Mmmm. I'm cozied-in up in the Great White North, illuminated in a glow of ultra-white from the persistent snow outdoors reflecting diffuse sunlight in through the windows of my winter retreat. I think it is warmer today, but I am not sure because I haven't been outdoors yet and I am sitting on the couch adorned with the electric blanket and my woolen slippers and leg warmers are doing their jobs well.

It's morning and school is in session so there is no sound of kids gleefully bombing the toboggan hill they constructed on the weekend just outside my porch door. If I were a daring sort, I might envision taking a flying leap right off my second floor balcony onto the top of the run. But that's a pretty good gap. Maybe off the roof then, but the pitch is at the wrong angle. Ah well.

At long last I have posted a selection of photographs from the summer of 2009 and the activities enjoyed: camping, fishing, hiking, foraging and cooking up meals on campfires! Despite a long campfire ban, almost every weekend through the summer was spent on the camp. The heat was hard to beat, but by seeking out the coolest nearby temperatures and then finding a high-altitude lake at that location, preferably 4x4 required for access (to reduce incidence of camping near other people), it was possible to stay somewhat comfortable through the hot summer. There were a few days out there though that pushed my limits.

I wonder where is the most sun, the least precipitation, and the coolest weather. It would be some kind of desert I would imagine? So maybe not the least precipitation and the most sun, but how about the coolest temps mixed with about 30 days of rain a year, and no more than 15 days a year over 80F? That would be ideal. Avg temp around 70 with partial sun and no chance of flooding.. that would be nice.

In any case, these pictures, reflect but a tiny percentage of all that was experienced and enjoyed these last months. Regrettably, both my aging digital cameras have developed lens flaws and I get frustrated by the dark spots in my pics, so I stopped taking photographs almost entirely for awhile now. I would like to get a new camera, but that will be a process and I've just had other things on my plate.

I'm so grateful for the opportunities and time I have had to explore the planet and get to know the earth in a new way, to develop a personal language with nature and a growing understanding of it from my own visceral experiences.

Breathing in the clean air of the remote, less inhabited areas nourishes and supports me. The peace and the quiet are like the finest velvet blankets that surround and warm me. Mental elevation has unobstructed passage, a manna of bliss, fast track to openness. Aural, and visual disturbances of the urban environment demand a body protect itself from the jarring vibrations, create defensiveness and a closed attitude. I would like to remain open. This challenges me.

May your goals be close enough to be attainable and yet far enough away to transform you.

As of August 12, 2008 at 3pm Central Time, I will be in Mexico and en route to San Cristobal de las Casas. If you'd like to be in touch while I'm Mexico, please use my cell number to actually call me, and do not send me text messages.

Yes, this is total reversal of what I have told you about me and my phone. I am fully cognizant of the impact this will have on your psyche. Breathe deeply. Hold my hand.

Email is also be a fine option for contact. I expect to have internet access during this time.

You are permitted to utilize the contact form here on this website. You are welcome.

The migration is complete. Most of the kinks should have been worked out, but if you notice anything unusual on the site or with mail, please let me know.

Technical behind the scenes work will be going on for the next 24-48 hours. If mail bounces, please wait a day and resend, or use an alternate email address, or txt messaging.

Today carlystaehlin.com gets a new look.
Eventually more pages, too.
In the meantime, don't feed the animals.
They aren't as nice and cute as they look.