Just another day on the block

Treeplanting on the coal mines just outside the boundaries of Jasper National Park always seem to produce an eventful experience. This is normally due to the extreme weather along with the more than abundant wildlife making for interesting days (one of the hundreds of Big Horn Sheep that live on the reclaimed strip mines that eat the pine trees we plant a quickly as we can plant them). Since we were planting at such high elevations on these mines any precipitation we received always turned into snow which we often had to simply plant through. Every year we seem to have at least one big snow storm along with always seeing a number of Grizzlies (normally from the "safety" of a vehicle), but this year I had quite a close encounter while I was out planting, a mother and cub decided to give me a little visit. Tomorrow is a full day off in town which is needed for some major gear repairs and replacements.

Planting

Planting is in full swing again.  I just finished my first contract today and am currently heading to GP from Cadomin (currently using some random persons wireless access).  Oh we are heading, loosing connection later.

Me

Nathan did this drawing that I think has a surprising similarity to someone that I know quite well so I thought I would steal it and post it. Thanks Nathan.

There and Back Again by Jon Barrett

A mere three months ago I was hopping on a flight to LA to start my journey not knowing what was going to happen along the way. Now as my journey is over I am again sitting here in my basement typing at my computer just as I had before and my travels almost feels like a surreal dream. Thankfully as I review my pictures all the fond memories from those special places flood back to me. Such as the sounds and smells of the jungles as they come alive in the evenings or the warm Caribbean breeze in the morning as you are enjoying the sunrise. The past couple days have been a definite change to my routine in comparison to the past three months, but it is obviously nice to be home once again.

Canada

It's official I am back in Canada once again. I arrived last night and have been quickly trying to re-adjust to life back North. It has been great to see my niece, Naomi, for the first time. I should be back on the Island sometime tonight to complete my final stage of transition back to life in North America even though I realize it may take some time.

Homeward Bound

It is unfortunate I know, but my journey is drawing to a close.  That means this will be my last post from Latin America.  I am sure in the upcoming days as I arrive home I will submit a few more photos and add a few more stories that I thought would be best left omitted while I was still on the road.  I do hope you have enjoyed a few of the pictures and stories that I have been able to regale from this part of the world.  In closing I would like to thank every one of you for your prayers as I have been away exploring God's marvelous creation.

For those Google Earthers out there

I had a bit of time between buses Monday so I went onto Google Earth and located a few spots I have visited recently.  To check them out copy and past all the numbers into the search in google earth (or www.maps.google.com in Satellite of Hybrid mode) and you should be able to fly there in seconds verses the hours/days it took me by land, sea and air (most are not high quality photos so you most likely will need to zoom out).

Monero Glacier    -50.4752426056  -73.062313277 ,

Torres del Paine   -50.9866904668 -73.0019928194 ,

Ushuia  -54.8142662849 -68.3918594315 ,

Iguazu Falls    -25.6910360935  -54.4421379091 ,

Bolivian Salt Flats  -20.181012  -67.467041 ,

Lake Titicaca floating Islands -15.81992 -69.970722 ,

and something that everyone should recognize 46.264273,-63.163651  .

I am off for my final long haul bus ride to Santiago (18 hours).  Hopefully should arrive Thursday morning so I can catch my flight back to North America that evening.

Happy Easter

I hope everyone is having a great Easter. I am very thankful for the relaxing day I had yesterday with lots of time to sit and read. It was a nice break from the pace I have been trying to maintain lately. "He is no here, for He has risen, just as He said." Matt 28:6a

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares

The Moreno Glacier in the Glacier National Park, Chile was an impressive chunk of ice. The Moreno Glacier is said to be one of the most active glaciers in the world moving up to 2 meters per day. This means lots of calving which is always truly fun to watch. Evey time these 60 meter high walls of ice start breaking off to these deafening cracks of thunder then the impact as it hits the water to produce a great surge and billowing clouds of mist is definitely impressive.

Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is an incredibly beautiful area. I could spend weeks in places like this just enjoying the scenery and trekking around. Unfortunately I only had a couple days in the area so talking to other travelers who were fresh of the trail I was trying to find a few of the best places to visit during my short time in the park. However with every person I talked to they told me I had to visit Valle Frances, but that I could not miss Mirrador los Torres. On looking at the map I was like yikes to view both places it would be over 55 Km and I only had from 1:00 Thursday when the boat drops you off till 2:00 Friday when the bus picks the trekkers up off the trail. Thankfully somehow I was able to make it to both amazingly incredible spots (It did take many hours hiking in the dark with my lamp last night and again this morning with a thankfully bright full moon -- as can be seen from the last picture -- taken while I was laying in awe in my sleeping bag).