A boy and his shoes: Vol. I

If you're reading this, Blogger has come through for me and my posts are publishing automatically and I am still in the running for NaBloHoMo (this configuration had to come up eventually.) Yahoo. If not, then I blew it.

The bad news, if you're still reading this, is that you have chosen to read blogs, this one in particular, during a holiday. Holidays are like weekends in that, if we're writing anything at all, we're totally just mailing it in.

Ah, but not so fast. It may be a holiday for you right now, but I am a time traveller from the past, bringing you this Thanksgiving greeting from five days ago! So it stands to reason that right now (five days ago) I will be able to take the time and put forth the effort to create for you a post worthy of your attention on this, the day of the turkey holocaust.

Fooled you, then. What follows is the first in a series of odes to footwear past. I can not think of a dumber idea, but one I am strangely looking forward to writing. I even spent some time the other day posing shoes for photographs. It is therefore my great pleasure now (five days ago) to give you MY... OLD... SHOES!

For this first edition and in honor of this uniquely American holiday, I am commemorating the Vasque Sundowner boots provided to me four years ago by the United States federal government, and since the US is a nation governed by its people, that means you (yes you!), Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer, bought these boots for me. So thank you. I've gotten your money's worth.

They are the only pair of GoreTex footwear I've ever owned and served me well not only as a front line representative of the National Park Service, but also kicking around in the mountains on my weekends. While I'm at it, I'd also like to thank you for the GoreTex pants you bought me (never worn) and the 15 or so pairs of Thor-Lo socks I've been enjoying over the years, some still in their original packaging. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

My shoes in their intended usage. I suppose this photo is technically public domain, since it was taken while on the clock for the government. I think that's how it goes. Maybe my next job will buy me shoes. I don't want a health insurance plan or paid vacation, just give me shoes.

My shoes in their private usage. This was my first and only experience with backcountry skiing. The skis were borrowed and I barely knew how to use them. Good thing it wasn't avalanche season, especially since I went by myself.

They definitely look best paired with purple socks and a red swim suit. This was outside Yellowstone just before a soak in Huckleberry hot spring.

Unfortunately for me, the folks at Vasque subsequently downgraded the Sundowner, giving it a crappier sole and taking out the GoreTex, otherwise I would have gotten another (free) pair and saved them for when my first pair wore out. I guess I'll just have to buy the next pair of boots myself (gasp!)