WindDragon checking in...

“Gosh... it's been awhile. Just a run down on the few things happening this summer in the world of Windy:

1. Volunteered for the USFS Mt Hood NF as a wilderness steward. So I have to go on many backpacking trips talking to people about LNT and making sure they don't trash the wilderness areas. And I get to play Ranger Games in the backcountry (I even have a badge!)

2. Got laid off from work since the hi-tech company I contract for is doing poorly and is the chief employer for Hillsboro, Oregon. Didn't think the many days of sittin' on my duff surfing the web would've last.

3. Went on a 6-day trip to the Steens Mountain.. did mostly car camping but had a blast. Beautiful country in that part of Oregon.. lots of deserts, wildlife, mosquitos. My jeep had a flat on the last day on top of the steens at sunset. My lugwrench didn't fit my lugnuts so I had to drive--every so slowly--down the mountain with a flat tire. The weight and bulk of the over-sized jeep tire broke and bucked on itself. You could hear the "clunk-clunk-clunk" throughout the desert valley (even in Frenchglen, about 10 miles away). We will definitely be remembered in the campground we stayed at.

4. Spent 3 days in the 3 sisters... hiked to the top of South Sister.

5. Decided to move out of Oregon for a few years. Debated with my wife on where to go--Alaska or Wyoming. Since I'm unemployed, Alaska seemed a bit too expensive so we decided to move to Laramie, WY--my wife's hometown. We leave on Wednesday. So we'll be doing a week long road trip, camping out along the way. And plan on spending the first month hiking around Yellowstone, Tetons, Snowy Range, Medicine Bow, etc...

well that about covers it.. its been a long and interesting summer. Spent many nights backpacking. Some of the places I've been to include, Herman Creek Trail, Eagle Creek Trail (2), Wahtum Lake, Salmon River Trail, Sister Summit Trail, Cairn Basin/Eden Park, Paradise Park. And many more to come as I explore the Rockies in my new home.

My wife and I both love Oregon and will probably be back there in about 5 years.. or unless we move to Alaska and then back to Oregon. But we'll eventually settle down in Oregon.”

“Oh gosh... forgot to mentioned in May I submitted 3 of my homebrew beers to the Oregon Homebrew Competition in Corvallis. Lots of entries--over 300 of them. My Blackberry Stout did win 3rd place in the Fruit Beer.

I spent my birthday (may 19) by volunteering to judge beer for the competition.. I had to drink samples of about 12 different meads on Friday night.

Saturday morning I had to drink samples of about 30 different blonde ales.

I was supposed to judge another set saturday afternoon, but I was too sick to continue.

Its a hard thing to judge so much beer, but I was willing to sacrifice my time to such a nobile cause.

Of course, as a reward they did give us free lunch and free beer to drink during lunch (in case we hadn't had enough by then).”

“Sounds like lots of fun WD.....

Take care..... and Thanks for sharing.....”

“WD - good luck to you and your wife on your new adventure..I can tell some more cool happenings are on there way!

I am so envious, I've always wanted to see Wyoming..ah...the only barriers are time and money!!

Best of luck to y'all!!”