Volunteer.

Ever wanting something more to do with a few hours of your day?  Put down the remote and volunteer.  You'll meet some incredible people if you're willing.

One that has impacted my life is Big Brothers Big Sisters.  'For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.'

Met Shaya in the fall of '08 and plan on knowing her, well, for the rest of my life!  Shaya is an incredible 13yr old girl!!!

Cuba opening to American travelers?

Interested in visiting the mysterious island only 90 miles away from US coastline.  Read the latest and greatest CNN article and see how you feel.

Are Americans free to do as they choose?  Should Americans be allowed to enter Cuba?  (ps it's the US government holding us back, not Cuba's)

Will Americans destroy the countries culture, lifestyle and eco-tourism spots due to an enormous influx of tourists (est. 500,000 people the first year) when the gates do open?

Dominos for all, in the park, any time and any day!

Iowa......You're so windy.

Did you know:

Iowa is on the top of states in wind power generation, along with Texas.

Over 14% of our electricity is wind generated in Iowa.

As of a year ago, there were 1,100 wind turbines in Iowa.

The blades are 12 tons and 148 feet long.

Landowners with a turbine receive $2000-$5000/per year royalties.

So what do you do now?

Question of the month.  "Do you have a job?"

Answer:  Yes.  Many actually.

Currently a consultant (sounds great) for my dad and his businesses.  Giving my opinion on everything whether he likes it or not.  Helping him gain more powerwashing business, heck, even going along for a powerwashing gig or 3!

Before!

After!

(we've been washing Ethanol tanks.  If you're really interested, read here)

Starting another job Tuesday.  Going to be the Field Manger for the USYouthSoccer Jersey Tour.  Look out MLSoccer games, here I come with some inflateables and soccer balls!  Bring it on.  Will be promoting Youth Soccer around the country.  Get Out!  Get Fit! Get Active!

There is more.  Let's just say I'll be spending too many days at the Texas State Fair! More to come....

14'rs!

By definition:  a 14'r is a mountain that exceeds 14,000 ft.

Here Kat and Megan are walking at about 11,500' along to trail to Grays.  Even walking was hard due to altitude.  Sheesh, Iowa girls!

What that doesn't tell you is:
That altitude will suck all the air from you.  As you climb your lungs will feel like they're about to JUMP out of your chest.  On a warm August day in Iowa, it'll be 30 degrees on one of these peaks in Colorado, heck you may even pass clumps of snow.  The wind WILL be gusting.  You will be IN the clouds.  Your eyes might experience extreme stimulation from some of the most beautiful landscape surrounding you at 360 degrees.  It may be one of the most inspirational moments in your life, to summit, by foot a 14'r.

2 x 14!

So this is what happened last weekend.  Camping, Glaciers, Colorado's best!, Hiking 2x14,000ft peaks in a day(aka double summit).  Grays and Torreys.  14,270' & 14,267' respectively!

Did you know that Colorado is home to 53 fourteeners?

Goal for the summer was 3.  Might make another one happen in Sept/Oct!

Kind words...

My dad looks at me, says "you're famous" and looks back down at the Northwood Anchor.

A few weeks back a very sweet, kind and patient woman, JoAnn Lower sat down with me and her job was to get my story for my local newspaper.  Traveling out of country is rare here in Northwood.  Imagine being in her shoes when I smiled and started talking for 4 hours about the past year.  Having to cut things shorts and even skip stories, knowing myself too well....I gazed her direction and her face was overwhelmed!

The story in the Anchor about my adventures is a detialed overview of what the past year has been like.  There are a few things I'd like to correct tho, can't take all the credit for the great things in the story, as some of the actions weren't made by me.

To clarify:

-My friend Luis is from Nicaragua.  He built his house with his bare hands in less than a month.  Still with no floor, water or electricity, he was hesitant for me to visit, the owner of Hidden Canopy Treehouses donated the money for him and I to install a floor.  Jenn, you are a kind and generous woman!

-Luis, lived with his wife and two kids.  His parents lived in a full house (11 people in the 10x15 foot room.) When I was in Matagalpa those 17 days, I stayed with Luis and family.

-In total, my time in Nicaragua was roughly 2 months.  

-Honduras scuba diving was great.  Put it on your bucket list.  And go advanced.  We went 36 meters below the surface to feel nitrogen narcosis (waters intoxications!)  Scuba diving is awesome.

Thanks JoAnn for taking those few hours to chat with me.  You are an amazing person!

Speed change: turtle to mig at Mach 10

Live in the moment.  A favorite motto.

Life from Central America pace.  To bike pace.  Back to American pace.  All that = walking pneumonia!
No joke.

July was CRAZY.  Who doesn't love the 4th?  Grilled food....food in general is good, especially after rice, beans and tortillas!  Eating is a new hobby.  Potentially dangerous, however, my friends are insane "go'ers."

Pretending to work and be professionals doesn't last long with these two!

Jumped from Nebraska all the way to NYC in a 10 day span.  Spent time at a family reunion that wasn't mine, enjoyed a road trip with a bestie where we worked Xtreme hours at a hot air balloon festival in Jersey.  Saw the Liberty Bell in Philly.

No Self Service means Self Service ??  Jersey rules....?

 Made in home in time to hit a few days of RAGBRAI and have epic sessions of Louisville Chuggers and learn a few 'how to ride and.....' tricks in the two days that I rode.

These are my friends!  That includes SPANDEX!

Only in Iowa can you buy Pork Chops in a cooler and they'll be the best chops you've ever tasted.

Everything a dollar?  Why not buy 4 pulled pork sandwiches and 25 tall-boy beers...

(deep breath) back on the farm.  Had to buy my first pack of toilet paper in over 13 months today.  Head hung a bit heavier.   Good news:  Will be back on the road in September.  More on that later.