Laurie Walewski a naturalist at Wolf Ridge Environemental Learning Center in Finland Minnesota sent this picture - a new mural in their education building feature the exploits of Lonnie Dupre and I.

While Laurie and the rest of the Wolf Ridge gang put the finishing touches on the mural and global climate change curriculum, I am in Boulder, Co on my way west to Moab, Utah.

Would I be lying if I said I was working? I did manage a few presentations in the Denver and Boulder area as well as a great meeting with Sierra Designs about sponsoring Save the Poles. But in reality these are secondary to VACATION. It's Canyonlands, the mighty Colorado River and more for me.

Back to working, I will test out some new gear from Timberland, Granite Gear, MSR and Stanley. Back to vacation, a three day float trip down the Colorado - sand bars, reading river currents, lazing away warm sunny afternoons. Workwise, I'll check emails periodically. Vacation - long hikes in the desert backcountry. Work - final arranangements for a lecture at Neptune Mountaineering on April 4th. Vacation - sunset over delicate arch.

I'm not bragging here. I am just really excited to be going to one of the most amazing wilderness areas in the United States and going camping. So maybe I'm not the best at balancing work and pleasure.