You have no idea

Dear Friends and Family,

There are absolutely no words to describe this insane adventure I've been on. It has been the best days of my life and I am so happy here. Argentina is a beautiful country and I am so so so happy here. I am leaving for Antarctica in a matter of hours and just wanted to say hello. I know the best has yet to come. I would love to write more about my experience but for now I know you all understand that I am on my own path and should DEFINITELY not be on the internet while in the most beautiful place in the world.

I've never been much for words, so I'll let my photos do the talking.

Endless Love,
Luke

Rainbow Church

This is hands down, the most phenomenal sunset I've ever seen. This photo was taken around 11:30 at night. It does not get dark until past midnight and the sun rises at 4am. While I'm on the ship, we will experience the longest day of the year with almost no nighttime. All I can say is that it was magic.

He smiled as he passed by

entering Ushuaia from the plane from Buenos Aires

A beautiful tree outside the local BA airport

A silly pelican in Miami, FL


We were told not to touch the stray dogs because they are begging for food. I absolutely can't help but to fall in love with every dog here. They are all nice and looking for some love (and food) All I did was sit on the curb and eventually dogs come looking for attention. You can not walk down the street without seeing a pack of stray dogs. Oddly enough, it's been one of my favorite parts about Ushuaia, Argentina.


My friend Sasha and I climbed the hill behind the town. We cut through some fences and probably weren't supposed. This to me shows that life is about taking chances and hoping for the best. I am so happy to be here and I hope everyone at home is having adventures of their own. I will write profusely about my trip when I return but for now...


I'm off to the icy waters of Antarctica

PS dear people in Portland: save some snow for me!

Day 2: 12/15

If you count the number of times a cricket chirps in 15 seconds, then add 37, you get a rough estimate of the temperature in Fahrenheit. I did that in Miami. I looked that up while listening to a cricket in Erica’s living room.
Woke up at around 10:30 at Erica’s house Miami time. We went to meet her friend Katie after getting some sweet subway sandwiches. After we did that, we drove to the beach and spent a few ours sunbathing in the 81 degree weather. I took some photos and swam in the ocean a bunch. I walked down the pier and saw some huge pelicans. After we left the beach, we went home and I re-packed. Diane and Erica took me to Miami Beach proper where all the movie stars live. It was very posh and fancy. Then I went to the airport and met up with the group from OSU and waited for the plane. I befriended a nice German man who helped me charge my iPod. We talked about traveling, good books, and global climate change. He suggested I read “Seven years in Tibet” and “The pillars of earth.” I think I’ll take him up on his suggestion.

Day 1: Miami, FL! (12/14)

I woke up this morning at 8am in my bed in Scappoose to my mom yelling at me to get up. Shortly thereafter, I got in the Tahoe with my dad and we began to drive to the airport. The temperature outside dropped to 16 degrees Fahrenheit and it started snowing! Needless to say we were a little worried about the weather. I got to the airport ok thanks to my dad and boarded my plane. Went to Seattle, and had to run to catch my connecting flight to Miami. I am currently in Miami at my Boyfriend's Girlfriend's house. Let me explain: One of my best friends from camp Lindenmere is named Craig Lebovic. his girlfriend lives in Miami and said I could stay with her. Craig was jealous of Erica because she was hanging out with me. ha ha we definitely have a "bromance" as I have been told. So Erica and her mom Diane picked me up from the airport and we began talking about camp and the drama that went with it. (oh the memories) It is so nice to be here in the warm climate. I am told that this is cold for Florida even though it is in the high 70's. Just a big change from this morning's blizzard! I'm barefoot, wearing shorts and a t-shirt and loving the warm rain outside.

Tomorrow I am seeing the sights of Florida with Erica and then in the evening, departing for Buenos Aires, Argentina, then to Ushuaia, then finally Antarctica! Let the adventure of a lifetime begin. I don't know the next time I'll update (because internet is scarce in Antarctica). I will write everyday though and post it later (including pictures) Have a Merry Christmas to all my friends and family!


All My Love,
Luke

The Adventure begins!

Tomorrow morning I leave Portland airport at 11:30. From there it's a short flight to Seattle. From Seattle, I got ot Miami, Florida and I'm staying the night with a friend! I'll get to see the beach. The next day (Monday) I leave from Florida around 3 and go all the way to Buesno Aires, Argentina. I get on a bus to another airport to board my final flight to Ushuaia. Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world and at the Southern tip of South America. I'll be in Ushuaia for about three days seeing the sights, then I got onto a boat, to take my to the Antarctica Penninsula, crossing the Drake Passage, which has been called the most trecherous sea in the world. (Barf city here I come).

I wil write somethng everyday, but will not be able to post it because internet access is limited. Wish me luck and I hope eveybody has a merry Christmas!


Love,
Luke

Finals Week

Luke and Katie hate studying

I'm leaving for Antarctica in one week!

Antarctica

I leave for Antarctica in 11 days. Before that deadline comes rushing at me, have to write a research project and prepare a presentation on the Wandering Albatross and it's migration techniques, study for three finals, and write a 7-10 page paper about films I've watched all term about Indigenous People in the media. I am overwhelmed, excited, nervous, but most of all excited.
Anna got me a great book a bout photography in Antarctica and I'll put some pictures in here. I hope more than anything that I can come home with anything half as good as these images. I will not have internet in Antarctica, but I will in Argentina. I'll be sure to write an update before and after I make the woyage across the Drake passage to the largest continent on earth, the highest, dryest desert on the planet. A plce that holds most of the world's fresh water trapped in glaciers. A place with no indigenous people and the visiters are devoted to peaceful scientific study determening the affects of global climate change on our planet. I have never been more ready for this adventure.

All My Love,
Luke

Photos by Sebastian Copeland

story for you: One of my dearest friends Karen, is in Thailand right now teaching English in a school. She was able to vote, even so far away. When Obama said "To our fellow countries in palaces and castles...blah blah something something...and to those of you huddled around radios in the forgotten shadows of the world"..I lost it. I thought of my friend Karen so far away from home but still following the election. Last night I felt like not only was a whole country celebrating one huge achievement, but the whole world as well. I have many friends in England who stayed up all night to hear the results at 4 or 5 am their time, They are just as excited as we are because our countries actions affects the rest of the world. Karen said that people in Thailand came up to her on the street, recognized she was an American, and cheered and praised her for Obama's big win. The world celebrates.

Today is indeed a good day.

Love,
Luke

Election '08

I'd like to take a moment to thank my friend Jake for helping me make these two awesome images. It's clear who we voted for and its also clear this country needs Obama to be president.

It's the final countdown.....

Also, watch a silly election video here:

Click me

*watch for a Luke character. Jake made that too. 

All My Love,

Luke

PS today I decided I'm going to go to graduate school for a Masters in Counseling. hooray!

Toby the Tripod

Hey all,

I just wanted to share a funny story about my mom's dog Toby. For the last several months, my mom has been taking in stray dogs and fostering them so that they can eventually be placed in permanent homes. Anyways, we had a daog with a deformed leg from birth and he had to have his leg amputated. I know this is really sad, but he is happier without the leg because he feels less pain throughout the day. My mom took pictures of toby before his legg was cut off. After his leg had been removed, m mother then called me up and the conversation went something like this..

"Hey Luke can you do me a favor?"

"yeah sure mom what is it?"

I took pictures of Toby before his leg was removed and I need to you photoshop his leg out of the picture so we can put them online."

"Mom why don't you just take new pictures?"

"I know that makes sense, but they had to shave alot of his fur off before the surgery so the pictures would be Toby with a hairless stump and I want him to look pretty."

"Sure mom"

Very bittersweet story if I do say so myself. Anyways, I've posted the pictures for your entertainment.

poor Toby

First post

Dear Friends and Family,

As I sit in a large leather chair in the Dixon entryway, I realize what a reflective day it has been. Thats right friends, I've finally taken the plunge and become what I've made fun of for years....a blogger. This new hobby came from a few different places. First, I've decided I want to work on my English/Writing skills and this seems like an appropriate way to do so. Reason number two purpose of this blog will be to chronicle my trip (through words and photos) to Antarctica coming up in the Winter. This came about because on of my dearest friends, Karen, is currently teaching English in Thailand and she made a cool blog so her friends back home can see what's going on in her life. (click on her name to see it) The third and final re

ason I am starting this is because I want a place to display my absolute, "best-of-the-best" photography. This came from discovering my new favorite artist, Rosie Hardy and her blog can be seen by clicking her name. Rosie and her lover, Aaron fell in love through photography and their story is inspiring and gives true love a new name.

Anyways, I'll probably upload a new post every week or so with new photography and of course, interesting stories about what's happening in my life. If you don't care, then don't waste your time, but if you're interested, I'd love to be writing for other people, not just myself.

This first photo is from the Eve 6 show last weekend in Corvallis. I chose it because it was a great experience to get to be basically on stage taking pictures for great musicians and my school newspaper, The Barometer. After the show I contacted some of the other bands and actually sold some of my photos to a band from New York called Cloud 9. Their music is really catchy and I really liked their energy and excitement. below is the best picture from that shoot:

As I said before, this blog serves the purpose to help me develop skills in writing and photography. I promise it will be very exciting once I go to Antarctica on December 14th. I don't know if I will have internet access on the research vessel I will be on for two weeks as I cruise around the Antarctic Peninsula, but I'll find out. That is happening in exactly 64 days. Kind of a ways away, I know, but if you're interested in what I have to say, bookmark my page and stop by whenever you want! I'll be also trying to post the current music I've been listening to and links to some good jams. Until next time, be well, live well, be kind.

All My Love,

Luke

"Aggressively, we all defend the role we play."

 -The first line from the last song on the Killers second album