HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR GUIDE TODAY?

                                                            Tony Kellar © 2005 Four Winds Publishing


"In the end we will only conserve what we love: we will love
only what we understand; and we will understand
only what we have been taught."
-Baba Dioum_


Several of my dearest friends, brothers and sisters really; work as kayak and camping guides along the mighty Missouri River in South Eastern South Dakota. It is easy for us to see the duress this beautiful resource is under. Its integrity seems compromised from a new direction every day.
It's hard not to notice that the natural world at large is so obviously threatened by man. It sometimes seems hopeless and at other times like there is a glimmer of hope. If it's not natural processes like erosion, drought or sedimentation; it's pollution, overuse and general mismanagement. And the Missouri River is certainly not alone in those regards. Environmental issues take shape world- wide with heated passionate arguments on each side of the line.
We speak of these issues amongst ourselves and with our guests. As professionals we try to maintain an optimistic view versus getting trapped under the potentially crushing weight of negativity. Admittedly, playing devil's advocate would seldom be easier. "Will we save our natural resources in time or will we pollute and overuse ourselves to death?"
Several of us have worked with other guide companies all over the U.S. and abroad. Our profession blesses us with a wonderful collection of diversity; thousands of guides of all different ages, nationalities, education and experiences, areas of specialty and motivations.
Guides can be an interesting lot, let me be the first to tell you. Sometimes they are the poorly balanced ones at the end of the bar at closing time, trying to order 'just one more Jagermeister'. But they are also the grad students, the journalists, the teachers, the waitresses, the semi-retired firefighters, Kung Fu instructors, tree trimmers, computer techies. The list goes on and on. There are guides for climbing, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, diving, kayaking, canoeing, camping, hunting, fishing and every other possible hobby.
'Eco-tourism' is a billion dollar, multi-national industry growing each year into new areas of not only geography but interests, becoming more accessible to more people every season. And it is a thoroughly intercultural industry with guide services employing multi-lingual, well traveled and educated guides.
The other day a few of us were talking about our (guides) roles in protecting natural resources. Sure we "leave no trace" and practice eco-friendly activities, but our potential impact reaches much further. A rather profound notion was presented. "The change is not made by the teacher; the change is made by the students."
And in effecting an actual and tangible shift in practice to protect our environment, it is the guides who in so many ways possess the real ability. We only number in the thousands but we have clientele from around the globe numbering in the millions. It is seems not only an option to promote environmental stewardship; a way to extend our livelihood beyond the end of this season. It seems, with our potential for impacting views of others; our responsibility.
When those millions of adventurers are on an outing with us we have their attention. Their ears, eyes and minds are wide open. Given the opportunity most travelers will immerse themselves in the experience, opening their minds to new views and practices. It is here that we have the ability to spark change in the world! Sure those are big, idealistic words but…
We have the opportunity to not only show real, every day people the natural world and its wonders; we do it right there on the battleground on which Earths struggle to survive, heal and replenish can be won. Or rather, these are the field training locations where unwitting tourists can be armed with an arsenal of understanding through experience, personal commitment to reversing negative trends and a new level of appreciation of the outdoors.
Perhaps most powerful are the experiences shared in multi-generational groups. As parents and grandparents see their kids and grandkids explore and learn, grow and challenge themselves; it happens. They see in their offspring a flash of themselves at an unjaded time of wonder in their own lives decades past, and realize how valuable it is. "I wish I could…" is replaced with, "for the sake of my children I must…"
We tell them to stretch their comfort zones, to welcome a humbling experience with the same fervor as a triumphant one. (Furthermore the insight that perhaps it is in the humbling experiences that we are most triumphant.) Then we send them home amongst the masses; newly revitalized, freshly charged. And they have likely been given the opportunity to be reawakened to the pristine wilderness, the clean protected waters and the deep and primal existence that lies outside time zones, digital media and radio frequencies.
Simultaneously almost without exception; they have visited places that are gravely threatened by mans impact. Actually paddling past dead fish caught up in discarded nets is far more memorable than hearing about it. It sets in your mind more vividly, seeing clear-cut forests and strip mines as you scale a rocky face, rather than in reading an article about it. It is there, it's in your face. It is in their faces. And we have brought them there to see it.
Fostering education, introspection and new views of our places in the natural world; we are the teachers. We are the optometrists offering a new vision. Guides are the cardiologists laying the fingers of the public on the pulse of the world they forgot they belonged to and originally came from. We are the interpreters encouraging masses of people to listen to the quiet sound of a rivers speech, a sunrises song, a campfires own ageless legends.
I say to all my fellow guides and other comrades: "How blessed we are! We are doing more than enjoying a wonderful occupation. Remember we are accomplishing more than safe trips, comfortable camps and nice pictures. We have the rare and fantastic opportunity to really affect some change all over the world.
We all know this place is our occupation, our office. But more honestly- it is our home. By inviting others into our domain and by getting them to take ownership, we gain allies in protecting it.
They trust us, depend on our judgment; are in many ways vulnerable to our intentions or lack of them. Leading by example, we hand them the lenses with which they can see the world and their role in it in a whole new way. Of course it is up to them whether they choose to look through those lenses but we can offer. We can make them want to."
Tourists, adventurers-to-be, hikers, bikers and divers… the guiding profession truly calls for your guides to carry more on their shoulders than a pack or boat. Indeed they shoulder up much more. And they do so not only willingly, but enthusiastically. Most would have it no other way.
Indeed we are in a sense the Earth's homeroom teachers. This all is why at the end of the season it's not hard to find a recently unemployed guide with a spark in their eye and an aching, empty spot in their heart.
And for doing that… for being that, maybe you might offer them a handshake, show them that picture in your wallet or purse of your first paddle or solo ascent and the guide who got you there. Tell them thanks for all they do.
And spring for that last shot at closing time.

"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is the earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature." Henry David Thoreau

 

Reflections from a newcomer to OWSD on the 10th annual, and my first annual, convention of the Outdoor Women of South Dakota by Mindy Laflin

I actually heard about OWSD several years ago from a co-worker, and had been meaning to join for some time. (Where have we heard that phrase before?) What fun I have been missing! From the moment I walked in the door at the Great Outdoors Store for the wine and cheese reception Friday evening, to the time I said goodbye at the end of the general membership meeting on Sunday I had a great time. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and I immediately felt among friends. On Saturday I attended a hands-on dutch oven cooking class where we made breakfast casserole, soup, bread and dessert over the campfire. Yummy! I also learned that a dutch oven survives if it goes to the bottom of the river after being tipped out of a canoe, but only if you have someone who’s willing to dive for it, right Ginny? Now I’m not a hunter or gun enthusiast, so on Saturday afternoon I attended a photography lesson and tour of the Sertoma Butterfly house. What an amazing place. Saturday evening we all came together for dinner and fun at Great Bear. Judy and Ginny had me so enthused about outdoor cooking that I bought “Dutch Oven Cooking for Dummies” at the auction, though there were certainly a lot of other items to choose from. Somebody (ies) put in lot of work planning this weekend! I am now looking forward to our next opportunity to get together, to kayaking on the Missouri, and to wetting a fly line with some newfound friends.

Thanks, Outdoor Women of SD, you’re great!
Mindy Laflin
 

OWSD Second Sunday Gathering--Orienteering
by Linda Harris
 

A class on orienteering was the topic of the “Second Sunday Gathering” for March. The program was presented by Chris McCart, Outdoor Education Program Coordinator at Black Hills State University. She was assisted by BHSU student Gwen Dungey, a Junior in Outdoor Education.

There was no charge for the workshop, which was open to the public. Many of the women and men attending the class were interested in learning how to use a map and compass so they could explore new areas with confidence. They also said orienteering provides an opportunity for a new activity to enjoy the outdoors.

In the warm environs of the Common Grounds coffee house, participants learned about magnetic and true north, map symbols, obtaining bearings, and how to use a compass with a topography map. Then with map and compass in hand, we set out to navigate a backcountry course that Chris had set up in Higgins Gulch. The afternoon was snowy, cold and windy, but the hearty participants were excited to test their new skills. Everyone found their way around the course and returned home safely!

Photos from the class.

Chris McCart (left) and Gwen Dungey explain how to use a compass.

The class participants practice setting a bearing.

A couple plots their course with Crow Peak in the background.

Navigators determine their route with map and compass.

 

by Vicki Rath

Today I am enlightened, slightly sore, a little sun burnt and probably the most content I have been in a long time. I just spent three days in God’s magnificent creation.

Now I know roughing it for some is an air conditioned RV and that is just fine, but spending three days with fellow members of OWSD was and will remain a much recollected adventure of taking a life risk, glorious food, heart-felt friendships and extreme fun on a river once paddled by Lewis and Clark.

Six adventurous members of OWSD took that challenge the weekend of July 23-25 and being outfitted and guided by Missouri River Expeditions, Chad Cadwell and his staff provided us with a safe and beautiful trip. Chad, Robin, RJ, Sarah, Marti, Jim and Tony worked and accomplished a great excursion on the Missouri River. God provided the absolutely perfect weather: 70 degree days and 60 degree nights, no wind and just a little cloud now and then to provide a scene of pristine river paddling.

Whether I have experienced "Wall-ee-ah-chee" sung by over fifty women (and a few men) at BOW ’03, four friends huddled in a tent giggling like school girls in a small impromptu camping night, or six women paddling the Mighty MO, I find the Outdoor Women of South Dakota to be the most inclusive, non-gendered secret in South Dakota and even Iowa for that matter (Chad, Jim and Tony are all card carrying members). There is a place, activity or friendship to be found in this group like no other.

In three days Ginger, Jeanette, Josée, May, Colleen and I paddled about forty miles from Yankton and ended at Mulberry Point by the Vermillion bridge. We stopped to eat, pitch tents, explore the sandbars and just have fun. We brought home "not-fish", some pine needles, photographs and memories to last a lifetime. My only hope is that we can expand this to include more members because this is something only those who experience it can share with this enthusiasm.

Next year’s trip is already being planned-an ‘Each-one-bring-one’ paddle. Bring a spouse, child, friend or just yourself and learn what we already know-the Outdoor Women of South Dakota can do anything and become better for it.

TOP TEN REASONS TO GO ON NEXT YEAR’S KAYAK TRIP

10. You don’t have to cook.

9. You do laundry by jumping into the river with your clothes on.

8. Coyotes howling, whip-or-whil calls and eagle’s nests.

7. Extreme bonding of friendships.

6. Lewis and Clark slept there.

5. "Not-Fish": anything you bring home from the river that is ‘not fish’

4. Wonderful, experienced guides and chefs.

3. Laughter.

2. Spirituality of nature.

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By Jim Kellar

On Friday evening, July 17, I met my clients, a representative group of Outdoor Women of South Dakota, who were kayaking down the Missouri River. We were doing a strategic planning discussion as a part of the kayak trip. Now, I’m an experienced business consultant and kayaker, and I do a fair number of retreats each year, but I was cautious about this situation. Doing a strategic planning retreat on a kayak trip? It seemed too good to be true, and perhaps it was only an excuse to kayak. Only time would tell.

The group had already spent a half-day kayaking to this pristine campsite, on private Missouri riverfront land between Yankton and Vermillion. As far as I knew, there were only a few experienced paddlers along, and I worried that either the paddling would overshadow the planning or the planning would detract from the joy of the river experience.

When I arrived at camp, I saw the six outdoor women, relaxing under the shade of a tree while a river guide I knew was calmly stirring up a Dutch-oven supper over an open fire. After I’d been introduced to the camp and joined the group, I listened to their banter and realized this group was like every other group I’ve ever been on an outdoor retreat-experience with.

I love kayaking; it is a superb sport I took up at the tender age of 54. I discussed it with a friend, an expert kayaker and outdoors person. She told me kayaking offers some unique challenges to the middle-aged novice. When I paddled for the first time, she said, "Jim, for some of us middle-agers, the challenge is leaving the security of land; for some, its simply the physical challenge of powering oneself from here to wherever. But for most middle-aged people, there are also body image issues, shape, size, gender, and disabilities we’ve collected along the way. It takes a certain amount of guts to do this." But my friend went on to reassure me. She added, "The only people who might feel this kind of unease are people who watch TV, read the newspapers, or work with people younger than them."

This was a group of women, some younger than middle age, and some slightly older. I guessed that each person in the group had overcome some measure of anxiety or fear to be there. I once felt those things and though I bet my clients had felt them to some extent, I could see they had dealt with them during that first afternoon on the river. Now all I heard was talk of the beauty of the river, the joy of the task accomplished, and the feeling of relaxation. What I really heard was the way this process helps to re-connect us to the outdoors and nature in unique and wonderful ways.

Later we ate a feast. The entrée was Dutch-oven Cornish Game Hens and dressing with sweet corn on the side. The river brings out the appetite in a person, so there were no leftovers that night. As I watched them devouring the Dutch-oven dessert, I realized that there is a joy to eating outdoors on the river that I rarely see in daily life. After paddling, even the most avid dieter realizes that a day on the river burns more calories than he or she will replace in a hearty supper. This group took that challenge quite serious-ly…fortunately, Missouri River Expeditions sent some serious chefs along.

That evening, after our first meeting, I knew this strategic planning river retreat was going to work and that the idea would resonate for some of my other clients. As we sat around the campfire the first night, our discussion and feelings of privacy were modified when we were joined by a boy scout troop, camping in the same area. However, the motto of our previous river experiences seemed to translate loud and clear to this one: "It’s all good."

There is a camaraderie generated by kayaking together and sharing a fire; a trust in the goodness of others that’s generated from the experience and is rarely broken on the river. I believe the others, like me, felt the stress of life and work drifting gently, painlessly away on our campfire’s smoke.

As the evening progressed, I saw person after person yawn and stretch tired muscles. I could tell this group would sleep soundly and awaken happy and ready for another day on the river.

On our second day, we rose to a breakfast of "Bananas Foster". This is a campfire specialty of our chef, my son, Tony Kellar. Waffles with ice cream, bananas and caramel sauce with fresh pineapple and coconut shavings. Yes, there is a place for true decadence on a trip like this! When faced with this level of culinary overload, there are times when one must simply give in and enjoy the experience. And we all realized that this was one of those times.

Later, we loaded kayaks and launched. The sun and sky were stunning. As I monitored the kayaks moving gracefully downstream, I noticed sun worship-pers and sun avoiders alike. Large floppy hats and long sleeves were as prevalent as shorts and bare arms. The common denominator was a sense of serenity and peace among us.

Midmorning, we allowed the kayaks to drift together and held on to each others’ crafts to float together, talking and sharing time in the one-ness of the group. That day, we observed abundant wildlife, deer, eagles, hawks, heron, ducks and swallows galore. The river is there for everyone, but the part we were on is still almost private. For the most part, motorboats observe the "no wake" rule and respect the limitations of the kayakers.

After a hearty and informal sandbar lunch, we ended the day at a camp near Wynot, Nebraska. There was plenty of time for relaxing, for our meeting, and for pitching tents. We were joined by two OWSD members who couldn’t be along for the entire trip, and our evening meal was another extravaganza of flavor. After our evening session, most of the guests arranged for a late-into-the-night discussion in one of the large tents brought by a member.

The third morning of our journey dawned clear and bright and after another breakfast bonanza, our launching was easy. I observed no obvious anxiety, few butterflies, more confidence, and the gentle teasing that characterizes the cementing of friendships. By mid-morning, I heard periodic hooting and laughing from this group of fast-seasoned river travelers.

We landed at Mulberry Bend, in Nebraska. I saw a tired, happy group who were avoiding the task of switching mental and emotional gears to think about the logistics of traveling home, etc. That task was delayed by the fact that we were now a seasoned group and, on this last leg of our journey, had required fewer guides. That was both a compliment to the prowess of the group and a challenge because we had seven kayaks to carry ashore and load on the trailer and tents to pack, etc.

After a few missteps and another great lunch, we finally made it back to the headquarters of Missouri River Expeditions, in Vermillion, the outfitting company that served us so well throughout our trip. Despite our long goodbyes and promises to stay connected, we finally left the river and began the journey back to real life…full of stories and a newfound confidence of having done something many of us never thought we’d really do. But we all did it well, and we all had fun, and we all want to do it again!

A lot of great outdoor experiences end like that. You’ve just had a superb time doing something outside of your usual range of activities, you’re full of stories for the people back home, but don’t want to leave the people you’re with. You experience a storm of conflicting emotions. You’re both reluctant to leave and anxious to get going. When you feel that way, you know your journey was worth it.

The defining thing about this kayak journey that puts it on my list of great trips is this: The memories of doing it are as sweet as any others. They stay in my mind, bringing a smile or a moment of pleasant reverie whenever I call on them. The difference is this: During the trip, I realized what was happening. Unlike some experiences, the doing of this thing was just as joyful and exciting as the memories I have of it.

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