 | ||
| photo by Ernie Mills |
Nurpu River & Mountain Supply
16907 Mystic Road
Noblesville, IN 46060
317.773.1560
Forging a destined dream of paddling 460 miles of the Yukon River, my husband Jake and I constructed the Sundowner with old pontoons and mostly used lumber as a testimony of our devotion to pursue this rugged adventure. In 2011, fate finally sent us venturing north over 3,000 miles into Canada’s Yukon Territory where the Sundowner enabled us to navigate the river, fish, pan for gold, photograph magnificent landscapes & wildlife, write, and play in The Land of the Midnight Sun.
Showing posts with label NURPU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NURPU. Show all posts
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Sundowner Braves the Indiana Snow!
She traveled all the way to the Yukon Territory this past summer, but of course, the Sundowner never saw a flake of snow while in the Land of the Midnight Sun (though she did spend nearly 3 weeks carrying us through the 40-degree waters (°F) of Lake Laberge & the Yukon River. The Yukon's summer days oozed warmth when the sun seemed to circumnavigate us in clear, blue and indescribably vast skies. Our nights (which never really got dark like our Indiana nights) were more than chilly, but bearable with the right amount of layers and gear.
You may be wondering how the Sundowner is passing her days during this mild but finally snowy winter. Well, stop by Nurpu River & Mountain Supply to see for yourself! She's parked out in Nurpu's front yard, so you can't miss the Sundowner if you're driving in or out of Noblesville on SR 38. Feel free to walk up and around the boat to get a deeper understanding of what it was like for Jake & I to call this boat our home for three weeks during this past summer as we ventured the waters of the wild Yukon River. Once you're done wondering what could we have been thinking when we dreamed up this crazy adventure, head into Nurpu's log cabin store. You don't have to be a kayaker or backpacker to find something that will climb to the top of your I-have-got-to-have-that! list.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The Sundowner Participates in the Noblesville Christmas Parade
 |
| photo by John Stewart |
The Sundowner, made her debut as a float in the 2011 Noblesville Christmas Parade. Donning gear from Nurpu River & Mountain Supply, she made her way through the streets of Noblesville, helping to share some Nurpu Christmas spirit. Kevin & Kylene Huff (& Tank!) from Nurpu pulled the Sundowner, while photographer Ernie Mills documented the event en route.
 |
| Kylene & Kevin Huff and Ernie Mills* |
 | |
| Nurpu's Kevin Huff Secures Kayaks for the Parade* |
 |
| photo by Ernie Mills* |
 |
| The Sundowner from Yukon River Trip Awaits the Noblesville Christmas Parade* |
 |
| photo by Ernie Mills* |
 |
| Tank Huff is ready to go!* |
 |
| photo by Ernie Mills* |
 |
| Downtown Noblesville* |
 |
| Noblesville's 2011 Christmas Parade* |
*Ernie Mills, Photographer
Nurpu was an invaluable sponsor for our Yukon River Trip!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Celebrate Good Times: Nurpu River & Mountain Supply
Our favorite gear shop, Nurpu River & Mountain Supply, celebrated its 5-year Anniversary this evening!
Jake & I were happy to take part in the festivities. Nurpu is a top-notch business: they have a great selection, competitive prices, and phenomenal customer service! Nurpu was also a HUGE supporter of our Yukon River Trip, and we are so grateful for all that they did to help make our dream come true.
When you get a chance, check out Nurpu for all your hiking, boating, outdoor, & climbing needs.
Check out the cool 5-Year Anniversary stainless steel glasses we picked up tonight:
 |
| photo by Jake Nieten |
Nurpu River & Mountain Supply
16907 Mystic Road
Noblesville, IN 46060
317.773.1560
Monday, August 22, 2011
What's New with Yukon River Trip?
~Susan is working on other pieces of writing--memoirs, reflections, narratives, etc.
~Jake & Susan are working on gear reviews--both video & the written word. Reviews will include (but are not limited to) NURPU River and Mountain Supply, Going Gear, & Point6.
~On August 30th, Susan will be presenting to her Mary Kay unit; she will share about her YRT and the lessons she gained from her summer adventure.
~On September 20th, Susan will be presenting at the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program Dinner.
~Jake & Susan are working on gear reviews--both video & the written word. Reviews will include (but are not limited to) NURPU River and Mountain Supply, Going Gear, & Point6.
~On August 30th, Susan will be presenting to her Mary Kay unit; she will share about her YRT and the lessons she gained from her summer adventure.
~On September 20th, Susan will be presenting at the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program Dinner.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Packing Up the Sundowner in Carmacks: Day 18 of the Yukon River Trip
...continued from "A Dilemma & Departure in Carmacks: Day 18 of the Yukon River Trip"
Jake's departure propelled me into action; I probably had more work than I could fit into his anticipated 4-hour absence. I welcomed the work that sprawled around me because it left no time to ponder & fret over Jake's journey. A strategy surfaced, and I launched my campaign to triumph over the endless job of prepping & packing for our long drive home.
I had four major goals:
1.) dress man-like in order to not draw attention to myself as a lone female on our alluring boat that surely held desirable souvenirs for those with bold, corrupt intentions
2.) dry out the boat, tarps, floor mats, gear, shoes, and clothes to avoid mildew & ruin on the week-long return drive home
3.) put away all belongings in a logical & memorable place
4.) group tubs, bags, & gear according to where they should be placed in the Expedition for possible access or non-access for the 3,300-mile journey
To attempt Goal #1, I dressed in gray North Face zipoff pants, my heavy boots, a zipped-up black fleece jacket, and a camo baseball cap that hid my long hair from distant, curious onlookers that might bring unwanted distractions & delays to my day's objective. Feeling alone & possibly vulnerable, I randomly caught myself at times mimicking mannish mannerisms & movements, hoping to convince onlookers that I was able to hold my own--whether or not they bought my masculine character.
Initiating Goal #2, I began to gather & spread various items, ranging from damp to drenched, on any & all available spaces that would possibly catch a draft of the Yukon wind blowing through Carmacks that morning. Due to the limited sites that captured the Yukon sun & wind in the Sundowner's position, I was continually draping & redraping our first batch of saturated possessions to capitalize on sunlight & wind before swapping the thoroughly dried items with the next significant soggy set.
At some point, I realized that I was not the only being hard at work; I noticed locals working their fishing nets on the opposing bank of the Yukon River.
While the welcomed & much appreciated summer sun dried our gear, it also forced me to shed the layers of my manly costume to make my vigorous task bearable. Well aware that I would no longer possibly pass as the opposite sex, I continued my work in my camo hat, black tank top, gray pants, & Chacos...still trying to appear as valiant as possible.
It was during my employment of Goal #3 when Jake's dreaded prediction of trouble became a reality & paid me a visit. As I hopped and balanced and maneuvered through the maze of my organized stacks & piles on the deck of the Sundowner, I detected my approaching visitor. She was already 10 feet from boarding the Sundowner when I first saw her. How did she get this close without me noticing? Jake would not approve.
Jake's departure propelled me into action; I probably had more work than I could fit into his anticipated 4-hour absence. I welcomed the work that sprawled around me because it left no time to ponder & fret over Jake's journey. A strategy surfaced, and I launched my campaign to triumph over the endless job of prepping & packing for our long drive home.
I had four major goals:
1.) dress man-like in order to not draw attention to myself as a lone female on our alluring boat that surely held desirable souvenirs for those with bold, corrupt intentions
2.) dry out the boat, tarps, floor mats, gear, shoes, and clothes to avoid mildew & ruin on the week-long return drive home
3.) put away all belongings in a logical & memorable place
4.) group tubs, bags, & gear according to where they should be placed in the Expedition for possible access or non-access for the 3,300-mile journey
To attempt Goal #1, I dressed in gray North Face zipoff pants, my heavy boots, a zipped-up black fleece jacket, and a camo baseball cap that hid my long hair from distant, curious onlookers that might bring unwanted distractions & delays to my day's objective. Feeling alone & possibly vulnerable, I randomly caught myself at times mimicking mannish mannerisms & movements, hoping to convince onlookers that I was able to hold my own--whether or not they bought my masculine character.
Initiating Goal #2, I began to gather & spread various items, ranging from damp to drenched, on any & all available spaces that would possibly catch a draft of the Yukon wind blowing through Carmacks that morning. Due to the limited sites that captured the Yukon sun & wind in the Sundowner's position, I was continually draping & redraping our first batch of saturated possessions to capitalize on sunlight & wind before swapping the thoroughly dried items with the next significant soggy set.
At some point, I realized that I was not the only being hard at work; I noticed locals working their fishing nets on the opposing bank of the Yukon River.
 |
| First Nation Families Attending to Their Fishing Nets Across the Yukon River Carmacks, YT, Canada |
While the welcomed & much appreciated summer sun dried our gear, it also forced me to shed the layers of my manly costume to make my vigorous task bearable. Well aware that I would no longer possibly pass as the opposite sex, I continued my work in my camo hat, black tank top, gray pants, & Chacos...still trying to appear as valiant as possible.
It was during my employment of Goal #3 when Jake's dreaded prediction of trouble became a reality & paid me a visit. As I hopped and balanced and maneuvered through the maze of my organized stacks & piles on the deck of the Sundowner, I detected my approaching visitor. She was already 10 feet from boarding the Sundowner when I first saw her. How did she get this close without me noticing? Jake would not approve.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)