Tag: learn

June 24, 2019 – Crosslake, Minnesota

And I’m back. I can’t say that I ever really pictured coming back to Crosslake for round two, but here we are. I visited Mari and Syr (my first hosts) recently, and Kaia happened to be in town …

April 14, 2019 – San Francisco, California

“On belay.” I confirm with Tara to ensure that she has set up the belay. “Belay on,” she responds. She works at a climbing gym in the city and offered to treat my cousin Kelsey and I to …

October 31, 2018 – Yankee Hill, California

And so my stay here nears its conclusion. Emotions typically escalate toward the end, and have a tendency to come from both ends of the spectrum. Sad to leave these wonderful people and this peaceful place behind. Uncertain …

October 1, 2018 – Willow Creek, California

What an incredible group of people.  There are nine of us around the “WWOOFER kitchen” tables. It’s an open kitchen, and therefore susceptible to the elements. Tonight is a nice night. One of us prepared a family-style meal, …

July 25, 2018 – Mammoth Lakes, California

…And in the blink of an eye, our time is up. But we made every minute count. This year’s “cousin trip” locales included: -Downtown San Francisco -Sequoia National Park -Tioga Road (Avoiding Yosemite Valley due to fire closures) …

June 5 , 2016 – Hungry Horse, Montana

Traveling always seems to bring me down. Not in a bad way, but more like a “I wish I could afford to do this all the time” way. I recently returned from Seattle, where I visited an old …

May 1, 2016 – Hungry Horse, Montana

The landscape of this state is nothing short of magnificent. I’m on my way to host number six. Heading west out of Helena, I-90 takes me through Missoula (with a pit stop in the ghost town of Garnet). …

April 12, 2016 – Helena, Montana

One month isn’t long enough. Or maybe it’s too long. As we sit around the living room, I realize that I could see myself getting attached to this family very easily. My hosts’ son is a man that …