked out. I printed out the instructions, completed much of the application, supplemented by writings/narratives completed last summer when we started this process, and began scouring the Colorado Non-Profit Association website for tips and advice.

I've been more than frustrated with my job lately. In the midst of my research, I began casually browsing the job board. About three quarters of the way down the page, I randomly clicked on a entry and read the description. It might as well have my name on it!

Please pray (and hope) for me as I take action to get this job!