User:Andersd
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Introduction: Denise Anderson
Mid-Life Crisis
After graduating in 1997 from the University of Oregon with an English degree (and 3 years of Architecture school) I spent the last nine years working in retail. After becoming manager of a woodworking store I realized that though there were many aspects of my job I enjoyed I did not want to continue in that career path. I finally volunteered at my local branch,North Portland Branch Library, but discovered that the branch manager's job was very similar to my own retail work. This confused me.
During this time I conceived of taking a sabbatical away from people to concentrate on solving my career problems. I had found a book on sabbaticals in the library and it had an idea that caught my attention: hiking the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail. I researched, planned, trained, and hiked the trail and had a chance to think undisturbed. More importantly, toward the end of my hike I met several "trail angels" one of whom was a medical librarian. She introduced me to a whole different world of special libraries which cemented my decision to apply to school.
Hiking Books I Found Useful
Berger, Karen Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Companion
Berger, Karen Hiking the Triple Crown This was a fun read. She is a humorous writer.
Bryson, Bill A Walk in the Woods I didn't read this to help with the PCT but because a customer gave it to me when he found out what I was doing - it is screamingly funny in places.
Jardine, Ray Beyond Backpacking: Ray Jardine's Guide to Lightweight Hiking This is the original ultralight "bible". I made quite a bit of my gear from it.
Kestenbaum, Ryel The Ultralight Backpacker This was useful as a first "ultralight" resource, also it was readily available in my branch library.
Marshburn, Tom The Six Moon Trail: Mexico to Canada Along the Pacific Crest Amazon has this listed as Pacific Coast - it Crest. This is sort of a balance to Eric Ryback's book. It's a "before the internet" trail journal and shows all the problems you could (and probably will) encounter.
Meyer, Kathleen How to #@*% in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art This had some helpful information particularly for women hikers (which was woefully missing from the printed books - there is a woman hiker out there now publishing her own guides which is great)
Ross, Cindy Journey on the Crest: Walking 2600 Miles From Mexico to Canada This was another "before the internet" trail journal. She was one of the first women to through hike the PCT - though she did it in two seasons.
Ryback, Eric The High Adventure of Eric Ryback Eric is the eternal optimist. Every challenge is an opportunity to test himself and nothing is too difficult. It's now much easier to hike the trail due to lightweight gear, better trail maintenance, and more support.
Schaffer, Jeffrey P. Pacific Crest Trail Guide: Northern California These guides are indispensible - you tear them into sections to take with you. There are three of them, this one, Southern California and Oregon/Washington.
Smith, Bart and Karen Berger Along the Pacific Crest Trail This is a beautiful "coffee table" book.
Southbound Hikers 2006
- Mr. Magoo and Munchkin
- Nemo
- Notorious B.O.B.
- Snowcat (in three sections)
Moving Forward | The Next Stage
Not a Wells Fargo Ad
After working for so many years in retail a career change is difficult. Other than limited work study and volunteer work I have no library experience (as you can see on my Boston resume). I am hoping to intern while I am in Boston so I have a better chance of finding work after graduation.
Other Hobbies I Enjoy
- Reading(of course) - some of my books can be found on Bookcrossing a book exchange site that is fun
- Crosstitch - I love tedious hobbies and, as a bonus, I can listen to books while I do this
- Bicycling - my longest trip was a 70 mile ride to the Oregon coast for Labor Day weekend
- Woodworking
- Creating Cards
- Sewing
- French
- Foreign Films
- making web sites (actually, only for a class)
