What Would Paul Claus Do? This is how I am living the rest of my life.
Paul Claus my hero
WWPCD
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I’m not even supposed to be here!
Due to an unfortunate and unforeseen set of circumstances we are stuck in Sitka Alaska for an extra day. The boat we were supposed to journey upon blew an engine the day before we were to depart. Thanks to Greg at Expedition Broker, the best guy ever, he scrambled and got us on a different boat that leaves a couple days later from Sitka instead of Juneau. So we had to fly to Sitka and spend a couple days here. Wouldn’t you know it, Alaska’s first and oldest geocache is here in Sitka. I looked it up and saw that it was only 6 miles away from our hotel. Up a mountain called Bear Infested Mountain, or something like that. I knew I had to get there. Wifey gave me the go ahead to do whatever it took, she knew that once I found out about this I wouldn’t be normal again until I tried to find it. It was the 4th of July. The bike rental shop was closed. The rental car company had nothing available. Cabs were a pain because of a parade. I was running out of options and going crazy. I felt trapped and helpless, a very unusual and uncomfortable feeling for me. I considered walking but it would be about a 10 mile walk one way along the main roads just to get to the trailhead. I finally got a cab. A local kid named Matt dropped me off at the trailhead. I made sure I had cell reception to call for a cab to pick me up if I survived and needed a ride back to town. I had cell reception along the road but nowhere else during the day. I started my hike and knew I was in for a real treat. The views were beyond amazing. The geocache I was going for is found 2 maybe 3 times a year. As I started up a the mountain I ran into 2 other geocachers coming back down. What an odd coincidence! We chatted for a long time and then I kept climbing. The trails I strolled were lined with red and salmon berries the entire way. I stopped to eat these delicious candies of the land. My adventure was a complete success. I finished at Beaver Lake for a nice rest to take in the surroundings. Then back down I came. Since it was downhill I jogged a lot of it. I had no phone and wifey had no idea if I was inside a bear’s stomach or already turned into bear shit. I got to the bottom, called a cab and he was there surprisingly quick. A Hawaiian native and throwback to a different time. He dropped me at the hotel. $80 in cab far, 6.5 miles of walking in the woods, risking life and limb, just to sign a stupid piece of paper in the woods. Life doesn’t get much better.
within feet
the prize
accidental discovery
Oh brother
Accidental day 1 in Juneau
A full day in Juneau Alaska. What could be better. We started the day with a nice breakfast and then took the tram up to the middle of mount Robert. This was our plan, the to hike back down. I was surprised wifey was into this, but she was. The plan changed and she decided to go UP the mountain. That was fine with me. She hung in there about and hour longer than I thought. We walked up the mountain, saw some amazing views that seem impossible this close to the coast line and found a couple geocaches along the way. Then we went for lunch and I walked her back to tuck her in for her afternoon nap. Once I got the go ahead to roam alone for a while it was back to the top of the mountain for me. This time I hiked the entire way to the bottom. After that I wandered the long way around town through an area called the highlands. Found a bunch more geocaches and then headed back for dinner. A dozen or more miles of intense walking, a couple of great meals, fun times with my favorite person, and finding things I would have never known about or seen thanks again to geocaching. A pretty great way to spend a day that was not supposed to happen in Juneau.
view on the way up
this place looks fun and not at all scary
walkway to alaskan dog park
creepy weird russian religeous shit
best friends
It is unlike me to overdo anything
The great Alaskan adventure of 2015 has begun. Falling into character with myself I decided at airport baggage this is where I wanted to live now. The view from the Juneau airport was enough to make that decision. It was over cast and raining most of the afternoon and evening. We went out for a nice leisurely stroll of the town. Wifey did what chicks do and shopped. I did what I do and mentally made up adventures we will be having. We saw a couple big giant cruise ships and the rubes that were on them, and were so glad that was not us. We went and had an amazing meal of king salmon and halibut and Wifey decided that was it for her night. Since I time travelled here (slept on the plane) I was still ready to go. The sun doesn’t set so there was no reason to stop. I grabbed my camera and GPS machine and started walking uphill toward the mountains. I would imagine that only in Alaska could you have a beautiful little urban walk that turned into a wooded hike along a river, then into the woods and trail system, then back into town along the docks, all in a giant loop. My only complaint is that I brought the wrong camera lens, I didn’t realize what I would be getting into. 4 hours later and after 10pm it was time to be back home. I took a bunch of pictures, found a bunch of geocaches, met some great people including an 8 week old puppy without a name yet, and had more fun than you are supposed to have on arrival day. I didn’t find any of the legal grass shops, so the trip is still on pace for now. Thanks Baked Alaska.
view from baggage claim
unexpected adventure
house? igloo?
Awwwww shit
Somebody’s going to Alaska.
Some days it is hard to be me
The luckiest boy in the world strikes again. Last weekend I won a hot air balloon ride at a 
charity event. Fresh off that victory, yesterday was the picnic to celebrate the end of CAM 2015, cache across Maryland. Like the last few years it was more fun than should be legally allowed. Driving hundreds of miles over 4 days just to walk in the woods, make fun of my friends, hang out with Charlie the Dog, and write my name on hidden pieces of paper. There is a photo contest each year at the picnic. Last year I did fairly well in the photo contest, even came in first in a category. I decided 
that was my cue to go pro, and upgrade my equipment. Yesterday I took 1st in two categories, and 2nd in a third category. I could not believe it. What a fun thing to have happen to me. Fun things rarely happen to me…sike. That makes me an award-winning photographer 2 years in row. That is definitely making it to my resume. If you are reading this (doubtful) I am available for hire.
Maybe my new favorite picture
This might be my new favorite picture I have ever taken. This past weekend was the PAWS for People Easter Bone Hunt. It was so much fun. Charlie the Dog, my family, and everyone’s family had a blast. I was the roving photographer, HERE are some of the pictures I took. Warning, these will only be interesting if you like dogs.
Cache Across Maryland time of year again
Yesterday was the kick-off day for the 2015 Cache Across Maryland adventure. I set out with my best geocaching buddies, Charlie the Dog, Josh, and Cinnamon. We had a whirlwind 16 hour day, a short day for us. HERE are some pictures from Western Maryland and day 1 of our CAM 2015 adventure.
Hanging out with dogs is better than anything!
You know you want to join PAWS for People (www.PAWSforPeople.org), so just do it already. As a mean, cold, horrible person, this is something that brings me immeasurable joy. Volunteered at an orientation last night, they are always the best. Being able to watch as people join PAWS and witness their excitement. Some pictures I bootlegged (off my own camera, so don’t sue me) HERE.
