Bluebird Day: Looking Back and Moving Forward

My Semester in the Wild experience has ended, and although it carries its own sense of sadness, I also feel a bit sad that my seven month adventure in the West is over. But what an incredible experience I've had, and I smile to think about what I've gotten to do. I'm excited about the future!

Looking back, I remember the adventures of the summer in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness (hard trail work, great laughs, rafting, wildfires, days off adventures, independence, and happiness) and the fall in McCall, the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, and Moscow (living in an amazing community, being more focused and interested in my classes than ever, a renewed love of horses, seeing river otters, writing letters, cooking for 11 people, simple bliss...I could go on and on). During this Western adventure, I was also lucky enough to spend time with my family in Missoula, McCall, Glacier National Park, and Ketchum/Sun Valley. I will miss these Western adventures with spectacular scenery, kind, down-to-earth people, and the sense of strength this landscape instilled in me.

Looking forward, I'm spending a month at home, enjoying cross country skiing, family and friends, and simply reveling in the pleasures of home. I'll be back in Burlington this coming semester (so that the "Burlington" portion of the blog's title will finally be stressed, rather than the perhaps-a-bit-understated "Beyond"), and am looking forward to my involvement in the outdoor club, and being reunited with some of my very dear friends. I'll be working in Idaho again next summer, which I'm really looking forward to.

This adventure has been such a growing experience for me, and although I am looking forward to the future, I can't help but look back on the places I've seen, the people I've met, and the things I've learned. I hope that I can remember all I've learned as I move forward--most importantly, I hope to continue to read and write, and, in doing so, continue learning and hopefully teaching. I feel so fortunate to have had this experience, and all I can say is: adventure on!