We need a Spring Snow dance....

For more information on all the cool things to do at the Sand Dunes, go here. And let's pray, wish for, meditate on, dance, or seed clouds for more snow and rain this spring, so we can do this:




and this:




The hiking around Mount Herard and Medano Lake looks rather spectacular.

OK. On to practical matters. I like this idea of having the carport/tarp set up with tables underneath. This will make communal eating easier. It will certainly come in handy if we get rain. That way we're not separated into individual tents and can still socialize normally despite soggy weather.

Any other thoughts? What about sand sledding? What do we need for that? I've heard goggles come in handy... And if there is still water in Medano Creek, I am all about making sand castles and sand sculpture. Has anyone ever tried this there?

Summertime Gobblerfest 2009. Sand Dunes!

I thought we should start getting organized for our adventure to Arrakis, er... I mean the Sand Dunes...

Any ideas? I will be the first to admit that I am not the most accomplished camper. I may need advice.... and help with my tent.

I also had a little birdy whispering in my ear last night that we should try to do another camping trip later in the summer that involves backpacking and hiking in to our campsite. I'm all for it, but someone may need to carry me. (Just kidding). Any ideas on where to do this? Phantom Canyon anyone?

Back to the Dunes... Let's pop out some ideas on the blog for food, equipment lists, games in the sand, etc. I thought it might be fun to have storytelling by the fire.

Saw this on Post Secret today, and wanted to share it with you!

"It Comes in Pints?"

Some cute little hobbits showed up at the Carsten's on Friday. They were astounded by the bounty and the large human-sized crockery. Observe:





Just wait until the Gaffer hears about this!

The most appropriate Christmas Card ever

Dustin and I received this card with a gift. I thought it was really cute and perfect for us.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Soup and Season's Greetings

I don't want this post to sound all doom and gloom, but I think it's important to talk about.

I've been having many conversations lately with friends and strangers about our current times. Face it. Our economic outlook is bleak. The signs have been there for a long time and we are just beginning to feel the bite.

The good news is this: For now, most people are making adjustments. No one is particularly happy about a reduction in the standard of living, but they are taking it in stride. I am trying to see it as an opportunity to build stronger community ties.

One way we can do this is to ease the burden of cooking. You know all those left-overs you never eat? Take them to a friend. Making a casserole? Make two. I have a lovely friend in Portland who had the same problem most of us have with eating at restaurants: huge portions that you cannot finish. So she would get a box for the portion she couldn't eat and then go find someone panhandling on the street to give it to.

And here's the thing I am totally bad at: We really, really need to start gardening. I know that some of us already do, but it should be a larger group effort. I suffer from extraordinary laziness when it comes to anything other than my job and that just will not do. So everyone must pile on the peer pressure this coming spring, so I actually start growing stuff.

It is likely someone (or some many) we know is going to be in dire straights by the end of 2009. Let's be prepared to help them them out. It's not the time to despair, but the time to repair what's wrong with our society.

And if I'm wrong, and we avoid a Second Greater Depression? Then the changes we make now will make our community richer.

Ian's Bacon Grease Surprise