At Austin-Lehman our guides are our lifeline – the folks with you throughout your journey who truly make the experience. Selected for their dynamic personalities and expertise in everything from history and geology, to environmental science and marine biology. No two Austin-Lehman guides are alike. They do, however, share one thing in common: a love affair with the great outdoors. Impassioned leaders, friends and naturalists, our guides can’t wait to get to know you and make your Austin-Lehman experience everything you dreamed it would be – and more.
Howdy Folks,
The season for adventure is fast approaching and I am excited to stretch my legs on the trail while exploring one of Austin-Lehman’s amazing trip locations with everyone! I know some of you are curious about what the Austin-Lehman guides do during the off season, so here is an example of the craziness that often occurs when we are set free to explore the world. Although most of my time was spent skiing powder in the great state of Montana this winter, by far the most memorable event of the off season was a personal trip down the Colorado River of the Grand Canyon.
The Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park has been written about, talked about, litigated over and has provided inspiration to river runners for well over 100 years. This journey has been called by many the most incredible journey one can make on this planet. A river trip through Grand Canyon offers us a chance to get outdoors and stay outdoors, day after day, week after week, where we have the potential to see the magic of the world we live in, where we can be reminded about how insignificant we are in the scope of things.
It was a snowy evening in early December at the ski resort I was working at when I opened an email that would present me with an opportunity for one of the most ambitious expeditions I had ever taken on. In order to experience the select whitewater the Colorado River has to offer, paddlers and adventurers must enter a lottery system. The odds are not in anyone’s favor. There are only 270 noncommercial river permits available a year with nearly 5,000 applicants trying to jockey for a spot. Some people have waited an agonizing 20 years to get drawn!
As my body began to shake with excitement, I read on to the point where it said my launch date was set for January 9th. Now I just needed to find a group of people hearty enough to take on such an endeavor in the dead of winter.
A party of ruffians came together soon enough; Bryan, my Austin-Lehman comrade, along with five others. Soon enough, we were migrating from different corners of the country to Flagstaff. None of us had run the Grand Canyon before. It was almost a fairy tale in our minds, we had all heard stories of big water and unmatched vistas. We were headed to the ‘big ditch’ where there was no escape from the wrath of the river for 226 miles once we were enclosed by the canyon walls.
This was the first expedition of my life where I really had no idea what to expect. I found this feeling of the unknown absolutely exhilarating. The aura around our camp on the eve of our trip echoed this feeling.
Launching from Lees Fairy was dreamlike. Yahoo! We were finally doing it! It would take three days before we reached the Grand Canyon proper at which point there is literally no way out besides following the river with walls that reach more than a mile high from the canyon floor.
The grandeur of this place is absolute. Nowhere else on earth have I been in complete awe of an environment. No matter how hard I tried to comprehend this massive world of rock and water, all I could manage to do was look starry eyed with my mouth agape at this place.
It didn’t take long for our party to be humbled by the extreme environment the Grand Canyon presented, especially in the coldest month of the year. Our trip was not a relaxing float down the river. It was a test of endurance. Each day the temperature grew colder, and we had to work hard just to keep our bodies warm and our gear from freezing solid. The party began to work with military efficiency, enduring the cold, day after day. Slowly it worked into our bones, sapping every ounce of energy. We became machines, forcing our bodies out of our warm sleeping bags in the morning, packing up a small city and hitting the river. Cold, combined with water and wind, makes for epic conditions. I came to this realization at one point after navigating a rapid and finding my raft coated in a thin sheet of ice. This was serious, like deadliest-catch-style serious.
One of the best skills I have gained as a guide is learning to become comfortable being uncomfortable. I embraced the cold, the lack of sun, and endless hours of darkness. It was awesome to see our group take on every challenge with a smile, we were operating in extreme whitewater, extreme weather, and extreme backcountry conditions. In the moment it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but reflecting back at the experience, it was intense. One savior we had on the trip was our wood burning stove.
While we rigged for our expedition I was impressed by the amount of gear we would be hauling down river. I was uneasy already about navigating some of the biggest rapids in North America, and when I learned my boat would weigh nearly 2,000 lbs when loaded, I was surprised to say the least. The stove was one of the heaviest items in our boat, and I was reluctant to bring it. This item turned out to be the most precious of all the gear we brought down river. At camp, it was the first thing out of the boat. We needed the heat to thaw our frozen sleeping pads and dry our gear. Plus, in January the sun goes down very early, and we spent a lot of time in complete darkness. If it weren’t for the stove, the expedition would have been a miserable.
Ten days of enduring temperatures averaging 25 degrees with some day’s highs barely reaching the single digits began to wear us down. We found out later that our group pushed through the Grand Canyon in record low temperatures. The party managed to stay positive and mother nature finally decided to give us a break. The golden sun began to warm our souls. Shorts, sandals, and sunscreen became plentiful around camp. With horseshoes and cold beers, we were finally living like kings in a desert oasis.
Our trip began to wind down after successfully running lava falls, the biggest and baddest rapid on the river. This rapid was intimidating. A thunderous roar could be heared from a mile away and as you approached it, the horizon line just dropped like you were about to go over a waterfall. We celebrated on appropriately named tequilla beach after cleanly running the rapid. High fives and smiles were passed around, and the party was in high spirits.
Before long, each stroke brought us closer to the end of the journey. We would soon be leaving this alternate world. There is nothing like removing yourself from the constant grind of our society for an extended period of time. It enables you to put life in persepctive. Most of all, I found myself bummed that I was leaving this place of wonder. Yeah it was rugged and raw, but I realized that I loved everything about it and had no cravings for the outside world. Life wasn’t so bad out here. It was a hard life, but it was a simple life and, most of all, a satisfying life.
I hope this story gives you a perspective of the life some guides choose. The lifestyle is unique and defineatly not for everyone. I am grateful everyday for getting to live the life I do and wouldn’t choose any other way. If anything, I hope this story gets everyone excited for their upcoming adventures this coming season! Austin-Lehman has its best team yet preparing for the guide season, and we are all ready to share the next adventure with you.
Happy Trails,
Cowboy Corey
For a Southwestern tour guide, December in Phoenix can be a culture shock. We spend our other three seasons essentially as visitors to the Valley of the Sun: dropping off trip gear, meeting our next group of adventurers, and departing for the Southwest's most iconic locations, week after week. Many of us spend over 100 days between March and November in Havasupai, the heart of the Grand Canyon. Forty-five miles west of Grand Canyon National Park, spring-fed, turquoise waters wander through islands of wavy, lush seep-willow and craggy deposits of red-tinged travertine on the Havasupai Tribe's reservation. We cross onto tribal land 60 miles from trailhead, and continue to explore it until we depart enroute to Phoenix at the end of the week. The village that lies 8 miles below the rim of the canyon is home to around 400 people, a welcome transition from metropolitan Phoenix's ever-growing 4 million. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, we grow into the canyon life. Towering precipices of Redwall limestone replace backyard fences, moon-lit camp chairs fill in for living room couches, and our neighbors are locals and fellow campers. Havasupai invites the senses to an experience found nowhere else on the planet. As we lead groups through the canyon, vermilion cliffs contrast with the fields of vivid green grapevines that spring out from the blue-green water. We journey each day from the roar of hundred-foot waterfalls to the absolute silence found at the back of side canyons. As we fire up the grills in the evening, the scents of mouthwatering gourmet food mingle with the fresh canyon air as the breeze rocks the creek-side hammocks. It's hard to say a temporary goodbye to both the scenery and community in November, despite the welcome from friends and the glorious winter weather in Phoenix. Coming back to the city, I realize that "home" is a place found 250 miles north, deep in the Grand Canyon.
Good ole Jackson, Wyoming. One of the most b-e-a-utiful towns in the West. It’s surrounded by mountains with the Grand Tetons right up the road. Not to mention, Yellowstone National Park being just a little further up that road. This place is full of adventurous opportunities. You can raft the Snake River, hike multiple trails, go paragliding, kayak Jackson Lake and bike just about anywhere as this is one of the most “biker-friendly” areas you will ever see. Downtown Jackson is loaded with great shopping, unique restaurants such as Local or Thai Me Up, the elk antler arches in Towne Square and of course, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Coming into town from the North you can’t help but notice the rather large and rather steep ski slopes in front of you. That is Snow King, which also offers some great hiking in the summer season. At the top you will have gained about 1,600 feet elevation with one of the best views you will ever see! On a clear day, just about the entire Jackson Hole area can be viewed. The Grand Tetons, Teton Village, the National Elk Refuge and the Gros Ventre Mountain Range, all before you in all their glory. The town of Jackson is already about 6,200 feet elevation so get ready for some huffin and puffin on your hike and don’t forget to bring some water with you. In case you’re not in the mood to hike, the ski lifts run all year.
So before or after you head onto your Yellowstone/Teton Austin Lehman Adventure, make sure you spend a few extra days in the wonderful town of Jackson, Wyoming.
It’s not about the destination...it is about the journey!! That’s all you need to know before starting on any trip I lead!! I am a guide on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The trail that was hidden for more than 400 years when my people escaped from the Andes into the jungle; where we are able to see beautiful views and the several sections of the trail in a pretty short amount of time; where people have once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It was with amazing effort that the Incas built one trail across the Andes. It is a trail that brings unforgettable experiences. People take on the challenge inspired by the beauty of the mountains, and with the protection of the Inca gods. I’ve hiked this path so many times that I lost count, but I still enjoy walking on a real 500 year old road, with all the experiences that it brings, and being able to see what the Incas saw so long ago!! Take this pilgrimage along the classic Inca Trail, and discover the heart of the Inca civilization, Machu Picchu. I’m sure it will be the trip of a lifetime. I am a guide on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and I am proud of that!!
By Santiago Castelo
There are many countries around the world, but let me introduce you to what I believe is one of the most beautiful, Peru. Peru is a place where the mountains are consider protectors, and the local people are real descendants of the Incas. Let me describe a small village that’s located in the middle of the Andes. Maras is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and is considered a world heritage site by Unesco. However, most tourists never get the chance to see the local farmers and how they live and work. If you come to this village, you can see the true miners of Inca salt, who continue to mine salt in the same manner as their predecessors. They use the same kind of tools, and even drink the sacred beverage of the Incas, known as chicha. On your Austin-Lehman Peru Machu Picchu adventure, you can understand what life is like in the countryside, and also understand what ancient Incan society was like.
Sincerely.
Mauricio Gomez Rodriguez
A Great and Unique Adventure in the Land of Incas: Cusco, Peru
I’m so proud to be born and raised in Cusco. Cusco is the beauty of the world concentrated into one city. It has the history, cultural connections with local people, Inca sites, valleys, snow-capped mountain ranges, Machu Picchu, and much more. If Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, you’re in luck because it’s the highlight of Austin-Lehman’s Peru tour. It will be a breathtaking experience for you to be there.
Here in Cusco, we focus a lot on local culture. We follow an itinerary, but we will have extra, special experiences with local people. We will visit local markets, local houses, local chicherias (or bars.) All of these interactions with local people will be unique, memorable and unforgettable for you. Do not wait too long, come to Cusco, Peru and enjoy the best of Peru with the best company “Austin-Lehman Adventures.”
Jesus Cardenas
John Hinrichsen, who guided several Montana/Wyoming trips this summer, including Nam Fam, writes the following:
This was my first year guiding for Austin-Lehman and I will never forget it. Thank you to Dan and Kasey Austin for taking a chance on me. I can’t wait for next year. Thank you to the staff at Austin-Lehman for being so patient (anyone who has to decipher my hand writing on time sheets has to be a saint.) Your kindness is truly felt. HUGE and SPECIAL THANK YOU to all the other guides who made me feel like I was part of a family this year. You are all very special people, and I will miss you in the off season. In the kitchen of the Austin-Lehman office, hanging on the wall , are collages of past and present guides, just looking at the faces of each and every one, I couldn't help but feel the warmth and friendliness. I can only imagine how many lives they must have touched during their trips over the years. I am certainly proud to be amongst them. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met some of them, and carry on the tradition here at Austin-Lehman adventures.
Dan said during training, "You will find that there are lots of hugs here because we are like family;" he was right. During the long guiding season I found that no matter what, I could count on my guiding partners for anything. We always had each other’s back. I know I was always covered, and I appreciate and will never forget it. Yesterday I dropped off a guide at the airport who was on her way home, and through a tearful good bye she said, "Such good people work in this company. Everyone is so nice and I can't wait to come back." That pretty much says it all.
–John
Have you ever had an experience where you knew, at a cellular level, that its very essence would impact you and stay with you for the rest of your life? My recent experience guiding 14 dignitaries from Namibia, Africa through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park is one of those special moments that I will carry with me forever. The name of our adventure was called "No Borders" and the foundation for the visit was to share ideas, through group discussion about sustainable tourism with representatives from our beautiful national parks and the concessions within them.
What is Sustainable Tourism? I learned this week that sustainable tourism is like a three-legged stool; the legs being economics, environmental and cultural preservation. It's the understanding of, and commitment to, the enduring value of conserving wildlife and wild places for the sake of human-wildlife coexistence. Namibia has dedicated nearly half of its landmass to National Parks, Conservancies and private protected land. Conservation of land is even written into their constitution. So make no mistake about it, Namibians understand and are committed to sustainable tourism. And, they do it well. The "No Borders" adventure covered almost 700 miles in ten days and I had the privilege of spending all those miles hearing and joining in on discussions of Sustainable Tourism and how their model has manifested over the years. I discovered that our Namibian friends are people of action; they move forward and get things done because they truly care. It is their way of being in the world, I believe, that brings this model to life. They truly care!
Dan Austin said, "They came as friends and left as family". That statement sums it up best. Their warm, caring ways are authentic and infectious, which creates a space of openness and flexibility and we bonded immediately. A special moment that will always be with me is when we all witnessed the Crow Indians perform traditional tribal dances. We all were drawn in by its ancient sound transporting us back to a time when there were "No Borders;" leaving us all a feeling that the tribal dance was coming from a long line of proud ancestors. It was especially inspiring when members of our Namibian family were motivated by The Crow and responded with their own ancient traditional dance. This was spontaneous and genuine. Little did I know, the entire ten-day adventure would go this was; spontaneous, genuine and inspirational. You see, at our core, humans have "No Borders," we just need to communicate and be vulnerable enough to share. To me, this tour was a perfect storm of genuine humanity.
By the second day, I was adopted by Hilda ( the manager of Sheya shu Shona Conservancy) and called her mom for the rest of the adventure. Gustaph ( chairman of Omatendeka Conservancy) was referred to as "Pastor" as he blessed all of our meals. As I recall all of our Namibian family members, I realize I have a unique bond with each and every one of them. Trust me, I will never forget them and hope to one day share more special moments with them.
As important as it is for the details of Sustainable Tourism to be discussed amongst all involved , I believe it is equally important to point out that deeply caring about each other and the willingness to compromise is the platform that our three-legged model of sustainable tourism truly rests upon.
I wish my new family well and was honored to be a part of something bigger than any individual; helping to create a part of the world that knows " No Borders."
The final dog days of summer are holding strong here in "SOUTH DAKOTA VACATION" and I have the perfect remedy to beat the late season heat. A few years ago I was introduced to this peculiar treat while living in the mountains of North Carolina. This sweet and savory concoction explodes with flavor as it fizzes upon your taste buds.
Ingredients:
Coca Cola in a bottle served on ice (Mexican Coke is preferred because it has real sugar)
Salted Cocktail Peanuts
Directions:
1 Take a hardy gulp of your Coca Cola
2 Open a package of salted cocktail peanuts and drop them down the bottleneck
3 Give your bottle a little shake to activate the foamy sensation
4 Slowly pour the dark syrupy Coke into your mouth while allowing a few nuts to disperse on your tongue
5 Close your eyes and experience the magic
What it does for you:
Adventuring can be exhausting especially in the heat, this treat will turn your fatigued mind and body into a fighter ready to fend off Chuck Norris. Coca Cola can be a great pick-me-up during a physical activity because the body primarily runs off glucose during exertion. The caffeine gives you a quick jolt into action, while the carbonation can soothe that aching stomach. Surprisingly, even the Tour de France riders turn to good old Coca-Cola when the going gets tough. Adding in Peanuts gives you a solid food to put in your tummy and acts as a slow burning fuel. The salt of the peanuts helps replenish the supply of sodium one loses while sweating. There you have it folks, my favorite remedy to getting through a grind on the trail.
Picture of Nick Gulping down the coke
Till next time, your friendly South Dakota guide.
Cowboy Corey
So, picture this… 5 guys (and me) standing on a cliff at Lime Kiln Point State Park overlooking the Haro Straight in the San Juan Islands off Washington Coast. To our right is a pile of old lime discarded from the Lime Kiln Days. Below us is a seal skirting around and peeking at us through the kelp. The restored kiln behind is us. The dock the men used to load the lime in the 1920’s is gone but the pylons in the sea floor stick out enough to remind us of its ghostly existence. The air is crisp, the sky blue, it’s the perfect day to explore the lands that hold the key to a bit of our past… and then, just as we turn to continue on down the trail, a splash in the distance catches our eye… wait, what’s that?? It an orca! Lots of orcas!! I’ve never had the honor to see them in the San Juan Islands.
They weren’t there long – they were moving at a fast clip. You could tell the male orcas from the rest, their dorsal fins are much bigger than the others, standing stoically to as high as 6 feet. Oh, it was so exciting! Wildlife in nature is just breathtaking. The orca population has been lingering around 85 total Orcas in the Puget Sound in the last 10 years… Seems like such a low number when you hear the probable height of Orcas was in the 1960’s at 300 in the Puget Sound. They got a bad rap for being “Killer” whales when 1. They aren’t actually whales. And 2. Only some orcas are actual “killers.” These we saw were traveling in a large family – that’s our first clue that they aren’t Killers. They were resident Orcas… they eat fish and travel in families… the Transient Orcas are the “killers.” They travel in 2’s and 3’s and eat mammals… they hunt. Both would have been fascinating to see… but their very presence today completed our experience… I hope the San Juan Islands stay quaint and country cottage like… but I hope everyone gets this chance… it is a once in a lifetime…
Your friendly San Juan Island guide,
Blair Peck
Learn more about Blair, visit her guide page: Blair Peck
Howdy Folks,
Cowboy Corey and Hurricane Carrie checking in from the Black Hills of South Dakota where we are getting our adventures in order for the upcoming Black Hills family vacations! We were welcomed to the rolling hills with the thunderous tune of motorcycles, where over half a million riders flock every year for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Carrie and I were so delighted by the scene that we took to the winding roads on a Harley, celebrating this extraordinary environment in true rally fashion. We can’t wait to share our passion for this place with you all, from the bona fide western cities of Sturgis and Deadwood to the Presidential faces that Defined America carved into Mount Rushmore.
Above all, The George S. Mickelson Trail is the pinnacle experience of the Black Hills Trip; with 109 miles of trail meandering through prairies, past granite mountain views, heavily timbered forests, and ghostly deserted mining towns the experience is paramount. The Burlington Northern Rail Line was abandoned in 1983 which passes through the heart of the Black Hills. With the Support of Governor George S. Mickelson the rails were removed and a bike path was born in 1991. The rails to trails project was completed in 1998, spanning 109 miles with more than 100 converted railroad bridges and four hard rock tunnels this trail is a must for anyone who enjoys adventure via pedal power.
Ride on,
Cowboy Corey and Hurricane Carrie
On all the Austin-Lehman trips that I have led, I encounter a multitude of questions; from the size of the park, to what time are the animals released from their cage (however, this one is not often asked). But without fail one question that is always brought up is, "What can I do around Bozeman before or after my awesome vacation?" My recommendation would first include rephrasing the question to what can't I do around this town!?
If you consider yourself a history buff, or are seeking the inner child in you head to the Museum of the Rockies. You are instantly surrounded by the dinosaurs that walked in the same streets as you are now! Also, there are a ton of other historical artifacts from the pioneer times as well! While moseying around town, simply walk down main street for a few hours. There are great stores for some last minute gear purchases or finally get that kayak to start your hobby (inspired from your Austin-Lehman adventure)! Also on Main you can grab some of the best food Montana has to offer including the famed, Ted's Montana Grill for a hearty cut of bison steak raised on one of Mr. Turner's farms! Also those looking to stay out a little later can indulge in the nightlife of Bozeman that more often than not will include live music and dancing!
If you would like to push yourself a little bit more towards the outdoorsy lifestyle of the area your options only continue to grow! A short drive to Big Sky resort can have you flying downhill on a mountain bike or Zipping through the sky on their newly installed zip line systems. Also a quick call to the office or one of your guides can get a connection to a fly fishing guide that has newly been added to the Austin-Lehman family! All the local shops also rent everything from bikes to paddle boards! So turn an afternoon into an adventure taking some rented or purchased gear into Hyalite Canyon just outside of town. Paddle the reservoir or bike the seemingly endless trails! In short, Bozeman is an excellent town to start or finish off your Yellowstone National Park Vacation or Montana family adventure offering fun for all ages and interests! Myself and the rest of the guide staff all look forward to meeting you future adventurers!
Cheers,
Patrick McGarry
One of the key skills to guiding in the outdoors is flexibility… but who would have thought that Pam and I would need to use this skill so much simply by driving to our destination? Yes, 2,700 miles does present a lot of opportunity for things to come up when driving from Montana to Alaska, but in our case, “things” being the road, went away. Flooding added to the heavy water from the spring thaw, washed away part of the Alaskan highway. What an adventure! Fortunately, we caught this at the tail of repairs – which I would like to add, were done with impressive speed and only left the roads closed for a couple of days. We were only held up for a few hours and started our bumpy, curvy, and beautiful drive through British Columbia, the Yukon, and into Alaska.
At one point, we drove over a brand new bridge. The river had completely washed out what ever structure was there before and now there were piles of boulders pushed into the river with loads of gravel layered on top. Over we went, not blind to the leftovers of the road to our left. Less than a foot to the side of the center line was now a 4ft. cliff where the water had stolen the rest of the road.
It was pretty exciting to see both the power of nature and the quickness of people to respond. Even more exciting, was doubling my lifetime bear sightings in a single day! Pam and I saw 15 bears along the drive through north British Columbia and into Yukon. 12 black bears – including one cub – and a mom grizzly with her 2 cubs! It was a beautiful day for munching the grasses along the side of the road and I assume the stop of traffic for the last few days had called them to enjoy it. These bears, along with moose, elk, bison, fox, coyote, eagles, bighorn sheep, marmot, and mule deer sightings have only left us void of caribou. We will keep our eyes peeled to check off caribou from the land list and then will move onto water! Whales, sea lions, otters, and more are all waiting for us on our Alaska adventure vacations to appreciate them for simply being there… and this is our job. Pretty spectacular way to spend the summer if you ask me.
Your friendly Alaska guide,
Aubree
Do you like good food? Austrians are known to sing about their food, because it has lifted up their spirit: Wolfagang Ambros sings about the healing properties of a “gulasch and a glass of beer”. The famous “salbzburger nockerl”, a divine sweet from Salzburg, received a wonderful song in a musical that every Austrian knows, saying they are sweet as love and tender as a kiss. Udo Jürgens won the European song contest in 1976 with a song that describes what happens to older ladies, who meet once a day in their favorite bakery to eat cakes and ice creams. In the German language, there are so many words for cake, like eskimos have names for snow!
Austrians divide their seasons not by the trees growing leaves or turning colorful. They rather have culinary seasons. There is special treats for every time of the year. Now is the time of carnival, and the country offers special “krapfen”, a doughnut like bakery, filled with jam or cream. People go visit each other or their favorite restaurant to eat a “herringschmaus”, an assortment of different fish salads, mostly made with herring and offered only at this time of year. If you travel through the country in summertime, you are in for many kinds of asparagus or strawberry treats. European vacations are the perfect chance to indulge in these seasonal treats.
Even regional Austria is talking about “enjoyment regions” like “genußregion salzburgerland” when talking about their cultural and political districts. In the east, around Vienna, the schnitzel and gulasch, dishes inspired by Italy and Hungary in the times of the k&k monarchy, the times many Austrians think back with a big sigh of greatness to remember. In the west, dishes are more heavy with cheese from the alpine region, like “kässpätzle” or tiroler gröstl. Nowadays a whole new come back is happening on remembering dishes from the past, like grandma would cook it, good homemade dishes. They celebrate a comeback to even fine restaurants. “Klachelsuppe” and “Heidensterz” are 2 examples, and if you can order it then try the”Hoargneisnidei” in Salzburg.
Also, all dishes are served with either Austrian local brewed beer or Austrian wines, which I have to say in full honesty, are among the finest wines of the world. Why you don’t hear much about them? Well, our small wincers are producing just enough to supply our own country, so we don’t bother to sell them abroad, we simply enjoy them ourselves. As an Austrian living abroad, coming home for food is my ultimate happiness. And I have heard that from others in my position as well. Guiding Austrian tours, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our Austrian cuisine and to dine with you on our cycling tours in some of the fines places in the country. I am already looking forward to it. Mahlzeit!
Your friendly Austrian guide,
Kavya
We are all drawn outside... One of the many beauties of nature is the diversity the outdoors can portray and the spectrum of interests it can entertain. Whether looking at the historical and geological influences that made our environment what it is today or simply taking in the breeze and appreciating without question, the outdoors can fill many needs. You can do this in your backyard or you can take it to the next level through an Austin-Lehman adventure to Alaska.
This summer I have the unique opportunity to experience Alaska’s abundance of land and sea, mountains and towns, by guiding Austin-Lehman’s Alaska adventure vacations. As one of the most seismically active places on earth, Alaska is continually changing. The pacific plate is continually making is way under the continent folding magnificent mountains. Glaciers have carved through the land giving us places like Resurrection bay. At nearly 1,000ft, Resurrection Bay does not freeze. It was the accessibility of the bay that allowed Seward to establish as a town, but it is the beauty of the water and the history of the town that excite those of us lucky enough to visit Seward.
With Austin-Lehman, we not only get to explore Seward and see Resurrection Bay, but we also stay on a stunningly beautiful island within the bay, see the mountains from the tranquility of a kayak, and whiteness some of the animals that call Alaska home…. all on the first day. This will be an amazing adventure for me that I can’t wait to share with our guests.
Your friendly adventure guide,
Aubree
The friday evening BBQ at the farm was a huge success. With the boss slinging up some delicious grilled items and other helping out we all managed to enjoy an amazing spread with some ice cold beverages too! After dinner things got fun with some teamwork on the slack line and some friendly competition on ladder golf. Definitely a great Friday for all!
Your friendly guide,
Bryan Codi
It’s the first day of Guide training for Austin Lehman Adventures and I’m home in my bed reviewing our day. Ok, it’s not my bed, Toby and I have been staying upstairs at the ALA Farm/Office and now it feels like home. That’s a good thing because we are about to embark on 4 months of travel and guiding in the West and won’t have a home. But tonight, that’s just fine. We are excited to go! The time has come to get on the road, scout our destinations and show our guests what the vacation of a lifetime feels like.
The van and trailer are ready but there are still a couple things still to be done, pack (again), load our bikes and laugh and learn with the guides who are here now. Embrace the moment. It’s our motto. No matter where you are, there you are. Adventure Travel has become the way of our world and knowing that we are taking people to places like Arches and Canyonlands, Yosemite, Bryce and Zion, a cycling tour in Napa Valley and exploring the San Juan Islands in Washington - is so rewarding.
The best part – we could never do this alone. It takes the amazing office staff that make it happen, the guides that came before to help solidify these amazing vacations and destinations, a guide partner who is my best friend, and the guests we are so fortunate to travel with.
Life is so short, embrace the moment, explore, play, travel. Austin-Lehman Adventures has it figured out and I am so proud and excited to be a part of it.
Your friendly guide,
Howdy folks,
You can call me “Cowboy Corey,” or to be proper, “Mr. Mountain Man Meyer.” My birth name is only spoken by my mother for it doesn’t have the same adventurous spirit as a title with some twang. I am one of Austin-Lehman’s newest guides, a company for which I am excited to be a part of for the upcoming adventures and lasting friendships. I will be guiding the Yellowstone Family Adventure Vacations and our South Dakota Family Adventure.
To be perfectly honest I am no cowboy; never have I ridden a thoroughbred at full gallop into the setting sun as a cloud of dust rises in my wake. I once aspired to be a walking legend of the West, to have my skin baked by the hard sun until I was a real rawhide with hands of leather. Visions of gun slinging outlaws, train stopping renegades, and rough riding ruffians sounded like fun to me, but I just don’t have the true grit personality to pull off the lifestyle. In fact, if I were plopped down at a poker table with Wild Bill Hickok, Jessie James, or Calamity Jane in Deadwood I don’t think I could last a minute under their piercing eyes and would find myself scurrying for the door. Like the cowboys, I enjoy riding into uncharted territories; the wind in my face defines freedom. I just ride upon a different breed of horse, preferring a steed of steel, and have mounted my trusted Cannondale in many breathtaking locations.
I don’t believe I deserve the title “Mountain Man Meyer” either. I have lived for multiple months in the wilds of Montana with only a wall tent for shelter. Like the legendary Jeremiah Johnson, I have harvested big game animals in the Rocky Mountains, but the truth is I can’t sustain a haggard life like that of the legendary John Colter or Jim Bridger. After a few days of roughing it, I find myself dreaming of steamy hot showers, chocolate, and fluffy pillows. If I am not a cowboy or a mountain man…….. Who am I you ask? Simply put, I am a man of adventure, one who is as excited as you are for the upcoming adventure season. I am anxiously waiting to share my knowledge of the West and to create a lasting memory of adventure with everyone. Let’s make the next trip one to remember!
See you on the trail,
Corey Meyer
Are you a fan of classical music?
Here is a suggestion for you: download any requiem version on your ipod or mp3 player and come on our Denmark biking tour. Be it from Mozart or Bach or Verdi - pick the one you like, or just any one random.
We will visit a cathedral there, which is like nothing you have seen before. It actually is the sanctuary and "graveyard" of all kings and queens from Denmark, since the times of the wild Vikings (which we will visit just before). I am talking about the gothic cathedral of Roskilde.
Now imagine yourself walking through that sacred building, filled with royalty, pride and devotion. Just walking through puts a spell of wonder on most people. But now, you put your headphones on and play that requiem you love. Be it Mozart or Verdi, the majesty of the music while walking through that amazing cathedral will probably blow your mind or at least it should leave you with a very special memory.
Personally I believe that there is nothing but experiencing things in all their dimensions possible, including all senses possible. Thats why we like to do adventure vacations and cycling tours! You move your body, you hear, you see, you smell, taste and feel a country and its special features. Those memories are for life, those memories are for you!
By the way, the first king to be buried in the Dom was Harold I. Blauzahn, which means if you translate it "bluetooth". I don't know if there is any connection to the modern telephone devices, he was king of Denmark and Norway in 910-987!
The present queen of Denmark, Margaret II has already ordered and designed her own future burial monument in the Dom. A model of this artwork, designed by Danish artist Bjørn Nørgaard is on display since last year. The details and the absolute modern Danish form resemble what the country is all about: ancient culture mixed with modern stylish elements. Come and check it out yourself, its a masterpiece! Of course this Dom is part of the UNESCO world heritage list!
So, now i am curious... who are the experimental people that will come with their iPods loaded and join me on our adventure in Denmark, this June and July?
Your friendly European guide,
Kavya
Yellowstone National Park may be the closest most people ever get to another planet! Its a place where the ground is alive, where the water in the rivers, streams and lakes boils and bubbles like the whimsical brew that you would find in a wizard or witches pot! Its the safari of North America!
A Yellowstone National Park Vacation will undoubtedly leave one dumbfounded and scratching their head as they wonder. How in the heck does this happen? It might have something to do with the giant pool of magma beneath us I'd say...
As a guide in Yellowstone I have the pleasure and privilege of leading family adventure vacations to the far corners of the park to take in the beautiful vistas, hot springs and geysers. It's nice to see all of the minds hard at work trying to digest what this magical place is trying to show all of us. On a hiking vacation through Yellowstone Park one week is much more than most folks will spend in the park, but this is still not even close to the time it may take to truly digest and even begin to understand what has happened and is still happening here.
I brought some of my family members here a few years ago, an uncle of mine had been adamant that Yosemite National Park was the greatest park of them all, even on our trip through Yellowstone he claimed that Yosemite was king! You see, Yellowstone Park is so vast and different. It slowly seeps into your soul and sticks with you after you've returned to regular life. This past Easter I was with family and the National Park conversation came up again. My uncles story had changed a little," while Yosemite may harbor the big mountain views, its Yellowstone Park that keeps me wondering" he said. "There is something bigger going on there, and i need to see more of it!"
Your Friendly Adventure Guide,
Toby Grapner
Several years ago, my friends and I were on a quest to discover a new land for us to have the ultimate adventure vacation! It’s easy to imagine why we looked westward, after years of flatland life in Ohio. We all wished to indulge in a two-week, nature based journey to celebrate the thoughts of another summer and the freedom college would soon bring. So what better way to have the time of our lives than travel through our nation’s first National Park; on our own Yellowstone vacation. Beyond the mischief and mishaps that tend to happen on trips of this sort, we were all blown away from our surroundings! Wildflowers that ran until they ran over the hillsides. Mountains reaching heights that were unheard of, and obviously the countless geysers!
That trip will always be kept close to my heart for a number of reasons, one being the way that it has made me go on an endless search of beautiful, wild, places both here and abroad! In the years that have passed since, we all have talked about once again returning to the magical land of mountains, hot springs, and wildlife for another Yellowstone National Park Vacation! Also during those years I have spent much of my time in outdoor pursuits both for personal betterment and guiding. That is why after being granted the wonderful opportunity to join the Austin-Lehman team this year I could barely hold back when I found out I would in fact be working in the inspiring Yellowstone National Park while guiding their Montana Family Vacations! I look forward to sharing the experience of this beautiful place and many others this summer with everyone!
Cheers!
Patrick McGarry
Hohe Tauern National Park is highly protected in 3 different zones: the most inner zone cannot be touched by anyone, the 2nd layer is open to visit and the outermost zone is where our cycling tours head on our first day on our Austria Bike Tours - Alps to Salzburg. Our bike path leads us along the Hohe Tauern National Park in the valley surrounded by some of the highest mountains of Austria, the Grossvenediger and Grossglockner. Most of the year, the tops are snow covered and sparkling bright against the blue sky. On your bike, while going more downhill then uphill, we bike along green lush meadows and forests, with a chance to buy homemade honey along the trails. You can say "auf wiedersehn" (goodbye) to the cows and sheep along the trail, as well as just look at the wonderful crystal clear waters in deep turquoise colour of the Saalach River.
Not to mention that every couple of meters on the trail the crystal clear mountain spring water is offered to the thirsty bikers and hikers needing some freshly chilled and of course free of charge spring water.
Nature at its finest on the Tauern path, easy biking also makes this trip perfect for family adventure vacations.
Come and join!
Your Friendly European Guide,
Kavya Bisz
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