Author Archive
Saturday, November 21st, 2009
What an amazing week we’ve had at the Rio Claro! This place was a paddlers’ wonderland. It had the most perfect basalt bowls that these mouthwash blue waterfalls would pour into. Everyone had the greatest time launching off them-throwing free wheels, doing crazy boofs, super deep plugs, or even jumping off them. I definitely preferred staying in my boat and going for a ginormous boof. Both us photo and the video students were in heaven. It was a gorgeous place to shoot photos. It was another place where we were staying right next to the river. So after school we would put all our stinky kayaking gear on and go paddling.
At the hostel we were staying at we would have classes by the fire some mornings. It was a really cool experience having class there, all snuggled in our down jackets next to the fire. The food there was also so amazing. Its so fun to try all the new Chilean dishes. As always it was sad to leave but now we’re all ready for our next location which will hold even more new adventures.
Tags: Go Huge Experiences, Huge Experiences, Kayak School, Kayaking, kayaking chile, new river academy, siete tazas chile, taylor cote, whitewater, whitewater kayak photography, whitewater kayaking
Posted in Academics, chile whitewater rivers, Kayak School, Kayaking, Photography, Uncategorized, Whitewater Countries | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
The magical little surf town of Pichilemu has enchanted us all. Everyone enjoys walking around to all the little shops, buying cakes or bargaining for their first pair of Alpaca socks. I think what has marveled us all the most is the amazing waves. Everyone is going so huge on all their tricks and getting a little sun on there face to prove it. This is my first time ocean surfing and I absolutely love it! Its all pretty exciting to be able to have classes in these exquisite little cafes, the green park, or sometimes even on the beach. The sand on these beaches is way different than any beach on the east coast I have been to. Its really dark, almost black sand, from the volcanoes I guess? Some people have even been lucky enough to see some of the rarer wildlife such as a baby sea lion poking around through the surf.
Yesterday, we had a scavenger hunt all through Pichilemu. It was so fun running around trying to complete all the funny tasks. Then afterwards we all went to surf at Punta de los Lobos, aka Point of the Wolves, (cue scary music). I saw some of the biggest ocean waves there, and I think one 2-3 star day there was enough to satisfy my curiosity. I know of course some of the daredevils in the group will want to go out to the point on those 5 star days though. As you can see we’re all not worrying and being happy in this lovely little surf town.
Tags: chile pichilemu, eric bartl, Go Huge Experiences, Huge Experiences, Kayak School, Kayaking, new river academy, punta de los lobos pichilemu, taylor cote, white water kayaking, whitewater
Posted in Academics, chile whitewater rivers, Culture, Kayak School, Photography, Uncategorized, Whitewater Countries | Comments Off
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
We all had a lovely voyage across the ocean and are comfortably settled into our first location in Chile. Cascada de las Animas translating into English as the Fall of the Spirits is located right next to the Maipo River. Its the perfect first destination because we are located right next to the river and spring is in the air. Every night we eat dinner at Cascada de las Animas either after paddling on the Maipo or going on a fun adventure in the area. We’ve also been working on making some Chilean dishes ourselves when we cook breakfast and lunch. We even had a birthday while we’ve been down here. Zoe turned 15 on October 31, I think it’s so cool to have your birthday on of all holidays, Halloween. We’re all super stoked to be here and are excited for all the amazing experiences we will have. I have put some pictures up of our first location, hope you enjoy!
Tags: cascadas de las animas, chile cascadas de las animas, chile maipo, chile photography, Go Huge Experiences, Huge Experiences, Kayaking, new river academy, taylor cote, whitewater, whitewater kayaking
Posted in Academics, chile whitewater rivers, Culture, Kayak School, Kayaking, Photography, Whitewater Countries | 1 Comment »
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
What a wonderful fall break it has been! For mine, I traveled up to Maine, the state that has more lobsters than people. While I was there I hung out with all the relatives and they all helped me get into the fall season. I was also practicing my new photography skills. It was a little intimidating the first time I went out on my own to take photos. It was a test of everything I had been taught so far and I think my lovely photography teacher, Melina, would have been so proud. I hope everyone else enjoyed their fall break as much as I did. See you all Chile!
Tags: biddeford maine, family photos, Go Huge Experiences, Huge Experiences, Kayak School, melina coogan, new river academy, taylor cote, whitewater kayaking
Posted in chile whitewater rivers, Kayak School, Photography, Whitewater Countries | Comments Off
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
This afternoon in creative writing we did something wayyyyy out of the box: mad libs! Melina and I took about 30 minutes to type up a little paragraph about a topic. Then we proceeded to slash out words we thought unnecessary so they would become filled with any word our clever little minds could think of. We both chortled at the silly things that these paragraphs turned into. So, I hope you enjoy my mad lib, with all the randomness compliments of Melina.
As you know, next quarter we will be traveling to an elfin destination. Chile, a country full of baby toys and air fresheners, is the grandest thing our eyeball will ever behold. The waterfalls we will be paddling off of will give your triple-shot latte such a rush. The volcanoes that will be all around us make me snooze. What if they diagnose?! I know I’m very pancake stack to be amist the Chilean culture. I can’t wait to have taste of the best camel-shape Christmas ornament they have to offer. I hear during register dietitian’s class we will have to excite through the streets, trying to find different tree houses. I hope I won’t speed walk over my words when I’m trying to speak dentures with the people. Being there with the punch-drunk group is what going to make it exceptional pain. All of us in and airport traveling to this turquoise place is going to be an experience in its own. I bet the people in the airport will give us such weird unicorns when they see our toasty marshmallows. Surely we understand a kayak isn’t something you see every shopping cart. But, a school like this isn’t something you see every brand new red dress either.
Tags: chile madlib, fayetteville west virginia, field trip photography, Go Huge Experiences, Huge Experiences, Kayak School, mad lib, madlib, melina coogan, new river academy, Photography Class, taylor cote
Posted in Academics, chile whitewater rivers, Culture, Kayak School, Kayaking, Photography, Uncategorized, Whitewater Countries | Comments Off
Wednesday, October 7th, 2009
It was a spooky Sunday night at New River Academy. Matt and I as photo students could feel the eeriness of this dooming evening and decided to take advantage of it, by taking photos! We walked up to “The Store” where we get all sugary goodies and it had the perfect setting for our ghost story photo shoot. We also dragged along Haakon as our model, our humble Igor. Who wouldn’t want to be a model for this shoot, you got to hold a pick axe and a crow bar!? So, with the perfect gloomy lighting and feel, we assumed our picture snapping. So, I hope you enjoy our spine-chilling photos.
Tags: fayetteville west virginia, Gap Year, gap year abroad, Go Huge Experiences, haakon samuelson, Huge Experiences, Kayak School, matt hill, new river academy, new river photography, Photography, spooky west virginia, taylor cote, west virginia photography
Posted in Academics, Kayak School, Kayaking, Photography, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
The condensation droplets sprinkle my window, my own heat keeping me warm. My sleeping bag- my snuggly abode. Messy room adds to the hominess. Sun greets you even though you turn back over to sleep. Reluctancy to leave the safe haven of it all it….The cold air nipping at your body reaching your bones, a chill. Mist drifts up from the water. It’s a thick soup warming all our tummies keeping us in that drowsy state. Hurried rush to get to the Thunderdome for our natural caffeine buzzzzz. The workout ensues. Panting, grunts, struggle- to work harder then the day before, reach a new goal. Breakfast bubbling and sizzling. Groggy hellos…. First -classes begin with a whisper -a murmur –then- a roar. Everyone roaring- animals in their pajamas. The condensation drippppping down the windows might as well be crying. My books creeeeeeeak as I open them.
All the guys gathered around one of the many glowing screens watching-waiting-then in unity laughter. A roll of my eyes, then a cracking smile then, of course, the giggling along too. One of the guys, I suppose? The teachers cleaning out their coffee mugs while Melina is just taking hers out. The coolness in the air has evaporated away thanks to the beating sun. He’s so bright and proud- I wonder if he’s so enthralled with himself he never realizes he is lonely. Everyone talking…Relief with the morning classes done. Us all chirping at each other about new things like the birds outside in the branches. Comfortable, homey, friendly-like, a yummy mixture waiting for creative writing to express everything and be free. The foosball table, a rumbling earthquake. Who needs to watch games off your laptop when you have one in high def right there. The murmuring of everyone content with eating lunch, filling their endless pit of a belly. No hands raise to wash those dishes. Hometeam running around receiving as much attention from the guys as a babe in a bikini on the beach would. Everyone’s energy rising because they know what’s about to come. People finishing with their elective classes still deep in thought about how to make their product perfect. Was the shot was even up to par?
Getting out of those pajama bottoms and into those comfy broken-in jeans. The transition has occurred. The shade under the deck becomes the only sanctuary from the sun. New projects arising. Outside the house may look as though nothing is truly going on but when you dare to open that door you’re greeted by the sound of a thousand different conversations. What a lovely group we are….Herd of us stampeding everywhere-we laugh at the thought of tiptoeing. The playful barks of Hometeam who has discovered a new stick. We are chaos in a line. Huge stickers everywhere your eyes may land, dappling our items.
Going out onto the lake in my stinky paddling gear. Everyone a swarm trying to get to the wave first. All hurried paddle strokes never leaving the water. Babyface holding our attention as if it was a child in a playpen. Corner wave keeping us in its own little timeout away from every else. Hitting move after move trying our hardest -pushing boundaries, cheers, hoots, hollers from our friends watching you nail that trick you’ve been working on for so long. How can it be you have that much love and support. then peeling my skirt away from my boat to get out on the mossy covered shore. Take action shots of the group, battling matt for my turn to take photos, to get a better shot then him. Finally reaching the time my tummy starts to grumble again. Everyone listens to my incessant hiccups because of this fact, I’m hungry. Paddling back in and ripping off all the paddling gear drenching you all over. Rushing quickly inside so not to get the chill and jump right into the warm steamy shower. It’s like a spa when you close your eyes and pretend. Tracy telling me to hurry up because we’re going to be leaving for dinner soon. Jumping out in a hurried rush my towel wrapped around me as I run into my room. Careful don’ t let it slip! Rushing to put on an outfit usually for dinner, I put on something fun and cute because its nice to feel like girlie. Sometimes just because I can. It reminds me of home when my dad and I would go out to dinner, it was always fun and special. Running out to the van my hair still dripping wet but at least neatly parted and into my classic little colorful bow. Gahhh…running back into to get the Wilderness Tours bracelet. Tino honking the horn trying to get me to hurry it up. Hahaha! Someone else forgot their’s too.
The sun going back to its favorite hiding place. Everyone running around, excited, pupils huge searching for the light. Headlamps illuminating what our eyes cannot. The foosball table games are in full swing! Teachers working on their plans for the next day preparing their schedules- planning, plotting possibly? Nahhhhh…..Study hall. Pauses. All. The. Fun. Working on homework, trying not to giggle at the person next to you, waiting for that clock to hit the time when your free again to run off into the night. Sneaking through the woods, reaching Stephen’s little humble abode, the little fire already roaring making up despite its small size. The company of friends, the woody smell of the smoke seeps into your hair and the clothes your wearing, bringing the comfort of the woods all the way into your heart welcoming you into its home. Telling spooky stories that send a chill up your spine. Snuggling on Hometeam for some wanted comfort, clinging to the person next to you, asking for a buddy to accompany you while you walk back. You hear a stick crack, its not yours. Could it be a killer in the woods? Nope. A little squirrel scurries off next to you. Watching a movie- so engrossed even with the silliest things the guys seem to have on their computers these days. Some people heading off to bed for their beauty rest while the night owls are wide awake talking and chattering away about the day. When 10:30 comes around off to slip into your comfy pajamas and brush your pearly whites-snuggle into that sleeping bag that welcomes you so graciously even though you leave him lonely all day long. “LIGHTS OUT”, Tino will yell. The pitter patter of a little mouse trying to find the peanut butter in a cabinet. Snores and deep breathes one of the other accompanying sounds you hear. Your dreams welcome you twirling you back into their arms.
Tags: academics kayak, creative writing, Go Huge Experiences, Kayak School, new river academy, NRA, ottawa canada, Ottawa river, Photography, school day, taylor cote, whitewater kayak photography, whitewater kayaking
Posted in Academics, Kayak School, Kayaking, Photography, Uncategorized, Whitewater Countries | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
It seems I have been given the honor of writing the second student report which I have no problem with at all. It has been such an exciting jam packed couple of weeks. So, I have a pretty fun and easy job because I get to talk about all the cool things we’ve done in these past few weeks.
Well, first off, leaving the Ottawa River sure brought a tear to everyone’s eye; all those amazing play spots and our own little village. But, we didn’t despair for long becauseeee……..we were going to visit the world famous Niagara Falls! The whole group was certainly excited for this and that 7 hour car ride was just helping build up our anticipation. The whole van was chattering away at the first sighting of the Niagara Falls exit on the highway. As we entered the city all our eyes were glued to the window and we probably looked like a bunch of kids in a candy shop oogling at everything. The Canadian streets were lined with every touristy shop and museum you could think of. According to Matt Hill, our resident Canadian, Niagara Falls is like our Las Vegas. After we reached the lovely hotel we would be staying at, Dave gave us our curfew and then we were set free. While he, Melina, Tino and Tracy went to go have dinner with a family whose daughter might be attending NRA next semester, everyone else wandered down to the falls. Oh, they were a sight to behold! They were absolutely magical. You can definitely tell we were kayakers though. While everyone there was having there photos taken we were talking about what line would be the best to take off the falls. Afterwards, we went back up to the main street and started wandering around looking at all the places, discussing which one would be the best to explore. It seemed we could never decide because when we made one decision an even cooler place to go look at would pop up and start the whole process over again. When it was about time for our curfew we all meandered back and just collapsed, tired from the driving and eventful evening.
The next day we were able to visit the place where they give helicopter rides over Niagara. Apparently the company is owned by the parents of Jessica, the girl who will hopefully be able to be with us the second semester. How cool! It was like every little boy’s dream being that close up to those big machines. Her family also was so kind to us, they even made it possible for us all as a school group to visit many of the museums, including Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Leaving there that day, we all breathed a sigh of contentment, all worn out and ready to make the last leg of the journey back to our home base. The drive back wasn’t that bad, everyone in the car had at least one school assignment they needed to get done for the next school day.
The next week of school consisted of 1 hour and 30 minute classes. I know, I know sounds like a lot of school but do not fear- it was for good reason. The extra long classes enabled us to have time to paddle the Gauley River where the famous “Gauley Fest” is held every year. So sticking out that difficult bit of school for some of the week would allow us have an amazing weekend filled with big water.
Our week ended with us having Friday off to paddle the Gauley River. We had Matt Smink and Dave as our trusty guides showing us down the safe, fun lines. The Gauley has to be one of my favorite rivers to paddle because it has one of my favorite things in whitewater kayaking, big waves! So many people threw or attempted kickflips, wave wheels, and macho moves off these monstrous beauties. Everyone had the time of their lives and there was not one frowning face by the end of the day, or even the whole weekend I might add. Probably because those trips to “Fat Eddys” at the end of our river runs also had something to do with it. I mean who could keep a frown when your slurping up one of West Virginia’s finest milkshakes.
So as you can see quite an eventful couple of weeks. Everyone is still working hard, first as students, then as paddlers. We still have a little bit more to go until our first break, and I’m definitely excited to see what these next few weeks will hold.
Tags: Gap Year, gap year abroad, Gauley River, Go Huge Experiences, Kayak School, Kayaking, new river academy, Niagara Falls, Ottawa river, ottawa river canada, Photography, road trips, school, student report, taylor cote, traveling, West Virginia, whitewater
Posted in Academics, Kayak School, Kayaking, Uncategorized, Whitewater Countries | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 25th, 2009
Oh, how sad it was leaving behind our sweet little home next to the Ottawa. It became like a second home almost- but I think all the places we stay will probably be like that. Anyways, for photography class, to enjoy our last full day in the Ottawa Valley, Melina surprised us both by taking us to the small town right down the road called Beachburg. Our task was to capture the essence of this quaint little place. I know I enjoyed walking up and down the streets. If you looked closely you could find so many surprises that would make an unusual photo. For a lot of my pictures, I went right up and talked to the people living in the town asking if I may take their photo, explaining I was in the NRA photo class. Of course this was always met with some, “Ohhhh! you don’t wanna take my picture!” That thought was easily dismissed with some coaxing and an irresistible smile. I know they enjoyed being my model, after it was all said and done. After we finished going around the town, we were riding back in the car when I remembered the miniature ponies we passed on the way there. I reminded Melina again about this because I wanted to see those ponies! We pulled over and I asked the lady who owned them if she would be kind enough to let us see them. She gladly brought us over into the pen where there was also goats and a little calf. She said they all get along and are all buddies, except for the male goat who occasionally spits. It was like she had her own personal petting zoo. When we got back to the base and began uploading the pictures everyone couldn’t believe we we able to do that. Just another reason for them to be wishing to have chosen photo class instead. Well, all I know is this was such a cool experience and its definitely one I’m going to remember for awhile.
This photo has been enhanced for the purpose of fun.
This photo has also been edited for fun.
Tags: beachburg canada, Gap Year, gap year abroad, Go Huge Experiences, Kayak School, Kayaking, matt hill, melina coogan, new river academy, ottawa canada, Ottawa river, Photography, taylor cote, whitewater
Posted in Academics, Culture, Photography, Uncategorized, Whitewater Countries | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
Yesterday, for our photo class Melina suprised us by taking us on a nice fall stroll. We stopped at this little glorious place on the side of the road that had so many places to capture action. We had a picture taking spree because of all the perfect picture oppurtunites. I had fun being the model for some but I also enjoyed being the director too. It was so cool setting them up where I wanted them to be in my shots. For my photos, I had people hiding in the field of cattails playing hide and seek almost. I also had them playing around a do not trespass sign because we all like living on edge. We are kayakers after all. Well I hope you enjoy perusing my photos as much as I enjoyed taking them the other day.
Tags: Academics, Canada, cattails, eric bartl, fall stroll, Gap Year, gap year abroad, go huge, Go Huge Experiences, Kayak School, Kayaking, matt hill, melina coogan, new river academy, ottawa canada, Photography, taylor cote, whitewater
Posted in Academics, Kayak School, Photography, Uncategorized, Whitewater Countries | 1 Comment »
