Shooter who? A word from KG...

Before I go much further, a word about the person I've been fated to climb with, and it's significance to this trip, and to me. This man I know named Shane "Shooter" Nelson.

First, I should of known something was up when Shane resurfaced this summer. He always (always) comes/goes at very transitional points in my life.

Flashback to September 2001. My very first trip as a ("professional") outdoor educator. I found this in a journal I had back then (please bear with the choppiness, I edited in interest of length/relevance/depreciated writing skills - not that they're much better now ;))...

9/26/01
So, last week I spent in Big Bear working with the 7th grade Francis Parker Orientation for Azure. This was the first program I've worked for this company. Among the people who I met and worked with was this guy Shane who came with his dog Bridger and a positive energy. He went around with these value cards for people to pick - I chose Intention... Then at the end of the week, on the last day after sharing my experience of my dynamic group of kids with him, he told me to pick another card... this card, he said, would be what I taught those kids this week, even if I didn't know it. My card was New Beginnings...

...A common theme that came up was family and friends and influences in our lives... Obviously there are too many to name... but for all these people, I am thankful. God has definitely put many special people in my life.

From 9/27/01
...Back to thinking about the Parker program, I don't want to forget about Shane's story about his friend, Sean Logan and his sort of vision/quest to become a man.

...In short, from what I remember, Sean faced a bear that represented himself, all his fears, and reflecting him. Once he accepted that this bear was a manifestation of the monsters inside of him and resolved to face them, the bear transformed to a beautiful Native American woman. He realized that he needed love in his life...

Little did I know what those New Beginnings would entail...

It was just one month later, my epic Joshua Tree "adventure" happened [getting lost with five (awesome) 7th grade girls (at night) in the Wonderland of Rocks - those ladies are still legends of the school, btw]. Man. That trip changed my life. Most definitely, a New Beginning. It was then I truly realized the value of the outdoors, and the experiential learning happening on both sides (instructor and student).

More Shooter and outdoor adventure/learning stories to come, don't you worry. But thought this was an important one to start with.

Here I am, about to turn 30, and gearing up to open another chapter in my life. It only seems kismet Shane Shooter Logan Nelson is with me to usher it in... Here's to New Beginnings!