I'm going to move to Mongolia!

As many have read I have debated for some time about what I will be doing post-Alaska. I had dreamed for years of doing the classic vagabonding around the world all through college, and now, here I am, doing it. I ran into a link on daveseslcafe.com for teaching English in Mongolia. After debating in my mind, I let my heart (and a facebook status question) lead the way. I belong in Mongolia. Wild places in this world, they are for me. I was born to travel, to adventure, to explore. Mongolia is still so very rugged, so very, well, Mongolian. Its the land of nomads and shamans, adventures and conquerers. Its my kinda place. I cant forget my first experiences there. How amazing the country was, the people, the landscape. Hell I can even wear a del (Mongolian robe) to work if I want and believe me my friend, I will.

Those that know me well will remember National Geographic declined my grant last year when I originally proposed to ride a horse across Mongolia and document nomadic culture. Now I have a better opportunity to do it. I will be moving to Mongolia in January to teach English for six months, by which time I will leave the comforts of the city to ride into the sunset. I will live with nomads, and with my six months in the country, I will have learned a descent amount of the lingo. I know that I was meant for great things and as far as I'm concerned, this is a step in the right direction. I will ride into the sunset in the land of the great blue sky. I will live out the stories I love so dearly of explorers and adventurers from a by-gone 19th century era of expolaration. I will not study anthropology any longer as I did in college. I will live it. On the saddle with the wind in my hair and the smell of unfettered lands in my nostrels, I will know the satisfaction of a life worth living. It is my destiny, my calling, my very love of life that draws me to such places.

I've only gotten started. This is going to be grand. Afterall, life is an epic adventure or nothing at all.

Joining the Polar bear club in the Arctic Ocean

Been a good last couple of weeks. I went on a trip to Barrow, AK this week. Northernmost city in North America. Jumped into the Arctic Ocean and did several swim strokes. It was cold. Very cold. Ice had just washed on shore from out to sea. Ah it was refreshing, and creepy that for over an hour afterward, I couldn't feel my feet. I wasn't cold though after a few minutes after drying off. Well I joined the club, it was 34 degrees outside at the time of my plunge, I don't know about the water itself. Okay, well did that, now I've swam in every ocean, but from now on I'll avoid the Arctic ones.

Went to the State Fair in Fairbanks, it was a good time. Ate weird stuff like fried pizza which is completely unhealthy. Not as bad as the fried twinkies or snickersbars... I declined those altogether.

A month and a half to go. Cant lie, as much as I'd enjoy teaching in Korea... Living here in Alaska has been so much nicer. Its the being close to nature that I love, the mountains all around me. I may very well not go to Korea, instead opting for Mongolia. Ah to ride a horse from my ger everyday to work. I could live that way. Still want to spend some time with friends and family in the coming days when I get home, so that'll delay me a bit. It strikes me odd that I will be away for so very long after this trip, I want to see everyone that I can.

Naked river crossings to celebrate my time in Alaska

With August beginning, it is only now dawning on me that I have now been in Alaska a little over two months. What a time it has been! Life was in such a rush as I left Kansas in such a hurry the night of my graduation to first hike with Craig, a quick return to attend Steve-O's wedding, and bam I was up here. Life has slowed down alot for me, although a bit too much in many regards. I realized I'd been rather lazy when it came to my hiking here. Sure I've gone on lots of jaunts into the woods, climbed a bit, and overnighted a few times... but this is what I've dreamed of for years! I gotta get out and explore it!!!

Realistically I've not been hiking enough here, I fixed that today by climbing Coldfoot Mountain which has loomed right over me all summer. It was a great hike, I summited in 2 hours 45 minutes after crossing the Koyukuk River. Doing it alone and not wanting to soak my clothes, I crossed the river naked save for my hat and shirt hiked up like a bikini. I must have been a sight to anyone that might have seen, although I doubt anybody did. Its the wilderness afterall. I've had some cold stream crossings here before, but man o man that was icy! I kept thinking as I did it of the weird nudists that have been hiking across Europe naked lately that I read about on the BBC. I crossed quickly, dried off, and hurried up getting my clothes on. Dont want to chance someone seeing that... I'm not a weirdo nudist. I just think its something funny to blog about at 2 am.

The rest of the summer I need to get out there, I love how the "typical view" changed as soon as I was up a few thousand feet. Its good to reflect like that and see the beauty around oneself in a new light. Gotta use up my daylight now... only got about 21 hours of sun a day now. Honestly its been a bit depressing... 24 hours of sun is so invigorating! I will miss that about Alaska for a long time to come I think.

I did think of a few good friends on this hike, reflected on those I miss back home. I look forward to raising a pint with them in the fall and straping on a backpack by their sides as I jaunt back into familiar territory. Chances are if you're reading this, that includes you. Cheers!