"What now?"

Hello girls and boys,

Here I am again. Updating a long time overdue. Re-reading the last post, I realize that I have almost a year worth of stuff to update on. But that is good, as time passes, details fade, and the story is shorter. Also, the white water kayak trip took the cake for the best experience of 2012, so what more is there to say.

Let me start this post with a lovely quote from Dr. Seuss,

"The storm starts
when the drops start dropping.
When the drops stop dropping
then the storm starts stopping."

So its official, I am a Thompson Rivers University Adventure Studies Graduate. I have my pin, and only after a year or so of trying, I have my Arc'teryx jacket, logo'ed and everything.

The 2010-2012 crew (well the ones that made it to the Pin Party). It was the journey, not the destination, and clearly these people made the experience what it was.

Some of us call it the $1 million pin. I am sure it is only $50,000 or something.

The big question once finishing the program is, "What now?". This is something I am sure all graduates ask themselves and the topic for gossip when graduates get together. That Jo, she is back at school, hoping to get into teacher's college. Chelsea, well she hit the books, then she hit the slopes. Taran...well lets just say he is living the life. A life he is figuring out and creating for himself. How about Sean P., he seems to be killing it in Revy with Jess. Adam, he's in Nunavut, doing who knows what. I just want to see his pretty face again! And there are the people who it is going to take them a little longer to figure it out or for us to hear about at least.

As for me, well I headed back to the coast at the end of May. Not surprising I know.

I headed back to Paddle West Kayaking for the 2012 summer/fall season. It was a beautiful summer. Full of more sunshine than I remember having in 2011. I split my time guiding between Ucluelet and Tofino. However, it is Ucluelet that holds my heart. This part of Canada truly is on the edge of the world. 

The booming metropolis of Ucluelet, BC.

One of Ucluelet's fish docks.

Not only was the weather good, but so were the people. 

Two chickas that kept things fresh.

A crab feast :)

The bestie and an amazing Aussie/Kiwi.

And of course the adventures were extraordinary.

Played on the mini surf wave in the Tofino Triangle.

Paddled to the Chrow Islands.

Landed on the George Fraser Islands more times than I can count.

Saw breaks where there shouldn't have been breaks.

Another time, we camped on the George Frasers.

Went to the hot springs a time or two.

Our ride to the hot springs this one time.

Circumnavigated Vargas Island in a day with the bestie.

Lunchin' on Vargas Island.

Ukee Days happened.
Photo courtesy of Four Frames Photo Booth.

Explored the inter-tidal at a 0ft tide.

Chief or Boundary Rock. All in a days work.

Then this one day, an eagle swam.

And it was the summer of sunset and night paddles. :)

Needless to say it was a fantastic summer. The fall was defined by travelling from Ucluelet to Kamloops to Banff, back to Kamloops and then back to Banff. Basically the three places that I have called home in the past two years. 

Ucluelet to

Kamloops to 

Banff. And back again.

The activities that define the fall are assisting on sea kayak 1, endless games of Catan, the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, and the Pin Party (aka graduating). Oh and how could I forget, there was a fantastic day of paddling on the Thompson. Only 20+ kayakers and rafters. nbd.

Learning from one of the coast's best, Dan Lewis.

Going from being on the water, to being IN the water. Self-rescue practice!

And this my friends is what we call a student led initiative.

Danielle trying to take over Catan by force.

The take-out of the Thompson run: the Frog to Lytton.
Photo courtesy of Ben Goossen.

It was my first September in 19 years that I didn't have to pack a backpack and go back to the classroom. It was a freeing feeling when a lot of my friends were headed back to the classroom and I was not. At least for now. 

So, "What now?", was the question that was swimming in my head. I feel confident in the direction I am moving for summer employment, sea kayaking is where my heart lies. And I believe it is also where my head too can find comfort over the next few years. The challenge for me is developing my winter employment options. There are a bunch of ideas floating around, a majority of them have to do with lodging or supporting the heli-ski/ back-country ski industry. But that was not to be for the 2012/2013 winter.

I find myself in Banff, AB. The place where my Mom and her siblings grew up. I live with Nana (grandma for some of you), which is quite the experience. I am lucky that my Nanais a young 79, active and more than capable, but every moment counts. Which I found myself reminded of when she came home from a walk with the dogs the other day with two black eyes. 

I find myself working on the ladies floor at an outdoor retail store called, Monod Sports. The people I work with are great, the pay is substantial for retail in Banff, and the pro-deals are spectacular. What more could I ask for. Oh yeah...there is snow here in the Canadian Rockies! Snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and ice skating have all been participated in on many occasions this winter.

It happens to the best of us.

New Years Eve day cross country ski up Brewster Creek.

Rocket and Maree.

And sometimes you fall.

The bestie came for a visit and we participated in the touristy activity of skiing across Lake Louise. nbd.

Full moon skating extravaganza with a bunch of crazy co-workers.
Photo courtesy of Richard Egan.

The Monod's team for Mountain Magic. Surprisingly we came 2nd in our category and 16th overall. WAY better than we expected!
Photo courtesy of Richard Egan.

"What now?"

Well for the next six months I know the answer to that question. I will finish up the winter season here in Banff, and come May 1, I will be heading back to the edge. Ucluelet calls me home again. I will be joining the Paddle West crew again for a third season. This year however, I have taken on a managerial role, working more hours in the shack organizing tours, guides, training, and most likely some policy manuals. I say bring it on. 

For now, I am content not knowing what I will be doing six months from now. There is time to figure it out. As long as I am enjoying life, and the path I am on fulfils my honest hopes and dreams, why change it. When I am no longer happy, things will change. I am still young. I celebrated my champagne birthday at 25. Bring it on world.

xoxo,

K

***All photos are courtesy of myself, Josiane Briggs, Janice Mollerson and Krista Hastings unless otherwise noted. All three of these ladies are beyond brilliant and I am so blessed to have them in my life.***