-----Adventures of a super tramp----

2007-03-25T00:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow seekers of life. What a strange life we live, no? My life has taken me places I never thought existed. You never know what is going to happen next.

I am about to embark on a little adventure in the great Northwest. The land of milk and honey. I am bursting at the seams as I get ready for this trip. You will see a map of Oregon with a little bit of my plan for the next week of my life. This trip is dedicating to slowing down the pace. Doing something different. Screaming at the top of you lungs to no one. Turning to the person sitting next to you after not talking for hours and yelling. Pumping random peoples' tires up on their bikes. Understand?

I hope to meet this fellow on the road.

I currently don't have a camera to use. My mission tommorrow morning is to find a camera to use. No one trusts me with their cameras... I don't understand why...

Much love.

2007-03-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Luke where are you man? You never call me back. I miss the jams. Life will not be the same in Bend without you. I have been looking at a job in Jackson. Want to move there if i get the job?

2007-03-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

I am really looking forward to the next two weeks. I have some chill out time. Finals week which is going to be a cake walk and then I have spring break. I plan on reading alot over my break. I am not sure what i will read yet. I have recently be interested in the my Experiencal Education class so i will most likely be reading some stuff from that. John Dewey.

2007-02-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

My brother and sisters are some of the coolest people alive. My brother Blaine is the most talented photographer our there. He shoots the most unique and interesting photos. You can see his stuff on his website: www.blainefranger.com. Not only is an extremely talented artist he is a sincere loving person. He has always be a role model I look up to. Just yesterday in class I thinking about our childhood. I was thinking about riding our bikes and moped around Fallbrook. What great memories. The red Schwinn with a plastic seat. Blaine you are the best. I cannot wait to see you this summer. I really want to go dive, surf, hike, anything with you.

Not to mention the fact that he is married to fabulous woman, Bethany. Bethany is one of the funniest Franger's. No doubt we are all interesting and funny in our own ways. Everytime I see Bethany I am so excited to hear stories. She always tells awesome stories about stuff her and Blaine have been doing. I enjoy every minute I spend with her. Bethany you're flippin sweet.

I will have to write about Lindsey some other time because it could take a while and I should be doing school work. Blogging is a good way to distract yourself from homework.

Here are a couple of my favorites from Blaine's wide selection of awesome photos.

My dad and I fishing. Taken by Blaine. These photos were taken by Blaine and can be seen at www.uppercutimages.com

2007-02-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

About two weeks ago I lost my camera... It was a very sad event for me because I wanted a camera for a long time and finally bought one and loved it. I was taking so many photos. Now it's gone. I suppose it is a good lesson for me to realize my attachment to material things. But that means I am not able to put any new photos on my blog.

I have moved into a new house in downtown Bend. We hope this house to be a project. A place that supports community and conscious living. We are doing everything we can to minimize our waste. Keep our energy use to the minimum and cook good hearty earth friendly food. On top of that we are hoping this will be a place feel comfortable stopping by at, sleeping the night, or finding someone to talk to. As of right now there is going to be six of us living in the house. I am going to be outside in my bus on the street. We have such a good group of people from all different walks of life. We are all around the same age but there are very diverse viewpoints represented. It really is beautiful and exciting. It seems to make so much sense to live this way. In many places outside the US this is the way everyone lives. The community raises the children, teaches the children, community cooking. I could write about this for ages.

Two more major (kind of) events in my life.

1) I had to take out my first loan. After fixing my van and going to Central America and returning to school I had to borrow money from the bank. It is not the best feeling to owe someone (something?) a large sum of money. Is that a part of growing up... getting a loan. It sure seems to be the trend in our culture.

2) My birthday is tomorrow. I will be 21. Finally. I will be able to have a beer with dinner. But that is not what I am most excited about. I get to see music! There have been so many shows I have not been able to go to just because of my age. It is rather frustrating. It is over in 9 hours.

This has turned out to be a journal. Welcome to the strange and sometimes peaceful mind of Colin Franger.

I hope you are able to find peace in these strange, crazy new times. I love you my friends and family.

2007-02-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

Cheese. Cheese. Cheese. Cheese is one of my favorite foods, and it also very expensive. But that doesn't deter me from eating lots of it (espically with the discovery of the rainbow market). But this weekend I came up to Portland and visited Linz and Daniel and I discovered (through Daniel) that making cheese is an extremely easy process and it much cheaper. We made some delicious cheese.

Here are some photos. I have to go.

2007-02-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

2007-01-25T12:54:00.000-08:00

Since I have been back in Bend I have seen two GREAT bluegrass shows. This is a photo of the Moon Mountain Ramblers a local band from Bend. Well actualy it's more of a photo of the back of Marvin but you can see what is going on. This show was great because it was mostly an older crowd so everyone was sitting down. Of course all of us dirty hippies cannot sit still while there is dancing music playing. So we did some moving of tables and got the dance floor started. The band was into it. Then after the show we went to a friend of Steve's and jammed with the band for a long while. The members are wonderful people and about sharing their music.

Then last night I saw a band called the Avett Brothers. That was even better, everyone was dancing. Hats off to free local music. It just makes sense.

I still have Central America pictures seeping out. Here is Brent diving off a thing in the middle of the water. This photo is the begginning of a very sketchy kayaking adventure.

2007-01-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

Since becoming a happy (and nappy) owner of a digimon I have become snap happy and carry it all over with me. It looks like I have found myself a new hobby. I figure this is a good way for me to keep a journal with pictures. So if you are interested I am happy to share my life with my friends and family who I don't see very often.

I wish to live each day in a way that is worthy of photos. At least be able to enough beauty in one day to feel the need to capture it in stillness. We will see what happens. Time can do strange things.

My bus is in the shop getting a new engine. It sounds like it is going to be another two weeks before she gets back to Bend. I am really excited to get my baby back. She is going to be fresh and ready to be lived in. I am excited. Winter is on the downhill side then I will be able to set up my hammock down at the park and have my own little campsite.

Peace and love.

"Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances."

------Gandhi------

2007-01-19T12:55:00.000-08:00

I have returned to Bend safe and sound. What an adventure. Many positive memories, interesting people, and many many smiles and laughs. It is refreshing to be in the cold high mountain air and a little strange to go from no worries to two weeks into class behind. I am excited to be back in Bend and very happy for things happening here.

As of right now I am homeless. What a delight. I feel like my travels are still going.

As always returning from a distant place I have a new perspective on life and I can see things through a different light. Man if you ever ever have the change to go abroad DO IT. If you don't think you have the change do everything you can to get the change you will never regret it. Speaking from my experience. Love to all. Here are some closing photos of the trip. Blaine this is mostly for your viewing pleasure. I would like a lesson on using the digimon and taking photos. I am excited to have a digimon of my own. I think I may even be growing up. It's a little scary. I may even be getting a credit card today.

We live in a beautiful world, filled with beautiful people. I hope no one misses a change to hug a friend, kiss a husband, smell a flower, drink some fresh coffee, talk to God, go barefoot, or cook a good meal.

2007-01-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

We have made our way back to Costa Rica for the ending week of our trip. Today we had a peaceful day riding on buses, waiting for buses, playing cribbage waiting for buses, sleeping on buses, and thinking on buses. Now we are in San Jose, where highspeed internet exists, that means I am able to put photos up. Peppermint tea runs strong through my blood and I am ready to sleep. My thoughts are with everyone who has started school over the past few days. I am there very soon.

These are some random photos from the past couple weeks.

Stop to enjoy the beauty of life, love one another, and give thanks.

2007-01-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

Finally we are in a place where the internet is free and are able to upload some photos. I havenät taken a ton of photos, but the memories are in my head for a lifetime. Here are some of recent people we have been traveling with, maybe some sunset shots depending if the computer is doing well.

Brent and I are on an island called Bastimentos in Panama. There are no cars on the island, it is quite small and beautiful. It is interesting because we have moved away from Latin culture into Carribean. We are with the rastas. Everyone greets us with Whats up rasta, or hola dreadlock, or you need some herb?. It has been raining for the last couple days which makes it fairly hard to do much. Yesterday we went for a muddy muddy hike.

The picture thing has stopped working so I guess two is enough.

Learning life lessons,

Colin

2007-01-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

Bocas Del Toro. After many many miles and days seeking Carribean islands we are finally here. With clear waters and lots of rain. Photos soon.

Steve where is the place to be. I know you loved these islands. Is there a special beach to visit? Any information? We were not able to stay at Mondo Taitu because it was full. We stayed about four houses down at "the spot" for three bucks. Keep us updated... Are you done in the field. How was your New Years. We have been thinking about you. Peace.

Brent says "Colin is the most amazing traveling companion, um, I think I found a new...aww... attraction to him because of the wonderful experiences we have had together." and Donde es Jon Begin?

For those of you who do not know Jon Begin he is a crazy dude. Just when we think we finally have ditched he shows up after riding 250 kilometers on his scrappy bike (by american standards, it turns heads down here). Jon decided to stop consuming oil for "quite a while", because he would like to see what it is like and not depend upon a system that is causing much harm to this beautiful sweet we live upon. From an outsiders perspective the realization and experience are on a spiritual level. Jon if you are reading this. You are a stud. I respect your firm stand upon your convictions. Peace to the earth. I hope you make it to Bocas.

Brent and I consuming some of our free time doing everything we can to recycle our broken clothes including my Chaco's, his shorts, my shirt, etc. Ask questions in person.

Keepin it scrappy and speading the love from above,

Colin and Brent

2006-12-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

Another week another three countries.

After spending three days in Granada we mets some fellow vangabonders that wanted to head to the Bay islands in Honduras.

And that is just what we did... or tried to do.

After two days straight on chicken buses we finally arrived at the Honduras border where we were informed that there was a bridge washed out in the town we were supposed to catch a ferry from. For some unknown reason we continued north to the capial Teguicigalpa. We arrived late and planned on leaving the next morning early. While in our hotel room we happened to notice a newspaper with the following on the front cover.

¨¨20,000 people displaced, 2 dead, hurricane on red alert.¨

We decided to turn around.

After another three days on buses. We have arrived in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica on the carribean coast. It is a small rasta town. We enjoy it thus far. We are camped about 20 meters from the crystal clear waters of the beautiful Carribean sea.

Soon I hope to add photos.

We just got word that Matt the other guy we were with is back in the States. We were quite suprised and hope all is well with him. Matt if you read this, we both hope you are well and not turned off to international travel. Sorry we didn´t meet up again. It sounds like you are okay with what happened.

Next stop... Bocas Del Toro.

Until then

paz y amor

Dont forget to watch the sunrise and be humbled.

2006-12-24T23:04:00.000-08:00

Update> We are now in Granada. This city is an old colonial city with my delights, including chessy tortilla things.

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope the holiday is filled with love that is beyond your comprehension.

It is 2am here. I was awakened by sounds similar to those hear in war. *i imagine* On Christmas Eve at 12am the Nicas go crazy with their fireworks and bombas. For about ten minutes there was explosions to be heard across the globe. I guess it is more like what we do at New Years, but the amount of time and extent was far more than I have ever and probably will ever witness in the states.

In Ometepe we met a hommie from Guatemala and guy and a girl from Spain. We have had good fun communicating and traveling together. I think we will part ways in the next couple days.

That's all for now. Paz.

2006-12-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

Diarrhea (in American English) or diarrhoea (in British English) is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word διαρροή = leakage; literally meaning "to run through")

Lovely, yeah. Anybody have any good wivestales, or motherly advise on relief?

2006-12-20T11:09:00.000-08:00

Well, well----

The wind has blown and we have now followed. We (brent and I) have moved on from San Juan Del Sur to an island in lake Nicaragua, called Ometepe. We finished our week of language school, what a great experience. I am not entirely sure how much I learned in a week but it did help some. I am able to understand much more than I am able to speak. I signed up for a spanish class for when I return home. What a beautiful thing language is. It stretches the mind and opens so much opportunity.

Our most recent adventure was climbing Maderas Volcano. Here are some photos. Well maybe not. The internet on the island is very slow so I don't think it is going to work.

The volcano was quite the trek. You hire a local guide, and start hiking right from the place we are staying. There are a couple different types of monkeys along the way. In the beginning it is a dry forest but as you gain elevation it turns into rain forest. That's right rain forest. It was both Brent and I's dream to do a rain forest trek. We had a great time. You must see photos to truly understand. It was so steep you would have to use all fours and climbing up roots and vines.

People- We have been traveling and meeting a variety of people. What beautiful creatures. So many different stories and angles of life.

We love you all and are thinking of you often.

Mom- Yes I have been remembering my pills.

Steve-o- Greetings, what an amazing area of the sweet sweet world. I wish you were here with us. There would be a bounty of laughing.

Everyone else- Love and hugs.

Sorry the photos never loaded.

2006-12-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hola amigos--

I am still here in San Juan. I will be leaving in a couple days. I havent been taking too many photos but here are some from thus far.

Group hike with the language school-- A beautiful viewpoint overlooking the town of San Juan.

Todos tranquilo

The orginal four of us that started. The times are a changin.

Life is beautiful and sweet.

2006-12-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

Hola Amigos

I am currently here in San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua. What an amazing place. We are attending a language school for the week so we will be here for some time, at least through the week. We have already spilt up because Matt lost his passport.

All is well. I have been learning my spanish and meeting people from all over the world. It is a good feeling to be a minority. People are amazing creatures and I love everyone of them.

The sun has beat upon my white skin and I feel like a raisen.

I love you all.

2006-12-06T00:18:00.000-08:00

The New Digimon is here! Check it out.

It is 12:20 pm, which means I will be leaving for Costa Rica and beyond in about six hours. My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. Is that Jon Denver? Why yes it is...

Last night a friend of mine Stevo (pictured above) threw a going away dinner for us and it was great fun. Thank you Stevo and everyone who came. We love you all. Here are a couple shots with the new digimon. I only had a small flashcard so I was constantly deleting pictures. Here are a few though.

As I told some people I hope to keep posting on this website while we are gone. Look again if you so desire. Let the couchsurfing, spanish speaking, rice eating, and smoozing begin. Peace and love.

2006-11-27T20:24:00.000-08:00

In case you are wondering I am still alive. I am not writing this from my grave. Because the school wouldn't like my decomposed fingers on the keyboard, plus the people next to me in this computer lab might look at me funny and I don't like that. Speaking of looking funny- Here are some photos that look funny.

2006-10-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

Long time no post. Life has been beautiful. These are some shots from a recent trip to Newberry crater just outside Bend. That is Brent, Eva, Andrea and I. There is a hot spring, big obsidian flow, viewpoint, lakes, and did i meantion beauty and love. This Central Oregon place is fairly amazing. Just 1/2 from my house is all this.

hunks!

Babes and obsidian

2006-08-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

As many already know I recently spent five days in the OHSU ICU. For those of you who were fortune enought to not have been bored with the news... I was. I thought I was bit by a spider while backpacking and after three weeks of swelling and discoloration I thought it may be wise to see a doctor. I did just that. Doctor Pennington dignosed me with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), or a blood clot. I was then emmited to OHSU where I spent days getting medicine applied directly to the clot via a cathader. I am still alive and well.

The reason I post this deal here is to thank you to those of you who have prayed, called, thought, or extened any energy toward me during this event. Thank you all for the support and love. I can feel it. I couln't make it without my friends and family. I want to give a big, big thanks to my mom and dad for spending five days in the room with me. I love you both.

2006-08-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

Beat that beard Blaine.

2006-07-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

There were some more photos from the Olympic National Park.

I have returned from three weeks in the Siskiyou Wilderness (in northern California), with 8 kids. I learned much, enjoyed much, and loved much. The memories are all in my head, meaning I had no camera. I feel honored and blessed to be a part of the experience. If anyone doesn't know the company I am working for it Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Expeditions.

Some of the memories I have from the trip include: Swimming in high alpine lakes, hiking a peak in the area, talking with kids about problems at home, singing lion King songs...

Linz- I was thinking of you alot there. You would love this job. The area we were in was amazing. Spending threes weeks away from things that complicate our lives. You would have loved it.

Blaine and Beth- Someday I would like to go backpacking with you two. There we beautiful valleys, jagged mountains, great things to take pictures of. Blaine you wouldn't be into the emo aspect of the trek.

2006-06-28T00:45:00.000-07:00

First off I have to say the Olympic National Park is a magical place, filled to the brim with beauty.

Check out the size of this cedar tree. All over the forest there are these gaint trees like this one. The seen more than humans have and have stories to tell.

The computer is going slow and I am going to sleep. That's all folks. I will be in the wilderness for the next three weeks starting sunday so if anyone tries to get in contact with me and I don't answer you know why.

Lots of trees in this blog.

2006-06-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Due to the fact that my hard working, loving, and faithful sister send me some photos of our recent venture to Yellowstone I have decided to gladfully (is that a word) update this pile. Here we go...

First off we have a photo of Linz and I at grants wedding. Please notice the Tetons in the background. Man I love that girl.

Here we have three franger children. Peace in the middle east. We are in Yellowstone in front of a boiling pool of water. How exciting.

I can't figure out how to make the stinkin photos go where you want them to. Rather frustrating.

Family photo. After camping. on mars.

One last picture. This is not the football neck picture linz.
But you can see the diffence between American culture and Japanese culture. In Japan you protect your skin at all costs, in america you tan at all costs. even skin cancer!

Well classes are almost about to close for me this year. I am excited about that. More on that later.

This is for you my beloved sister.

2006-05-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

Looks who's back! I recently returned from Jackson Wyoming where I was in Grant and Kristen's wedding. What a wonderful joyful time.Congrats to Grant and Kristen. It is amazing to see two young people who love God and find the right person to spend their lives with. I see that in them. And after the wedding we all danced for at least 4 hours. I had the oppurtunity to dance Blaine, Bethany, Lindsey (!) Mom, Dad, Grant, beautiful bridesmaids, you name them they were there. Great great memories. The Tetons blew my mind.

It was fabulous to spend time with the whole franger family in Jackson and Yellowstone. Even lindsey was there!

For the interest of those who are bored out of their minds with strictly reading here is a picture I found of me online recently.

Leave me a post if you want me to update often.

Love and grace to all who read and live.

2006-01-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

Lindsey and Daniel-
I hope and i pray that this experience never will leave our minds. We have lived, breathed and loved together. As for me right now, I know, I am a different person than before that time. I will never forget the time we shared, or the Lord who blessed us with His love for each other. Until the next time. My love has grown to the sky.

2005-11-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

Pictures. I have no recent ones.

This is on the way home from Blaine and Bethany's wedding. I was rather sick of being in the car with 4 women, while being pelted with questions of what girls were "interesting" to me at the wedding. This is clearly shown on my face.

Linz just realized she forget to zip up the spaghetti in the zip lock bag. Holly is about to explode because she sees the starfish attached to linz's leg, and her poisen oak is creeping around her body. I wish I was sleeping in the sky with zoe.

This is right before lindsey's going away party. Emily and I dressed up in Japanese attire.
Me and Andrew laughing.

Don't ever forget that the sun is shining behind the clouds because there was a sacrifice made for you. Jesus is coming back.

2005-10-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

Linz I love you.

2005-10-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

This is Me.

During last Christmas break. Me and Blaine were at the San Diego zoo. We stopped at these guys and watched them for over an hour. They were extremely funny. We got to watch them eat. I talked to them, they also have huge dreadlocks.

Grace and peace.

2005-10-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty long time ago. Bouldering. Tyler is spotting Ben.

Stacking the rope on the fourth pitch of a climb called wherever I may roam at smith. I did this climb with tyler a long time ago. It was freezing cold and it starting raining right when we started rappeling down. Good experience.

This is a pretty cool suck hole kind of thing.

This photos are all pretty old.

When I figure out how to transfer stuff at the school I will put some more new better ones on.

Peace and love. Glory be to Jesus.