Nate Landon's Blog

Once again it has been a while since I posted on this blog. I am sorry I lag as much as I do, but right now there is not much new for me to write about.
I had Achilles tendon surgery in October and have been stuck on the couch for the last month. Starting Monday I will be back to walking, and hopefully I will be hiking by Christmas. I have been catching up on homework and some reading, but not much else. Eventually life will become more exciting.

As for the book, I have nearly completed the fourth chapter. I need to work on it more, I know, but right now I just have to focus on school. I let you know when there is something new to report.

I have been back home for two months now.  It seems like yesterday I was hiking in the hills above my smal apartment in Dinosaur National Monument.  I haven’t done any hiking since I have been home.  I have been having serious issues with my right foot, and I will find out my date for surgery pretty soon.  They will be cutting into my Achilles tendon to lengthen it, which will move my right foot back down to a neutral position.  This will take the pressure off my knee and allow me to walk a heckofalot better than I have been.  I miss Dinosaur but life goes on.

Since I have been home I have been volunteering with Defenders of Wildlife again.  I am back to doing social networking outreach on Facebook and calling people when action is needed.  It’s rewarding knowing I can help make a difference for our planet.

My book is up to it’s third chapter.  That one will need heavy revisions soon, but I think you all will enjoy it when it comes out.  I am going to try my hand at freelance writing as a career to see how I do.  Wish me luck!

Returning to Arizona has been good but strange. I didn’t think I would have trouble readjusting to being in a city, but I have found city life abnormal and unnerving. Even going to the grocery store made me slightly panic. I have been so used to small little Vernal and Dinosaur National Monument with few neighbors and no traffic that I start to panic in town and have to take a second to gather myself. I’m sure it will get better with time, but as of right now I am glad I can stay inside for a while and try to get healthy before hitting the real world again.

Well it is time to head home from Dinosaur National Monument. I have been rather sick the last few weeks and decided it was time to call it quits. It is hard to say goodbye to so many great people whom I will miss dearly, but I need to do what’s best for my body. I’ll keep everyone updated on my future plans when I get some. As of right now it is doctors, school, and my wife and pets. I hit the road tomorrow morning and should be home either tomorrow night or Sunday morning. I guess it’s off on a new adventure again, eventually. . .

The weekend was beautiful. With the exception of a vicious storm that rolled in on Saturday we had remarkably pleasant weather. Our Centennial here at Dinosaur National Monument went quite well even with the rain. It was a pleasure to meet the granddaughters of Earl Douglas, the paleontologist who discovered the fossils that led to the creation of Dinosaur N.M. They talked so lovingly of a man who they never actually met, but knew so well because of their father and journals kept by Earl Douglas himself. I will miss this place when I am gone.
I had a very stressful week. After turning down the permanent job here for several reasons, we were extremely busy with the Centennial events. Tonight I had to say goodbye to a friend who became like a brother to me and I will miss dearly. There are always too many goodbyes in life and not enough time to spend with the people you care about. I look forward to being home again. I want to spend the time I have with my wife.
It feels like autumn. The weather is cooling down here. It might be a fluke, but hey I’ll take it. Autumn is my favorite time of year. So in honor of the upcoming season, here is a short video with one of my favorite singers Stacey Kent.

I have been really busy lately. I went to Yellowstone last week and had a great time. I came home and interviewed for a permanent position at Dinosaur National Monument and was offered the job, but I had to turn it down for various reasons. It’s kind of sad, I know, but when the time is right I will find the perfect job for me. Who knows? Maybe someone will read my webpage and offer me a job as a writer or naturalist. Now that would be nifty!
I should be headed home soon, although I am not sure when. I do know I am excited to get back to volunteering with Defenders of Wildlife and hopefully get back to some swing dancing. We’ll see what the future brings when it gets here, until then I just have to make the best of each day. Thanks for dropping by!