"So This is Yale" Moments

Yes, it was all I expected it would be

As an undergraduate, I attended a university located in the same city as Yale University. To this day I can recall a t-shirt I saw for sale in the Yale Co-op . It featured Charles Schultz's Peanuts characters staring up at a big Gothic building on the Yale campus and included the caption "So This is Yale."

Mac Daddiez - A Delightful Treat for the Mountain Athlete

December is here but where is winter?! While weather in Bozeman was looking up for a while with a few small storms and cooler temperatures, it is now warmer and the long-term forecast (Ten day, according to the Weather Channel) isn't looking too good with temperatures in the 40s and questionable chances for snow. Despite the not so great start to the ski season, Mike and I have managed to get out for some skiing over the past few weekends. Nothing rave about and no great long days in the backcountry, but it was skiing none the less and that is always a good thing.

Calling It Quits on My Big Read

As for the big read a mentioned back in March, I have decided to abandon it about 100 pages from the end. I made steady progress from the time of the post until I left for a holiday in May (It was too big of a book to bring with me) and when I returned in early June I made some progress. Eventually summer moved along and other books made their way into my life. It became that I couldn't even make it through a simple ten page chapter of the big read. I tried for most of the fall but it was not to happen. I returned the book to the library yesterday. Perhaps I will pick it up for the third time in about another 20+ years but for now I am through with it.

Taking the Long Way Around - A Hiking Adventure on the Way to the Montenegrin Coast

I am realizing that while I included a brief write up on our three day walk in Montenegro in my previous post, the story would not be complete without going into detail about our last day of the trek.

Months have passed and I’m just getting around to writing about this but luckily I still have some emails sent shortly afterwards while the details were still fresh in our minds.

Backpacking Stats

Ladder of Kotor as seen from across the bay.

Last summer I compiled a list of hiking highlights in a post so I thought I'd do a similar post this year. This summer was another stellar time for outdoor adventures and Mike continues to be a good activity partner. Thanks to him, it was the most backpacking I had ever done in one summer. 

Reflections on a "Special" Place

We've all heard people talk about a "special place." One may call their grandmother's house, their beloved elementary school, a favorite summer camp, or any number of memorable locations a special place. Non-profit organizations remind supporters that their gift will help protect "this special place." As I think about special places in my life, I hope I can be more descriptive when I talk about and write about them. Yes, they are "special" but they are much more than that.

September is Music Month in Bozeman!

Live music in Bozeman can be a hit or miss affair. It seems likes months can go by with few shows to choose from.
Other times, we have the high-class problem of having so many good shows to choose from that music lovers are forced to pick and choose. September is shaping up to be quite the month for live music with one of the most diverse line ups I've seen in a while.

Sharing, Reading, Recycling - Little Free Libraries in the Gallatin Valley

I have long been a big fan of books, reading and libraries. My enthusiasm started at a young age, and I have fond memories of the library and library class at Fernbrook School as well as youth library programs at the Randolph Public Library. Given my enthusiasm for books and libraries, I have been quite delighted to see that free, neighborhood-based "libraries" have started to appear in Bozeman and throughout the Gallatin Valley.

These Three Things I Know...

Lately it seems I've been surrounded by know-it-alls. It is always enlightening to listen to these individuals in a conversation and see the passion they put into discussing/arguing subjects whether they are knowledgeable about them or not. The social scientist in me is fascinated with the know-it-all and ponders what might be going in his or her mind.

I could tell you a thing of two about the Wild East but only if you ask.

Turn Your Radio On: Music for an American Mood

Latest playlist from last night's stellar show. A big thanks to everyone who turned in.

An Overlooked Gem: The Sky Rim Trail in Yellowstone

This year's Independence Day adventure was quite the contrast to last year's (http://annvinciguerra.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-truth-about-skiing-blaze.html). Rather than skiing 1,600+ vertical feet of perfect summer snow, Mike and I spent three days hiking from Teepee Creek to Specimen Creek via the Sky Rim Trail. It was a glorious walk in some of Yellowstone National Park's most easily accessible high country.