The Adventures of ORIN the Traveling Moose

An Alaskan native, Orin has traveled with friends and family from Alaska to Canada and south to Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.  He has endured the sweltering heat of an Arkansas summer.  Friends enjoyed his sense of humor when they found him buried in the sand up to his neck at Myrtle Beach.

When asked about his favorite pastime, he says, "Camping is all about meeting new friends.  At a campground in South Dakota we met some delightful people from New Orleans.  They invited us for homemade gumbo, and wow, was that good stuff!"

Orin is a moose of many talents.  He has worked as a network technician, a carpenter, and enjoys working with animals.  "I hope to help the deer," he says wistfully.  "They don't understand the dangers of highway travel.  I am working on an educational campaign similar to the public service announcements on TV.  Deer need to know how important it is to cross only at the marked deer crossing signs."

It seems he never meets a stranger; he makes friends everywhere he goes.  He always has some good stories to tell so we have asked him to contribute some tales of his adventures, share his photo journal, and maybe give us some words of wisdom.

My Travel Journal - Trip to Wyoming

09/08  Des Moines, IA

They Left the Lights On For Us

Wow, I didn't think we'd ever get out of the van!  Our plan was to set up in a campground tonight but we stayed on the road until dark so I suggested a motel.  This is my first stay in a Motel 6; I am pleasantly surprised!  Many other animals are here with their humans yet the place is clean and cozy.

I was just ready to get into the tub for a bubble bath - I can't believe they took this picture of me naked!

09/08 Des Moines, IA

Gittin' Shut-Eye

Well, you can see from this picture I was getting pretty annoyed at my humans.  We were on the road for over 12 hours and had to get up early in the morning.  Finally, I turned out the lights and told them it was time for bed.  Then we started telling stories and got the giggles.  It was after midnight when we got to sleep.

09/09

Eight Seconds

Today, I actually road a bucking bronco.  Let me tell you, eight seconds can be a really, really long time!  It wasn't as easy as riding those mechanical bulls.  It was exciting but let me tell you, I was scared.  Think I'll stick something more tame from now on.

This picture was taken just as I thought I was going to come off - but I made it to the buzzer.

Orin is still copying his notes - please check back soon to see
the rest of his travel journal entries.

09/09

Mapping the Route

I love maps!  When I get home, I think I'll paper the garage walls with the maps from my adventures.  We were leaving South Dakota and it was hard to decide whether to take a longer, scenic route or stick to the freeway.

09/11

Picking Apples

These apples looked ready.  While the others were looking about for a step ladder, I shinnied up the tree and had at least a peck already picked.  The peck I picked were perfect for pies.  Plum-dilly-icious!

09/11

Apple Crisp

I was able to make apple crisp for our hosts in Wyoming.  The key to a good apple crisp is using real butter and lots and lots of cinnamon.  I'm thinking I could get a spot on Rachel Ray's show or with that guy who hollers Boom or something like that.  Maybe Martha could use some tips.

09/12

Skip-Bo

I taught everyone to play Skip-Bo.  It's a fun, family game we always played at home during the long Alaskan nights.  As you can see, my opponent was quite surprised by some of my plays.

09/13

Behind Every Mustache

Behind every mustache is a cowboy!  Think I can grow a mustache like his?  Hmmm.  As you can see, I was trying a saddle at this shop.  This one seemed just a bit off-size for me so I needed to keep looking.  Afterward, we had some yummy doughnuts.

09/14

Post Office in Wyarno, Wyoming

I love maps!  When I get home, I think I'll paper the garage walls with the maps from my adventures.  We were leaving South Dakota and it was hard to decide whether to take a longer, scenic route or stick to the freeway.

...

Updated: 11/15/09