What H1N1 Feels Like

What am I going through? Coughing, fatigue, some nausea, achy joints, headaches and thirst. Not enough to keep me from work. In fact, I’m writing this having just completed laying out the ads for next week’s edition of the Sanpete Messenger.  However, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t rather be home in bed.

Generation Recreation

October Snowfall Brings the Blues

Since temperatures took a nosedive last week, my primary activities outside the office have consisted of taste-testing homemade baked goods and indulging in televised sports. If it’s cold and the snow isn’t deep enough to ski, I can usually be found on the couch, gaining weight and battling a mild form of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Too Thrilled for the Kill

For every law-abiding, ethical hunter in the field there are others, a generally hidden minority, who feel no shame in taking part in the wanton killing of animals for sport. There’s clearly a segment of the population that uses hunting as an excuse to indulge in the power-trip that accompanies the use firearms to dominate other species. What I’ve struggled to understand is, how this behavior develops and how individuals justify it to themselves.

Wilderness Areas Could Use Their Own Health Care Reform

The Cloud Peak Wilderness isn’t close enough to an urban area to see the types of impacts that occur in wilderness located closer to cities with millions of people. Yet even in wild areas located in sparsely populated Wyoming, visible evidence of heavy human impact is unavoidable.

Enjoying a Dog Day Afternoon

In our dog’s perfect universe, tennis balls would be launched continuously into open bodies of water. So there was no way we would miss dog swim day at Sheridan’s community pool.

Let’s Keep Religion out of the County Fair

Aaahh, the county fair. Ferris Wheels, fried dough and 4H exhibits. And in northern Wyoming, a healthy dose of government-paid-for evangelism.

Rescue Fines Can’t Teach People Good Judgement

The story of the lost Eagle Scout who was fined $25,000 by the state of New Hampshire for the cost of his rescue brings back questions about personal responsibility and paying for the consequences of our actions. Should foolish adventurers who show poor judgement in getting into dangerous situations be forced to pay for the costs of their rescues? And what qualifies as a mistake in judgement in the first place?

Optimism Isn’t Always Enough in the Wilderness

Once in a while, a simple night in the woods can wind up being a humbling experience. This was one of those times. We know July is peak insect season in Wyoming's mountains and we were mentally prepared to deal with the mosquitoes. What we weren't prepared for is what happened to the dog.

Bachar’s Death Raises Age-Old Questions

The death of free-solo rock climbing legend John Bachar shouldn't have come as a shock. Like other elite mountain athletes, Bachar's chosen pursuit had no margin for error. But while these athletes understand and accept the dangers of their pursuits, it's their loved ones who are left heartbroken and the public who are left to wonder what drives these unique indviduals.