If you’ve been following the Wolf River Conservancy at all for the past year, you have probably picked up feeds on some of the small adventures our members and supporters have taken into the wilderness.  I, myself, spent a week hiking through the canyons of southern Utah in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument this past March.  Closer to home, a group of local and international adventurers completed the first ever stand up paddle board trek down the Wolf River, from source to harbor during the first week in April.  An amazing feat in itself!  Congratulations to Memphis’ own Jonathan Brown and international adventurer, Rod Wellington, founder of Zero Emissions Expeditions for making it from Baker’s Pond, Mississippi to the Wolf River Harbor on stand up paddle boards.  The team was even joined by world record breaking adventurer, Dave Cornthwaite.

However, the real story of the adventure is Dale Sanders.  Dale has been volunteering as a river guide for the Wolf River Conservancy for many years now.  He has been recognized as the Athlete of the Year by the International Underwater Spear Fishing Association.  He backpacked through the Grand Canyon within the past twelve months.  He hiked the entire Appalachian Trail through the state of New Jersey in 2011.  The walls of his basement are full of artifacts he has salvaged from the ocean floor.  Dale Sanders is the real deal.

Having completed the trek, I asked Rod, J.B. and Dave all "what was the most challenging part of the expedition?"  Was it the mud?  Was it the snakes?  Banjo music?   Without hesitation, as if they were singing from the same hymnal, the trio responded with great respect:  “The hardest thing about this expedition was keeping up with Dale Sanders!” 

No surprise, Dale is fit, strong and comfortable spending weeks in the wild, living out of his pack.  Dale seems to be on a different adventure during every season of the year.  His skill and comfort in the wild is seldom matched.  What makes this story so amazing is the fact that the average age of the three amigos is about 34 years old.  Dale Sanders is 76 and that is why he is “THE MAN”.  End of story.

If you’d like to paddle the Wolf River with Dale Sanders, sign-up as a member of the Wolf River Conservancy and join him on one of our monthly guided paddling trips.  www.Wolfriver.org/joinrenew

  Ken Kimble is an avid outdoorsman, Memphian and foodie.  He serves as Director of Development for the Wolf River Conservancy.

I just got back from my trip to the slot canyons of southern, Utah.  Our goal was to drop in on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, but we could not access the trailhead due to excessive snow.  So, we spent the week backpacking in Coyote Gulch which is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation area.  We didn’t see another soul until our last day.  Hiking out of the canyon we came across a NPS backcountry ranger, using what looked like a garden tool to remove graffiti that had been carved into a sandstone wall.  After catching up for a minute or two, we continued up the trail and he returned to his work.   While at face value the ranger’s work didn’t seem like much, it was nice to know that he was out there.  I believe it’s the small actions we take each day that have some of the greatest impacts on our lives.  This Saturday, March 17th, the Wolf River Conservancy will host its annual tree-plant at Shelby Farms Park.  It’s the little things like planting trees, picking up trash or drinking our own tap water that have the greatest impact on our local environment.   You’ll get to meet hundreds of like minded people who believe in conservation, sustainability and the power of local activism.  For details on the tree planting, go to http://wolfriver.org/default.aspx?p=79362&evtid=55681:3/17/2012

 Ken Kimble is an avid outdoorsman, adventure filmmaker and campfire cook.  He serves as Director of Development for the Wolf River Conservancy.  ken.kimble@wolfriver.org

So, I’m getting ready to go to the Grand Canyon on a 5 day adventure in a very remote series of trails accessed via the North Rim.  I seized the opportunity to use this trip as an excuse to re-stock my shelves which are already overflowing with overpriced and underutilized camping gear.  You see, I am a “gear junkie" and have been since I was about 10 years old.  I own several sleeping bags, backpacks of every size and specialty, water bottles (they call them hydration systems), pocket-knives, stoves, cooking gear and technical jackets.  I have a variety of tents for every occasion such as “Megatron” our 9 person Eureka family tent, a light-weight two man backpacking tent, a bivy sack and a plastic container full of a variety of tarps, poles and tent stakes.  I’ve justified my obsession with camping gear to my wife by saying, “I don’t play golf, I don’t hunt, I don’t hang out in bars (most of the time). THIS is my thing!”  She’s a good sport, to her credit, and allows me my vice as long as I confine my pre and post adventure staging to our cluttered garage.  In my mind, all this gear is essential for my outdoor adventures as well as for any post-apocalyptic lifestyle we might be forced to face when it all hits the fan. 

However, the reality of it is, I don’t nearly get out on as many Western U.S. adventures as I would like.  Trips to the Grand Canyon, Denali, Glacier are reserved for special occasions every other year or so.  How do I, the one who seeks the solace of rocky summits and slot canyons, retain my sanity living in Memphis, Tennessee?  By seeking adventure in my own backyard.  In Shelby County alone, there are countless miles of trails and greenways, parks and waterways to sooth an itch on a sunny afternoon.  Take a float trip with the Wolf River Conservancy down the Ghost River or put a kayak in @ Harbor Town and paddle up the Mississippi.  Drive out to Fort Pillow or Big Hill Pond State Parks and hike for hours and camp overnight.  There are great places to backpack, rock climb, fly-fish or paddle within reasonable drive from Memphis.  You don’t have to invest in a ton of gear (you can always borrow some of mine) in order to act on your adventurous spirit while living in Memphis.  

Memphis is accessible to all kinds of localized adventures if you just open your eyes.  Organizations like the Wolf River Conservancy can help you learn about these local treasurers by plugging you into a network of passionate men and women who seek adventure both locally and abroad.   These are paddlers, hikers, bird watchers, runners, bikers, campers, photographers, artists, hunters and tree huggers.   People who love to call Memphis home and strive to further cultivate our community by being active in protecting and using our local, natural and civic resources as their very own “base-camp” for the adventures in their lives.   The comet has come around and my next adventure is in the Grand Canyon.  Where’s yours? #wolfriver #memphisadventure #getoutsidememphis

 Ken Kimble is an avid outdoorsman, adventure filmmaker and campfire cook.  He serves as Director of Development for the Wolf River Conservancy.  ken.kimble@wolfriver.org

 

Reflecting on 2011 and looking deep into 2012, The Wolf River Conservancy traveled a great distance down the old organizational river.   Keith Cole was hired as Executive Director in April, 2011 and began working with the board of directors to chart a new course for the organization.  Measures were taken to improve communication between the WRC board of directors, the staff and, most importantly to the WRC members.  This included the development of an improved website, a new format to quarterly newsletters, e-news and e-blasts, through social media (Facebook and Twitter) and of course, this blog.  Internally, changes were made to improve business practices, track membership and develop activity calendars.  The new “Dinner on the Greenway” served as a catalyst for positive public relations between WRC and its supporters.  Through the 2011 annual appeal, the organization saw a 22% in giving over 2010.  Several existing strategic partnerships were strengthened between WRC and the business community and new ground was covered in expanding support from new partners.  2011 was definitely a transition year for WRC.  

Looking forward into 2012, the community should expect more growth from this local conservation organization.  A detailed calendar of service opportunities and fun activities is already in place.  This Spring WRC hopes to attract over 1,000 new members by inviting people to be a part of the local community of conservation enthusiasts, hikers, bikers and paddlers, people who believe in clean water and green trees.  People who believe in Memphis!  WRC has increased the number of guided paddling trips by challenging a dedicated corps of volunteer river guides who jumped at the opportunity to share their passion with more families.  Speaking of families, there will be an increase in activities for parents and children including introductory canoe lessons, guided hikes and service opportunities to name a few.   2012 promises to be one of the most productive for local land and water preservation.  Won’t you join us?

  Ken Kimble is an avid outdoorsman, adventure filmmaker and campfire cook.  He serves as Director of Development for the Wolf River Conservancy.  ken.kimble@wolfriver.org

  

Over the years, my interests have varied, but a few of them have remained the same.  The older I get, the more valuable my time has become to me.  Work, family and friends have all played an important part of my life.  However, when challenged I realized that I needed to take note to identify those things that were of the most importance to me.  I found myself returning to family, outdoor activity and friendships to name a few.  What you “say” you value and “acting” on those values are two different things. 

Once I started “acting” on what I said was most important to me, boy did things start to change!  I met my wife and my friendships became richer.  I even landed a new job with an awesome organization that exists to protect and enhance the Wolf River and its environs as a sustainable, natural resource (shameless plug).  This holiday season, I would encourage you to reflect on those things that you value most and begin (or continue) to take action by making decisions on a daily basis that reflect who say you are and what is important to you. 

People have often asked us “how can I help the Wolf River Conservancy?”  The simplest answer is this.  First, take action on your feelings toward conservation and clean water by becoming a member of WRC. We're local, sustainable and taking a stand for conservation in our own community. Second, ask your friends to join you and become members so that you can enjoy all of our programs together.  "Frog walks" are so much more fun when enjoyed with friends.  Lastly, be kind to the land and those you love.  Be an advocate for change.   Organize a canoe trip, river clean-up or just go for a stroll on the Wolf River Greenway.

Happy Holidays and continued success in the New Year to you and those you call your family from your friends at the Wolf River Conservancy.

 Ken Kimble is an avid outdoorsman, adventure filmmaker and campfire cook.  He serves as Director of Development for the Wolf River Conservancy.  ken.kimble@wolfriver.org

We’re thankful for all of our friends and supporters who have gone out of their way this year to help conserve our local land and protect our water.  While you’re pushing away from the table, hitting the couch to watch the game or maybe taking a stroll to burn off that extra piece of pumpkin pie, just remember, the current of the Wolf River is still quietly rolling through the cypress on its voyage down the Mississippi and out to sea.  Thanksgiving presents an opportunity for all of us to celebrate with family and friends.   Thank you for supporting the mission of the Wolf River Conservancy.

 Ken Kimble is an avid outdoorsman, adventure filmmaker and campfire cook.  He serves as Director of Development for the Wolf River Conservancy.

 

I recently attended a gathering of old friends at a familiar camp in Arkansas.  Despite our best efforts, it was difficult not to haze certain friends long enough to leave their smart-phones in their cars and totally rough it for the weekend. Whether it was keeping up with sick kids at home or checking football scores (won’t say which one they checked on first), these darn phones have become a part of all the moments of our lives.  Parents today expect their children to be accessible via cell phone and many of the kids are tracked by their folks using GPS devices in their phones.  We expect kids to use the internet and technology as part of their daily lives at a younger and younger age.  My own pup enjoys coming up and banging on the keyboard while her dad is using social media to keep up with friends and to communicate to the Wolfpack.  So, on one hand we all have accepted technology to be part of every aspect of our own lives as well as our children’s lives, yet we often expect those norms to be “left in the car” every time we commune with nature.  While there is clearly a need to step away from it all during certain times of our lives in order to recharge and reflect, technology will continue to play a greater role in the wilderness experience for years to come.  How about an app for bird call identification?  How about trail maps and gps points?  How about documenting a Wolf River Conservancy guided paddling trips in real time on facebook and twitter in an effort to document and promote wilderness travel?  Yeah, this old dog still likes to howl at the moon without the hum of an electro-pulse.  However, I have to admit that I don’t mind sharing my adventures with my friends via facebook or even checking a score (after I check on the pup of course) while I’m communing with nature.  Check out the new smart-phone version of the www.wolfriver.org or sign up for us on Facebook

Have you seen the Wolfman?  Oh, he’s real, alright and a pretty cool dude at that.  Sniffing the crisp autumn air he spends his days dreaming of wild places.  He loves the Delta blues.  The whiskers on his chin let you know he’s more about the experience than the appearance.  Late in the afternoon, you might seem him running the trails toward the setting sun or riding down the Greenway that bears his name, his gums flapping in the breeze.  He floats through the cypress from LaGrange to Bateman, where the only sound is the wind as it rustles the reeds and the water dripping from his paddle.  Before the day is done, you’ll find him in the city where he’s sure to be running with his Pack.  Under the neon lights, over a Ghost River beer and burger (rare of course), the tales of his adventures grow taller by the year.  You want to meet the Wolfman?  He’s all over Memphis. The Wolfman's blog will share information and stories about people, places and things related to the people who believe in the mission of the Wolf River and the community they live in.