Poundin' the Pedals

A honed group of NOLS Alumni, including NYC area denizens, recently completed a five-day mountain biking trip on the North Rim of Arizona's Grand Canyon.

They negotiated potholes, braved slickrock, guzzled gallons of cowboy coffee, glimpsed rare (and exceedingly large) California Condors and made one instructor's honeymoon particularly memorable...

Lance Armstrong, watch your back.

First Blog

Blogs are cool.

Enjoy Puccini's Tosca with NOLS

Mark your calendars for an evening of picnicking under the stars while listening to live music on TUESDAY, JUNE 14TH in Central Park's Great Lawn! Join an awesome group of NOLSies to listen to Puccini's Tosca performed by New York City's very own Metropolitan Opera. You won't want to miss this FREE opportunity to mingle with old and new friends alike! We've already had about 10 RSVPs.

Feel free to bring other cool folks, as well as a blanket and something to eat and drink (beer, wine, non-alcoholic options). Since this event will draw a huge crowd, we will meet promptly at 7 pm on the north-facing steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (East 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue). Then, we'll head over to stake out a patch of grass on the Great Lawn in Central Park. Email me to let me know if you plan to come, so we can finalize the logistics of meeting up beforehand.

PLEASE RSVP TO: Elizabeth Werbe. Cell: 203.561.7209

WHAT: Picnic in Central Park's Great Lawn while listening to NYC's Metropolitan Opera under the stars with new and old friends!

WHEN: Tuesday, June 14th at 7 pm (opera begins at 8 pm).

WHERE: The north-facing stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (East 82nd Street and Fifth Avenue).

BRING: Friends, food, drinks, blanket, extra layer for when the sun sets.

WHY: See above, but most of all...IT'S FUN!!!

NYC - Get to Know NOLS

People are at the heart of NOLS, from students to instructors to office staff to board members, each and every person plays an integral role in the life of the organization.

This week we had the chance to pry a few minutes outta Kevin McGowan, Rocky Mountain Outfitting Manager at NOLS’ largest facility in Lander, Wyoming. Kevin started at NOLS as an Outdoor Educator student in the Tetons in 1978.

Kevin doesn’t talk it up much, but he was 4th in state wrestling a few years back- one of those big states too- Pennsylvania. Yup, NOLS’ own Kevin McGowan turned down a potentially lucrative pro-wrestling career to instead slam around outdoor gear in Lander.

NOLS: If you could get tickets for any professional sporting event, what event and which team would you like to see?
Kevin: Pro baseball. The Baltimore Orioles vs. the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. Baltimore would walk all over those wimbly-wombly, no-goodly for nuthin’ Yankees.

NOLS: Any pets? If so, what are their names and do they possess any special talent?
Kevin: Nope, no pets. My sons Pat (14) and Joe (11) are enough of a handful, tho’ come to think of it, a pack of dachshunds might be easier on the furniture…

NOLS: How did you spend your last birthday?
Kevin: You mean yesterday?
NOLS: oh yeah! Happy birthday!
Kevin: Thanks – my family took me to lunch and gave me tons of balloons. Folks pitched in to get me a golf membership- not mini-golf either.

NOLS: Favorite month or season of the year/
Kevin: Definitely April or May, when the golf and baseball seasons start. It wouldn’t be spring without the crack of the bats and muttered curses on the links.

NOLS: What CD is in your car stereo right now?
Kevin: “Wonderland” by Hexbelt. They rock. They’re a little Amish band from York, PA. The drummer can really keep a beat. Sometimes.

NOLS: In what store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Kevin: Besides the NOLS on-line store, I’d have to say Target, for sure. Or maybe this little tattoo and piercing shop I know in Rock Springs…

NOLS: What is your favorite cartoon? (childhood or current)
Kevin: Spongebob – square pants. He wears shorts and so do I.

NOLS: Anywhere in the world, where would you be?
Kevin: Nepal. I was there in ’86 on a mountaineering expedition to Annapurna. I’d love to go back to the Himalayas.

NOLS: What has been your favorite work experience at NOLS?
Kevin: Interacting with the students and staff every day. That’s what its all about for me. It’s been 27 years and I’m still glad to work with the students.