Cover photo courtesy of Kelley McMorris Mention Island of the Blue Dolphins, and almost everyone says "I love that book!" You either know it and love it, or you need to read it so you can love it. Definitely don't go here (SPOILERS) first. End of review. Anyway, imagine my surprise at finding this: http://islandofthdolphins.weebly.com/ ...a … Continue reading Book Review: Island of the Blue Dolphins
Author: Camp Host Chad
In Memorium: Juana Maria
At the end of Island of the Blue Dolphins, (SPOILER ALERT) the main character named Karana is rescued from the island after years of surviving there on her own. The story continued... The real woman who inspired the 1960 book by Scott O'Dell became widely known as "The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island." As … Continue reading In Memorium: Juana Maria
Dewey Death-imal System
Do you love cemeteries? I do. Peaceful. Clean. Organized. The people in neat rows, like checked boxes on a To-Do list. Except, sometimes they are not so organized... (At the orderly cemetery pictured above, it took me at least fifteen minutes to find who I was looking for, even with the help of a map.) Speaking of maps, … Continue reading Dewey Death-imal System
Starry Night Skies Over Yosemite
Going to Yosemite soon? I highly recommend the "Starry Night Skies over Yosemite" program: http://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/evening-programs I see they now have a Glacier Point program available since I went last. I've long meant to write more about the starwatching, a "part two" to this post, a "pro" to the parking "con." Anyone want to place a bet on whether I … Continue reading Starry Night Skies Over Yosemite
Book Review: Our True Nature
Our True Nature: Finding a Zest for Life in the National Park System by Audrey Peterman perfectly serves one defined purpose: as an inspirational guidebook to the uninitiated national park traveler. Filled with gorgeous photos, personal experience intros, basic directions, lodging recommendations, and highlighted activities for 57 locations in the national park system (grouped by … Continue reading Book Review: Our True Nature
S’mores Madness: Compartés vs. Cocoa Parlor
Having just learned about the use of child slave labor to pick cocoa beans, you may be asking, "Camp Host Chad, from which ethical chocolate company** should I buy chocolate for s'mores?" Good question! I'm here to help. It seems to me that the only way to know for sure is to use a single elimination … Continue reading S’mores Madness: Compartés vs. Cocoa Parlor
Slave Free S’mores
Before we can talk about this: First please read this story outtake, courtesy of my transcription of a podcast featuring Danielle Strickland: I was in Australia, I lived there, I was a social justice director for the Salvation Army there. We had this guest come to this conference, it was a youth conference, it was probably … Continue reading Slave Free S’mores
Freeze Dried Sampler
This weekend will include a test of my new baby, bought in anticipation of an impending trip to Utah parks. For some reason (good judgment, maybe?) the Big 5 employees wouldn't let me cook a practice meal at the register, which is their loss because I totally would have shared. I bet REI would have let me. Hey! … Continue reading Freeze Dried Sampler
Panamint Milkshake
There you are, prepared to partake in a perilous journey, perched on the precipice of your pilgrimage. Peering over a panoramic view of the arid landscape, you pause. Something prods at you. What are you forgetting? You're not lost. You've got a map. You know where you are going. You know where you are. You just pumped a … Continue reading Panamint Milkshake
Get On the Map
As a child, I hungered for one of these: "An RV?" you ask. No. A sticker map. (Although I wanted the RV too. But I was a practical child - where would I put an RV, even a pop-up camper? The map was definitely going on my headboard.) The maps identify the states you've visited. If I'd … Continue reading Get On the Map
Campfire Tales 