What comes up, must come down.

I know that I've said in previous posts that often, in life, you can be at the top of the world one minute and the next the lowest. The past month or so have been great. I got my college applications done early, I got a job, and I truly had nothing to complain about. Well last weekend, while driving home from a basketball game at the school, I hit a patch of black ice and lost control of my car. I headed into oncoming traffic and came close to hitting someone. I turned as fast as I could react, closed my eyes and headed for a construction site on the right side of the road. When I opened them I was facing the road in the parking lot. The tire was busted up pretty good and the rear view mirror on my side was broken. I called my parents and we contacted a tow truck service, they said it would be about an hour before they could get to us. When my dad went back to the site to meet the tow truck he found that a former teammate of mine had flipped his 4Runner directly on top of my car.

You may think me a liar but its true. That night many amazing things happened. First of all, after going over the curb and a small grass island my car somehow spun 180 degrees coming within inches of a brick pillar. In fact, the rear view mirror hit the side of the pillar. I know that I didn't move the wheel, I had already braced myself for impact. Second, the length of the patch of road that was dangerous that night was about 80 ft long, my teammate managed to flip his car on top of the safest six feet on that stretch. According to EMT's and Firemen from the town my car saved the boys from being crushed by the roof of the car. It's a bitter sweet moment but its hard to handle. To me my car was my last connection to my grandfather (it had been his first and he left it to me after his death last fall). It may sound weird to some of you but I truly felt one with the car and one with my grandfather.

That all happened on Friday night, the same night I received two letters of deferral from my number one choice and my back up schools. I had applied early decision for both but clearly do not have what it takes to be accepted. On Monday, I went to work and was told that job cuts were imminent and it is very likely that tomorrow I will be "let go".

There is very little "good" that I can pull from all of this. I lost my car, my future, and my job. If the dog dies within the next few days I think I'll write a country song. I've found it hard over the past few days to keep my head up but reading my blog has helped. As Snyder's Law states, when you find yourself at the top prepare for the bottom because it's coming. However, if this law is true then I should be starting my journey back to the top. It's the Christmas Season, so who knows, right?

I'll include some of the pictures from the crash, you may find them interesting. It's been a long year and I'm ready for a new beginning. I pray that all of your lives are going well and that you all enjoy the Christmas season.






Catch ya on the flip side.

My Own Walden Pond

Well this weekend I made one of the greatest discoveries thus far in my life. While surfing the net I stumbled upon a company called Tumbleweed Houses. This company produces "tiny" houses all under a 1000 square feet and a few as low as 89 sq ft. I instantly fell in love with the second smallest the Epu. The pictures are all here with all of the interior except the bathroom shown. Its everything I could ever want and its moveable. It sells for around $45,000. Which I guess is alot for such a smalle home but its a great long term investment that a recent student can certainly afford.

When I saw it all I could think of was Thoreau's little cabin in the woods. I bet if he still lived today he would have one. It such a great little personal spot. So with that being said, I've decided that as soon as I can I will apply for a loan and purchase this treasure. I hope they are still in business when that time comes. I figure it will be perfect for me if I end up in the outdoor education business. I imagine most of you will think me crazy but at least when the time comes I'll know that I did my best to cut down on pollution and the destruction of our awesome planet.

Catch ya on the flip side.

Flying High

Well first of all, a Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Could we have asked for a more perfect day? Clear and cool with a slight wind, it was perfect. I spent the morning out in my backyard enjoying a nice fire and the woods that border my backyard. It sure was nice to have some time for myself. I hope you all had an equally enjoyable day.

As for the trip we had a great advance in our airfare situation today. My dad finally got my grandpa's AA rewards card from my grandma. Good news, my grandfather left us over 100,000 miles. However, most of them expire in April '09. Worse case scenario we have to split the price of one ticket three ways, I know its awful isn't it. Best case scenario is that we pay absolutely nothing for our airfare. Thanks Poppa.

I have to say that things couldn't be going any better than they are right now but as Snyder's law states, whenever you find yourself on the way up prepare yourself for the way down. I've spent alot of time hiking and I can tell you that most of the time this is the case. Eventually you always have to go back down. I hoping that we can ride this ridge for as long as possible. I thank God for OUR great fortune. We have nothing more to ask for besides our good health and saftey.

It's funny because it was just a few weeks ago I posted my "tired..." entry. I guess its a perfect example of the crazy lives that we all live. The valleys always feel so low and the mountains always feel so high, if I could just stay at the treeline I would be happy forever.

Well that's all for tonight, Catch ya on the flip side.

More Good News!!!

Wells things have just been getting better by the day. I'll start with Austin. Tomorrow will be Austin's first day of work. Which is great news for the group in general considering we can't go to Scotland without it. Hopefully this new job will work out for him and make it possible for him to come with us.

As for John, he is back at work with Ski Market and working hard on his Eagle Scout project. Hopefully everything will work out for him. He doesn't have that much time before he turns 18, the cut off for the badge. I know he will finish in time and be a great Eagle Scout.

Things haven't changed much for me, I'm busy with work and school. Just keeping my head down and pushing through. I can't wait to graduate and go to Scotland but thank God for things like Lacrosse and friends to keep me going. Hope all your lives are going well too. Sorry I don't have more time to post.

Catch ya on the flip side.

Update...

I know its been a while since I posted last but I've been very busy. I'll start off with the good news. I started working FULL TIME! I work 3 days a week right after school. If things stay as they are right now I should have more than enough money to pay for the trip and the best part is that I can afford to take the Lacrosse Season off. I pray that everything continues to work out. With that my grades are also in an equally good situation and I hope to keep them that way for the rest of the year. It looks like things are finally falling into place.

As for today, I spent the just about the whole day finishing up my last major phase of planning. I have our Trip Summary/Itinerary all done. My mileage is finally figured out, just about every day is 1o miles. My budget is done and I know this sounds bad but the way the economy is going is good news for us. Lastly, I have my packing list done and I'm weighing in at 31 pounds. That's better than my trip to the whites!

As my friends at the North Face say, Assume nothing, plan for everything then plan some more. I'm happy for it to be done for the most part. Just a few more things to iron out. I hope that all of your lives are going equally as well.

Catch ya on the flip side.

Afraid of the Dark

If you've been reading this blog then you will know that I often bring this subject up. I don't do it purposely, I promise, but it always seems to come up again. I was reading more of Walden today and stumbled upon this quote:

Sorry about the cut but you can still make it out. I love how when I read Walden I often make connections with it and Thoreau's thinking. I've left you all with my quote multiple times: "I'm not afraid of the dark, I just prefer the light." I think that anyone who has spent time out in the wild could easily connect with Thoreau and I. When your out there and the only light is coming from the moon you realize what darkness truly is. I will not lie to you, when that darkness rolls in you react in one of two ways. Either you feel completely relaxed or you feel on edge and fearfull. Thoreau goes on to talk about that some of his best moments at Walden were in the dark late at night. After reading that, I want you to go outside tonight and observe how light is. Even at night we do whatever we can to keep it light. I promise you that more then half of you will not be able to find a truly dark spot tonight.

My other point from this quote would be Thoreau's remark about candles and Christianity. For my entire life I've been a Catholic. I became really involved over the past few years and even thought about becoming a priest. Over the past few months things have changed, I started thinking about the power that religion has over us. Don't get me wrong, I believe in God and the Catholic Church but I do think that religion is especially attractive to the weak, to the scared, to the hopeless. Religion makes you feel safe, it makes you feel like everything is going to be ok. There is nothing wrong with that feeling but after dealing with many people I can tell you that most people in church don't believe because they want to or because they truly believe. They go to church and pray everyday because either they fear what will happen if they don't or they need the comfort that you get from it. They do not truly believe in God or his awesome power, they believe that "As long as I pray everyday and I go to church every sunday I will be saved". It's sad but true. Many of the so called "Jesus Freaks" are actually simply scared of life and need something to comfort them.

Religion is a touchy subject but the most important thing is to stick with what you believe. Don't let others change your mind. In the end your going to have to answer for yourself. You can't blame others for your decisions, you can only blame yourself.

As for the candle remark, I don't know what I would do without my tea-lites. Catch ya on the flip side.

Oh, I forgot to tell you.

I had my first day of work at my new job today. Damn it was easy. Taking care of a bunch of kids is so much easier then my old job in catering. I love it and I don't mind going to work, for now. All I can hope is that I continue to work and make money for my trip.

Forgiveness

In my opinion the concept of forgiveness is the hardest concept for humans to comprehend. For some reason its just so hard to handle. It is so much easier to just cut ties and avoid someone. I will admit that I've done this myself but for some reason I almost always feel bad about it. On the other hand I know people who will completely cut someone out of their life instead of dealing with an apology. Its funny because I think that overall humans are confrontational in general. It's so easy to start something but after the dust has cleared and the wounds have healed its just too hard to apologize sometimes.

I'm not saying that we should always apologize to someone. At times I think that its better to have it out with someone and realize that you just can't be friends with that person. I do however think that people who have an argument often lose out or ruin a friendship because its just easier to avoid the whole apology conversation. I think that often these situations originate from a flash response to something. Believe me I would know, being a scotch-irishman I truly know what a temper is.

If people could just put pride aside and say that they are sorry for what they did and vice verse then I think there would not be as many fights in schools or divorced couples. The thing is, that you can go out and try to live like this but that doesn't necessarily mean that the other person will behave the same way.

Its a shame that people are not willing to try. We, as humans, have to try to start things like this because if we don't then eventually there won't be many of us left. We can not let our vendetta's define who we are as people and as a species.

If your sitting there and someone's name pops into your head right now, my suggestion would be to call that person up, be the better person, tell them that your sorry and that their friendship is too important to lose over an arguement.

Catch ya on the flip side.

One down, Nine to go.

Well the first month of school is done. Only nine more months of public school left, nine more months left of childhood. In my mind we still are. So many of my friends and even myself at time wish for nothing else. They wish to be adults to be independent to be in the "real world". Don't get me wrong, I want the same thing but I feel like we need to enjoy every last second that we still have. For our entire lives we have been able to use age as a crutch. Soon that will no longer fly.

Its weird to think about it, I guess change is always weird. I just can't imagine myself at college or living out on my own. It just seems so surreal. I just can't imagine that next year I will be far from my home, far from the people that I've grown up with. Far from the things that I know and love.

With the end of September we received our grades. So far so good, a part of me was afraid that my parents would try to use that against me but I'm not even giving them the chance. Plus I need to look good for all the schools I'm applying to.

This past weekend I went on a campout with the scouts. It will be my last time at this certain campsite. Its a place that we go every year, its a recruiting campout where we try to bring in some of the young kids from cub scouts. I was lucky enough to be accompanied by some good friends, all who are younger but good friends. They're in the pic that I posted. (from right to left, austin, max and ryan.) It was great to have them along and we had a good time. They are some of the people that I can't imagine seeing weekly next year.

So I guess I should really change the title of this post to:

One lost, Nine left to enjoy.

People in this world are always looking forward, I think at times you just need to enjoy the here and now. If your looking ahead then your sure to miss whats right in front of your face.

Ask and you shall receive

Well today I had an interview for another town job. The job is great, its after school until 5 and its taking care of kids. You really can't find a better job, for me at least. I think I did well and I really liked the few kids that I got to meet. Things seem to finally working out. If I land this job then I will def. make enough money for the trip.

In case any of you are interested I am selling my kayak and all the stuff that anyone would need to go with it. Hopefully, I'll be selling it soon and that will be another $450 in the bank. If you live in CT and are interesting in the kayak, post a comment and I'll get back to you.

Planning, Phase Two

If you read Planning, Phase One then this entry will make more sense to you. Today I started phase two. Phase two consists of taking all my rough drafts, random pieces of paper and notes and turning them into readable tables, graphs, etc. As of right now my final budget is at $506 without airfare. The best airfare I can find is around $1000. I have our mileage down and GPS files uploaded. I also got my waterproof map in today from the UK. All we need now is for time to pass and the money to start collecting.

"Assume nothing.
Plan for everything,
then plan some more."

Catch ya on the flip side.

Long time, no see...

Well, its been a while since I posted. Not much has happened since my last post. I've been busy with the typical school related chores and shit. Wait...unfortunately, my grandmother's cousin died this week. She was a kind old woman who for the past few years has been incapacitated. It was not the funeral that I am used to. The only funerals that I've ever been have been a direct and close relative so this was interesting. I helped to carry the casket and for the first time felt like an adult. I don't know if something happened or what but I was treated with a new respect and I have to say it was nice. The best part of this funeral was the fact that we got to meet up with family that we haven't seen in a long time or in my case, ever met. I met alot of nice people that I am proud to be related to even if it's only a distant relationship. I guess its what my grandmother's cousin would have wanted. It was great to see everyone and I have to say I had a good time at the reception after the funeral. I'm starting to realize the whole, the whole "you always have your family" thing.


R.I.P Patricia McGurk

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His Hand.

I would walk 500 miles...

I imagine many of you have heard this song. Many view it as a love song but to me its a song about true friendship. When I hear this song I think about people in my life that I would walk 500 miles for. I concluded that there are many.

Yesterday, I got some bad news and I didn't know how to handle it so, I raced over to my best friend' house. After talking for a long time I started back home and this song popped into my head. It occured to me that I would walk 500 miles to be with my friend, I would walk a more then that if need be.

I know its kind of random but I think its a good thought to reflect on. Would you walk 500 miles over mountains, across seas, and through deserts to get to that person? If the answer is yes then you know that you are a true friend and vice versa. In my opinion its hard to find true friends these days. My suggestion find those people that you would walk 500 miles for and find the people who would walk 500 miles for you and hold on to them. You'll need them for the journey.

Catch ya on the flip side.

Snyder's Laws

Laws to live by...

I've created these "laws" over the past few years, you may think me pompous but I believe them to be true and pretty funny. To me they are common truths. I live by them, for the most part.

Snyder’s 1st Law: Trust only yourself.

Snyder’s 2nd law: fear profits a man nothing

Snyder’s 3rd law: nothing ends unless you let it end

Snyder’s 4th law: We're all like tops, spinning around bumping into each other. Its amazing how the slightest touch can make such a difference.

Snyder’s 5th Law: With God your never truly alone.

Snyder's 6th Law: False hope is mans greatest enemy, we have instincts for a reason false hope only debilitates them.

Snyder’s 7th Law: Death comes to us all, the only thing that matters is how u meet him.

Snyder’s 8th Law: life is like a long kayak trip, no matter what the current will get u to your destination, regardless of how much u paddle. The question is how fast do u want to get there?


Many of these have popped into my head while camping or working through a hard time. My favorite is #6. I've told others about this law and I truly think that it is good advice. I've heard several stories of survivors who die because they have hope that someone will come and find them. Instead of trying to survive they wait for someone who is never going to come. That is false hope and that is why it makes you weak. #7 Is actually a Viking saying that I changed alittle but it has the same theme.

You may think me stupid but I think that every person should have their own laws, their own rules that they live by. As I've told many people, I forget who told me, "You have to know who you are, before you know where you are going." I always like to tell the people that I take backpacking this because if you don't know your strengths, both mentally and physically, then how do you know how far you can go?

Unemployed no more!!!

I got a job!! At last, I got a job and maybe another one on the way. I will be working at the local teen center every friday. Although I might not start for another month or so I will start in December full time. According to what I've figured I will make just enough, if I save every penny I make. Hopefully Christmas and birthday will take care of all the gear that I need get to upgrade my equipment.

School is going great and I finally can relax alittle. I'm so pumped cause as of now nothing is going to stop me from going to Scotland. I hope all of your lives are going as well as mine is right. Remember life is all about enjoying the good times and thanking God for them. Good luck to all of you.


Catch ya on the flip side.

Choices

I wanna start this post with a survey. If you know me personally and see me regularly and happen to read this blog please tell me. Naturally I will treat this blog differently if I know people from town are reading it.

To other readers, there are some things that you all need to know about me. I've had a pretty active high school career. Boy scouts, lacrosse, band, student council, church and football. I starting playing football in my sophomore year. We had a great coach and good things were on their way for our team. Last year our coach's girlfriend moved to Colorado. He is now on his way to marrying her and also in Colorado. We now have a coach from the area. Nice guy, I don't know him that well but he seems like a good guy. I don't agree with some of his coaching decisions but I cant complain because I quit the team to raise money for this trip.

On Friday night I went to the scrimmage. The team is down to 14 or 15 true varsity players. Their offense is getting killed and their defense is flat. On the football team I'm known as Preacher. I used to miss a few practices every year for church related stuff. Coach was my boy and he respected me. Therefore everyone knew me and I kinda picked up a persona. So after the game and in school I have several guys every day come by and beg me to come back. I tend to think that they need me more for mental support then physical.

So here is my choice, stick with the plan, keep hunting for a job and go to scotland or help my boys on the team and lose scotland. Of course its not forever, scotland will be there next year and the year after. I haven't mentioned any of this to John yet but its still early. Its hard because if any of you know the story of Robert De Bruce, one of the kings of scotland... briefly, he passed up the chance to join William Wallace in order to keep his ass safe. I kinda feel like that when I see my boys getting their ass beat all over the field. At the same time I have a dream and a goal, go to scotland for the adventure of a lifetime. The downside of that choice is that I have yet to get a job. I've applied all over the place and I'm beginning to lose hope.

I don't know what I going to do but I think I'm going to stick with scotland. We'll see.

In happier news my good friends Nick and Oliver are coming over tommorrow for football all day. Hell yea!! GO JETS!! Good luck to all you other suckers cause the Jets are on the hunt and their coming for you!! haha

Braveheart?

Well, I just finished my favorite movie, Braveheart. Its a sad movie but I like movies like Braveheart because they make you think. I live in America, where I am free. I can go anywhere I want. I can buy just about anything I want. I can do just about anything I want. I think we, Americans, forget how lucky we are. If you look back in history you will see that few people live as we do. We are very lucky and privileged to have such power.

My other thought from the movie is a simple one but yet a very difficult thought, How will it end? How will your existence here on earth end? Will you die an old man/woman in bed? Will you get hit by a car? Will you die in a distant land fighting evil? I often feel like people are running from something, I can't put my finger on it but I think that people are running from this question. I think people are running from death. I think people are truly afraid of death. Why? Is it the possibility of pain? Is it the fear of the unknown? To answer these questions I quote the great Peter Pan, "To die will be a great adventure". I think if people could only think like that they would be so much happier. I have another favorite quote "Fear profits a man nothing". It is so true.

Think about it, people spend their whole lives running from death, keeping themselves busy with other things, avoiding the topic completely. It is a hard thought to accept but we are all going to die. It is coming, you can't run from it. I think people today will do anything to keep it off their mind. They stay focused on material things like homes, cars, careers, etc. When they are missing the point of life. They skip over things like family, love, adventure, freedom.

So many people today work to achieve the norm. At 18 I must go to college where I will train for my career. At 30 I will get married and at 32 I will have a child, I will buy a house in the suburbs. I will become a member of the PTA and a Little League Coach. At 65 I will retire to Florida where I will die of some illness that will take several years to full kill me.

PLEASE SAVE ME FROM THIS!!!! Its like some sort of math problem with all the variables already filled in. Whats the point in that? People prefer a life like that because they know what is going to happen tomorrow. You might think me crazy but THAT IS NOT LIFE. Why do you think so many people are depressed these days? Its because there is nothing different about tomorrow or the day after.

I think that if people could accept that they are going to die and lose the fear of death then they would find true FREEDOM. Believe me I know, as a child I was afraid of everything, from the wind to the strange bump in the night. I lived in the fear of the end but I've discovered that living in fear is not living and I discovered that trying to push it back into my brain only makes it worse. Its like a beehive in the side of your house, you don't cover it up and hope for the best. You go in there and gas the little buggers.

But like many have said to me before, "What do you know your just a kid?". That's right I'm just a kid but maybe only someone as simple as a kid can show you what is right in front of your face.

Still interested, I'll tell you how I found true FREEDOM. I answered those questions, I became comfortable with the fact that death is imminent and I found comfort in the fact that although I have to leave this life, God will meet me on the other side and so will all of you. Call me a Jesus freak, call me a fool, call me whatever you like but I am the one smiling.

Today I leave you with my favorite prayer, " God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

Catch ya on the flip side.

Changes...

Well there is one more thing that I wanted to touch on. After writing yesterday's post it has been I my mind so I guess I'll share it with all of you. (all 3 of you, haha) I joined scouts 7 years ago this March, those 7 years have been the best years of my life thus far. I learned so much and grew alot. When I joined the troop I was a quite, frustrated little kid who was afraid of just about anything. I can remember my first campout without my father, I almost had a mental break down before I left but that weekend as Big Man says, we cut the cord and since then my father hasn't been on a campout. Scouts became a slight addiction for me and I was nicknamed Super Scout, mostly because I never missed a meeting or campout for years on end. I was a leader, a bad one at times, for a long time. I befriended adults and boys, I taught many but learned from more.

In scouts if your still active after your freshman year of High School your a relic and thats what I became. I learned to sit around and talk with adults and other older scouts. (Imagine a bunch of old men sitting around talking about random things and times gone by) It was during this time in my career that I started reading and researching backpacking. Like I've said in earlier posts when I find something that I like, I learn and research as much as humanly possible, If only I felt that way about my studies. That year I suggest that the troop take a trip to the White Mountains in early august and that we take a few practice trips before then. I can't tell you how many trips that I've been on since I made that suggestion. We learned from our mistakes and we became somewhat effiecent. In august we went on the trip that I had spent the year planning. It was great and had a few minor problems but it was great. To me this was the highlight of my career, outshadowing my eagle scout project by far. This past year we took the troop on two backpacking trips and taught our skills to the new kids. Big Man and I have even taken other groups on trips that we've planned. It's become an important aspect of my life and I hope to spend the rest of my life taking groups out backpacking.

So as you can see I owe alot to the Boy Scouts of America but there comes a time in your life when you know its time to step a side. Something that Big Man often spoke of and something I thought would never happen. Well here it is and I am ready to step aside. The troop will keep moving and if I'm lucky they will ask me back to help with a backpacking trip. If by some chance any of the members of Troop 86 should stumble across this blog, I want to thank you for changing my life, whether you know it or not.

Catch ya on the flip side.

Summer is over

Well, summer is over and the new school year begins. Hopefully my last year in the public school system. FINALLY!!! When I look back at all the things that I've ever worked hard for, eagle scout, lacrosse, church, etc, school challenged me the most. I don't know if I'm just slow or lazy or what. It just seems like no matter how hard I try I always manage to mess something up. I can't wait to be done with the general studies and start working towards something that I actually am passionate about.

Its funny because if you asked me "Are you ready for college?" when I was a sophmore I would have told you that I was gonna stay in high school forever. I have to say I have a mild case of Peter Pan syndrome or maybe I just don't like change. Either way for the first time in my life I'm ready for that change. I'm ready to unfortunately leave behind my safe childhood and start the long journey to adulthood. I always compare life to hiking. For the past several years I've been hiking this one mountain and now that I'm at the top and I've had my rest I'm ready to start the next one.

Of course all of this is easy to say. In fact just thinking about leaving my friends and my comfort zone is scary to say the least. I have so many friends now that I don't want to leave. Some old and some young but I can't imagine life without them. For a while, I thought I was never going to leave vernon because of that one reason. But I know that whether I see them again or not they are still my friends and I know that I will see them again some day. I have a question that I like to ask people when I bring up this subject. Think back to a time or a place where you were comfortable and happy but you never returned to that place ever again. Think about the people. I always think about when I used to work at Maneley's. I had so many co workers that I know I will never see again. We had a ton of fun but I know I won't see them again, at least in this lifetime. Do you remember a time like that in your life? Do you ever think of those people?

I think that we are all ment to meet and befriend as many people that we can. In school I am proud to say that I have friends of all walks of life, jocks, punks, nerds, ghetto kids, etc. Its amazing even if you don't think you have something in common with someone if you just sit down and talk to them, I bet you will find something. And thats why I know we will all be fine when we leave this place.

So, on Tuesday I start the last chapter of the first book of my life. They say the end is the best part. I guess we'll have to see. I like to think of our/my trip to Scotland as the first Chapter of the next book in my life. I think its gonna be great but I need to get so much done before I get there. Most importantly a job. Speaking of the trip, I got some GPS maps from my friend, Little Man aka Kevin Cyr. They aren't as detailed as the US maps but I got coordinates from Google Earth and Transfered them into mapsource. I think that will make the parents alittle more comfortable with our trip.

I had a hard time sleeping last night. So as I always do, I thought for a long time. I kind of analyzed last year in my head. I've been on a few retreats and mission trips over the years. On one that I helped run we had a focus on how when things turn dark look for the light. When you think of it no matter how Korny it sounds, its so true. So I guess my goal for this year, besides to graduate, is to look for the light when the dark tries to swallow me up. My last ancedote for today, when I joined scouts I used to always have a flashlight on me at all times. I would often sleep with them on in my tent. If you backpack then you know that often even in summer the dark tends to sneak in on you early. The woods can be a very dark place, so I started carrying Tealites. I light a few and leave them on rocks around my tent and put one in my little lantern. Everytime, the boys come to me and ask, Why do you light candles? Are you scared of the dark? My response is always the same, "I'm not afraid of the dark, I just prefer the Light." My tealite trend caught on and the campsite looks like a small village these days.


I leave you with one of my favorite quotes "Everlasting your light will shine, when all else fades." Candles or not I always have a light. ;)

The Blog

In case any of you are reading, I thought I should let you know that this blog will contain the thoughts and events that occur over the next year. The blog will conclude with our trip to scotland in June and July. So if your interested keep reading if its boring for you tune in sometime in late June.

Evil Scotsman

Well, while surfing the Internet the other day I found this great video. I don't know how I found it but I did. This song perfectly describes my personality, just about. Warning it does contain offensive language, but its great. Enjoy!!

Good News?

Well, figures after I tell you all about Austin backing out he says that he's back in. Who knows, I don't need to know until I book the tickets for our flight. I have to say I was pretty disappointed that he wasn't coming. I think its always hard when one of your friends lets you down, even when they don't do it on purpose. I know the trip would have been ok without him but it will be that much better if he does come.

Its a hard concept to understand and when your in the other position you don't always catch on. Maybe its just me but it never really occurs to me that someone would want me to be there so bad that they would get upset. I don't things are confusing sometimes.

In other news, I've been picking out some new gear that I've been meaning to get lately. I need to update some of my backpacking stuff. I found a great new pack that manages to mix the multiple pockets, deep pockets, yet at the same time have a great internal frame with a great waist belt. I also find a nice cook kit from GSI, its bigger then the one I have right now and comes with a nice sized bowl and nalgene lid. Of course I won't be purchasing anything let alone going on the trip if I don't get a job soon. I'll have to keep working on that but since I'm not playing football this year it should be relatively easy.

I also reviewed the budget and brought it down from $810 to $631. Thats without airfare of course. Right now thats right around 1k for a round trip. Hopefully things will get better by december or january. I still need to work a few more things out but I'm getting close.

Well I think thats all for now.

Bad News

Well, we had some bad news this morning. I don't know the full the story yet but Austin will not be coming with us next spring. Its unfortunate but we will continue on. John and I have been debating whether we will pick up another person or just go for it. I know that its still gonna be a great trip but I'm personally disappointed that Austin will not be coming.

There is a saying that I find applies to many instances, "Assume nothing. Plan for anything. Then plan some more" I think I found it in a North Face ad but either way it is good advice. So, following that advice I will now continue to plan for anything and then plan some more because I already assumed too much for this trip. I wish I had found that quote before planning my last big trip, it would have helped out alot. I guess that requires a story...

Well in '07 I planned a backpacking trip for a few friends and my boy scout troop. All told 13 people came on the trip and yes, 13 people came home. I learned alot from planning that trip. I learned that things don't just work out. If you want something to get done or accomplished then you have do them yourself. That was a hard concept for me to grasp. As a child its almost as if there is a clean up crew going around cleaning up after you. Well I'll tell you now that there isn't a clean up crew up in the Whites. On the last day I had planned what I thought would be a nice walk out to the parking lot. It turned out that the nice walk out that I had planned led us right thru a Ravine. Luckily, I was surrounded by smarter and more resourceful people then myself.

This trip to Scotland can't have any surprise Ravines because we won't be surrounded by people who care about each other. Although I know that John and I could get ourselves out of anything, I would prefer to not have to deal with it. As of right now, I'm pretty sure that I've spent more time planning this trip then I took planning my Eagle Scout project. Just around 35 hours. I know I have alot more left but I got it.

Another thought that has been rolling around my head lately is the thought that in life we need things like this trip to keep us going. I mean I'm sure that if I didnt have this trip to plan I would have found something else to do but would it be as fun? I think we need hopes and dreams to keep us moving, otherwise I think we just become weak and lazy. Maybe its just my personality but there is nothing better then planning a good trip like this one. It makes it that much more fun when you get to actually do it.


Catch ya on the flip side.

My Links

Here are websites that have been very helpful in my planning process. I hope they help all of you.

Campsites:
http://www.beinglascampsite.co.uk/
http://www.bankellfarm.co.uk/
http://wandelen.filternet.nl/Meerdaagsewandelingen/WHWEngels/Overnachtingen/campings_west_highland_way1.htm
http://www.westhighlandwaysleeper.co.uk/accommodation.asp
http://www.tyndrumbytheway.com
http://www.macdonaldhotel.co.uk/camping.htm

I then also used all of these sites for travel related questions:
http://www.firstscotrail.trainsfares.co.uk/buy_tickets/requirements/journey_requirements.asp?sitecode=SCR
http://www.cat-flap.demon.co.uk/milngavie/transport.htm
http://www.citylinkonlinesales.co.uk/CitylinkWeb
http://www.travelinescotland.com/cms/welcome.xhtml

I hope these are helpful to all you. They have really helped me. I would also suggest the guidebook West Highland Way by Charlie Loram, a Trailblazer book. Its great it has every section of the trail in small manageable maps, which are hand drawn and filled with directions. They also include the names of restaurants and hotels with websites. Its a great book for a great price.

Catch ya on the flip side

Planning, Phase One

This is not the first trip that I've planned, thought I should let you all know. I like to plan in stages or phases. My first phase is to just fill up my brain with as much info as I can. I'm currently reading two guide books and surfing the net like crazy. In fact today I spent a good 4 hours on the Internet alone.

So far, I've read about the entire route and focused on the towns that I plan on stopping in. Most have good pubs and at least a campsite to stay in. I even figured out rough budget, right now with airfare its around $1800. Alot can be shaved off and hopefully airfare will go down alittle.

While reading about all the campsites and pubs I found a interesting thing. Alot of the places along the Way are similar to those that live off of the AT. If this is true then I know we are going to meet some great people. Maybe some that can help us out. I really don't know how I'm going to wait another 6 months. I know my senior year will be good but I think this trip will be the highlight. I have but one thought to help me thru these next few months, I think it was Buddha who said, "living outside of the present is dangerous" or something like that.

Catch ya on the flip side.

The Team

Well, after talking to everyone's parents we have our crew. John and I have been in since we started talking about it. Austin broke the news to his parents and I guess they're in for it too. Our last member who may or may not join us is Nick, I talked with his dad last night. I think he thinks we're too young. Hopefully Nick will be able to join us.

I've been reading this guidebook to Scotland. It breaks down Scotland by town and then by area. I've been reading about the scenery that we will soon see and the great food that we will hopefully eat. Its great the book even includes names and addresses of the resturants along the way. I really can't wait.

If your reading this blog don't forge to check it daily.

The Adventure Begins

For the past 11 years, soon to be 12 years, I've worked hard to accomplish one goal. To graduate from high school and the public school system. Although I'm not the best student, I've never worked harder for anything in my life. This spring I complete this goal, god willing of course.

So to celebrate this great accomplishment my friends and I decided that we would celebrate. What's a better way to celebrate then going to the land of my ancestors. I mainly chose Scotland because my grandmother was born and raised in Scotland. It also turns out that Scotland has a long distance trail, the West Highland Way. Being an avid hiker it has been hard to resist.

Over the course of the next few months I will update and inform you all about our planning and our trip. Let me just say, I'm excited and can not wait to go. Hopefully everything works out ok.