My home, Ohiopyle

I just can't begin writing of new adventures until I attempt to explain how good my life already is.

For the past year or so I planted roots in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, a town of few in the winter and many in the summer. Naturally, it was the whitewater that drew me here in the first place. With a river guaranteed to run every day of the year and countless more within a 2 hour radius, my lust for the flow and movement of water was pleasantly satiated.

Ohiopyle also fulfilled my need for alternate means of physical exhaustion, in my front yard no less. Miles of winding trails in the state park that surrounds the town allowed me to take off at a moment's notice to run over creeks, up to mountain overlooks and past cascading waterfalls. Road biking always offered a challenge since every road leading into or out of town seems to gain and then abruptly lose hundreds of feet every quarter mile. This was especially amazing in Autumn when leaves ablaze in spectacular reds, yellows and oranges lined the roadway and showered down at the slightest breeze, like confetti celebrating every smooth turn.

You might say many mountain towns provide these things. Rivers, trails, biking, yeah yeah yeah. But your town doesn't have Yogi Wade.

Every Tuesday and Thursday night at 6:30 a close-knit community of shop-owners, ecologists, park rangers, snowboard instructors, lawyers, teachers, moms, dads, sisters and friends converge at the Ohiopyle Community Center for Wade Zinter's famous mixed Ashtanga yoga class. While newcomers frequent, especially during the populated months of summer, a core group of locals can be found at nearly every class. These people understand the value of using strength and focus to work the body's systems in ways other forms of movement can't seem to do. They need it since often they have already gone kayaking, running or biking before the class even began. Wade manages to make each class interesting, honest and beneficial for every level of student. He is my guru. Follow the link above for free downloads of his hour and a half classes and see for yourself.

This group of friends spawned other events as well, like Girl's Nights. Rosy wine cheeks, profuse laughter and even the occasional x-rated conversation are commonplace with these ladies, as well as discussing upcoming outdoor endeavors. Sometimes I'm in awe at the lives these women lead and am grateful that they are such an influential part of my life.

Don't even get me started on the food; homemade breads, garden fresh hors d'oeuvres, hearty soups and casseroles to name a few. Friendly wars even have the husbands competing for the most savory, delectable treat at these events. I can only hope that the provocation, teasing and harassment thrive until I return.

But, sadly, it is time to move on ::sniffle sniffle::. For now I will put Ohiopyle family in my back pocket, available anytime I need to fill up on some Laurel Highlands beauty.

A Change of Pace

I am homeless and couldn't be more excited about it. My small Forester has been fully loaded, both inside and on top, with all my toys and belongings. Four kayaks rest on my roof, ranging from 15 to 5 feet in length, while my road bike perches just on the edge. I'm moving away from my small mountain town in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, yet, where to I'm not exactly sure. The reason for departure makes this uncertainty worthwhile.
World Class Kayak Academy, based out of Missoula Montana, has hired me as a teacher and assistant coach beginning spring semester. I will be the new US and World History and Biology teacher for the group of 10th-12th graders. To top it off, we are headed to southern China for the first quarter then spend the remainder of the semester traveling up the west coast from Northern California to Washington, paddling all the while. Talk about perfect. So the fact that I have no where to call "home" is really inconsequential considering I will be traveling for the majority of the year doing what I love most.
Disregaurding the exploration of the world's top whitewater destinations, this job excites me. I will return to the world of academia, teaching a group of students as well as learning from my peers and surroundings. I will be able to continue my training for kayak racing and even have my own team of young kayakers to torture with morning workouts and enduring training sessions. Then there are the people I will meet along the way, both internationally, here in our own country and even those who I will be working with on a daily basis.

So here I am in Colorado, having already spent a week in St. Louis with my mom and stepfather over the Christmas holiday. While most of the day is spent working on curriculum and lessons, I break to listen to my grandmother's story or run to the store with my mom. My grandmother, at age 95, glows with pride at the mention of my new job. Although I'm sure she doesn't understand the unique atmosphere I will be a part of, she is overjoyed with my entrance to the workforce. To her, I am settling down and finding a real job. If only she knew. I smile at the thought of her pride, even if slightly misguided.

So tomorrow I continue my chaotic class preparations, burying myself in textbooks and online resources (since they will be practically unavailable for the entire time we are traveling in China). My tendencies toward over-organization are screaming, yet I know that everything will fall into place once in motion. Having faith in the unknown and comfort in the future are both I get better at each year.