As many of you know, I am a pretty serious runner and triathlete. One of the hardest things for me to adjust to on the expedition was leaving my bike behind and not being able to commit to any regular exercise routine. Sure, I was able to get the odd run in here and there, […]
Category Archives: Action Sports
New Video – Diving the cold waters of Ushuaia!
August 1, 2010 – 4:53 pm
It seems that in the midst of the last year this video slipped through and never made it online for all of you to see. Lately I have been working to get all of our video organized for a new project in the works. So stay tuned, we will be posting more often in the […]
New Photos – Class 5 Rapids in a Jet Boat?
September 16, 2009 – 11:52 am
A man named Steve Mahay trekked up to Alaska many years ago. In those days homesteading land was still a viable option for an escape from the typical. Back in the 70s Steve realized that that was the way to go. Like many of the Alaskans we encountered in the north, Steve is a true legend with his jet boat operation in Talkeetna. Back when he started the company he was armed with only a 16 foot, 20 hp boat living in a hand built cabin in
New Video – Surviving the Bolivian Death Road
September 8, 2009 – 3:33 pm
Those of you that follow the website have all seen the photos from the “World’s Most Dangerous Road.” Many call this road the “Death Road,” due to the high number of people that die at the mercy of the steep cliff faces that the narrow road skirts as it drops over 10,000 ft on its way to the jungle and eventually to the Amazon in Brazil. This road is equally exciting because of the danger it presents, but also the diversity in scenery. At the top it is cold and crisp with snow capped peaks surrounding the start point.
Valdez, Pronounced Valdeez
July 27, 2009 – 12:01 am
The Richardson Highway that we took down to Valdez, Alaska is one long, meandering curve after another. Barely a stretch of straight road created awe-inspiring vistas that seemed to just spring-up of nowhere. One second we were driving along the road with tall trees and colorful wildflowers by our sides, the next second our eyes were popping out of our heads trying to comprehend the magnificence of a stunning sight of sun beams bathing massive, jagged snow-covered peaks that somehow just appeared in front of us. That stretch of highway was made for the gods, I do believe.
A Day on the Water (Part 3)
July 22, 2009 – 12:01 am
Seward, Alaska is on the famous Kenai Peninsula, a destination for all sorts of outdoor activities like salt water fishing for halibut, river fishing for different types of salmon, sea kayaking, and rafting. It’s impossible to do it all, so we decided to take our chances going after King Salmon on the Kenai River. Based near Soldotna, our host for the day was Chugach Backcountry Fishing, owned by Cory Hetrick.
A Day on the Water (Part 2)
July 20, 2009 – 12:01 am
There really is nothing like a day on the water. Boating, fishing, swimming, it’s all good to me. So when we got the chance to spend a day kayaking first on a lake, then on a river, and throw in some fly fishing for trout, I was more than excited. Our host for the day was Denali Southside River Guides, owned by Craig & Shelis Jorgensen. We would spend the day on Byers Lake, located inside the Denali State Forest, about an hour’s drive north on the Parks Highway from where we were staying in Talkeetna, Alaska. From there we’d head down the river flowing through the lake.
Nels’ Notes: Nomadic Wandering Shenanigans July 3-12, 2009
July 13, 2009 – 1:08 am
The long road has almost come to an end. We’re sitting here, at Steve mom’s place in Dillon, Sunday afternoon, with only an hour and forty-five minutes from home and the completion of the on the road portion of The World By Road Expedition. We’ll be making our way to Denver mid-day, Monday. Just the thought of the end of the road is a beyond eerie feeling, so I haven’t a clue what’s going on in Shoppman’s mind, for this has been his life for the last 29 months. It’s been an incredible ride, and has been an amazing experience. Blogs on the finale will be up soon, put first on to the week in review.
Nels’ Notes: Nomadic Wandering Shenanigans June 26-July 3, 2009
July 3, 2009 – 1:40 am
Miles, upon miles, upon miles. Miles in the rearview mirror. That, for sure, was the theme of this week, as we traveled from Valdez, Alaska to Edmonton, Alberta. That is a haul, spanning close to 2,000 miles.
We spent the weekend at the wonderful Brookside Inn Bed and Breakfast, and were graciously accommodated by hosts Jerry and Susie. We had some great meals and conversations with them, and were beyond lucky that they had an abundance of halibut. Home cooked meals are never taken for granted by anyone on the crew.
Nels’ Notes: Nomadic Wandering Shenanigans June 19-26, 2009
June 27, 2009 – 12:30 am
We’ve really enjoyed ourselves in Alaska, and all feel very fortunate for all that we’ve been able to see, experience, and the people we’ve been able to meet, so it was nice that we got to give back a little this week, as well. This week has been another great week in the northern most state. It began with a great lake and river kayaking trip/fly fishing trip with Denali Southside River Guides. We got the opportunity to go out with Craig Jorgensen and two of his crew members on Byers Lake to thoroughly enjoy a day on the water. “I wouldn’t give this day of kayaking and fishing up for anything,†said the fisherman of the crew, Craig Johnson.
