Tag: Finland

October 8, 2018 – Willow Creek, California

I must be up early. Nobody is in the kitchen yet this morning except myself and Nehem. We greet each other as I make some coffee and set up my computer in an attempt to be productive while …

May 28, 2017 – Trout Lake, Washington

My God, this feels incredible. I inhale deeply. With my eyes closed, I listen to the frogs croaking in the nearby pond. Slow exhale. I feel my body cooling from the water in the cold tub. Inhale. I …

November 1, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

I hate saying goodbye. So much so that I completely avoid it when I can. Hence, here I am at 8:17am waking up and moving on to my next location without saying goodbye to the naturalists. Without saying …

October 18, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

“Watch out for that rock right there.” It must be midnight or later, and I’m walking through the woods behind Steven and Damean (my host’s “neighbor”). Without lights. The complete opposite environment that we just left – a …

October 10, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

The cowboys must have had it pretty good in those old bath houses… …I think to myself as I heat up some water for an old-fashioned spit bath. I gather my shaving materials, body wash, and rag (a …

October 8, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

“Let it go, let it go…” I can’t help but laugh out loud as I hear Genavive recite the infamous lines from the highest grossing Disney movie of all time. Should’ve been The Lion King. Amelia says that …

October 6, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

Sober October is so much easier in the middle of the woods. It was a year ago when I stumbled upon the cause, riding through the London Underground in late September. Oddly enough, I saw the ad for …

October 5, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

I can’t believe people do this. I’m being chauffeured up the most ridiculous “road” I’ve ever encountered – an old logging road that hasn’t been maintained in years. My driver is a friend of my new hosts; he …

September 24, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

“Hoo, hoo hoo…” Almost as if on cue, we’re greeted by a horned owl as we walk towards the grove. My host is leading the way, torch in hand. He gently strikes the gong with a mallet before …

September 23, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

“And I will sing this song…” My eyes are closed as I listen to a small chorus of mostly naked female naturalists, along with my hosts’ son, who is completely nude. I wish I had that kind of …