About Justine

About Justine
After her 4 month trip to Tanzania at the end of 2015, Justine took a year off from the typical college track and spent 2016 working, traveling, and reading tons, mostly in California. She's also been taking classes remotely, and still plans to graduate on schedule from Colorado College this coming Spring with a BA in biology. Work was guiding 70+ kayak tours for ETC, mostly for disabled adults and underprivileged youth.

These kayak trips usually started from Sausalito or Tomales Bay (both north of the Golden Gate), which once again required long commutes from Byrd Lane (30 miles south of the Golden Gate) by bike & train. She is now a very experienced San Francisco bike commuter. Kayaking took up quite a bit of time (both weekdays and weekends, often overnight) but she also had breaks to go on camping/hiking/rafting/climbing trips around the West, often with friends, sometimes on her own. Which, apparently, she enjoyed.

Justine in August: "I think I'll hike from our house to the beach. I've packed, and it's only 44 miles. Can you pick me up tomorrow afternoon?"	Justine in a 7 lb "pack raft" she carried up to pristine Hamilton Lake in the High Sierras. Every other hiker who saw it was extremely jealous.
During the summer Justine, Flo, and a bunch of their rafting friends spent 10 days rafting down the Salmon river in Idaho. She ran the river either at the oars of this boat or in a smaller single. They rode through lots of difficult rapids, one of which Justine decided to take UNDERNEATH this raft. Clearly a parenting failure.
	Between all her kayaking and rafting she's become quite the aquatic expert. At left, in her first triathlon. It appears long swims in cold Pacific water is not as much fun as kayaking. ***** Having her at home means we get to enjoy her wonderful baking experiments (All of which surely require more practice.)
She spent so many nights outdoors this year! Camping overnight in state parks between kayaking trips, in her bivvy by herself, chasing off key-stealing racoons, sleeping in the car, sleeping just off the trails during her multi-day hikes.... She is remarkably at home, and perhaps even prefers, the forest over the creature comforts. Beds, roofs and showers are over rated.
On the biking portion of her triathlon (on the bike her big brother bought for her)	On an unsupported trail marathon
Enjoying beer and good food with friends on various adventures... Above left was the celebratory beer & oysters after she and two good friends kayaked from Stinson Beach down the unforgiving coast and in under the Golden Gate to end in Sausalito. Amazing.
Finally, just chillin' outdoors with a good book, her puffy jacket, and a well-used sleeping bag and air pad.
(Note the pinky splint. Life lesson: DO NOT listen to dad's advice on orthopedic injuries.) Justine has still never been to Disneyland. Perhaps she never will.