American Faces No. 81 - My Heroes have always been COPS

American Faces No. 81

My heroes have always been cops (informal term for police officer). I know that is not how the song goes and that my blog title may be somewhat unpopular. Having said that, let me provide some backstory to my feelings. My dad was a law enforcement officer who served from 1963-1996 for the City of Plymouth. He was my hero as well as others he served alongside; this is where Dave D. enters. He was one of the other heroes.

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I met Dave in the 1970’s when I was just a little kid, and he was a young officer. I remember looking up at him with his dark uniform, shiny badge, and great big smile. Well at least that is what I think I remember. One memory in particular sticks in my brain. Dave was over at my house with my dad. He proceeded to tickle me, and my reaction was to call him a “PIG”. I knew when I said it that it was a very derogatory word for a police officer. Well, the mere utterance of that word from my lips sent my dad into disciplinary action with me in his sights. I think 9-year-old me would have been in less trouble had I had whiskey in a glass and a stubby cigar in my mouth than to have ever uttered those words. Ok, now with that background and my early years’ connection to Dave let me give you the 411 on him (Fancy lingo I know;-)) Dave was a compassionate police officer who did his best to make the world a better place from 1973 until his retirement in October of 1997 Dave mentioned times when he would stop and grab a burger for the person who was in the back seat of his patrol car. He wanted to care for the person, not just condemn the criminal. He knew he might be the last smiling face to be seen for a while.

Being a cop is not an easy job. There is incredible stress with the occupation. I saw that stress in my dad and I know for certain Dave experienced it also. That stress changes the way an officer looks at life, wondering if he will be home after his shift or not and seeing some of the worst aspects of human life. Knowing what a cop’s life is like is why cops are my heroes. They took an oath to “Serve & Protect” at all costs. Dave D. did that. Was he perfect? Nope but neither are you the reader, nor me the writer. So should we then let the media form our opinion. I think not!

So next time you see an officer say hi, wave to him or her over the steering wheel, say thank you or maybe pay the food tab at a restaurant. Or if you are funny and weird like me, bring donuts and coffee to your local police department and tell them they are welcome at your home anytime!

American Faces #80 - A bit larger than life!

American Faces No. 80

Sometimes people seem a bit larger than life. Harriet Quarles stands a hair over 5 ft tall, with a personality as big as the North Shore she travels. She’s known for her robust stories (not always rated G) of her many adventures across the United States. Harriet’s storied life reflects a hearty love for the open road she happily shares with the back-country hikers she shuttles along the Superior Hiking Trail north of Silver Bay, Minnesota. Driving may be her occupation, but Harriet considers herself first an entertainer, delivering each tale with infectious joy and dramatic flair. Her 15 passenger van is often filled with muddy, smelly, bug-bitten hikers, exhausted from testing themselves on the relentless landscape shouldering Minnesota’s side of Lake Superior. She takes on all types, and welcomes all travelers on even terms. A time-weathered sign clipped on the visor declares to all passengers Harriet’s Rules, which she jokingly (I think!) enforces wielding a ball-peen hammer:

4 - Puking = Death

1 - No Open Containers

2 - No Sex in the van

3 - No Pot Smoking

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Experience true adventure: take on the challenge and stunning natural wonder of the Superior Hiking Trail, and ride with Harriet, the entertaining sage and larger-than-life North Shore legend. You wont regret it.

Cascade River Birch

The photo above was taken near the Cascade River while hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail near Cascade River State Park.

American Faces #79 - Outdoors+First Aid = NOW

American Faces No. 79

Nick Gordon, better known as “Nick of the Woods,” is a man with a wealth of outdoor knowledge and a passion to share that knowledge with others. I recently took a WFA (Wilderness First Aid) course in Waupaca, Wisconsin offered through Nick’s company, NOW Outdoors Expedition Co. Nick was a brilliant instructor, helping bring to light “real world” solutions in situations that would require “on the spot” medical attention. While I was there for the WFA class I also added to my personal knowledge base on hammocking, hiking, knot-tying and a host of other outdoor skills enriching my weekend in ways I had not imagined.

What made the class feel particularly “real-life” and applicable to me was the fact we were camped in the woods of Wisconsin. Campfire smoke would fill our nostrils, and sometimes our eyes, as Nick shared how to assess each emergency situation (without freaking out), take inventory of the situation and then work together for the best outcome. Those last two words “best outcome” really made me think about the impact of what Nick does. He teaches people how to administer Wilderness First Aid. Some of those people –myself included – may encounter someone in a dire situation and have to administer first aid that may save someone's life, or at least change the course of what could have been a very negative outcome. That right there is the definition of a “World Changer.” At least in my eyes. Perhaps at some future time, one of Nick’s students may give life-saving CPR to another human that saves their life. That is simply amazing to me!

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But Nick of NOW Outdoors has even more depth to his resume! He, along with others, leads and guides expeditions on wilderness hiking trails, into the BWCA and to distant places like Base Camp Everest. Sharing a campfire with this outdoorsy guy is an experience one does not easily forget. His way of making a person feel comfortable in the outdoors makes you feel like you can conquer a backpacking journey deep into the woods, or paddle a canoe into the wilderness.

In the photos above, Nick has sawdust (Man Glitter) from tending the fire. His hair is not perfect and he is not wearing a button up flannel shirt. But he is wearing a smile that speaks volumes to his love for the outdoors. Nick of the Woods, you help make the wild places even more amazing with your outdoorsiness. Thanks for the amazing experience!