New Job with TREKAMERICA !!

Trekamerica is the largest and oldest camping tour operator in North America. My job as a tour leader consists of taking 13 travelers (most from out of the country) on camping tours across the continental United States. Trekamerica is marketed towards travelers between the ages of 18-38 who wish to see as much of America as possible on a budget. All the tours are different and last between 7 days and 3 weeks. As a tour guide, I will be driving a van full of travelers across America to set destinations, some natural landmarks (ie. Grand Canyon) and large cities. My job is to make sure they have good time and make lasting memories.

My training starts July 9 in L.A. (gross!). Luckily, I will only be spending a couple of days in L.A. where I will go through orientation and begin the process of obtaining my commercial driver's license (so I can drive a passenger van). From here I will go on a "training trip," where one senior tour leader, 12 trainees and myself will go on a two week camping trip to learn how to be tour guides. Once I return from this trip I will take my test to get my commercial driver's license. Once certified, I will go on an "observation trip" where I will be with one tour guide and 13 paying guests/travelers. After completion of the training trip and the observation trip, I will begin guiding tours. 13 passengers, 1 van and a tour guide (me!).

I only have to commit through September 15, but I am hoping to work until mid October or November (depending on how much I like the job and how much they like me).

FAQ
1. No, I don't need to be an expert on any specific destination or tour. Since most people on the tours will be from out of the country, any information I have will be new to them. Once I know what tour I will be guiding I will do some preliminary research and go from there.

2. No, I don't know which tours I will be guiding and when. It depends on where they need tour guides. First year tour guides only lead tours in the continental United States, however Trekamerica does lead tours all over North and South America.

3. Yes, I'm getting paid.

4. The tours are back to back. I immediately start guiding tours after the three weeks of training and will have about 3 days in between tours. So I will be busy.

Bonnie's 23rd B-Day at the Engine House

Always a good time when there is more than one Seaborn involved. Karen dedicated "Betty Davis Eyes" and "Like a Virgin" to Bonnie.

Trip to Seattle

Last Monday I made the long journey to Seattle to visit some friends before I leave for the summer. It was a pretty successful trip. I managed to see Derek, Christy, Kumara and Stephen. I accidentally deleted all of my pictures from the trip except a few bad ones taken late in the evening after everyone had been drinking. I did manage to save this cool photo of Amy flipping me the peace sign even though she clearly looks like the devil.

Father's Day 2007

Dad, Dwain (JR), Dwain (III) and I all went to Raffe Lake for Father's Day. It was pretty righteous although it was rainy and a little cold. The highlight was seeing a huge dead fish.

I've Got a Blog Now

FINALLY!