…started 2019 off with an intense learning experience…

On January 3, I departed to teach my first Wilderness First Responder course.  I left Harrisburg International Airport on a United Airlines flight that was running 20 minutes late.  As a result of the delay, I missed my connecting flight.  I kept positive energy flowing and verified my transferred flights, arranged by United Airlines.  My new flights were UA from Chicago O’Hare to Minneapolis then Delta flight from Minneapolis to Duluth.  Well, I guess United Airlines doesn’t “talk” to Delta because my luggage was left in Minneapolis and arrived the next day.  Needless to say I thought I had done all I could to ensure my luggage would arrive with me in Duluth.  I checked in with each boarding and asked “where my bag is” and was told it was there and final destination was Duluth.  I got my very first Uber from the airport to the hotel.  I was staying overnight in Duluth in a hotel. My Uber driver, Gary, was GREAT! I asked him if he could take me to the airport the next morning, to retrieve my luggage and then take me and another instructor, Sam,  to Ely for our course.  He gladly agreed.

Sam, the lead instructor, traveled from Brazil to teach this course.  She is extraordinary and I felt underachieved when I heard of her accomplishments.  She runs/IS Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) in Brazil.  Brazil didn’t have an EMS system.  Sam doesn’t have a medical background.  She brought this foreign concept to Brazil and has created an WEMS program.  She translated the curriculum from English to Portuguese, teaches all the courses, and “runs on the truck”…in other words she is a first responder via ambulance.  She is an educator of children, teaching sea kayaking, ropes/climbing, leading adventure/wilderness trips.  She paraglides! So Amazing! Oh, she also speaks 4 languages and is world traveled.  Such an interesting person.  Also, an Intense instructor!

“Man Sam”, was the other instructor.  There were 3 of us.  Since this was my very first course, teaching, I struggled with my ability to contribute to the team.  You see, I’m a team player.  I have a strong work ethic.  I take pride in being a valuable contributor to any team I’m on.  My challenge was to overcome my feeling of being a burden and learn everything I could.

“Man Sam” traveled from Maine.  I met him a few years ago when I took my Wilderness Advanced Life Support on Hurricane Island.  He was a Director of Operations for the Island.  He lives on a neighboring island.  He was also at my Instructor Training in September.  My IT was on Hurricane Island.  He is fantastic and it was nice to see a familiar face.

The course was sponsored by Vermilion Community College, “The Boundary Waters College”.  VCC offers several niche programs focusing on natural resources, natural sciences, and outdoor education.  A common interest was ice fishing/hunting.  There was 35 students in the WFR course.  This is a very large class. All the students in the WFR course were students of VCC.   There were some really interesting folks in this class…promising young people.  I hope they go on to do good things.

This is the cabin Sam, Sam and I shared for the duration of the 8 day course.  It was cold and about knee high deep snow on the ground.  It snowed a couple of times while we were there, but nothing much comparatively.  My Uber driver was from the next town over and told us that it had been a warm Winter so far, hence all the ice.

I could feel I was in the “learning zone”… you know that uncomfortable feeling when you’re out of your comfort zone, pushing yourself to learn new things.  I like to be good at what I do.  Learning from those that are respected and well known for being good at what they do ensures this.  It is KEY!  When I’m learning something new, I like to model after those teachers.  After I have had some experience, then I can take what I’ve learned and create my own style.  Using bits and pieces of things that I liked from the different teachers.  Brazil Sam was a very intense instructor… she knows the curriculum like the back of her hand.

She was TOUGH!  Her method of “mentoring” is for me to come up with a lesson plan, run it by her…then she challenges my word choice and precise details.  She doesn’t tell me the answer or how she would do it…just to figure something else out. I had to look at it as a process. It’s a process of relearning.  Sorta like I’ve been living Calculus for many years, now I have to relearn and teach “new math” algebra…LOL…I believe it’s making me a better nurse, a better learner, and a better teacher.

“Man Sam” was experienced and a bit more gentle with his method of mentoring.  Challenging, but in a different way.  In a way that encouraged development by learning from mistakes.  More approachable, more nurturing of creating a “learn by making mistakes” enviornment.  I made more than my fair share of mistakes.  Including dropping a bomb that was supposed to be a talk about lightning.

I was challenged to continue to throw positive energy at this experience.  I was determined to learn everything I could, create a plan to enrich my development, and continue to grow.  I’m proud to say I accomplished a positive energy experience, drained it for all it had to offer.  I learned SO MUCH! Not only about the curriculum but about myself.  My change in perception… instead of thinking “why is this happening to me” changing to “what is this trying to teach me”, leads to energy shifts…the power of positive energy is real!

The course concluded and now it was time to go home.  I really missed my girls. Especially my Big dog, Jannali.  I was hoping for a smoother travel home than it was for my arrival.  That didn’t happen…

I arrive to the Duluth airport and all signs were looking good, until an announcement was made that my United Airline flight to O’Hare was delayed, as a result of mechanical problems with the plane.  I’m grateful they found the problem and grounded the plane before we were in the air, however, wish they had a replacement plane ready to go…I just HAD to make my connecting flight this time…

I had to wait for my plane, so why not have a $10 beer in the only bar/cafe in the Duluth airport.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you…we all went out to eat before our departure. This is where we went…

I had a Big Boat Oatmeal Stout and my very first elk burger…It was fucking delicious!

Anyway, back to my travel drama, I gambled that I would make my connecting flight…and with my runnin shoes on, 10 minutes, and a 100 yard sprint…I made it! Whew!

My friend Tom, picked me up at HIA and drove me home to base camp.  After drop off, while he was going home he hit a deer.  I promptly got in my 4Runner and went to the scene.  He wasn’t hurt, but his vehicle was.  The deer ran from the scene.

Back in September I applied to be a nurse at Yellowstone National Park.  I made it through the initial elimination and on to the 2nd step.  I received an email, while I was in Ely, requesting an interview.  Becoming a nurse at YNP has been a dream/goal of mine for many moons.  I was excited about the possibility…When I attempted to contact the hiring person, I was emailed a response of apology.  I was concerned about a couple of things, but mostly about the government shutdown and how that would affect the position and impact the park…she assured me that all my concerns would be addressed in my interview.  The tone of her email, lead me to the conclusion that it wasn’t good timing.  The timing wasn’t right for me to work at YNP this season…Meanwhile the wilderness camp on Lake Michigan, that I worked at last year, had made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.  I chose to reapply to YNP next year…

I’m thrilled/excited to be back on the shoreline and dunes of Lake Michigan again.  Working for a camp that vision/mission statements align with my own beliefs.  “My Own Self, At my very best, All the time”… They inspire people to discover and develop their personal best, to seek balance in mental, physical, social, and spiritual living…make a positive difference in their communities and in the wider world.

…hoping 2019 is a year of growth/inspiration/making positive change…Thank you for following us.  Watch for my podcasts, coming soon…