At the end of an incredible Futa 2017 – 2018 season, I had the opportunity to join Jorge Esquivel on a rally in his beloved Toyota Landcruiser, “Chunche”, from Esquel in Southern Argentina to Salta for a couple weeks. Along for the ride were Grace McCutcheon (from ROAM Outfitters) and Tam Jackson. What a trip!! From the Asados with friends, wild camping, and eventually to visiting owner (and Bio Bio guide) of Valsecchi Wines, Diego Valsecchi. We got to see him work his magic with his vineyards in Cafayate, keeping the amazing reputation and tradition of delicious Argentine wines. It was a perfect journey to cap off a stellar river season in South America.
Once back in the States, I felt like I needed a bit of a readjustment period before totally falling back into the North American pulse of life, which it did not take long to find some more adventure, great food, and MUSIC in New Orleans!
Most recently I was lucky enough to run a trip with Jenner Fox, Elena Louder, Lorenzo Alvarez Roos (Bio Bio Co-founder), and legendary Bio Bio guide Kipchoge Spencer on the much sought after Illinois River in Oregon! This was yet another incredible experience with river family and friends, and of course with incredible music from Kipchoge and Jenner.
I brewed my first batch of Fu Brew Ginger Beard (beer)!
For the Present???? I am living in Hood River, Oregon, enjoying the wind, mountain bike trails, and looking forward to lots of great activities and work opportunities this summer such as:
…Riding all the incredible mountain biking trails around Oregon
…Brewing beer with the FU BREW Brewing maestro Jakob Foley in Northern California
…Possibly hiking the Oregon Coast Trail
…Working with Bio Bio guide Diego Ibanez in his first ever North American Season!!!!!!!!!
…Sitting in the A/C of a movie Theatre watching a Summer Blockbuster
…Playing music!
…Finally learning how to kayak!…maybe…Anyone wanna watch me swim?
I would say that one idea/thought/thing that I am most looking forward to and am seeking help/advice/insight to would be my continuous pursuit to try and become a better steward to the Rivers. They keep me sane and bring so much joy and growth into my life. While I am in no way a professional at advocacy, and am still trying to figure out where to really start, it is a goal that I honestly do not know much about. But, I’m super stoked to be getting into the arena, finding ways to help, or even help others find their way to the Water to see what it can do for them.
This coming Fall, I hope join one of our super guides, Stanford Ricketts, on a Kilimanjaro expedition for Bio Bio Expeditions! Afterwards, I can bounce to the Zambezi to help the Bio Bio team on another incredible Zambezi Explorer experience!
After that? Hopefully back to Peru for more River time, trekking, and spanish practice before traveling back down to the Mighty Futaleufu River for another beautiful season!
