khamilton's blog

I arrived at Grand Canyon a day ahead of the ASB crew (on my own dime, auditors!). The morning was brutal -- cold, windy, and stinging snow -- but the afternoon mellowed a bit and I decided to take on the bobsled course that is South Kaibab Trail.  Winter has been relentless here and the first several hundred feel of elevation remain covered in ice and snow.

I soon wished I had brought crampons.

I didn't.

I also wished I had packed my trekking poles.

I didn't.

Finally, I fervently hoped I would avoid a butt plant.

I didn't.

But -- ahh, however -- after a while mud replaced ice, the temps climbed above 50 and, on the whole, I'd say it was all worth it.

I hilked a considerable distance past Skeleton and seemingly had the Canyon all to myself.  Renewed snowfall eventually prompted a 180,but, all the same, I killed a sensational afternoon and personally avoided the same fate.  In my book, a very good day.

What if you woke up one winter morning to a suddenly alien landscape?...

The SCA engaged 36 Boston teens in city parks this summer, from the historic Harbor Islands to West Roxbury’s Allandale Woods.  But on Sunday, August 30, some of them got to visit Boston’s best-known park: Fenway!

Bank of America invited SCA students as part of its Youth Day celebration, which kicked off with a tour of the majors’ oldest stadium.  Tomeka Baker, 18, an SCA Island Ambassador and passionate Sox fan, declared “I’m gonna shed a tear!” as she stepped onto the field.

If someone from the National Park Service ever hands you a business card, flip it over. On the back, you’ll find the simple slogan “Experience Your America.”

My most recent experience was among my most powerful…and the fact that it was delivered via 12 hours of watching TV is an irony that has yet to wear off.

Degrees of latitude I cannot measure but I picked up at least 40 degrees of Fahrenheit between Gateway Nat'l Rec Area and Padre Island Nat'l Seashore. PAIS, in the shorthand of the National Park Service, is one of two SCA Alternative Spring Break sites sponsored by American Eagle this year. Grand Canyon is the other.