I woke up this morning, took a quick shower, and started to don my winter sledding gear. In the middle of debating which pair of long underwear to wear, I got a call from Erik Fernandez, our Wilderness Coordinator, and resident sledding enthusiast/expert.

The news was no good. Due to less-than-ideal conditions in the White River Canyon (Oregon Wild sledding destination A), it was determined that the day's trip was a no go. Bummer.

The Oregon Wild staff sledding trip is always a highlight of the year (and you can bet we'll be rescheduling it). We've seen busted fingers, beautiful days, and one spectacular flip off a crudely formed jump at the base of the hill.

But the cancellation of today's trip reminds me that you can't always rely on the weather for entertainment and enjoyment. And while we are big proponents of the great outdoors (hence the "wild" in our name), we can all understand when it's time to find some good times indoors.

And that's where the movies fit in.

And I'm not talking about the big blockbusters. Avatar is certainly all the rage this winter and it does have some very redeeming environmental themes. But why settle for a magical world made-up by James Cameron, when you can come check out the mysteries of the real world?

And it just so happens that Oregon Wild is hosting a "real world" movie treat.

Lords of Nature - Life in the land of great predators
Wednesday, January 13th
7:00 pm
Hollywood Theatre, Portland

The documentary is all about top of the food-chain predators (like wolves and cougars) and how they influence the entire ecosystems that they inhabit. You'll find out about how wolves impact fish and how human caused extermination has had ramifications for the wild world that we never expected.

After the film, we'll have a question and answer session with a great panel of experts including Christina Eisenberg of Oregon State University (she's featured in the film) and ODFW wolf coordinator Russ Morgan.

If you're curious about wolves and their return to Oregon, the film and the expert guests will give you amazing insight into this much-discussed animal. The movie is also chock full of beautiful images from Yellowstone National Park and Zion National Park in Utah.

You can find out more about the movie, watch a trailer, and get your tickets here.

Hope to see you there.