Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
Pushing Your Limits: A Weekend of Wind, Rain and Kayaking
This dispatch is cross-posted from Wend Magazine.
Donning a dry suit and paddling out into a grey and stormy Pacific, on a day where you know your boat is going to be constantly beaten by salty swell, the rain will pour right into your face and the wind will force you to engage all of your muscles, possibly leaving you sore for days, might not sound like everybody’s idea of fun. But here in the Northwest, it’s the name of the game.
When I headed out to Pacific City for this past weekend’s Lumpy Waters Symposium, sponsored by local paddling shop Alder Creek, I didn’t really know what I was in for. In fact most of my paddling experience has been reserved for calm afternoons to check out wildlife and get a mild sunburn. Sure, there have been some multi-day trips thrown in here and there, but no epic “surfing the Pacific” kind of stuff. But when it comes to enjoying the outdoors, sometimes you have to push yourself and get out of your comfort zone. And there’s no better weather to do so than stormy wind and rain.
After a night of listening to the glorious sound of rain pelting the tent, Saturday morning we downed some bacon, eggs and coffee — breakfast of champions! — and suited up in various layers of polyester quick drying shirts, fleece, drysuits and booties. The ultimate outfit made for a sea of bright candy-colored groups placed along the beach shore, a stark contrast to the gray waters and sky.
My first outing for the day was intended to be an exploration of the Nestucca River, which, thanks to the elements, looked less like a river and more like the ocean that it feeds into. While another group experimented with rescue scenarios, we paddled directly into the headwind to explore some of the local wildlife. “Paddle” might be the wrong word as it felt more like cranking a very, very heavy piece of machinery. Even the seagulls back at the parking lot could barely stand still without getting blown to the side by the wind. But braving the incessant headwind and rain in my face paid off, as we saw a huge flock of pelicans skimming the water as well as a stoic Great Blue Heron undisturbed by the inclement weather. In fact from the comfort of my dry suit, I really had no place to complain; call me crazy, but being from the Northwest, I actually like the rain. And with pizza and beer as the consolation prize for working my shoulder muscles and core, the day couldn’t have been any better.
Sunday was a different story.
Stockholm in Pictures
Surrounded by water and nature and flavored with old cobblestone streets and classic architecture, Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Or at least I think so.
Here’s a little gallery pulled together from my last trip:
More here.
Portland Will be the Copenhagen of America
Caught this at Oregon Manifest two weekends ago; the uber hip and cool bike show that any two-wheel lover should make sure to attend is going on through the rest of the month. (Plus the exhibition on Danish cycling culture — which features this quote — is fantastic!)
Paddling for Change: River of Action
Things are gearing up big time for 350.org’s October 24th International Day of Climate Action. If you’ve been living in a cave and have somehow missed what 350.org is, it’s pretty simple.
From River of Action:
In 2007, NASA’s chief climatologist, Jim Hansen, released a study marking 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as the safe upper limit for humanity. Much more than that, and we risk dangerous temperature increases. Unfortunately, we’re at 390ppm and rising 2 ppm each year. Writer and activist Bill McKibben launched 350.org in response. The goal is to organize a grassroots campaign designed to educate the world about the runaway CO2 levels, and then motivate people to do something about it. Thousands of communities around the world will represent the number 350 as prominently as possible to send a message to world leaders bound for the UN Climate Change Conference this December in Copenhagen.
With actions planned for all over the world, it’s hard not to take part. Last night in Portland, River Action, along with help from Keen, Nau, Wend Magazine and Hopworks, hosted an October 24th pre-party. Basically an event to get people revved up on the need for climate change action and reminding us all not only to take part on the 24th, but in our everyday lives. [That and drink free beer BYOC style — Bring Your Own Cup]. On the 24th River of Action will be harnessing the power of paddlesports communities all around the world and having them form “350” on waterways. A creative idea that’s certainly getting some attention… can’t wait to get out on the river and take part!
Great event with an uber fabulous 350 cake. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Find out what 350.org action is taking place near you here.
Swedish Birthdays: Princesstårta
Somehow I lucked out and got to spend my birthday in Sweden… a classic Swedish birthday celebrated in style, with lots of coffee and a traditional princesstårta. Its bright green color may scare some, but it’s a delicious blend of whipped cream and raspberry jam covered in marzipan.
View From Above
Denmark from above
I love that moment right before a plane’s descent where you have a clear view of everything underneath you and what you’re about to experience. The feeling is a blend of excitement and anticipation if you’re headed somewhere new; happiness to come home and sadness to leave where you’ve been if you’re on the return.
This photo was taken last week flying over Denmark on my way to Sweden. The clouds and water were hit with sunshine in such a way that made the landscape look almost unreal. Impressive what one can shoot just out of an airplane window.
Bikes in Gothenburg
Gothenburg does Critical Mass
I’m in Sweden (finally!) and I spent yesterday shooting all around Gothenburg. Of course I have an affinity for bikes, which led to a number of two-wheeled related photos, including this one. I had no idea that Gothenburg celebrated Critical Mass, but I was excited to learn that this city loves its bike culture as much as Portland does.
More bike photos from Gothenburg can be found over at my post on the Wend blog.
Copenhagen Transport
Found this over at one of my favorite blogs, Copenhagenize. Promotion of both cycling and public transportation is something all cities should strive for.
7,800 Miles Across the Andes: An Interview With the First Two People to Trek the Entire Andes
I recently got to interview two of my adventurers, Gregg Treinish and Deia Schlosberg. Early last year they returned from a two year trek where they hiked the entire length of the Andes. Impressive. Plus they’re both fabulous people.
Here’s part of the interview, you can check the rest out at Matador Life.
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AB: You decide to take off from your regular lives and trek the Andes. What goes through your head and heart before embarking on such an adventure?
Gregg: To me, the unknown has always been incredibly exciting. Not having any clue what lay around the next corner captures this special place inside my head that is very deeply attached to a visceral feeling of being alive, of doing something worthwhile.
Oftentimes, I find myself saying that had I known what was in store I might not have gone; this is certainly the case with the Andes as the challenges were far greater than either of us anticipated. Before the journey, there was a lot of fear, which my mind somehow translates to excitement.
I think that it would only be fair to say that there was a high level of disillusionment as well. While I obviously thought about what it was going to be like, I somehow let myself believe that it was going to be fun day in and day out, this despite a cognitive recognition that it wasn’t going to be fun in many cases.
I think that in order to follow through with something that you know could very well be your demise requires a certain level of denial.
Check out the rest of the interview here. And you can listen to a podcast with Gregg and Deia reading the first installment of their story in Wend Magazine here.
Swedish Design + Destination: Urnatur
Urnatur, which basically translates to “out of nature,” is a Swedish forest getaway, where visitors can stay in cabins and spend time re-connecting with nature. But it’s also a design firm that believes in the beauty and simplicity of nature and crafts incredible pieces that capture the pure essence of the natural world.
blog.annabrones.com 