AntSaint

The Early Days of BootsnAll

Recently, Jodie and I traveled up to Portland for the 10th anniversary party of the BootsnAll Travel Network. I worked for BootsnAll during its early days, from 2000-2003. Back then, we were 4 guys with no money and 4 computers in a dining room. But at this party? It was amazing to see how far BootsnAll had come — and the 450 people at the party were certainly a good sign of how well the company is doing.

I was asked to prepare a wee speech for it, and the guys were kind enough to post it:

BootsnAll: The Early Days - Ant.

"As part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations last week, former BootsnAll employee and wordsmith extraordinaire from the Eugene days, Anthony St. Clair was in Portland and had penned a reflection on his time with BnA. He was due to read it to the large audience at the Wonder Ballroom, but given the ambient noise and mood of the crowd we decided it was best saved for the after-after party. It was a more intimate setting, and in the end probably more appropriate. Ant kindly agreed to let us share his words with the interwebs"

Pack Less - Cram All Your Travel Gear in One Bag

From carrying only one bag to improving how you pack, there are lots of ways both to cut how much you pack, and to have what you pack take up less space:

Link: Travel: How to Cram All Your Travel Gear in One Bag.

Home after 2 weeks away

Jodie and I have recently gotten back to Eugene after 2 weeks out of town, 1 in New Mexico, and the other in San Jose, CA, where I went to the Internet Retailer Conference (and she explored just about every yarn shop in the Bay area).

Catching up, and mudding/taping a hallway. And reeling from all the geeky goodness from the conference.

Recreation.gov - Web site showcases federal recreation sites

Planning any trips that involve federal park sites? Check out the new recreation.gov for info:

Link: Web site showcases federal recreation sites - The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, USA.

A new Web site makes it easier to plan trips to federal recreation sites, from monuments and historic attractions to forests, parks and scenic byways. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns formally launched the www.recreation.gov Web site March 28

TripCheck - Road Cams, Road & Weather Conditions in Oregon - ODOT

Going on a roadtrip in Oregon, during inclement weather months (pretty much October thru, oh, I don't know, September)? Then be sure to check TripCheck, from the Oregon Department of Transportation, for road conditions, closures, if you need chains, etc.:

Link: TripCheck - Road Cams, Road & Weather Conditions in Oregon - ODOT.

Oregon Hikes & Adventures - William Sullivan

William Sullivan has written some of the best, most-comprehensive books available about hiking in Oregon. For his many volumes, as well as listings of activities and recreation areas, see:

Link: Oregon Hikes & Adventures.

See Sullivan's titles on Oregon hiking and the outdoors, including:

• Cabin Fever
• Oregon Trips & Trails
• A Deeper Wild
• Hiking Oregon's History
• 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades
• 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon
• 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range
• 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & SW Washington
• 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Eastern Oregon
• Oregon Topographic Road Map
• Exploring Oregon's Wild Areas
• Listening for Coyote

Aran Islands by Ferry - Daily ferry from Doolin to Aran Islands

I've spent some very happy days on Inisheer, the smallest of the Aran Islands, in Ireland's Galway Bay. Now you can take a ferry from Doolin to Inisheer as well. Check out the website from these fine folks. In addition to ferry (and ferry booking info), there's also some information on the island too:

Link: Aran Islands by Ferry - Daily ferry from Doolin to Aran Islands.

Sustainable Energy in Motion Bike Tours - New website now up. with 2007 bicycle tour dates

How about a bicycle tour with a green twist? With a Sustainable Energy in Motion Bike Tour (www.democracybike.com), you'll get to see Oregon, engage with a group of people from a range of ages and backgrounds, and learn more about the small steps that are adding up to building a better, greener world for us and our kids and grandkids.

Check out the website, and look into the 2007 tour dates. Here's how the folks at Sustainable Energy in Motion Bike Tours describe their offerings:

"Our riders bike to organic farms and intentional communities in Oregon, engaging in service projects and discussion circles. They meet incredible people who are committed to redefining our world, while living with the land and camping under the stars.

"On our tours, riders Study and apply the philosophies of permaculture, green building, small-scale economics, sustainable energy and intentional living. They gain a deeper understanding of how their food is grown by speaking with the people who grow organic food and supporting their work."

La Jolla Kayak - San Diego

While in San Diego, Jodie and I took a morning to go sea kayaking. The water at La Jolla is quite nice, plus there are some interesting wee sea caves on its coast. We rented kayaks from La Jolla Kayak ($47 for a double, for 2 hours; could've taken a tour, too, but we wanted to be on our own for this jaunt).

Link: La Jolla Kayak - San Diego Guided Kayak and Bike Tours, Rentals of Kayaks, Snorkeling Gear, Surf Boards, and Boogie Boards.

Mid-morning seemed a good time to go. No crowds, plenty of boats to rent. San Diego was generally overcast in the morning, but it burned off, and by mid-morning the sun had come out enough to give us good visibility to the shallow sea bottom.

We cruised along to the caves, shallow features that run in a row along a cliff wall. Orange garibaldi swam below us, and when we turned back for the shallows near the beach, we saw the shadows of leopard sharks swim by.

The best part, though, was seeing a sea turtle. It floated on top of the water, head craned up, mouth open, it would bob in the waves for a few minutes, then duck back into the water, then come out again.

If you fancy a quick kayak, definitely check out La Jolla. There are other kayak companies besides La Jolla Kayak, but we liked their prices, selection, and just overall professionalism.

Back from San Diego

Just got back from San Diego. Jodie's down there a few more days, getting her leg worked on. I've been having fun telling people that we were going to San Diego so we could "take my girlfriend's leg to the shop".

Getting home has been a relief, though I can't wait for Jodie to get back. I've been settling back into things here, tidying and taking care of bills, hanging out with the cat so she knows that we didn't abandon her.

I'll get more up about what we got up to in San Diego — the lobster burritos and sea kayaking in particular come to mind...