Final updates and QUALITY communication!

Dear Loved Ones,

There is so much to catch up on that I feel a bit overwhelmed. It has been, fully, a month or more since my last post and I have felt guilty that I have not updated as so much has been happening.

--- UPDATE Begins ----
My last post was hurriedly made around the time Rick and I made a quick trip to Krakow to get visas so that our life here in Kiev could continue uninterrupted. It was a success. Although the weather was wet and dreary during most our stay there, I still came away quite impressed and enchanted by the city. (Pictures will follow in the next post).

Upon our return to Kiev, we began to semi-frantically search for a new home. The apartment we had been sharing with another young couple had only been granted to us for three months, which were ending. We spent the last two weeks of April searching in Vinogradr, our favorite area of Kiev, without luck. We only were mildly impressed with the options and/or opportunities slid through our fingers. By the end of April we had not place to move, but needed to get out. Luckily, one of Rick's old friends was away traveling for a month and we were able to stay in her apartmenr (in Vinogradr)until we found a new home.

The day we moved out of our shared Obolon apartment to our friends apartment, we also left for our week-long hiking trip to the Carpathians. The hike was beautiful, allbeit generally wet. While a couple days were stunning, sunny Spring days, others were dangerously cold, rainy and foggy. We spent these days sodden and intent on avoiding any hypothermia. Our equipment, though not perfect, was nearly and we had no "close calls." There are a few experiences worth noting as they colored our journey.

The first is that on the second day of hiking, unable to find a safe trail in the fog and rain, I hurt my left hip flexor, an injury that proved later to have completely inhibited raising my left leg higher than two inches. The injury worsened on day three, when after summiting Mt. Petros, I had thoroughly shot the ligament. Our route was changed so that for the remainder of the trip I did almost no climbing. It turned out nevertheless to have been a beautiful route.

Second, before conceding that I could climb no further, we made a vain attempt at summiting another, larger mountain. In order to shorten the climb for the next morning, we camped in the saddle just below the peak. (As we were using our trusty and superbly-designed Trail Star, there was not fear of blustery conditions.) That night, I woke up without cause and noticed that there was very active lightening around us. We roused the camp, ourselves and our companions, and took our belongings to a poorly maintained refuge only 100 yards away. A strong thunderstorm came and the men -- Rick and our companions -- tried valiantly to construct some sort of door and to clear a space to sleep among the trash, ice, dirt, and probable, human waste. The attempt at door-making failed and some helpful equipment was lost, namely Rick's beloved Go-Lite Chrome dome (a fact that was thoroughly lamented the following day as the weather was clear and the sun hot). I did not sleep well that night.

Finally, during our last 24 hours on the mountain we marched through cold, windy, wet conditions. I struggled to stay dry and we found shelter and water just before everyones' good humour wore out. After a tasty meal and some rest and ukelele-playing we continued only far enough to camp. The next morning, we separated with our friends and tried to find a way down the mountain so as to meet our train. We were quickly engulfed in thick fog searching for a poorly marked trail on a unfamiliar ridge. I entertained thoughts of not desceding in time for the train, but did not share these with Rick. Fortunately, we did find A trail, though not the one we planne don finding. At the moment we found its end, a bus to Ivano-Frankovsk drove past and we hopped on -- pleased that the fog had not detained us a moment longer! (Pictures in the next post)

We got home on Saturday the 7 May and promptly began searching for apartments again. The proverbial winds must have been our favor because that same day we found an ideal one-room apartment in the ideal location with, seemingly only one flaw: the balcony is not south facing. We finalised the documents that evening and were tucked fast asleep in our new home that night. While it was a wonderful experiment living with strangers for three months, it feels so nice to have your own space, territory, refuge.

Our life in this apartment, though only a week old, fits our dreams. we have just enough space for our small family. We wake up early and run or play in the forest in our backyard and finish with a swim in the lake only 5 minutes walk from the apartment. We eat a full, relaxed and nutritious breakfast and, when I feel full I walk to the bus stop and catch my marshrutka. Going into the city I always have a seat and the journey takes to most time in the mornings, but no more than 40-50 minutes. Going home generally only takes 30 minutes in all. We have no internet at home and will be keeping it that way -- our home is peaceful and relaxing. Life is simple, but as a result we have lots of time to reflect and discuss important ideas and opinions. We are both pleased.

--- UPDATE Ends ---

Rick and I, during one of our walks through the woods, recently discussed our communication with our family and friends. We both noted that, in general, we had more contact, but that our relationships had not seemed to improve much despite this extra contact. In fact, we noted that while sites like Facebook ensured a "comment" or two now and again, the quality of contact was vapid and, consequently, many relationships were based only on shallow immediate communication -- like business more than like real, personal relationships. I resolved immediately that instead of feeding into the fast-paced, somewhat vouyeristic life of instant communication (Facebook and Blogging), that I would prefer to take advantage of the more personal nature of direct and thoughtful communication via traditional mail, phone calls, and sometimes email.

The truth is that I do not feel so comfortable as the the sole individual responsible for disseminating my personal life for all to know about. There are other figures in my personal life that I think would much rather be the source of information and would rise to the occasion far better than I. For example, my mother, who effortlessly seems to know and track the goings on of life, would (I assume) enjoy more quality contact with me and Rick as well as enjoy telling others in the family about our lives. More traditional communication methods allow me to invest more energy in developing strong quality communication (and, unlike blogging or surfing Facebook there is a more valuable interchange -- A CONNECTION!). Also, traditional communication naturally tends to put information in the hands of individuals who, due to their personality, are very effective at spreading and sharing this information and OFTEN revel in the opportunity to be an authority, a go-to-person. I, in comparison, feel a bit overwhelmed in having to share everything with everyone. I don't like to be the go-to-person for EVERYONE who wants to know about me. The internet makes it so easy for people to investigate details of my life and contact me. I don't want to be antisocial, I just want to use my social energy on relationships rather than the more casual interaction facilitated via Facebook and blogging. I don't know how many people read my blog becuase VERY few ever respond and share about themselves. I feel like I am wasting my energy on fake, shallow relationships and so, am trying to create an environment where real relationships will recieve my energy, not empty ones.

So, what will happen with current contact? I am downsizing my Facebook. If you want to know information about me, you can write me a real letter and send it to the address on my site. Once I save my pictures there, I will be deleting my albums. Following this blog post I will likely post a few pictures, but will cease to blog seriously about my life. Pictures will be put into an online album which, when updated, those with close relationships will be alerted and if other family members or close friends want to see, they can talk to the first level of friends or ask me for the information. As far as talking on skype with family goes, since we have no internet in the apartment, speaking on Skype will be more difficult. Rick and I will be gifting mothers and fathers with Skype credit so that they can call us at our home telephone or cell phones via skype at a minimum cost. We hope that this will encourage family to "just give us a call" more frequently, rather than worrying about scheduling when we will both be online. Calls may become shorter, but we hope, more frequent.

In addition, I will begin writing more REAL letters. The more I think about it the more I feel that this is a lost art of sorts. Letters may not be frequent, but they will undoubtedly have deeper meaning and thoughtfulness, as letter writing requires time, thought, patience and reflection. Letters of such kind should, I think, be considered treasures -- evidence of your importance to another person. To send a letter nowadays is to say that you REALLY care. I am delighted to think that I can give that sensation to others.

I know this post has been long, but it has been a long time since updating. If you have any considerable opinions on my communication rant (which has not been fully discussed here), feel free to send me an email or better yet, a letter.

Wishing you all the best.

Kim

Locked in, but still headed to Krakow!

This morning went I went to leave for work, I discovered that I was home alone and had been locked inside without keys. I must admit I had a few moments of "oh-no-this-is-a-bad-start-to-a-bad-day" feelings, but after those fled and I gained my composure, I called the office and Rick and before you know it everything was ok. . .

Including out trip to Poland! Needing visas badly, Rick and I are taking a few days and traveling to Lviv and then onto Krakow -- both cities reknowned for their beauty. It is supposed to rain which means crummy pictures, but I'm simply giddy to get out of the city for a while!

I'll post pictures and a summary upon return!

Wish you were here :D

What's New?! Also, more food. . .

It is difficult to believe that we have been here 2 months now. I'm starting to get comfortable and now we really have to get busy with getting my work permit processed. Even if all goes as smoothly as possible, it is likely that Rick and I will have to make a trip to Poland due to requirements by law. But, at least, we will be able to stay and I have wanted to visit Krakaow for years! :D

Another major comfort is changing as well. Our home. Apparently, I wasn't aware of this before, but we have only agreed to live here for the three months. And, so, if we want to live in this apartment longer, the flatmates have to agree to let us. There are a few problems with this as they already have plans to have long term visitors during the summer and will likely need our room. What this all means is that we are probably going to move. This is only difficult as far as moving is tedious for me -- I don't enjoy it. The truth is a good friend of Rick's and a new friend for me is getting married at the end of April. We have been invited to move wiith him and his new wife to a barrio near to the forest. The commute would be less than ideal, but the location is better -- cleaner air, recreation, nature, etc. We would even have a lake nearby to enjoy. The commute for me is 30-35 min in marshrutka (not so bad by typical American standards), but it means I would lose 1.5 hours more each day. Each week that is about 6-10 hours of free time for projects and personal enjoyment (the calculations have to do with how often I would return home in a day and when I would have to stay at the school because returning home makes no sense). I could make it work and learn to appreciate it, I think. But, meh, I am not too excited about commuting so far.

Aside from these minor things, the important things in life are improving. Our diet is getting better everyday as I get more comfortable with adding variety. Rick and I have both had colds and gotten over them so we have been able to begin taking walks together again. I have started exercising again, but I am trying to do it without paying for a costly trip to the gym. Part of what instigated the exercise is that I feel great! We don't have a scale, but since coming here and making minor changes in my lifestyle, I have lost two inches off my waist. Rick has calculated something that is meant to estimate how much weight I have lost in the last 60 days, he says I probably have lost 10-15 lbs. We are both really curious and are pricing scales. If it does turn out that I have lost all that weight without big changes in lifestyle, I will be writing an article about the little changes I DID make. :D

Also, as with all my recent posts, I have to include pictures of the food I have been making. In honour of St. Patty's Day, I tried making Soda Bread for the first time about 10 days ago. It was glorious! (and ridiculously simple). Since then, I have been experimenting with additions to the soda bread. But, it has sort of become a habit now to bake fresh bread every other day with breakfast. We are both enjoying the tradition --- and knowing exactly what is being put into our bread (how much sugar, if any, how much fat, how much protein, etc.). Aside from normal Whole-Wheat flour Soda Bread, I have made Citrus Poppyseed Bread, Homemade Kasha Loaf, and Multi-Grain Oat Bread.

Irish Soda Bread, made with unrefined flour (basic recipe from Epicurious.com)

Our new favourite breakfast, the Orange Breakfast. Fresh Mango-Carrot juice, Citrus Poppyseed Bread, Lemony Ginger-Thyme Infusion (for the colds), with fresh fruit on the side.

A close-up of my Citrus Poppyseed Bread creation, this bread at almost 200 cal per thick slice, is loaded with protein, fiber and very little sugar.

And, to make your mouth water, some other recent concoctions (The first two are of Mint-Berry Cucumber Salad from Whole Living and in the background, Lighter Sesame Chicken from Whole Living. The third dish is my pierog invention for Pi Day, Raspberry-Lemon Marble Pierog with accompanying Homemade Raspberry Soda.

I hope this post finds you all happy, healthy, and at peace. . .

Love,

Kimmee

Culture Shock

While I feel like a relatively experienced traveller and I expect differences when I travel (or move) to another country, my recent move to Ukraine has brought out the best and worst of culture shock. Culture shock, for those of you who don't know, is the psychological adjustment process you go through when experiencing a new culture. As with any process, there are stages. Culture shock normally follows these phases, which vary depending on the degree of differences in the culture:

1. Wonder and excitement

In this phase, usually upon arrival, you are intrigued and filled with excitement about the new culture.

2. Frustration

This usually occurs when you are starting to settle into the culture. This phase is characterised by feeling misunderstood . Exciting differences begin to lose their luster and one begins to recognise what he valued about his native culture with greater clarity.

3. Depression and feeling stuck

The low point. At this point, one may feel angry and hopeless. He may not have any interest in his new culture and may contemplate leaving, or really leave! There is often resentment toward the new cultures differences and a sense that one can only feel normal again in their native culture.

4. Acceptance

If one makes it through frustration and maybe a jog in depression, one usually comes to accept the new culture and truly appreciate the differences. They begin to feel understood and hopeful for their time in the new place. In the words of a Matador writer, "the whole experience began to feel like a coherent whole instead of a random collection of aimless madness."

Culture shock happens to most everyone and is more challenging for some than for others. For me in Ukraine, I feel like I am entering the acceptance stage, at least in some areas of my life. I think that on my first trip to the Ukraine I spent the whole month in wonderment --- mostly from having travelled for that length of time before to other countries and known that I would be going home, so I never got frustrated. Upon returning, however, I started immediately in the frustration stage, mostly for not speaking any Russian. But, I also made many faux paus (whistling indoors, etc.) and felt very misunderstood and different. I wanted to greet strangers and smile at them on the train, no one smiles back. I began to despise how pushy people are at the market or in the metro --- there is much less personal space. And, I got really upset at the difficulty of finding, what in the USA are, common cooking ingredients. Many times, I longed for a peanut butter jelly, chocolate chip cookies, Campbells soup! It even got so bad that I justified eating at McDonalds --- twice! And, despite having Rick here to help as well as finding a good comfortable job and apartment, I still spent a week or two depressed, angry, and questioning whether I was in the right place. But, about 10 days or two weeks ago, I started feeling like this new world was "coherent." I can now understand much more of the language, am getting used to its sounds, and feel much more inspired to practice or study. I also feel increasingly independent and powerful in the face of many unfamiliar customs and traditions. I am beginning to feel like I can fit-in here. . . even without Jiffy :D

So, now that I am in an appreciative mood, I wanted to share some quirky, strange things about Ukraine that take a little getting used to ---but I think I like it!

First, most meat here is bought and sold fresh. You can go to most markets and you should expect to find whole chickens freshly butchered, whole rabbits with a little fur still on their paws, and various other parts and proportions of entire animals just cut and drained. This was not too strange as the markets in Peru were very similar. What surprised me was the fish market. Fish, in Ukraine, is a staple. Most men's favourite dish is in fact whole salted herring, potatoes and vodka. While I was in the market two weeks ago, looking at the selection of processed, frozen fish, I became very disappointed because the variety was miniscule as opposed to the USA. I had never done it before, but I decided, although a bit intimidated, to try to buy fresh fish. I walked over to the fresh fish market and was pleased by the variety. Some fish are kept in cold water, some are dried and stacked, some lay on beds of ice. As I surveyed the options, alone (Rick was buying vegetables), I turned and my heart skipped and adrenaline pulsed into my system. Naturally, I stopped, backed up and found Rick. As calmly as I could, I told him: the fish are still moving! He smiled and walked over with me, helped me get a fresh salmon steak, and bravely check to see if the fish who was flopping had died yet. A week later, while fish shopping alone, I was expecting such things. And so, today, when the plastic bag in the cart next to mine began hopping, and the owner muttered "oh bojsha. . ." (Oh geez.) I laughed.

Also, things that have only one color in the States, here can come in many colours. Our toothpaste for example, bought for is cheapness and its soothing properties, is spring green. I blinked a few times when I put it onto my toothbrush the first time. I have gotten used to it, but the colour inspired me to utilise the "soothing properties" for another purpose --- it reduces swelling and redness on pimples, so I also use my toothpaste as a facial treatment. :D

Our toothpaste

It is green.

This is how I use our toothpaste.



Finally, despite, some of these quirky differences, there are a few things that are much better here and they surprised me. Public transportation is the first --- the metro stations in Kiev are extremely clean, and well decorated (marble and chandeliers and fine art in some). The second and favourite, is the quality of food for the low price paid. Everytime I come home from the market, I feel like a bandit. I can buy all fresh herbs and spices (you can buy them in bulk so you only pay for what you need), fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, cheap whole grains, etc. Although I miss American comfort food dearly, I can't complain too much because each week I am eating food that is healthier, tastier, and far cheaper than many of the equivalent options in the US. The food here has been inspirational.

These are my groceries for this week. They wouldn't all fit on the counter, so this is only representative :D

In the photo I have from L to R:

1. small head fennel 2. handful button mushrooms 3. shallots 4. garlic 5. cucumbers 6. radishes 7. jar tomato paste 8. orange 9. more radishes 10. scallions 11. fresh parsley 12. fresh dill 13. fresh spinach 14. bowl of fruit (apples, bananas, mango, pomagranate, lime, lemon, kiwi, more oranges) 15. tomatoes 16. fresh salmon steak 17. fresh mint 18.fresh whole grain bread 19. grapefruit 20. carrots 21. zucchini 22. tri-color peppers 23. onion 24. more garlic. . .I am in heaven

Food I make with such ingredients:

Baked Herb Tilapia and Stuffed Peppers with Wild Rice

Tonight's Dinner: Mediterranean Chicken Stew and Vegetable Market Salad ( recipes and photos courtesy of Martha!)

I don't blame you if you are jealous. . . :D

Best to all. --- Kim

P.S. Rick lost his new, expensive toy: a mini-LED flashlight with a battery that shuts off rather than slowly dying. He was distraught over losing it. . . until he found it:

"Who do you looove? Said, who do you looovve?"

Week One: Settling In (in a Rushed Way)

We left the USA at 13:30, Tuesday, 12 January 2010. We were en route for approximately 1.5 days, landing in Kiev-Borispol International Airport on Thursday, 14 January, at 3:00. We then waited in the airport lobby until 5:30, when the cheaper buses to the city center began running. We got to a friend’s apartment at about 7:00. Our trip, though long and stressful, went off without a hitch.

Upon arrival we stayed with Sasha, one of Rick’s friends in A’Bologne (sp?), Kiev. It was, physically, comfortable enough for us. However, for both, it ended up being a mentally draining experience. Let me explain -- staying with Sasha ( a nice and otherwise pleasant man) also demanded that we stay with Sasha’s mother, a woman with an overbearing, territorial, and neurotic personality. I was often corrected and criticized for the ways that I dressed, cooked, organized our room, and -- essentially -- existed. She easily became frustrated when I could not understand her for fault of understanding Russian. My helpless: Ya ni’panimayu (I don’t understand) was often met with an exasperated huff and shooing of the hands. It should then be obvious as to why we rushed to find an apartment.

The view from our room at Sasha’s. A view that fits perfectly the stereotype of the Soviet Union (except that this is not the USSR): cold, snowy, run-down, and bland. NOTE: Should be compared with later pictures of a newer neighborhood.

After four days of searching, we received an offer to live in an apartment with another young couple in Minskaya, a developing neighborhood in A’Bologne, Kiev. For a whopping $200 each month we have a large furnished room, a balcony, a large shared kitchen, and clean, bright shared bathroom, complete with hot water, lights and heat --- and another young couple with whom to practice Russian (Olga and Ivan). AND it is only two minutes walk from the Metro! AND. . .:P (Oh yes, and it is primely located in relation to various markets, the second-hand shop, the book market, numerous bakeries, meat vendors and gyms). I am quickly coming to love this flat and neighborhood.

Our entryway.

Our home. After everything was organized and sorted. NOTE: Our down comforter is actually the combination of our two down sleeping quilts tucked in a Ukrainian sheet set (a big pocket that acts as the top sheet and comforter in one) The sleeping bags are stored safely and we have a great blanket!

This space is very comfortable for us and all of our stuff. Although at first I wasn’t sure it would be (Rick had a lot more stuff than I thought he did!).

Our room after unpacking everything. Or I should say, after all the boxes and suitcases exploded.

The shared bathroom. I love the bright color and design.

The shared kitchen. This kitchen is quite large by Ukrainian standards and two cooks can move comfortably in the space.

And, finally, so that you all may see the difference between the view from Sasha’s apartment and the new Minskaya apartment, here is the view from our kitchen window, directly across the street. It is a new apartment complex (not ours, ours is much older, but the neighborhood is better).

To the left (not in the picture and that of which I haven’t had a chance to snap pictures) is the plaza with an enormous decorated tree (the holidays here are a little later than in the US) and lots of little shops (and, as with any “modern” neighborhood) a McDonald’s (no, I have not yet eaten there, nor have I plans to do so. See below).

There are two other matters that have been at the front of our minds over the last week --- my employment and a healthy diet. Yesterday, I accepted an offer to lead a series of English conversation clubs every Saturday. This work will allow me to work with children and adults from 18 to 40 years. Amazingly, I will be making enough each Saturday, that I need only work this one job, and I will have enough to cover my Ukraine costs each month (food, rent, and transport). A dream come true? Yes! (if I didn’t have any debt). For now, however, I am still waiting to hear from a couple other schools about more work. I may not get to teach conversational English until a little later when I will have some English language teaching experience. Ideally, I will get at least one more full day of work, which will allow me to cover Rick’s costs then put most or all of his money to paying loans. (Fun, fun. . . But, could I do all this, pay down my debt and only work two days a week in the US? In two words: HELL NO!)

I spend a lot of my extra free time thinking and working on perfecting our diet (another thing that would be cost prohibitive in the US). I have recently finished reading The Mediterranean Diet, which has helped me to work out a lot of the problems Rick and I had in eating healthy food consistently back in the States. I learned a lot about how to substitute monounsaturated fat (olive oil and canola oil) for all fats used in cooking as well as why carbs are OK (and still DELICIOUS) when you emphasize veggies and fruits. The insight gained from this book coupled with being in a country where veggies, whole grains, lowfat dairy and omega-3 -rich fish, as well as natural sweetners are significantly cheaper than processed starches, fatty dairy, red meat, and refined sugar, makes eating healthfully not only easier on the pocket, but has made healthy, satisfying meals the norm for us.

However, I shouldn’t pretend that I haven’t had to invest time into making this diet so convenient. After reading the book and meticulously planning a general, weekly meal calendar; counting up all the servings of each recommended nutrient source for Rick and myself, then approximating the number of vegetables and fruits, bread loaves, cups of buckwheat, pasta, rice, whole wheat, and nuts, grams of yogurt and cheese, AND grams of fish needed to equal the equivalent of our combined dietetic needs for the week; followed by compiling a general shopping list to be used each week for groceries, I can now live on automatic mode. I don’t think about what I need to make XYZ recipe. I look at what we have and create, knowing that at the end of the week it will all even out and we’ll be healthier than the week before.

Rick mentioned that, having done so much work, I should post the information and our weekly shopping list/recipes on a blog that would be potentially helpful to a lot of people in the US. I think I might do it. Though, there is one obstacle to address: we eat like kings here and pay pennies because the food is priced the way it should be. In the US, the “healthy food” that in Ukraine exists as poorman’s dinner, is expensive. To this, I guess, I would make one point: paying more for healthy, quality food is an investment in yourself and in years of quality experiences and memories that come from living a longer, healthier life. If you pay more now, you can receive years of higher-quality living. If you pay later ( in health bills), you will still be buying time, but it will be lower-quality time, limited by an ailing body. Maybe I will do it, the blog. . .

Overall, I am settling in well. I am happily living well with my supportive and loving husband at a price that can’t be beat! Tell the family that I already think I will miss this life (after only one hectic, but rewarding week).

From this point forward I doubt that I will write such long posts, but one can never tell --- I didn’t know that this would run on so. :D I wish you all the best.

Boundary Waters Hike 2009

Snowbank Lake, Boundary Waters
Minnesota, September 2009

Hello all. . .:D

Sorry for the extended absence -- I have been picking up a lot of extra hours at work and focusing a lot of time on the wedding (which is happening 13 days from now! egad.) I have, however, found some time to go out exploring with my lover. Last weekend we went up to the Boundary Waters area of Minnesota with a hiking group we met on MeetUp.com. It was a refreshing break from the mundane life I have monotonously maintained over the last 3 months (i.e. bus, work, bus, waste time, sleep; repeat).

Rick and I with our ultralight backpacks. Woohoo! There is no hiking like hiking light!

We hiked with four other guys and a dog, Seti (who was literally neurotic about sticks -- something that got old real fast). I was the only gal, but it rarely was an issue (save the incident when all the men spent 90+ minutes discussing the most effective way to hang a bear bag. . .a total man thing). We hiked the Snowbank Lake trail, which we think amounted to something like 25 miles or a bit more over the course of three days. Being the only ultralight hikers there, the hike was extremely leisurely for Rick and I (low daily mileage, slow pace, and few walking hours). This, despite, a ill-maintained trail that we were told was a big improvement.

The first day of the hike, Friday, we spent a lot of time in a young forest without much of a view of the lake. It was a slightly hilly area with many steep rocks and roots across the trail. I was warned that I should have brought boots for ankle support. However, I quickly fell in even deeper love with my ankle-support-free trail runners. The grip on the bottom of these suckers is PHENOMENAL and it is so flexible and light that my entire foot can bend and be in contact with the surface of the ground -- ya know, like nature designed our feet to do? -- Anyway, because of this grip, flexibility, and breath-ability, I was in feet heaven not only the first and most rocky of days, but during the whole trip. . .I think I could climb walls with these things!

My sweet Inov-8 F-Lite 230's!!!

The first night we camped at a great outlook over the lake. It was beautiful, with a nice swimming area. After building a fire, Rick and I stayed up late talking with the others about all sorts of interesting topics, most notably spirituality.

We woke up relatively late and hiked the second day through a prescribed burn area. It was interesting to see all those trees charred and the ground lifeless. It looked like something out of Middle Earth. . .Mordor. By midday, one of our companions who was carrying a conventional pack and wearing hiking boots (with ankle support) rolled his ankle and could not walk very well. We camped early at a nice site, but lacking the vistas of the day before. Just the same we were surrounded by placid water, loon calls, and the wind through the trees. That evening Rick gave a little tutorial on ultralight backpacking (another guy moment). I sat by the water. It was peaceful and fresh.

On Sunday, we got out slightly earlier and hiked the morning through a bit of old growth pine forest and through a LOT of clear cut aspen groves. Rick and I, having the lightest packs volunteered to take the injured man's pack --he carried mine. Rick and I alternated carrying the 35-40 lb load, while our new friend experienced how wonderful a 5 lb pack feels (Both these weights are after food and with water).
We made it back to the cars around noon and headed home. We made some new friends and explored a new area. It was fun and much needed, but on the whole I was a little disappointed.

That area of Boundary Waters did not seem very pristine or secluded (there were motor boats on the lake) the prescribed burning and the clear cutting made it obvious that a lot of what we saw was being heavily regulated by man -- not nature. That said, there were some spectacular moments. For me, they often included the lake (which we rarely saw enough of) or a related swimming hole, the sounds of wild birds or trying to distinguish and identify the varieties of trees with Rick. It was a good weekend, but the location was not as I had imagined. I would not hike there again, but am interested in hiking through other areas of the Boundary Waters.

Seti swimming in a beaver pond.

The group, hiking :D

A sign saying the trail is closed due to burning (we went forward with permission from the DNR). Here, we're trying to look tough!

Rick and I in the morning. Nice and cozy. . .mmmm.

The group. (Rick, Kim, Ken, Andy, Rod, David)