Still Leading tours

I just had a little break from leading tours and Eva came for a visit. Unfortunately she was only here for 7 days, but it was great to have her come. We visited with some friends in Corona, California, then went to Vegas for two nights. During our whole day there we left the glitter and gambling behind and went to Valley of Fire State Park, about an hour drive from Vegas. I can't believe I have never been there, it was amazing. It really should be a National Park, but I know why it hasn't become one, at least in the last 7 years. Our current president isn't into things like that. You know nature.

I also recently submitted all the paperwork to obtain a Belgian residency visa, so who knows how long it will take. I am about to start my 5th trip for the season, a two weeker that goes to San Diego, Grand Canyon, Vegas, Yosemite and San Fran. I will be in Vegas the Saturday before Halloween and SF for Halloween. Should be fun. The last trip I led was a very short promotional tour called "Into the Wild." There is a movie out by that name directed by Sean Penn, based on the book by John Krakower about a guy named Christopher McCandless who went to live in the wilds of Alaska and ended up starving to death. Do yourself a favor and read the book and see the movie, they are both really good. Oh and buy the soundtrack as well, with music by Eddie Vedder. Anyway, to help promote the movie they gave away a tour to six winners, and Trek America won the bid to lead it. Myself and another leader (JJ, who I worked with in Seattle) did so and it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately it was not in Alaska (too late in the season) rather it was 2 nights Olympic National Park and two nights Rainier NP. It was my 6th visit to Rainier, but my first time to see the mountain from the park (I have seen it many times from Seattle) as it is usually clouded in. Also while sea kayaking, we saw a whale. There should be some footage of the tour coming up soon on My Space, so check it out. Something is wrong with the photo upload section, so sorry, none of those.