Big Changes...

I have to admit that while I am more excited than I have been in a long, long time...I am just as equally terrified!

Today, my management team officially approved a leave of absence for me that will allow me to accept a short-term contract with the Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture, the National Park Service's authorized concessioner of Denali National Park.

I will be spending May through September of this year working as a Living History Interpreter as part of the Denali Natural History Tour.

I cannot express how excited I am to have the opportunity to continue and advance my career as a Living History Professional, as well as have the opportunity to live and work in Alaska at such a beautiful place as Denali. This experience will be a great departure for me on many levels, yet I know it will be an adventure full of lessons to be learned. It will be a wonderful break from the summertime of Virginia, however, I will be sad at spending that time away from Portia (a big thank you to my family for agreeing to watch her while I'm away). It will be a once in a lifetime experience I have no doubt.

And it won't be so bad reporting to work here everyday:

For those of you who are wondering, my assignment will be to portray a 1940's era Park Ranger. A great departure from the many characters I have portrayed over the years and it will be a whole new era for me to familiarize myself with, I really can't wait...despite how scary this whole thing is.

A Full Company At 'Over-Strength'

As some of you may (or may not) know, my job involves me playing a variety of different people from the 18th Century. One such character is Captain Alexander Parker of Col. Thomas Posey's Virginia Regiment. Typically I will portray this American soldier/veteran on Wednesdays and Fridays as part of our End of Day program. The year is 1781, and the American and French forces are amassing for the siege of Yorktown. But before the march to the city of York, Capt. Parker has come to Williamsburg to find any and all brave, able-bodied men, over the age of 16 who would like to exact some revenge on the Redcoats that have wrecked havoc and devastation on their countryside...and with a cry for all those willing to fight to step forward or be left behind this is what happened yesterday, Friday, April 9th:

21 ranks of men, five across stepped forward and volunteered for service in the Continental Line. Considering how quiet this crowd had been all day I honestly did not expect more than three or four men to step forward. While we had few boys step forward they were removed from the ranks before the volunteers were issued their Oath of Enlistment:

At this point in history, a complete company is composed of 100 men. With 105 total men sworn in we exceeded the numbers of a full company by five men, making this the largest number of men I have ever seen recruited here...a full company at 'over-strength'...it was a lot of fun to be a part of and see the patriotism of this quiet crowd come to life in these 105 men.

(Click on images for larger view)

Even Gen. Washington Celebrated St. Paddy's Day...

On this day, let us take time to send a big "Cheers!" to the Irish Parliament and ALL the sons of Ireland who in 1780 chose to join together with the American Alliance to promote the "Cause of America". God Bless America and Erin Go Bragh!!

My Favorite Day Of The Year Is Today....

A Journey To Share With You...

In the Summer of 1999 I had the privilege of serving as part of a team with Youth for Christ's Summerserve mission teams. We were a group of American teenagers/young adults assigned to serve in a church in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, a suburb of Belfast, at that time one of the world's deadliest cities. It was a wonderful experience, and despite the reputation I never once felt afraid or at danger, well save for being followed by a street performing clown for a couple blocks (but who wouldn't be afraid when being followed by a clown).

My team was lead by a wonderful man, Mark, a.k.a The Wayfarer. Following our teams mission, Mark actually went back to N. Ireland where for several years he and his wife continued to serve as missionaries. Around the same time I moved to Virginia, Mark and his wife were called back to the States and for the past year or so they have been living in Denver. Mark is an amazing man and in my opinion is a great role model and leader of men, especially young men.

Recently I was reading on Mark's blog about one of his friends, Jonathon. This young man has embarked on a journey. Just over a week ago, with his dog by his side, Jonathon embarked on a journey that will take him from the Atlantic Coastline of Delaware all the way to San Francisco, CA. Jonathon intends to raise awareness for Kiva.org an organization that connects people across the world in an effort to promote entrepreneurship and alleviate poverty.

Jonathon and his dog Kanoa plan on walking the American Discovery Trail nearly in its entirety to raise money and awareness for Kiva. Throughout their journey Jonathon will be keeping a blog with video and pictures of their adventures. This week it has been amazing to watch and listen to the details of this incredible walk. I encourage you all to head over to Jonathon's blog and follow along in this amazing young man's journey. I really wish his journey took him through Williamsburg, as I would love to take Portia out and join him and Kanoa on part of this journey.

Godspeed Jonathon and Kanoa, I look forward to following you as you progress on this amazing journey!