Brother Andrew is here!!

Hahahaha, hey all. Andy and I have been having an awesome time. We've been busy trying to squeeze in as much of Utah's beauty as can be fit into 6 days. Time has flown by. We've been fly fishing, camping out in the desert, went into Zion and hiked the narrows, cruised into Capitol Reef for swimming, did a heart (or drum) stalk and spent time up on the nearby mountains. I've been having a memorable time with the Goob!
I'm putting up some new pics of Andy's trip here and my last off shift @ Lake Powell...and a quick video if I can figure out how to post it ;) We are keeping busy tonight as well, otherwise I'd write more. Work has been great, not much new...just finding new things about myself as I round the corners of the great expanse of Utah.

Love to all,
Rob and brother Andrew

And the days fly by...

I can't believe it's already mid-July. I've got a little over a month left out here and I'm already feeling how hard it's going to be to leave. My field days last week were a blast, half the shift I worked a quest. A quest is two staff working with one student on some deeper issues that are holding them back or causing big problems, the second half of the shift I worked graduation. I was greatful to have the opportunity to see the families come together after the weeks of seperation. I felt like I witnessed a lot of heart opening and new understandings. I was feeling really lucky to be a part of the process of change taking place in the lives of those involved. Seeing the final product really helped me to see just how beneficial programs like this can be for troubled youth/adults. I just pray the changes will last!
This off shift has been a blast so far. We all got out of the field and ended up at the "meathouse" on Weds night for some pool/dancing/darts and air hockey! The "meathouse" is where a bunch of field staff live and the reason they call it that is because it used to be an old slaughter house...yikes. Now they just have animal heads hanging from the walls! It has character to say the least. Yesterday was filled with fly fishing on a beautiful mountain stream. I was wishing I had my camera, it was memorable for sure. I just got home from seeing a group of buddhist monks performing in the middle of no where. It amazes me that things like that pop up out here.
Tomorrow a big group of us (7) are heading to Lake Powell to camp out and will be renting a boat on Monday for some wakeboarding/tubing and touring the area. It's supposed to be a beautiful place with giant canyon walls. I'll be sure to take my camera!
The new slideshow is from a disposable camera that I had with me in the field. It gives a glimpse of what the scenery is like on Boulder Mt. Some of the pics are from my training (the pics w/faces) and the rest are randomly taken along the way.

Peace and Love to all,

Rob

Happy Days

I'm not feeling too talkative at the moment, my apologies. I wanted to write before I headed back out into the field tomorrow. The updates are that my first shift out was a great experience and I'm really glad to be working here. This job seems to fit my personality and interests pretty damn well. My first shift was a long one that exhausted me by the end, I covered a bit extra which put me out there for 11 days. I'm really thankful to have a relaxing and quiet house to come home to.
New updates are that the monsoon season seems to have started. The first big lightning and thunderstorm hit today. My deck is the perfect place to watch the storms roll through. Now that they have started we'll probably be seeing a couple hours of t-storms and rain most afternoons. I hear that it can get pretty interesting in the field, lightning drills can scare the crap out of you if you're close to the top of Boulder Mt.
I'm attaching some pics of the house I've moved into and the fishing spot that I was lucky enough to get taken to a couple of nights ago.
Oh and some great news...I got into the counseling center I had applied to last semester! If you want to see a bit more about it you can go to http://www.integralcounseling.org/.

In loving spirit,

Rob

Out of the woods!

Well it looks like I learned my lesson...God just laughs at you when you try to control things or get attached to plans! I'm back in Cedar City to pack up my belongings and head home.
No, just kidding!! I am packing up to move to the tiny town of Loa, Utah. Aspen Achievment Academy runs out of Loa and I've found a relaxing little niche there. While I was training I got convinced to move to Wayne County so that I could have the full Aspen experience. That consists of dinner @ the Country Cafe on Weds nights, ultimate frisby on Thurs nights, yoga once a week, meditation on Sundays and kickball on Tuesdays!! The town is super rural, no cell phone service and really not many services at all. I'm excited to experience something new and super mellow.
Training was amazing, for the most part, we were all treated as students which dropped me into some experiences that touched my heart. At one point I found myself on the top of a mountain looking over canyons screaming "I AM BUFFALO!!" five times at the top of my lungs. I felt like I was in a dream as tears were flowing down my cheeks. The landscapes here are breathtaking. Utah has the ability to reach deep down into your soul and help you feel that you are in existence with the Great Spirit.
I don't want to make this too drawn out or over detailed so I'll try to simplify. The training was challenging at points but for the most part was exactly what I was hoping for. I quickly figured out how to use a tarp as a shelter (among other things) and to my suprise it worked under a few inches of snow on the second night! We went from the high mountains (10,000 feet) to the desert sky's where the coyotes were howling.
As soon as I got to the training, my anxiety was at ease, my heart was open and I felt totally appreciated for who I was as a person. This training was much different than the last and I am really looking forward to working there. I really feel seen and appreciated for who I am. Work starts on Weds and I move tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting out into the wilderness and connecting with the students out there.
Things are shifting for me, I'm really feeling into who I am and have been feeling into what really matters to me. I am greatful to be on this journey.
Lately, I've been camping as I go, just got back from a trip into Escalante and will try and put up some new pics! There is so much beauty that I haven't really felt like taking pictures...;)

A huge thanks to all of those sending your encouragment and prayers.
Sending lots of love.
RS

Moving along...

Hey friends and family,
Here is the latest! I have been using my unemployment time wisely (in my book) by keeping busy going camping, hiking and biking. It has been amazing. Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of time to write as I have to get up at 5am to leave for another training/interview tomorrow. My latest report is that I am going for a field guide position working with adolescents. This job feels like it may be more of a fit for me...the guy I talked to mentioned reflective listening and "soft skills" being important. The softy that I am liked hearing that! So, tomorrow starts a new wave to ride for me. I'll be sure to update once I've ridden it out - my board feel a little more bouyant this time around ;) If I don't get this job, I've been offered a position at the last place, but it is working part-time in their sober house. It would be a bit more like a counselor position that could possibly lead into some outdoor field guide work, but that is dependent on the student numbers.

My latest adventures have take me backpacking in Zion, hiking in Cedar Breaks and out to Moab to check out the Mt. biking and the National Parks (Arches and Canyonlands). The area was breathtaking and I can see why the Mormon's have thought that this is where God resides!
While biking, I had a bit of a mishap that led to a pretty extreme day. Half way through the 11 mile loop I was riding I shockingly found my derauler in my spokes! That is the thing at the back of your bike that allows you to shift gears. So, I ended up ripping it out, taping it to my seat post and then proceeded to turn my bike into a single speed. I was pleasantly suprised at the aptitude I found myself to have when it came to fixing what went wrong! Usually I just take it in for a tune up! It ended up being an amazing ride regardless...and a bitch of a workout! The whole trip was great, I camped next to the Colorado River, backpacked into a giant canyon to be awoken by a crazed coyote at 4am. Utah is a really cool state and it's enormity has been expanding my spirit. I'm trying to upload pics for all to see but am unsure if I'll have time to get them uploaded tonight...the computer is being slow. K, got them uploaded but there are quite a few, so beware! Just click on the pics to get em bigger if you haven't done so already.
More to come when I get back...

In loving spirit,

Rob

The Aftermath

I went through the five days of training/interview with PTR. The experience was a bit different than what I had expected. We sat around a lot, did some scenario work, worked on "hard skills" (starting fires etc.), did some therapeutic type group work, and a bunch of twelve step stuff. My favorite part was the drum stock. We all set an intention or asked a question, wrote it on a blindfold and walked out alone into the forest. Once I was in the forest I put on my blindfold and waited for the drum beat to begin. The sound of the drum was my only way back. Walking through the woods not being able to see was a powerful experience, I had to touch into a slower, calm part of myself that was willing to go backwards, crawl on my belly and do tai chi as I walked. The rest of the time out there was alright but I'm realizing that it may not have been what I was looking for. I was anxious quite a bit because I felt like I was being tested rather than trained. Many of the people in our group were already in recovery and had the process of AA down pat. The interview on day five was a bit disheartening for me. It doesn't look like I'm going to be getting the job because of the low intake of students, my lack of AA knowledge and also because I'm a bit of a beginner when it comes to Utah's backcountry and the hard skills involved. Now I begin my search for work somewhere else. I'll be keeping this site updated and you can post questions or comments on here if you want to.
I'm feeling a little anxious because I was attached to my plan! Things will work out regardless...I'm praying about it. I have another training that starts on June 2nd, it goes for 2 weeks and I'm going to look into the likelihood of that working out. It's kinda crazy that these places want you to train for 5 days or 2 weeks and then not give you a job!
Sending big hugs to everyone!

The Opening

Well, I made it to the beautiful state of Utah. It was a really quite trip, Nevada seemed to be about as desolate as it gets. I was able to pull over or even stop in the middle of the highway to look around and appreciate things. At one point I even ended up getting out of my car in an attempt to chase down a badger for a close up shot. It didn't seem too enthused and escaped my stumbling attempt!
Camping last night was really something. I was feeling a little edgy about being somewhere so unfamiliar. The night turned out to be quite spiritual actually. In a way I felt as though it was pre-planned. Getting visited by the wild horses in the moonlight was a real gift...God was around me.
I've arrived in Cedar City and am living with wildland firefighters and a random guy that dropped everything to move out here from Nevada. I start work tomorrow at 1030 am and don't know what to expect. Processing of course ;)!!!
Sending my love to all. You will all be in my thoughts.

Rob
Click on the slideshow to the right to see some pictures.