tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54391548859782438852024-02-19T06:47:29.158-08:00Volunteer Adventures of the Damn Near Perfect CoupleDNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-24470729649936024622020-10-12T17:39:00.002-07:002020-10-12T17:39:41.604-07:00Farragut State Park, Athol ID<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZaNIqHoeQi9zNiWrmxGAlSJ7wYl2aE7jo1KnJEoUQvs97LR56svCnkj7nFxdVKpckEd1E83z9ejtDSa969at5iGRFSbc-EMU03XvQLjY1od4JlWyRnpSphHHjQp0CIFK6hEwmZ6REw/s2048/Brenda+and+Keith+on+Kubota.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZaNIqHoeQi9zNiWrmxGAlSJ7wYl2aE7jo1KnJEoUQvs97LR56svCnkj7nFxdVKpckEd1E83z9ejtDSa969at5iGRFSbc-EMU03XvQLjY1od4JlWyRnpSphHHjQp0CIFK6hEwmZ6REw/w473-h266/Brenda+and+Keith+on+Kubota.jpg" width="473" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br />This was our third and final year at Farragut SP. Not because of any reason other than that three years was as much a we care to stay in one place for the summer. This year was a bit different; due to the COVID pandemic, we were limited to evening programs, which we increased to four nights a week. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilG_yUVnFNcyv5AvHt7GI8ydFW6Jw-Y-bd8sSHWIlfjO70RP0XO2u4TK7OvE4SXZQCICcpxQn7zcrH8Zc7RwxErd_JOVW2LCfEJjZIi_S12ap3GsNJrfyHxPry-px2JwF4phCXRowf-A/s1958/Volunteer+Row+Gathering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="1958" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilG_yUVnFNcyv5AvHt7GI8ydFW6Jw-Y-bd8sSHWIlfjO70RP0XO2u4TK7OvE4SXZQCICcpxQn7zcrH8Zc7RwxErd_JOVW2LCfEJjZIi_S12ap3GsNJrfyHxPry-px2JwF4phCXRowf-A/w436-h327/Volunteer+Row+Gathering.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br />The programs were well attended, and this year due to the absence of Canadian visitors, we entertained more families (which we truly enjoyed). As always, the park was filled to capacity almost every night. Because of the pandemic, we didn't have any potlucks, which were greatly missed, but those of us on volunteer row still managed to share our specialities. We left after having made many life-long friends and with a ton of great memories. Thanks Ranger Bair!</span><p></p>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-39012042570728073562019-12-12T19:45:00.000-08:002019-12-12T19:45:07.581-08:00Farragut State Park, Athol ID<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We did something we've never done before - return to the same park two years in a row. But why not? The park is perfect, the job is interesting and fun, and the people, especially the volunteer coordinator, are amazing! Our job didn't change much (see last post), except to get busier with more people attending our programs. We reunited with lots of friends from last time, and made new ones this year. And if anything, the pot lucks were even larger! Can you imagine four banquet tables for the main courses and two more for desserts? And you even ask why we'd return?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not much else to say that we didn't say in the last post, except that we'll be going back for a THIRD year!</span><br />
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DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-14286376570555021822019-03-16T17:33:00.002-07:002019-12-13T14:21:36.919-08:00Desert National Wildlife Refuge - Dec 2018 - Feb 2019<h2 style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
The Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR) is an amazing place. Located only 15 miles from the first suburbs of Northwest Las Vegas, it covers 1.5 <u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">million</u><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> acres of desert, Yucca forest, and forested mountains up to almost 10,000’. Managed as a wilderness area, the refuge is an almost unknown area of beauty and solitude just miles from over 2 million people. </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6m8h9WIIFKPMhBB5VaLREp-PD2ThUPZdMxoXgrR320bihCvwpV5hs0O7aJPGzjnzB_uZDrIl2ZEfRd0zR_NOeZBf_cv9ukatQ7ZWHBmjWOObtjk-f_kOVtV8HE86vk_LezN9s-iBZA/s1600/Yucca+Forest+Panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #ff8866; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6m8h9WIIFKPMhBB5VaLREp-PD2ThUPZdMxoXgrR320bihCvwpV5hs0O7aJPGzjnzB_uZDrIl2ZEfRd0zR_NOeZBf_cv9ukatQ7ZWHBmjWOObtjk-f_kOVtV8HE86vk_LezN9s-iBZA/s640/Yucca+Forest+Panorama.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffeedd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br style="color: #ffeedd;" /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffeedd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DNWR is one of four refuges in a complex that includes Ash Meadows, Pahranagat, and Moapa refuges. We applied in response to a listing in <a href="https://www.volunteer.gov/gov/">volunteer.gov</a>, were interviewed by the Visitor Services Coordinator in Las Vegas, and started in late November. Our job was to staff the visitor center and develop and conduct outreach programs. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our site was very nice; a concrete pad with full hookups (50A), picnic table, and fire ring. There are only two pads and the other was occupied by a maintenance volunteer. The pads are convenient to the visitor center and next to a small areas of trees to provide some shade and a windbreak.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZC6CA8UJRIOhlKaDAMeGP0lhSOdQpuu8PI2xXu57qweYAocA9jBynCbzpBeTHSCJSLdTvb8gV8t5sKj03oXa7q28NcyNmlZ9qiNGmQsY8NOFB12eTrk8kV-Z6aA4ydhxlk1Z4nZO6Q/s1600/Visitor+Center+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #ff8866; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZC6CA8UJRIOhlKaDAMeGP0lhSOdQpuu8PI2xXu57qweYAocA9jBynCbzpBeTHSCJSLdTvb8gV8t5sKj03oXa7q28NcyNmlZ9qiNGmQsY8NOFB12eTrk8kV-Z6aA4ydhxlk1Z4nZO6Q/s320/Visitor+Center+Collage.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our “contract” required that we each work 24 hours for the site, which is pretty much the standard for US F&W. We were schedule for most of those in the visitor center from Friday thru Monday, with Tues, Wed, and Thurs our days off. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The visitor center was only four years old and part of the office complex. It was amazing; great displays, interactive exhibits, and a theater room. Outside was a network of trails through a spring-fed riparian area with interpretive signs, a historic cabin, and a “refugium” that housed endangered Pahrump Pool fish. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxqQ97E1V2vqmVgXrBHp-dlefHMdQicYdSSEbldnRdGlCCm448LjXiiGv_n2bZtAmHg8Q0IXJ6H6IysM1fpLSUOlPbUbPh7v4SCN73MucISMrkMg60Wgr0jS6WSMZvWlCGY4izVA7ew/s1600/Refuge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #ff8866; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxqQ97E1V2vqmVgXrBHp-dlefHMdQicYdSSEbldnRdGlCCm448LjXiiGv_n2bZtAmHg8Q0IXJ6H6IysM1fpLSUOlPbUbPh7v4SCN73MucISMrkMg60Wgr0jS6WSMZvWlCGY4izVA7ew/s640/Refuge2.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffeedd; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were tasked with taking the “Junior Duck Stamp” program to two Las Vegas locations, the </span><a href="https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/parks/Pages/cc-wetlands-park-homepage.aspx">Clark County Wetlands</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and the </span><a href="https://www.springspreserve.org/">Springs Preserve</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. We set up a table and easel, explained the program, and furnished the parents with an entry package while Brenda showed the kids how to draw a duck. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our time here was impacted by the government shutdown, which closed the visitor center. We kept busy by roving the trails, getting the mail, and other housekeeping tasks. Once the shutdown was over, Brenda and I had the opportunity to check out one of the 4-wheel trucks to take a trip into the back country. It was a memorable trip; the beauty of the canyons, mountains, and Yucca covered desert is hard describe. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ETlvURBGGTwoaAxIkH7rjNsMjjLyxh1WS9mlfLpw-cf0HN5Q2u16dGz3uRpn9-RA-lu7uL65iugEgE9KXMkQWpzYg7xEDPspCquQiLLL-xvW55PmJ-OSF3Q3EVPZ8aO3klM1HTxP_g/s1600/Desert+Pass+Campground3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #ff8866; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ETlvURBGGTwoaAxIkH7rjNsMjjLyxh1WS9mlfLpw-cf0HN5Q2u16dGz3uRpn9-RA-lu7uL65iugEgE9KXMkQWpzYg7xEDPspCquQiLLL-xvW55PmJ-OSF3Q3EVPZ8aO3klM1HTxP_g/s640/Desert+Pass+Campground3.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnEAL8MtSolMmUuf42zOsn6lfXaKAOMz74b_QPRfcn-xujYVZ4PgLimYJj1vc7vC3SjzX_6nklBRZyl0zeKt2tjJXIhzNTY58nVU1jMBZKECwAs8ATyYojahD3rXA1jQP59V6I3z21w/s1600/Peekaboo+Canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #ff8866; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnEAL8MtSolMmUuf42zOsn6lfXaKAOMz74b_QPRfcn-xujYVZ4PgLimYJj1vc7vC3SjzX_6nklBRZyl0zeKt2tjJXIhzNTY58nVU1jMBZKECwAs8ATyYojahD3rXA1jQP59V6I3z21w/s640/Peekaboo+Canyon.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ffeedd; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DNWR is a wonderful place to volunteer; the staff is friendly and welcoming, the RV site is comfortable, and the beauty of the area coupled with the close proximity of Las Vegas is very attractive. We were treated with a nice goodbye luncheon complete with farewell gifts and a hug – a great end to our stay. Our view from the pad after an unusual snow:</span></span></span><br />
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DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-78946644706422738862018-10-24T19:04:00.001-07:002019-12-12T19:25:32.520-08:00Farragut State Park, Athol ID<span style="font-size: small;">May – Sep 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRbidDu1ScfxtQ1gvLQ2dDUccuQUqyUuQpHzpcmY0jyILZ1x9sugEvksUUQzVy_WoaqpsdMOz6D9w_PQGAz2yFP9ZcsP_KBxe3eaAREJ3pWgtWKVszN3HWP1mQSQKMVg-UlGUaKBAuA/s1600-h/Lake+View+Panorama%255B4%255D"><img alt="Lake View Panorama" border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTHbm2GZPlICA6h_GidPB5zHE_sh7vOqCL1kj8stZOWdSkiP3qoHjYzchzRtBp66_XSU3Vx0qtk0OuRzVFeYQwnO4VvJAl-c3UBOYSNYpXPBzLvmsZWbXy1PP1NObSjs-bPkcM9T6sQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lake View Panorama" width="518" /></a>We were amazed at what this park had to offer – 4000 acres of forest and meadow, 45 miles of trails, 4 campgrounds with 230 sites, a museum, a beach, a marina, 5 disk golf courses, and a “tree to tree” obstacle course. On arrival we were welcomed by our volunteer ranger, an incredible lady – energized, funny, helpful….and willing to let experiment! We were in charge of evening programs on weekends, a Junior Ranger class on Saturday, and the development/posting of the activities schedule. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Getting ready for the season, we helped clean and organize the museum (the park was a WWII Naval training facility), became familiar with the facilities/trails, and worked on our evening programs. We also helped prepare a new room in the museum, the “Junior Ranger Station”; a place where children could learn and have fun under the direction of our fellow interpretive host, a retired teacher. She did an incredible job of turning a bare room into a wonderland of challenging puzzles, games, nature displays, and projects. At the end of the year, her effort resulted in over 4000 visits from children!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We were very, very happy with our site. We were on one of six sites <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmfgDp6AKg4TCKJMcoYMR2gBG3TFbGkwjL7g6GLUxGWtRI7icg73hPClkmdTn8MSfjQ8T15jQ4ryHfV7UHd4_LR9TiQQdYQV0bv_Ud8z9VBrncPS2xxEG8o0QrutM11EytIIwopyO1A/s1600-h/RV+Site2%255B4%255D"><img align="right" alt="RV Site2" border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmK8CGsRyu5eULipSWw-tk5xpV8D7mYS4AQ4QzFFw0GcZlSOQXsK5EZOttO5lZvlGa44_IuUxBJOqUshz-1zUC4Emwy0MC97SlPZmDZXqcN2P9Icd6rqnHpZlHrM9duYsF5_KLNUhtw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="RV Site2" width="375" /></a>hidden in the trees away from the campgrounds. The sites were huge, landscaped, and had a table and fire ring. We quickly became a little community that came together frequently.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mKVYoZysHFApct93qEyL3H8w5NqwO6TiQvU1_xuDJ35yXYNhNss7Ww4-5MM016YVGXNfjigivDo1J26Ubn0lvEDr_F7gQ86fVqBRGcBOVWoEP-oL03euI_6m-ObGCtIvhkrrx3kPRw/s1600-h/Orientation2%255B5%255D"><img align="left" alt="Orientation2" border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3NwB6R3AZ09gOVuAiT7WlctFgwMxCtgu9v8Bh10H2y5i2Jn0tEX5-NkUtWJmMeqoO9HcHsfHQTJhWqR1YNqwsC170JUxwkKJF5pMqh1NuChp64l3Emn5LYMeWqnJnXv51_9ZV50uEw/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Orientation2" width="360" /></a>The volunteer coordinator had the difficult job of managing over 40 volunteers – camp hosts, interpretive hosts, kiosk hosts, project hosts, cabin hosts….quite a group. But it all worked and people all got along well. We enjoyed pot lucks with both volunteers and staff, evening fireside get togethers, and informal restaurant meet-ups. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We settled into a routine of evening programs that started with the audience participation followed by a video or movie. Friday became “Bill Nye the Science Guy” night, and Saturday was our family movie night; nature films like “My Life as a Turkey”, “Leave it to Beavers”, and others. We averaged well over 1000 attendees a month!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The only negative during our stay was the smoke from wildfires in Oregon and Washington. While we had no fires nearby, the air quality became poor by mid-August, but was not in the unhealthy range.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Another positive aspect of the position was that Coeur d’Alene, with great shopping and dining, was only 30 miles away via 4-lane highway.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Overall, our stay at Farragut SP ranks as one of the best we had, and we plan on returning for the 2019 season. </span>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-92222634227869658522018-10-24T18:12:00.001-07:002019-12-12T19:25:48.963-08:00Bandon Marsh NWR–US Fish & Wildlife Service<span style="font-size: small;">Nov 2017 – Mar 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Since we were already in Bandon after being evacuated from Harris Beach SP, we were offered a winter volunteer position at the Bandon Marsh NWR. The marsh doesn’t have any visitor services, but we were asked to provide interpretation at the Simpson Reef overlook near<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiKlXK-Tlaoa1Arcp0Wv4to3UjDKBrHkHr8WzA8ioKHaPy1oZYTjgYkF7FpG-OWYejHxkhrzVXnNK6fy0OGqcYkgzjmRqb9CSiTZY1UBayeoIrI8yxClZec1LzzBak9bTmJNy6L-SHw/s1600-h/Bandon-Marsh-RV-Site4"><img align="right" alt="Bandon Marsh RV Site" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfep8pZYChBgVI3fXsgbktrsXnodYBuLSuI7_Hh9aawZkBnCUwyBOdrlEoINOKAbeQpGB3lB5MZWnDyeS2oI6Zqo3uLdAcfoMp4myIBEZ80GfeLi7bVzFOWHfj8vi_LnayoLQiu8R4LA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bandon Marsh RV Site" width="389" /></a> Charleston. We were given a full hookup site in the woods at a former cranberry farm. US Fish & Wildlife has three sites there, two for summer volunteers and one for a permanent maintenance volunteer. The site is ideal; the tall trees shield the wind, there’s plenty of grass and open area for sunshine, and it’s gated and very private. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaAUR27gMdX0vQIeNrp-9E4WEbERAuVK5Ta_nNSVU7I7ai2ELDcGiPwvaghRYHwnQ89N9cKNWqv1uqWbFNLww1cTBU07PYOnE9WOW4tiJ3ZbETGuwE6MzVcYv0MabyZammlzoirUXVw/s1600-h/Shell-Island-Dec-20174"><img align="left" alt="Shell Island Dec 2017" border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1QPUAC4Kg075O5Slsl1hzzIwqDTzxMBkfq0GEHZ8NHoviwWgFbGHHQp_ZiR40ZY2Chsv2rAtE-WM5JA9EZA2nUijcEWiSiIgDZYMUPtFVqsQKmv3sytmvwXwq_XRS9U9I9b9VxIBoA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Shell Island Dec 2017" width="378" /></a>Simpson Reef is our all time favorite place on the coast. The deck overlooks the reef and Shell Island, where anywhere from 1000-5000 seals and sea lions can be seen. It’s the only place on the coast of North America where you can generally see all four of the “pinnipeds”, the Harbor Seal, California Sea Lion, Steller Sea Lion, and the magnificent Elephant Seal. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ2_61cfw8A_RqwbwKuvL4H2_SlbhFdUfyYm0dzlewyJM6Dy_97h9vJOiH_l17mH_TaHeG51UCNWTi1NwbDYnjLcsq3mIulgZ0Ce_akhCn-GciPiSYHmk_vI6h4vJJe4DCFtz7PZZmA/s1600-h/Sea-Lions-abd-Oystercatchers4"><img align="right" alt="Sea Lions abd Oystercatchers" border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZvOp0R5m22qB2w6hLbnSPePBGUqOutwE-3gMTcZT2cWoQVMAIWfP18RC6Xd4E_eSSGsANY4HxCfysP6o9gPZiDCUJtQlngKaZWSXhUSOUb-Z3lKu_bQBF_bbEY20s-YiRRasPx92gQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sea Lions abd Oystercatchers" width="390" /></a>The barking of the California Sea Lions, screaming gulls, and roaring waves are magical – and there are Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and even a Grey Whale or two. We watched as elephant seal pups were born and quickly grew fat. They’re around 70 pounds at birth and will grow to 300 pounds by the end of the first month. Unfortunately, they cannot swim! Sadly, a winter storm and high tides washed the first pups away. A few more were born later and appeared to survive. But at the end of the 30 days, the mothers abandon the pups to figure out how to swim and catch fish! Very few survive here since the conditions are so harsh.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1AaPqJaTeAku4U9aGUJBT1ILBrUJw2Kpb07E0p0a_zRigyf8VZE6hOzZ49730D1bpx2SBcv_sKDgwGC_QiYQh-blYohJEBp0C3Q-RCmm-MHi9t0Q8Vo5g6kNzsTnq70b8qjLn9g9bQ/s1600-h/Wildlife-van5"><img align="left" alt="Wildlife van" border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE-w7ZHKFT5agRpvOI8SvixgC2vV2Fl6FC0CyktfpA-IIcbZ0K7FXKYsIAmWbOzm8_uoTCm1nie7ek1N77ytPm4ryEInJdwENXKmuFhyphenhyphenN5Z-nUmlmbnyR9pd9PowB2PhF7dAD8-e8jg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wildlife van" width="378" /></a>We met so many great people, and enjoyed explaining what they were seeing. USF&W issued us Swarvoski spotting scopes and the incredible optics gave everyone a close up look at the seals and sea lions. We also had use of the USF&W van which was always an attention getter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We worked when the weather permitted, and averaged 24 hours a week between the two of us. Weather kept us away most of the time, as winter on the coast is often wet and cold. It wasn’t us that we worried about – it was those high-cost Swarvoski scopes!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We can certainly recommend volunteering for USF&W on the Oregon Coast. The volunteer coordinator is an amazing lady who goes out of her way to make your stay memorable. </span>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-43654363022508357852017-10-13T20:05:00.001-07:002019-12-12T19:26:10.443-08:00Harris Beach State Park–US Fish & Wildlife Hosts<span style="font-size: small;">May – Aug 2017</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This was a US Fish & Wildlife Interpretive Host position that was a partnership with Oregon State Parks. We were given a host site, with full hookups, at Harris Beach State Park. Our commitment was 22 hours a week each; four five-hour shifts (Thurs-Sun) on the deck overlooking the water, where we set up scopes and helped visitors see and understand the Harbor Seals, Black Oystercatchers, Brown Pelicans, and other marine mammals and birds. To “pay” our park rent, we taught one Junior Ranger class a week (on Friday) and did a program or nature walk each Friday night. The park and US F&W had canned programs, but I used our Seals and Sea Lion Powerpoint program that I’ve been giving for the last few years. Brenda and I also led a “walk the park” tour on alternate Fridays – we walked the nature trails, pointed out the different plants and trees, and ended up at a viewpoint where on a good day we could see St Georges lighthouse in the distance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprMmF0c1Aq2EWtIt8Y7Z0YU_lPCJJqjtfV-0jhN0tIyGmgNhoJOwnJwBnbeRWWit5aoFEu2fxggTaUDdY0KkSmb-G8NNpWKCBTnKiKmf5BANFt5frCZXPubEUQbUwS56FCgJ_gyhCkw/s1600-h/Harris+Beach+RV+View%255B5%255D"><img align="right" alt="Harris Beach RV View" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkJ1eY9ZsQkA__YNLo-BNBVUGCdzu0JFvvlCvq6C8grk0RngTSpMs_wxjZgg1U01d1Zp5hkRhCIBoQjVn2FKn5G1xfIe8-fP2Q7f_jnAsadaUM3idbZ4-WaEybpzBPPiNwpPAoy8cxg/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Harris Beach RV View" width="373" /></a>The park manager and interpretive host were great to work with. We were treated like park staff although we were known as the “bird hosts”. They were especially kind when Brenda had her unexpected heart surgery. We were under no pressure to get back and resume activities, and they all stopped by to see how Brenda was doing. The other volunteers were like a family; we met for breakfast once a week and made lasting friendships.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Our host site as very nice – paved, landscaped, and with a number of coveted Huckleberry bushes. The only problem was that the site was tree covered, and I had to use nearly 100 feet of cable to set up the satellite dish in small clearing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmriC1ae7N7wAh4fo1-pck3zVcsaGlctMQ4W4r_EPEpRkhyphenhyphenqHzm-QRUKrGbiRWdlC8rU26lOcGeDxDmqYZU55td7pERa_9Mi7uTzC5-w5BwdrremWHiDWC9t9MvpmTDhpvzddU8RXM6w/s1600-h/Day+Use+Deck+View%255B5%255D"><img align="left" alt="Day Use Deck View" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pRsSNzUvHmDEqQMjPy0FMuZzj8SsRlhboFhwxZq2fRy5lOTF4YtdtcY-1Y2N0vlG5jjBMvGiBOvjCeh0VwfNwyHPFzZfVQveInfhhD4spTz3n3opcHpTPwGiIeTO4GLRpkpjZD_hkw/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" title="Day Use Deck View" width="340" /></a>We met so may great people on our “deck”. We handed out stickers and posters to kids, watched people smile when seeing the seals, and talked to folks from all over the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Brookings is a town of about 6000, with some good restaurants, but <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrmD0TEK6dL4lJEEsSaVO7js8YA7_a2qA1MNV_uiORT3VmfsAo-1e06szv2dpUUForpjh3bzdhlfQcVSQyG25DFSqwIP_8q3aHZKx0zHptG06NQB-JnjbGLjT7C3N_SEej8jRKWVtAw/s1600-h/Brenda+on+the+Deck%255B5%255D"><img align="right" alt="Brenda on the Deck" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLB_Iq3tPjFaeTJWw4LHxKUPBVveyvzZN_oIvf3cf6ELAO_61Qa44r6dnSYGTHOG25FfyAi0aLJYrk9oceF-Ut1cPOjLFvhIJmcfKcShT1nNnogjMqedYSIdw8WsEWg_gS0tA7WYbJg/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Brenda on the Deck" width="400" /></a>limited shopping. The only true grocery store is the Fred Meyer, with inflated prices. There’s a large hardware store and a Wal-Mart in Crescent City, 35 miles south in California.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm5wZ1YkaRMIegQ-X_YKcuQmfOB50pSjUDvlAt3vBHWjPHOFe-wefgGOgTiOeRkidyvbW6IcDl2sbt6mrMLL_YXVYJqCmrLlZHZftOZnj-ts-7s5aYCuI6I5ztbpoiORUljj7Ot-e0g/s1600-h/Fire+View1%255B6%255D"><img align="left" alt="Fire View1" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViQjsSBOO4vifaZ_ACTAhOOrU22bXDRX2JGuGtYaGGdPJh5knCNQbzutdhzXUlPgzmcmii8r1vjWJKZ_lEWgcLRmJjh1DvKajnCwUG4BU0m8u95PKC_ZUamXl-0fORO8lqDZ0zKFtvg/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" title="Fire View1" width="394" /></a>Our stay was cut a bit short by the huge wildfire that came close enough to rain ash on the park, fill the air with smoke, and have <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-jxwZJBmD7eG5cD0ivYs8JhE0Qn_cGEZFZwXzqqNQKT_spGMf36AW-Pdln4VsG1dc4spm-7d6mNkbjcUxK0wu339LPbM0vYnmZSCK64Yx8LFtVTWlTAkz2sqWfLPqg9VSZT4DJzQ_A/s1600-h/View+through+trees%255B5%255D"><img align="right" alt="View through trees" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ_3Vf27tzrAgmYSeAJ1293GjZsP8sLr3Pt6-L5y8lztIJHeHiWW7St_jGiFiFChyphenhyphen981tumu7CZ0C3uZ04drzKTrSPF9r1OsGAjYG4JgYxyXR4V2f1CCbtAAD21sx4fMvaiqBmDa4BQ/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px;" title="View through trees" width="384" /></a>everyone alerted to a possible evacuation. Our US F&W volunteer coordinator, always taking care of us, told us to evacuate to a commercial park in Bandon where they’d arranged a free site for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We enjoyed our time here. We made new friends, learned new subjects, and experienced the joy of teaching children What could be better?</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vnz8vgRMFM98wK6OkX3bqMvA11sPRBWTK8Y3B0MblWknFXIBr3hfUwobQSU9Z8UqBXCu5i4RG2LsYKlzQcZhSHmtSbK7pW5DZ-SdvuPo_dXf5FJlHP-bVaSPBCTimLKbQ9Dudg9WHw/s1600-h/Brookings+Jul+2017%255B6%255D"><img alt="Brookings Jul 2017" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEKjQJkjonrixOZPq2p_uHCkjLjsrmE5ClLZrP3LxJw8Zo0ILy5mxw4chGftX_yTROXIR1xneYZU5GjaxHfEDjqg6MrrJDU2f_pFaH3xSJnPIsmMM84m5CAmUiX1BhEnUOOnxLg2UOg/?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brookings Jul 2017" width="513" /></a>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-56225595365597044592015-10-14T13:17:00.001-07:002019-12-12T19:27:17.679-08:00Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>July – Sept 2015</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (YHONA) is a Bureau of Land Management facility located just north of Newport, Oregon. The 100+ acres are on a promontory extending into the Pacific Ocean and is home to Oregon’s tallest lighthouse, ocean beaches with tide pools, hiking trails, and an extensive Interpretive Center. YHONA has three RV pads on-site for resident volunteers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Volunteering here was a very positive and interesting experience for us. We answered the ad on volunteer.gov and were contacted by the interpretive ranger for a telephone interview. After being accepted, we received a CD with information and training material – a nice touch that helped us get off to a fast start.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmdD8Y30y9XByZDRALCs8b0CfqiE-e-S-67trlXJWrBevoiAOemxFHaI4H0lbkGGPGMjXnQWeei9ZRBEhcDU2Ub5W2uSylpyH203GaKMqIn5oIfhJZAXXR6rfiw6IvaIEgvRHRCP9eA/s1600-h/Volunteer%252520Site1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Volunteer Site1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAt6S5jbDzd16g9VkxUBlH-dLn68rSHcBh4hBx_L6Rj3aVY1pV5uWOKkTN4zaOTOiCSirdTWZca_1uLTXhInz_qSbfKQvW-HgCRDt-k7T5GitvESHCowx-_kywikra71GKvPR-R5v3A/?imgmax=800" height="265" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Volunteer Site1" width="387" /></a>The three RV pads are assigned by taking the space of the volunteers that have just left. We were happy with our site, which had a large cement pad and picnic table. Our door opened into the side with trees, so we had a bit of privacy. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhiUND_Zkvc1LEuojEqvqRxaoZYY8JhcEw19ngt3R5CzzFxVlOM_cF_QdF0kdUXeYrrYSxzj4SHxWUfflc2bffq2DRMFLJmVxpuucHVkQkQslnJ7_oNsunF51LDShsXERBPL6uAHcZQ/s1600-h/Volunteer%252520Site2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Volunteer Site2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtDNa1i9LlVKuNn6KQVeg0hZrQZaNuso0hXaEc5e3EIsG8jMU_FtiWGu1UJ0xxHan-Zo9yha2YlvWedRKgMk0tyhTXfYwOb9Y2GqB3TvML1YJgZiO5nYTMV38lCU0bgiUm7XaB3P4aQ/?imgmax=800" height="269" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 10px 10px 10px 0px;" title="Volunteer Site2" width="394" /></a>Of the other sites, one was in the open and had an ocean view, and the one in the middle was small and had little outdoor area. The volunteer area is<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotzpNBgvhU-gRsnJEgEONgnFr__U0TuF88iO92eWo_2sAqxtDl23jMGva2fbZTcvcdgjrHUEc6Nph_qwA9pQZ9nNXRt8UfYxkpUdVRp7r_HrUM6hX76riyueXClvzUf_t10V8lXLrrg/s1600-h/Volunteer%252520Site3%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Volunteer Site3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBpFCFT4RYcN1dexQptHb_S80w-AD9c2hrHbx5F6eyg2pzj9N6EllcvpZRlv-AmZYjS3GFFiM5hZTaQcS4e6za2TQiO4x25wp9o1-OZA39J_npVGDGnHmuE2GMQB39ZuQn3mfSszhGQ/?imgmax=800" height="275" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Volunteer Site3" width="402" /></a> adjacent to the entrance station, but only visible through a break in the bushes, and has a gate that could be closed at night. The TV satellites are not visible from the sites, but there are both DirecTV and Dish network dishes set up with cable leading to the RV area. No WiFi but Verizon cell and 4G were strong. The only drawback was that when returning from town we had to wait in line to get through the entrance station, which always had a line of cars.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">YHONA is a busy, bustling operation. The staff consisted of full-time BLM rangers, seasonal hires, interns, and both resident and local volunteers. The main attraction was the lighthouse, where the BLM staff gave guided tours dressed in period costume. Visitors were required to visit the Interpretive Center to obtain passes, one of Brenda’s main duties (and headaches). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCqTjXMYSBhF1Q1qI20zF_Fe9nGPFIbuxOk0bKzTVUKqQF5KcS5aoj4SB2o2zxKcjaO5xKofAGl4ExJOSyY3wf7lWFYdSSZ1Vpmb29RC_gNX0gGjxSIg8QCbMxSW2fSabi5GiegkULw/s1600-h/Fog%252520over%252520Agate%252520Beach%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Fog over Agate Beach" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VqBMnS3UA93vMiW0gH62NkzPqtDbnnaoLmvCKphvnmpe7POs6d1Yx_wbMbKfGOP4LRDEED30DN25Ng9Of4fKV8aTH9jrW3TqqjT5hJMX-aQ94IwCiCTx8QzS533frk8cVMA3U3GyjQ/?imgmax=800" height="264" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" title="Fog over Agate Beach" width="372" /></a>The weather was typical Oregon Coast – temperatures in the 60s, often windy, and cool at night. Very little rain, but periods of heavy fog and mist. On the lighthouse deck, the cold North wind could exceed 30 mph and wind chills could fall into the mid-40s. It was hard to believe that just fifty miles away the temperature could be 100 degrees.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Volunteers here normally split their time between working the desk at the interpretive center and an outside activity, either as a tide pool guide or roving ranger. Everything was well organized; a detailed schedule was posted every two weeks, changes posted daily, and everyone carried a radio. We decided that because the tide pool duties required at least two trips a day up the 130 steps, that I’d take the outside duties and Brenda would work in the interpretive center. The Interpretive Ranger was very accommodating and was only concerned that we’d become bored – which was never a problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Our schedule was five four-hour shifts, either 9:30–1:30 or 1:30-5:30, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. On the surface, the 20 hrs/wk doesn’t seem like much, but it was a busy, intense time since the visitor count at YHONA is well over 350,000/yr. We found that the two days off a week were just not enough to enjoy the area as we had hoped. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdDc5LpKdmJXcX2C5GPY1MBBRutBo7FwY3eBhzMWm6vS0JcmRIVu61A9UcIIm6h-PCdjCpbV-tOXL5C9PmcA6eUnVpHQd7gPnJzW0fOfZBJiY3NVnVonZOzMivK0WV5TOLLT85d2i0Q/s1600-h/Beatrice%252520and%252520Brenda%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Beatrice and Brenda" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgYrU9cnNMKYunL8TWG9O-EbUjfmL9WZLXXhyphenhyphenT8U0otqStszrIQTOw5kL_RtJs4-sVzup_aSDkwiVcqhKuBzp17jkoXKn2CE1LJABxVhUE9WdLXtnmO2rpYl2KS-PHG6gRvG9-jdXFQ/?imgmax=800" height="262" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 12px;" title="Beatrice and Brenda" width="384" /></a>Brenda enjoyed the interpretive center, and although busy, it gave her the chance to meet many interesting people. I had to do a lot of self study to understand the tide pools and their inhabitants, but it was interesting and worthwhile. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYB38nblsR84TaUmxbKOXhVdnL7uwJJwajuLCN3BP2xkuooyO14-MurfuxobExsJocKhs4NUY1Hxt8fnirUG5V4WMzoA-yuElEk8O69EJj_FaiAozoc1SzXJfNdz0IJZld_1rHwpUpA/s1600-h/Tidepool%252520View%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Tidepool View" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3wjdLqCCA1cZGtVUKl2WcefC0Dh87vLE7wJKVtfnxQnIxlhDbsLwhgl0DBNz0p9NnPkiiMKwCl6PCvyUvKRL7MjjATq64-18uc2yXzTI7FuyiBDMiAuIBIJJk03TgYVhd6Vn9BOBbA/?imgmax=800" height="265" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 10px 10px 0px 0px;" title="Tidepool View" width="387" /></a>When the tide pools were covered, I’d roam the area providing information on whales, seals, and birds. like Brenda, I enjoyed meeting people from all over the country and the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Newport itself was a disappointment. A mix of depressed looking shops and restaurants with a smattering of upscale tourist resorts. Most restaurants catered to tourists with overpriced seafood, and shopping was limited to Wal-Mart, Safeway, and Fred Myers. Corvalis, a university town with plenty of shopping and dining choices, was a 60 mile drive. We much prefer the Southern Oregon coast; much quieter and more to see and do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We enjoyed our time at YHONA and are grateful to Kath, the interpretive ranger, for giving us the opportunity. It was truly a memorable experience!</span>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-83433837714480379222015-04-14T15:27:00.001-07:002019-12-12T19:27:38.185-08:00Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Jan – Mar 2015</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpwffq3rRWnsXAp6Q1Ju3v7NFqph8QaouCCj21GXV-1yXDcRUIDg5FLGn1CVktO1_lL-HKXb1SWshayrXZtMSGMpmDhgY0fd3mSRYls4n9ev3NNdBvwEDgiNIZ53OYf1Vf9DJiQDUOA/s1600-h/Patagonia%252520RV%252520Site%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Patagonia RV Site" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeOgnX4EiLmu0kJP6t76SYiHW4MtobfJvvAW6OoYuaGlOlCklsYXFMqR5yrDr-2SFLbhtf8Y7EVW1H1793ZJQ_EuEPTpWMsPBZvptL4KMVhgv8XZerSLuF2Ry51EIHbMlQnPyd59ACA/?imgmax=800" height="286" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Patagonia RV Site" width="374" /></a>This is the Nature Conservancy’s oldest Arizona preserve, located 1/4 miles on a gravel road from Patagonia, a small town 20 miles Northeast of Nogales, AZ. As the host volunteers, we were the only residents on the near-400 acre preserve, with the manager’s house across the street and outside the fence and gate. The site was level gravel, surrounded by Mesquite trees, with full hookups and free Wi-Fi that could be picked up from the office. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggum9wHdrwSy62vcGJs6qQkpipsB7Db2av11wTq6_gll5ue8oi_IDhDFSLKSLFBsJ-H219d8TvBo28OaDM0BElyxJrDygO41w6FotD09Zwv3Dfe-Jclwq4nOJ9n1MNvZIcEbj7u6BjNQ/s1600-h/Morning%252520VIew%252520of%252520Preserve%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Morning VIew of Preserve" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-qdXLlgLwXOp7FM_gVuV1_HpjvADYp7V3rXU7505Lx16TyfdY3k1czUna2BNBRGkhNZJzO_mmMGX0QJlWy-Cbcyu9raMIJ6PblH1KsimW8kwsDvqSqfgPraI56AXY1sumjuC-uzskQ/?imgmax=800" height="289" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 9px 0px;" title="Morning VIew of Preserve" width="378" /></a>The Preserve is open Wed-Sunday, and our days on were Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. We opened the gate and visitor center at 0730 and closed at 4:00. Our main duties were to provide visitor services – check in, collect fees, operated the small store, and provide information to visitors. We also did light housekeeping and kept the two restrooms clean.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The Manager was very easy to work with and is willing to adjust hours/days if necessary. He’s very busy as the only employee of this and other Nature Conservancy properties, so be prepared to operate on your own. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvBNsGDcEPBTnkvu6JCkcHOCJ4ZMU0V8PdjLtNj_wjyljsKeWmZHeZMa5Rlnyq-_xZ-C4syqycFRsjpw3rorwxU6yau6Soq4dK18oQyOPFzh0jUWKp9OR-7665u3XK6368KBDPPs4tg/s1600-h/Cardinal%252520in%252520Bush%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Cardinal in Bush" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qNwnbJsbsFCib4HuHyYlZV98SawULWNMgsTBXv-j9YYZE3sQ7V2IEycN-pGjvoP1UpTx44KzLX72jUytAafr52zXVyGQUg_h_KZedrqx4Xr-_YnY4UXvyCOyi4bWphyuXQU6aVctMA/?imgmax=800" height="301" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Cardinal in Bush" width="373" /></a>Having a working knowledge of birding is a plus. The Preserve is a birder’s hotspot, particularly if a rare bird like the Rufus-backed Robin is in the area. We learned a great deal about birds in the area, saw many new to us birds as we walked the trails, and met many interesting people from around the country. There’s also ample wildlife; Javelina and White tail (Coues) deer are common, and Bobcat, Coatimundi, and Coyote are frequently seen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ487-VJ8UE8C8DG0JaYyV-wHGPGml9pkaC52l_V60UeyMgp78tZyXLqhAY40JG05mvQU7p_iuwzbpWbyEN5KP3zFodIfdz_KLOnpKhm-HqCYOKNys63_QQVGV7TjYqQ1Dd1UB-3Iwfg/s1600-h/Bobcat%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Bobcat" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqUyAyBiCYAPOEK8UhVfd26xnpiEkx2gYhcgN92ttppayNLGiB9YeNrxq2ctVxf9LgMw1wNjvecZD9iAKmkJGgCImBbbxdZ-qhRewSAYMJ9cUKqYXWRnPvJZnKYJdTXXhoGmpmiF3jQ/?imgmax=800" height="276" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" title="Bobcat" width="361" /></a>After closing, the preserve was ours and we watched as the deer came out of the trees to feed, with an occasional Javelina family. It was quiet, peaceful, and very dark at night. There’s virtually no danger from immigrants or smuggles as the area is well patrolled by the Border Patrol.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The little town of Patagonia is an interesting mix of aging hippies, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojIEkJvIH0kbI49JBHeUUDvADo0kFN7tyL0fuK0t9Ff892d5tO-wFQDcad1o432dHoIAInxlBeXI_WVZiwiMVbnSPzc5haL8v0b2GX_fx1QFjgaV1vtM2QcSSDVSVIQBWwNUQsb0iAg/s1600-h/Patagonia%252520Main%252520Street%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Patagonia Main Street" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMAr1V9zUQZZyqVZuv22EdXMAH-KXZCnvOHLUG_vOQOTdqdd6BBAKWzQoqImnfbWM_TTsRvcaSiWwM44BiP4mkMwU9obBwVB4gb9Hk98yyJzGOU5JU2rRyxdUb2O3VthViZmzW3iQ4Q/?imgmax=800" height="256" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Patagonia Main Street" width="375" /></a>cowboys, and retired folks. There are a few good restaurants, small market, and post office, and Sierra Vista is only 38 miles away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The only cons, and they’re minor, is that the well water is very hard and you’ll have to be mindful of wood rats getting into your rig and damaging wiring. We used a combination of Fresh Cab and lights to deter them and had no problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvenKfi10KjP4ghovXybnBJblfLBq0HKsPKqG_u_PkwXZThANlZTAyiEbkBKTisd1LLk00dTOjakBMr2WiICRTCR7ZM7_izhcnvK2GipZX38_UWzf-ZrSwiT_cLkN3ihxZqcoBjmCLg/s1600-h/Stream%252520View%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Stream View" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5C1SiuRR8Mvc1R7-dhvWYRh9bB5JBiRmYPcaUUjGIWgXQiiAg0mLyTMDJYT7LHFCNsJeYdSRWNDRiw6vio6uz_T6FDqz4pyE6CtCsNOMKrcS8GTxo3CdRlXBp2gbPdvzgpXL-0rC8Q/?imgmax=800" height="286" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" title="Stream View" width="374" /></a>To sum up, this is a magical place – walking along the creek under the cottonwoods is like being in another part of the country. The birding is world-class, the setting is perfect, and the management is wonderful. It’s one of the best opportunities we can imagine.</span>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-88240722260973436842014-11-13T19:14:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:28:03.926-08:00Bullards Beach State Park<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>October 2014</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Volunteering at Bullards Beach gave us the opportunity to stay rent-free for an additional month before heading south for the winter. We had checked the Oregon State Park volunteer website and saw that they had a vacancy for lighthouse hosts. After contacting the park, we learned that the lighthouse would only be open the first two weeks of October, and that after that we would do site maintenance. It sounded different and new, so we signed up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCcWEFPyYtPGF9AfcHzrSsl9riHYPKMWDxXdKak7ZGsJwgTyCFUgRoq63dnQEbMg6n3qGxck1mUXFl4vmRovVIImEjhL-lM5cBJwNLfYLS_SKKVEynv8hThT9dLH3HSOgF2IGB74W9g/s1600-h/Bullards%252520Beach1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Bullards Beach1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxfPraPqWhTavDGtAftmX_7q_hjOtRZJs6xe6k2SfW50YQ0LuznPzx_t0tB1odYufSU_uuZCyP9ozAsxuWSkjkF8GT7LR9OxlgMM5pW_QiciUSLTS6TUwaUqUdGpy39x_5Z-Vn9HaJA/?imgmax=800" height="304" style="display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" title="Bullards Beach1" width="397" /></a>Arriving on the 1st of the month, we set up in one of the host sites near the entrance. The site was long and expanded in the back to become quite large, and was separated from other sites by trees and bushes. We had full hookups with 50A, a fire ring, and table. The only drawback was that we were across from the dumpster which didn’t exactly provide a scenic view.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncUolgxTNMMrHS8oIHE6L8bXj2IfoO8UvRcaK0kyy0wedLLjrSNh03qAmABCxxJirLJVgXMxLjaulLvRKDiE-5knTo3oCpQNbrCago6uy_MINkiq32og3LDbd5HUHUwg2TDOIdJQP4Q/s1600-h/Bullards%252520Beach2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Bullards Beach2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOCIci0_9elrFPYIp7UFE-DYNgFV-0DgydAPMpgRzimpUHl_JmWrpHqtvcS08QrJshk_KqHyjhk_7HmSXydgeuZQZZMTfYbb6p-CsGGWRZ5Hf7Wp4UbEfRC0m-DYohsbBW_HTK33bKw/?imgmax=800" height="290" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 6px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bullards Beach2" width="369" /></a>Our Interpretive Ranger was a lovely young lady named Julie who was friendly and easy to work with. We started with two three-hour shifts in the lighthouse, from 8-5 PM. Our duties were for Brenda to welcome visitors and sell items from the gift shop, while I was stationed in the small light room where I’d tell people about the lighthouse and what they were viewing. As it turned out, we only pulled two shifts before a coastal storm with huge waves covered the parking lot with debris and closed the lighthouse for the year.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc8OnBbjrGRhj0GHudj-jUng7_c4MT39fUzWEGJA2Iq99GmW_tSSTvnVkIwQG2m5wyvdu88HN7b6-a5VrhQq74trCAQ59iNqCpsuEmVOJMoPBAAVnK6OmKpYjKZq20jYYv20HJTIFtA/s1600-h/Bullards%252520Beach3%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Bullards Beach3" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup6MBH9POk6jIhhmM8LR1DRz9EB9LldEpqGv6aXOkdf4imQJ2rUebegjpdfAJdeTx0rAYAkfDY4emnWEfGUWcZEGSLb84nYuMtIR5hvS5N7oRIsqT1ngrWkrDuPUjDJwTJgSZDNsQgw/?imgmax=800" height="322" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bullards Beach3" width="391" /></a>And so we began our new careers in “site maintenance” which was really campsite cleanup. Monday thru Friday we would pick up our list of sites to be cleaned, usually between 10 and 20, check out a cart, and head for the sites. I’d clean the pad with the leaf blower while Brenda raked if needed and picked up any trash, usually less than ten minutes per site. We usually had to wait for a few people to vacate by the 1:00 checkout time, but generally were done by 1:30 at the latest. Easy to do, and once we were done, we had the rest of the day free. No campers to deal with, no firewood to sell, nothing but enjoy the area. Unlike Humbug Mountain, Bullards has volunteers who are “greeters” and sell firewood, so site maintenance hosts don’t get involved. We felt sorry for the Yurt hosts, they spent hours cleaning – not our kind of volunteer work.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The great little town of Bandon is three miles away with shops, restaurants, waterfront area for crabbing, and a great farmer’s market on Friday and Saturday. Coos Bay and North Bend, with lots of shopping and restaurants (and casino) is just 20 miles north. We highly recommend this park and may return some day.</span>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-27487883673989459292014-10-24T14:32:00.001-07:002019-12-12T19:28:26.495-08:00Humbug Mountain State Park<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>May – September 2014</strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN7db4GepAhXfzr2TW0Iu4qZcJi1Jcbu0EU3kcZksKCBlXY9v7F5bbiAnRd6bhoNfopQdrnk0qWj2nV0PH3CA_GOKFmqLmLxfz-YzV4I01pFru1biWQ77VpDaIyd18kFrZw_mJrLcKA/s1600-h/Interp%252520Host%252520%252528small%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: small;"><img align="left" alt="Interp Host (small)" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhbtNsh-rkBGmBS2jWasGU0tsJdc4Od6A7hl9NyR3JNkaR1qHqYnyCzHUWf8lwoUmhyCJVzRGgXY_2gT1rVr891sAOJPNt3cLFwkpFyZ-jXhM0O-uG852T_d5KwcxvGSJd_3fqicwRw/?imgmax=800" height="307" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Interp Host (small)" width="391" /></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">We missed the Oregon coast and decided to return to Humbug Mountain for another summer. This time we spent 4 1/2 months, arriving in mid-May and leaving at the end of September. Coming back here was like visiting our family; Greg, our Interpretive Ranger and the rest of the staff have become good friends and we enjoyed seeing them again. Our job, like last time, was to host the “Junior Ranger” program, sell firewood on the two nights that the camp host was off duty, and at our choosing, we gave our “Seals and Sea Lions” program on Saturday nights. After a flurry of activity preparing the program and assembling craft supplies, we settled into a routine of teaching the Junior Rangers at 10 AM Wed- Sun. After the class, we’d restock our supplies and work on projects for a total of two hours a day. The wood sales were from 5-9 PM on the two nights, and our Saturday program took two hours including setup, so our normal workweek was around 18 hours or less. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Teaching the Junior Rangers is enjoyable and rewarding. The kids, 6-12 or younger if with a parent, were eager to learn and share their stories. Our classes included "Secrets of the Salamanders” with a live Rough-skinned Newt, “Prepare for the Bear” (learning about hiking in bear country), “Birds of the Park” (with a bird walk), “Prepare for the Bear”, “Tracks and Furs</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlBU2P2hRRDOTheM7awd4-hEmNYqJdEqcUDF86AQ7mfiNisCc63xUcPphSl4pwmL8GtmXj5YLyQ1196Vj82gfbhDlnif6q47LCNxVQD5Lomk1x7cJiYBeEWDMLp5EEYzcKXE4NQjicg/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B4%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: small;"><img align="right" alt="clip_image002[4]" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjippgIKghxhARz_pkqZ_lsClxFzfzOqg7jLjE_pHMLmrhrmgDW3BRY7GL-5Ve9_nFZ4hy0AaAndPYUOMEHLGcm_JhFypkzAVKA0h0fNzQAe-tWUmt6I3COME3SqvH3gy0HGU7ootufIg/?imgmax=800" height="341" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image002[4]" width="420" /></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">”, “Marine Mammals”, and others. We finished each lesson with a thematic craft – beaded salamander, Hummingbird feeder, Harbor Seal visor and others, but the favorite was Brenda’s “bear bag”, a craft she researched and found on the internet. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhi2k5OuhGppcq4iD_WWFJG67la7x8ReJWOyrnUDL4joqlEUGFgUoOMbE3oUMpwAP34IUVJITTbXZi1jORxQQbfomj_rGZvCTkAEPhpvWp_3LAzt3rS0E2cw2K6coKd8mMshTinknz_A/s1600-h/Host%252520Site1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: small;"><img align="left" alt="Host Site1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXkPVwZqZ0ruzrF9IwPD8JUI9qHYRO9K_HD87_EaDg1ANK-rYmVjh9QkBqi0wC-UUyDYtB49fJOWeOIWREXYP6sc5yvfHg0NKO-85HexSDsRyTdOfCtj3Gi1_94217z0ayA0rkoy1Ow/?imgmax=800" height="322" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Host Site1" width="410" /></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">We were in the same host site as our last visit, a large, nicely landscaped site with a large brick patio. We had Huckleberry and Escalonia bushes surrounding us, with a large open area in back which provided plenty of sunshine. Our only complaint is that there was a problem with the park septic system and on some days the stench from the sewer system made being outside impossible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The park has just 100 sites, and because of its location off the main access roads from the East, caters to families, some of who have been coming for 20 or more years. The upper loop, where our site was, is the smaller of the two, is quieter, and less windy. The lower loop is larger, more open to the wind, but is a short walk to the beach. Located five miles south of Port Orford, a small town with a few good restaurants, one mediocre grocery, two hardware stores, and a very good library (you can a temporary card with a refundable $20 deposit). We were able to get fairly good Verizon internet on our Jetpack by using an antennae on the roof of the motorhome, but cell service was poor and generally unusable. The park furnishes host sites with a landine phone, and we bought a phone card to make long-distance calls. Satellite TV requires a tripod setup since the roof mount is shielded by trees.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7gb8kROKYoKWvGosur8UHoqXw8cfsP0j_4_uEC3ahWtbpz-YQJGPTvNR7xdsKmvCjx3obtKpe_O9SJsSx-Ni8ZHQu6zlx2Y8PqsbmhM96huIhvxrmZGJqRdRC3XGC33iD7BiXnBE5Q/s1600-h/Low%252520Tide%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: small;"><img align="left" alt="Low Tide" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ-GgM46-Wp0DT8tOOTwbMy0TX1uh2FhTgMsnvBMGs2AGWLoAcn1U2uc54i7XRnv8oHAUsGaskam9o1-htRpffrYjxWPKi1lwN9ycp3aC2l7vQ2RkCllJjjxAynbP63tyeiYO2AT26Q/?imgmax=800" height="274" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Low Tide" width="349" /></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">There’s so much to see and do in the area – whale watching, agate hunting, berry picking, fishing, mussel gathering….and miles of forest roads to explore. Coos Bay/North Bend, the biggest town on the coast, is 50 miles north and has plenty of shopping, including a large Wal-Mart….and a casino! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This is a great park, a memorable volunteer opportunity, and a staff that goes out of it’s way to make your stay enjoyable. Who knows – maybe we’ll return again some day!</span>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-16082795665695657032013-08-17T16:30:00.001-07:002019-12-12T19:28:48.580-08:00D.C. Booth National Historic Fish Hatchery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWidF84MTo1cAQgNJN-9QXOIiiq57WCQzlWij0ZT7qwnleJnsO7Yl1kBxYcgxMzRWIfr9xfatcqEVXTh2pB6YApZwuGpcu70aCL8ml95NCZAIrMiBTEs0HQM9YIsy1QjLnuLYWYNfkA/s1600-h/Railcar%252520%252526%252520Icehouse%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Railcar & Icehouse" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNk_jKbl2qhRhS8zmmyev9RAPHbviH9aUz2QGncupgFXsHE9o4Witpip7L1qFp4oTf0x7MA8vds8FMp22DuZkPRYuICkV2RWHPvQeurFUrlhEiDw2chwH5Oa-FdW8EAMCZbPxIVE53A/?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Railcar & Icehouse" width="311" /></a>We came back to the hatchery because it was convenient to our summer’s travel plans and our last visit was interesting and enjoyable. As often happens, our return visit didn’t live up to our expectations. A new volunteer coordinator and a diverse group that just didn’t mesh resulted in a less than memorable three months. The volunteer coordinator is young and inexperienced in scheduling and managing a group, but has the potential of becoming a competent coordinator in time. The manager’s practice of hiring volunteers who are physically unable to perform many of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX-ODzH8HMYIbNOVV08GT2ynQKUyMHmB7vet5s_qsyV7emxTb1tRbzZZ7gfWioluzU-sIiSeU45BqIYW9c5SGtFk4VeNohnsDAYcEiZEBlTlDgq-gCwZoJp5QXFUG09bcASMYdT203w/s1600-h/Pot%252520Luck%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Pot Luck" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ct2BfhdIDtQ_O8RRY1BnOzqlzx6OInN727aXgizqqQyue4BCN6lqSxBWEjiE-sO_Y5pF8qRXctMvi_edOCQNYiiiaNbHzOblTbAuBbVTrNKseXxuRuci1Ho0mWyhv138ropMLkmbxw/?imgmax=800" height="262" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 10px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pot Luck" width="334" /></a>the required tasks created an unfortunate divisiveness among the two teams of volunteers, and affected the relationships, both working and personal. The atmosphere just wasn’t the same as our last visit; pot-luck dinners ended immediately after eating, there were never any volunteers around the fireplace at night, and the volunteer meetings sometimes became testy as the two teams <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTz69t3isChGjhyphenhyphenmyJYONXXLnMOPj-U_H_5IHmw-E1oG-7eW-Ss5La0ttBezT377WjD2J18InBDcYBGJZPJds5aatPAm8FphBtOxLzj0eEyy_G9DjDqeakhEhJkcdm1ynkZNqI32yeA/s1600-h/Booth%252520House%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Booth House" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLd5p-50NYZL7ZCBdShvSllhwoq0t62eMqBNXbZlji8_EQXmfYv9criCEOC8q2fYSbiuS4-7VudxUbcQ2b-jOwBC9smYsOl2CUmrVjrSY9zqlIBpChUZFvrNfVCqM3y80_0jpn5K4fQ/?imgmax=800" height="257" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 9px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Booth House" width="327" /></a>exchanged their ideas. On the plus side, the hatchery is a beautiful place to volunteer, the volunteer sites are exceptional, the duties are fairly interesting, Spearfish is a wonderful town, and the Black Hills are incredible. Volunteers are given a Chamber of Commerce “VIP” pass, which makes almost every attraction in the area free. You can catch trout in Spearfish Creek from the back of your RV, and the hours (except for the bi-weekly 8 AM volunteer meeting) are reasonable. DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-64894913121652055252013-02-09T14:54:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:31:08.755-08:00Coast Artillery Museum, Fort Worden, WALocation: On the Northern end of Port Townsend, WA, on the Straits of Juan de Fuca.<br />
Dates: Nov 2012 – Jan 2013<br />
Duties: Brenda and I were responsible for opening, operating, and closing the museum, which included sales in the small gift shop.<br />
Hours: Three on/three off, 5 1/2 hours a day. More on this later.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVsIMcUYcisIIqJJSMLHtyXE43GRJS1gWbNDZW6l4yLAI9ARffvfet0g6dneX9ijRGIUc5Ft-AOltYFhdxkT-KojzdfHefR2NTgQCWs28hObRWJRbfoAp7viicbcnlm3javmSpoobIw/s1600-h/Coastal%252520Artillery%252520Museum%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Coastal Artillery Museum" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ErUyAd1N-nICAlGfCipA0hSmYA5-ZALzODL1NY2DZ1163JuFWRVYvMctAtW0k8boQ3Y3lYPi642snqpiE0OD6zzxOtJ-96Sz0dm4XrS4A5DjL1M3i9D2WIkMDnUAB3nn5le8KUwZ8Q/?imgmax=800" height="240" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px;" title="Coastal Artillery Museum" width="314" /></a><br />
We were disappointed in our stay here, but not to the point where we considered leaving. The museum Director/Curator is a memorable individual; dedicated to the museum and probably <u>the</u> leading expert in the history of coast defense artillery, not just here, but worldwide. If it wasn’t for him, we probably would have left early due to the many disappointments we experienced.<br />
The number of hours and days required were an issue among the volunteers throughout our stay. We were familiar with Washington State’s requirement of 28 hours/week for an RV site, and agreed before arriving to a five on/two off schedule, knowing that the state didn’t require both of us to work the 28 hours, but on arrival were told by the volunteer coordinator that both of us were required to work, and that the state required a five-day a week schedule. Fortunately, the director allowed the volunteers to work out their own 3 and 3 schedule, with the provision that we kept the 5/2 schedule posted, logged those hours on our monthly worksheet, and told any state employee that we were working the 5/2 schedule. We were continually told that the 5/2, 28 hours/wk was a “state law”, but since we were actually working a 3/3, put up with the nonsense. As an aside, I wrote the state volunteer coordinator with what we had been told. Her reply – “everything you have been told is incorrect”. I guess what bothered us was not knowing whether the director and volunteer coordinator were simply misguided or that they were trying to badger us into more hours. <br />
The working conditions were miserable. The museum, housed in a 1900-era building, had no heat in the area where the hosts worked except for small space heaters. The lack of insulation and the wet, cold weather made for many miserable days, and on most days, no more than two or four visitors would visit the museum. <br />
The RV sites were the crowning blow to our not being able to recommend this location<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo1zItP1Dlst1PHesRZ8X2a5agYVWvRy6rMdRWEwMIXvpMTAYPJFp-Nl7x9Lu7Fxh8ty2HElMknDwTAPUDyoktiVBppcHoHS1xz1u0Fc6mO5QWPNLbMsEdqVIm6MrB0sKR-HdBxjEpQ/s1600-h/Fort%252520Worden%252520RV%252520Site%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Fort Worden RV Site" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90z0BJHUnj1S5qwts6bqqRyUzPHXVBSkjTRzCsOaDxkAKKeJbLxJZ9UeTMTNunf0UbmBPjzOfvxShDR1S3e_9txhhZyPfeEmMqPbxLKNpg67mWL7HATNyGD4rV61ZrslU0rtQqRpfnw/?imgmax=800" height="280" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fort Worden RV Site" width="345" /></a> to fellow volunteers. The sites were grass, a bit of gravel, muddy, and were sloped to the point where after an hour and a half of maneuvering, we finally were able to reasonably level, with the front wheels blocked up to where the entry step was over a foot off the ground. Getting into the sites involved backing up and in from a small street, over a number of pot holes, one of which ripped off a rear-wheel mudflap. <br />
Port Townsend would be an interesting place to visit in the summer when there are festivals and other events. There was a lot of emphasis to “buy local”, but it’s largely a tourist town of galleries and gift shops, and the local grocery and hardware stores were very expensive. <br />
We don’t regret our stay here since we used the location to explore the Puget Sound and Hood Canal areas, but would not recommend volunteering here during the winter. On the other hand, the visitor center and campground hosts fall directly under the state, have better RV sites, and a much more reasonable work schedule.DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-24468908713624047752013-01-01T14:59:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:31:24.932-08:00Humbug Mountain State ParkLocation: Three miles South of Port Orford, Oregon, on the Southern Oregon Coast<br />
Dates: May-Sep 2012<br />
Duties: Brenda and I conducted the Oregon State Park’s “Junior Ranger” program and gave a program on Seals and Sea Lions of the Oregon Coast each Friday.<br />
Hours: Junior Ranger started at 10:00 and lasted one hour, not including project development and prep time. The Friday program was one hour plus setup.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC_BiePNTmCPnAD0gx9urApQjMRyLF0or8bq2-FGdAyhJoCsKsTbJlW5rFTESMS7P-5B-vyj-6O8JCrAULlNSS4BURghyphenhyphenpfgzrphbXq1rpA4yNp3KGxhBWrHuaXl8RzjlWsSWcnUIWQ/s1600-h/Humbug%252520Mtn%252520Beach%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Humbug Mtn Beach" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EX7BLMDQc81C_GBmojjyRP-Vmnwlxd7VOaSaLEgVMk4OyO5pLB5Mv7kiTYlPe3QE_vfrRJY_qVgfqMj7PZclKkFftJ_V9S1m9UsUN7KVpVlTKI_cgixyuoNeSkcnlNV7FMtmGXcCdw/?imgmax=800" height="284" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Humbug Mtn Beach" width="361" /></a>Humbug Mountain SP is one of Oregon’s best kept secrets. located behind the tallest mountain on the coast, it’s shielded from the marine layer and much of the rain and wind that is common along the coast. The park is relatively small, with two loops and trails, beach access, and amphitheater. Uncommon on the Oregon coast is that each loop has a large, treeless center where kids and adults can enjoy the sun. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-4TymrrwZ4kdSE61J9ZZJfJFRHn06K99hUFZSsd2aRP-ldVxkA6glzqGj2IlOF_WHlN9E8QswsoQs8ABMsL-jEta5-P4j0PPWjmajC3fpO0Hr3zZELY3-0FEO1ul9uXce_8YpvHqSA/s1600-h/Making%252520the%252520Salamander%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Making the Salamander" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsiNPRxH3F7rh6hlsDRFrrIUexf3zbxtP9WOkmcZ60GB1e_5pBD6j0f8iHHU9u9zEMdEAgbLqSqZsJVzxZoFSZGrBoQ5XecALpLpX_kM2RxKo_tTV-mljFzju39-iaUC6p9-5Px2-Vg/?imgmax=800" height="269" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Making the Salamander" width="342" /></a>The Junior Ranger Program was a joy for both of us. Five days a week (Wed-Sun) we gathered children throughout the campground, taught a subject on nature and the environment, and finished by making a “craft” corresponding with the day’s subject. We made hummingbird feeders, beaded Salamanders, and Harbor Seal visors, and led expeditions into the stream where we thrashed around the water trying to capture invertebrates. It was all great fun, and made possible with the support of a great Interpretive Ranger. He gave us the freedom to be creative and supported us throughout our stay. He and the park staff were one of the best groups we’ve ever worked with!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyWnUmeJqcMtrBFFczBWH0m5e8QKN6gRivhZUs08XNWLpvjWZ5dhr4mHaL2oP5eNZ1uDx1YFNuE0iz35gY7QujSFK0cQrWilX9gI9fFxEI6B4aLnYvxUiHAYr9SWt8ZXCPshJX0Wbhw/s1600-h/Catching%252520Creek%252520Critters%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Catching Creek Critters" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkbiTRki1-5FJOHrJsKHUiWPoeJMKvuj-oIuz57rGXHShRe77yp8Rku-doVVtGPEFjl_tdU9aJtrds75-Q887qVUSXg1bIPyYRmwK1clK-8fLI-OPQzAsKuaHPubnsCjnIjtstatgVg/?imgmax=800" height="261" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Catching Creek Critters" width="332" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PfxAgMp74y-JFNIb2OR79tQekjJ8eJcEUmOJdLUQj5wGejWC7ZlWbN_tuoFytWSfpvzMs-s60tHGLbw6z6S02S-z_hFteP7YtSeVhQ8hkMB172GnelL5nO6Ou6NZKWxcLZQVhpcpGg/s1600-h/Port%252520Orford%252520from%252520Humbug%252520Mountain%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Port Orford from Humbug Mountain" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUzQ9LZU3_4APAY7WOZWPekx9Dfrcbpb3QCb8rhmG7BPJ6yVFlQ5vpkvF01VGP3gj-kkC5g6_8Ylqe8EEMZCF_hKLgefvQwkLVIOVE6w-yhP0nLifb5tesN7okbUCeutzS8p1C9yhtw/?imgmax=800" height="285" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Port Orford from Humbug Mountain" width="363" /></a>Port Orford doesn’t offer much, just a few restaurants and a few stores. Brookings and Coos Bay/North Bend are both located 50 miles in either direction and have the usual variety of shopping and restaurants. There’s plenty to see along the coast, and you can pick mussels off of the rocks or fish from the shore. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigglu8RIcrZ9Vg9K19qAEDA8Qr2frfZxBifSTBKeEC51BvyEAi2dVu3o1o829EKH_Ytcnvd5NsKf6JspbAxUF0ZdKkw0OeDryRxGUJ7cpJ5RdpHNnBZIIjYsHBqMbVMHJaONcVNwKgKQ/s1600-h/Humbug%252520Mtn%252520Site%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Humbug Mtn Site" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aa-u6WqFvURwC0NUFvDO7Vcel53fUhffz-cmdN4INvoYzME2PePIqAghJHNOtkYTm67yvQzw10iUdGwQncHe9z-hUW0SYVsJFdZwv-FAk0uA8I6dHw_fI3Vq623DCmLrcSEi2WOEGQ/?imgmax=800" height="280" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Humbug Mtn Site" width="356" /></a>The host sites are outstanding: full hookups with 50A power, a large paver-brick patio, large table, and fire ring. It was a little tough getting our rig into the spot, but well worth it – what a great stay with great people!DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-23402253412666315832013-01-01T14:35:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:31:51.230-08:00D.C. Booth Historic Fish HatcheryLocation: Spearfish, SD<br />
Dates: May-Aug 2011<br />
Duties: This is a big operation, with 10 volunteer couples. Men give tours of the museum and historic railcar, while women give tours of the historic superintendent’s house and work in the visitor center/gift shop.<br />
Hours: 3 days on/3 off, approximately 24 hours/week each.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTMq71GNZtpYig4s9zGafnIRvpnG9vlJeKMC57Jf-E5coxFSL5C8ZAZvEZtsTuBTgmqjBqk9msL00dmDxL9eocxFuY6uyP6KzDadzrTvg3ir5iWzXnk3EcnkjbzLJPpd1WNPpe8POCg/s1600-h/Hatchery%252520Entrance%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Hatchery Entrance" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CoILZaWH8nrUmOBLeo_7zAuPNaGREER7nbMTpqpl-UOOw9vBAlEBTTxeNH0Khmwnd6VVIsgstPyQuLYbv5DedswLuWb3CXVE6fSnJNckWRHcirARyWMUdHD7iB8QsI8moN4tup8rAQ/?imgmax=800" height="294" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hatchery Entrance" width="374" /></a>This is the US Fish & Wildlife’s “Historic Fish Hatchery and Archives”, and is on the grounds of an 1899 hatchery. Although no longer operating as a hatchery, there are ponds with “show” trout, and a large viewing area at the visitor center where visitors can feed the up to 30-pound Brown and Rainbow Trout. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9kOyh8Q0oGucMKtAP8rBLqc3V8Sx9NJ4GHn__w5Ew26UQVf4e0HqFjm7qmw-pNWKvGONRF3u1b98bKRcdpsIi9urxpfgxQivkoexKFpwADVHrHHEgDNwQ26QXN5nu5v6OTYTH6BaQg/s1600-h/Museum%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Museum" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliHvmMkJ8wmbvtxnLWTGYZbRbdesGr0G4jLu4iGm5kDnbMlC9VFu2ymcqfugjDbxA4ZHS-n7RHorzz4d52m1yIOteo1v6wIBzgitUCMPSP9ZfCSCHSs-xw1mLVLKDFdplpZl44CwNfg/?imgmax=800" height="284" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Museum" width="361" /></a>The hatchery grounds are beautifully maintained by local volunteers, and the work is relatively easy and enjoyable. Volunteers work either an early or late shift, as the hatchery buildings are open from 9:00 to 7:00 PM. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2CXDQslt9bd3Xn2yn4eSey-P0KvoGKalCZHHn862gYc2OQAjQH_VO5iIxAwVvEzsIkb9OwE_wRTQWMeiakcODfSvuMnUW8UP5t4j0wfeSog7uBQtk4_zqxsiOxsQmh8WC-D7kVYVrg/s1600-h/Booth%252520House%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Booth House" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNgmQKwTMHgtKiLvtRbbbBJFLPI5k4kMiq5uu2mJURCyatSNNvmI1gF0PY2pPwRSWSiSp4_94vi0qC1-gVquyVKwuTbiBcxa3mG0UYQTweV3f_ydNQESFwpO1-uC_ykB_FcL3rTEjmQ/?imgmax=800" height="267" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Booth House" width="340" /></a>The Volunteer Village is one of the best we’ve seen; ten paved sites are located in a separate area of Spearfish Park with a trout-filled stream directly behind. The sites are roomy, with grass and trees along the stream. There’s a large community area with a 20-foot trout-shaped fireplace, tables, and outlets for the frequent potlucks. The park is located across from the hatchery, just a short walk to work.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnoVTYOGUvu7ftp5P_kTDMPJnRy7oL44HdQTKAM4DhjCTeU8c7VzfAPHTTX1zKeGrEZnWOWPghigDOqObJDxvlBwsSp3CqbU55sCh8T0OiWfqIRbXTo1eM2hLerXF0T3T_LJImkL4Pw/s1600-h/Gift%252520Shop%252520%252526%252520Viewing%252520Pond%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Gift Shop & Viewing Pond" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvgspCp5zPgpRuuRd2XKVKnf8RUGanW2FlldXDUD42Q3V0SFodLvOMPKbpUKv8zqbasYYZ10RKxAT0d10QNNdoKJ5wkZqV1x-KKGj8lG8feABeVQuDgmuZwLbCzDouyW5litvM_VPBg/?imgmax=800" height="273" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gift Shop & Viewing Pond" width="347" /></a>Spearfish is a prime example of small-town America. Friendly people, excellent library and hospital, and adequate shopping, including a Super Wal-Mart and Lowe’s. The town is located the foot of Spearfish Canyon, a stunning area that leads to the heart of the Black Hills. Rapid City, with a Mall and all of the usual box stores, is less than an hour’s drive by interstate. Mount <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNJBqM5rM3f1RfkYdhHvmjJRDGSltmMm1MoDC91qMIxvdfzVoYZZsl1L97fX9eiyqdLub-mKWA4p-1s3abZy1qerD78XnVREehO5vzVvX1TwW8KbgzhZzGUOzOmAplhTfJgwOBK3zHA/s1600-h/Rushmore%252520View%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Rushmore View" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkYs1fZzLEDK9GUIsebm4oaSx4qPxsLhwXR6vlugZP5DiojwsWgVuE_tzo3ePqHQiBuC2AypVHbfWNVynF-YnqKHJwy6Y64uTM56wDfuyV8HKrbhokJL1ilf5u6G6ynUnkBxdlIWmMQ/?imgmax=800" height="280" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 10px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rushmore View" width="345" /></a>Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State park are an easy drive, and Devil’s Tower is only 60 miles away.<br />
The staff is friendly and easy to work with, and the working conditions are very good except that the historic home is not air conditioned and can be uncomfortable. Overall, this is an excellent place to spend the summer and explore the area.DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-68127997899534190672012-12-25T20:28:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:29:11.796-08:00Bandon Marsh NWRLocation: Bandon, OR<br />
Dates: Apr-Jun 2009<br />
Duties: Although we were volunteering for US Fish & Wildlife, the duties were split between marine mammal and shorebird interpretation for the Shoreline Education for Awareness, and Snowy Plover Watch for Oregon State Parks.<br />
Hours Required: 24 each/week<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw1ptUOJrq_3WoeLMxI54PQl7xy0I4G9FQ78fHDel4w-CLG2BcOE7vUfnPgHn4_0Zl1FLvhVvgbxv0KVJdHXI0AKOMlOZn3_mTBmZS06N-1zmWvaC91DEyUuY9gY3rScS4hmcsJAcoQ/s1600-h/Bullards%252520Beach%252520SP%252520Site%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Bullards Beach SP Site" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGAaXs3Rj7FqcP61dPBnRVlZsuu1Tp5Gch0ZYCUqTo7pel_Q2NCaeQnyjsfPzDjwikm_IhMISHBaD_6Pe1zCs-B1Bj9IgmfAciatjHK-Dzm74p5rtwWmQfTiQ6uU1pPetI0Epj0wgCQ/?imgmax=800" height="314" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bullards Beach SP Site" width="400" /></a>Because Bandon Marsh has no RV sites, we were given a prime full-hookup site at Bullards Beach SP just outside of Bandon. After a week-long training session, we began our duties by providing interpretation at observation points in Bandon and Charleston, along with two four-hour days at China Creek as “snowy plover hosts”. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs10li7qwPM25aeWdYk5d5TuFoWRBpRzviH7DbwkVrF1f0Lesxid2USvxm6DChwQS5UG7_10k8dAoFnZ1DoY_p8jhKcy-OuuN_IPyQRdGsUIdi-ZOccip1HqAUiMpm-vuSipNhVNLy3g/s1600-h/SEA%252520Sign%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="SEA Sign" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wpk4MOQhWj5pZMtXmdJyIfvf01df3ZwQbOuChamlj0E5dEr7a_k8HAYRHmV_aCyQ6pC6TM3EZzGk_shXyfi5g9e5nWZuI0w84OEhMjlksKtjtrNL1O67mTwoE1p627dRCvlGfq60Cw/?imgmax=800" height="324" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SEA Sign" width="413" /></a> At the overlooks, we set up spotting scopes and explained to people what they were seeing, usually Common Murre and Tufted Puffin in Bandon, and seals and sea lions at Simpson’s Reed in Charleston. While the snowy plover watch was a bit boring, the overlooks were always busy with people and we enjoyed sharing our knowledge. The volunteer coordinator was outgoing and great to get along with, and she hosted a pot luck almost every week.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DC6Lcng7UN2ViV51clnxtM9WQZg-hgo6iHQkiTNJ8HQdY2LnFMZZ5LIqMJ5Ppu5Kyd8APLaNHrw4fX15QXGSXCa6TKV3_hnoiAbX0nluTEJcTGUk-XDFtlApAAzuui8Lx9qshU1r7w/s1600-h/Shell%252520Island%252520Sea%252520Lions%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Shell Island Sea Lions" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs3W-op9WxFjA1R4YosFZpMBjr4kA-SqLrOAUOybOe_NFUf2H1tKez7vDHG7aT0GSwYTeOh-qjETtYX55UK4LkMfOflEZhVj6OvZTIlUNRXxjSxY-UZIB68nWqZkBcyYHv-WW0MhSkw/?imgmax=800" height="401" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 10px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Shell Island Sea Lions" width="490" /></a><br />
Bandon is one of the prettier towns on the Southern Oregon Coast, with interesting shops and restaurants. Eighteen miles north is Coos Bay/North Bend, the largest city on the coast, with plenty of shopping and restaurants. There are plenty of places to visit and things to see in the area.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAYlekycgdeD5_1-3G-8rUcXblN28bpgSZG1e2nA3h0uz3tG4l9ApwZppHdZ4DnloW5i0jT_qajmZzw9fO1-Aok5sazfCcuhXY8EmAkePWcMKVGjZl1zonIbuVpaA1jrhaaoSStSTPw/s1600-h/Brenda%252520at%252520China%252520Creek%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Brenda at China Creek" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq9S2rvD-Pf4JrjFmElejwO5WaPrX6OxGacgwWuECQ4vLxuWsN58Pn7RuqTG6BOT8g_Toq0GK01_aEYlpARlK3j0l8qh36XdSsdzrfP4ONbhIl6hhVI79u0s4kM3dWyIiPldBXCEmBA/?imgmax=800" height="403" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Brenda at China Creek" width="491" /></a><br />
Contact Info: Shoreline Education for Awareness, <a href="http://www.sea-edu.org/" title="http://www.sea-edu.org/">http://www.sea-edu.org/</a>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-75062024546352694422012-12-25T19:01:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:32:11.779-08:00Lee Metcalf National Wildlife RefugeDates: Apr – Sep 2008<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mOSEio2zvHOx5Vta-e1I4fSkO1paH5GA9fF8rcs-6AMe02gnrqcAzCdmX6Uw2kL3dnTGbW1nn18vcL_MjwHzxddSD8BShrkxPOjzg5bs_O7Ftll_5yzMvewxDjgpHvPbUzpQK_Rfww/s1600-h/Visitor%252520Center%2525201%252520May_edited-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Visitor Center 1 May_edited-1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIw0o60ZV0cCDaHm7_1pkfSqx8-vib6Ip002tm0NzgaXGKrkryf1GPTXjI3UrENY64ky4UXKg0yxhLW5Dh527IbvwJJ99XuujS8gT2aGD6SW0af9cN9aScDnFYwl8nf9yagphIvGDh0A/?imgmax=800" height="317" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Visitor Center 1 May_edited-1" width="404" /></a>We decided to return to Lee Metcalf for another summer. This time around, our duties changed a bit and we became the “face of the refuge”, a job we truly enjoyed. We developed a “traveling road show” and gave evening <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkeDPNm9Iu9C8-VaM6N7vEHB07SQFf6hi3CM7i5oxE6aWxBQ4mJphHGGZn5UCRIzXy1RjlhAwzft-7JFoZG8z64jV1dSb_aqTI3zEsKWSzw1UHUr64Us3xbb8s5kfSC-jhjbLOQ-77A/s1600-h/Creamery%252520Picnic4%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Creamery Picnic4" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yNluCK1OgwqPAVuJbKxhFe4Ye6XUdcaCLvvme8Bd9Pcligv1RIq9QMxP0jdSPPxMw5kz0-zt2N0vJq_3hQmbpSSt4bpm4D2Y9AltoZNpvsiAUUHOLL57OOdfNQAWG9-0j3cucCCdxw/?imgmax=800" height="316" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Creamery Picnic4" width="402" /></a>programs at area campgrounds and the Missoula KOA. We also developed a “behind the signs” program, where twice a week we took people on a tour of the closed portion of the refuge and gave a class on duck identification. We also worked in the visitor center when needed, and I continued some of my woodworking projects. <br />
The volunteer coordinator and staff were once again a joy to work with; however, the new manager was a distinct change from the former manager. She did not include volunteers in any refuge activities, and seemed to think we were a burden rather than an asset. Fortunately, we were able to avoid contact with her and have an enjoyable summer.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85imDSbztQkrIsz2_FFWdHQ7i9dEijXu5q14O72a7YdkiUqrrykSjHzQyvLS3AeqdzHraGH1Joo8u8oANQkrMx-C0ZyTsphaO72nFECqH4Da7n0bwb1Dvqb7M4XTkMVSzJ87pFEpcCg/s1600-h/Snow%252520on%252520Mountain%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Snow on Mountain" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr91JTc6aLCHiG5vas4riaW64tbR1Vb6oghmC8nQJGgSPfrMTdT-1qOxiRe0hGzRMslSUQpG7Dvc_kbndYPahRoHyJH5W5BkGBmCoSBJoOxQieXCpnoI5ZuhJNoBVUmTVEcte-lK2Ow/?imgmax=800" height="393" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Snow on Mountain" width="501" /></a><br />
Contact Info: Bob Danley, Outdoor Planner Ph (406) 777-5552<br />
<a href="http://www.fws.gov/leemetcalf/" title="http://www.fws.gov/leemetcalf/">http://www.fws.gov/leemetcalf/</a>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-83718228760312140092012-12-25T18:46:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:32:35.197-08:00Brazoria National Wildlife RefugeLocation: On the Texas Coast, near Lake Jackson.<br />
Dates: Nov 2006<br />
Duties: Environmental Education, Visitor Center, Office, Maintenance<br />
Hours Required: 24 hours each/week<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOFPcC1jh1-9d8fOuOkp9l3IhhnDI8aMzuFPOHCECjyk1Tv5i6mJirF9i84DRTu1S_Ur0qWrTsIVn5kOujUTP2TqMl8l29D4Rk0D_cTQzNzfPjQIAHmYyYNT-JE-5_QRIRjiUtwpMuQ/s1600-h/RV-Pad4.jpg"><img align="left" alt="RV Pad" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsDBtHFQC5E-1rIOt-zM-ne59fhHPqgqpvUVysL-4vDlo2t4nJuKQPsxTAB6rNyCdiTaPSheiawVcL7XbqBFo_zR3cNBQ7nZ21adIrniwXRlbZKM2jcpDFMJKkMHoKyhg0CSDb5ULEA/?imgmax=800" height="303" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 10px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="RV Pad" width="386" /></a>We should have known there would be a problem when on arrival, we were told that we’d been “traded” from San Bernard NWR, where we had applied, to Brazoria. The second clue was that we were the only couple in the 10-site “volunteer village” except for a couple that were permanent residents. Pulling in to park, we were swarmed by mosquitoes, which were a constant problem. Not just a few, but clouds of them. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XKrqBGt7-wipCSZlUNtjdfCivV0uRa64_XKwlGQRfEnsPliGkVALmNayaQzeeh5Qi1a4Jk8I2dAZxSWgsrpxxvkL8b6G94TFF4N-x4G0ioU42UHcuslIhUBoQq-JlFvDN4dMLNvAwQ/s1600-h/Students-Arriving5.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Students Arriving" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BBaESCdQYIfBEvEUCmZ35tFynOuOSys30fw6ivgkVuVCYR6UMmE5qiU1W200Ztu4bH2145BJMzQmSQqrHvqFQcKnF1K-7l5mxqTaZL8Crc7e3TLDKp_SuKZW0Px8eovGIpLTiAb2kQ/?imgmax=800" height="302" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Students Arriving" width="373" /></a>The manager was newly appointed from the Law Enforcement branch and was more interested in catching poacher than managing the site. We were required to attend 7:30 AM staff meetings on our days on, and Brenda had to drive 18 miles to the “complex” headquarters to do menial office work, while I worked with outdoors on maintenance. The environmental education program was outstanding, run by another volunteer group and not considered important by our manager. We left after one month after the manager, after going on vacation, scheduled Brenda and I to work different days.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbonsucmAUjpROwY4w3AeAJQCU12AA3Fq7vHilWDdFcCjEDvlpoHt-hw0iFJVouZ6WWQ9bDOQtyxDaqIzVYd1Z8SzJC7P-I6EaHgc36mzmDAdIl-D-I_FMnusfAzce_VJN7hf44jmcA/s1600-h/Alligator4.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Alligator" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpJez4AMnjEzoNhcUP6WL-ep0Wa1w59S3gPWKMM0HZ2CNwJzdcSq7ZKEONKirSnS1ig0mRRGkPrDDb2L6lqrUygDqK704NG3ZMIT1sEJU2J2KwED7W7yHIDwwIf0Dw1kVfbt__2l6tA/?imgmax=800" height="287" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Alligator" width="365" /></a>There is nothing positive to say about the area. Mosquitos, fire ants, rattlesnakes, feral pigs, and alligators are common, and the large number of chemical plants in the area pollute the air with a noticeable odor. Lake Jackson is a fair sized town with adequate shopping, DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-12523135328588315652012-12-25T18:21:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:32:53.986-08:00Harris Beach State ParkLocation: Brookings, OR (just seven miles north of the California border)<br />
Dates: Aug-Sep 2007<br />
Duties: Conducting the “Junior Ranger” program for 6-12 year olds, and giving an evening program or nature walk.<br />
Hours Required: No set limit. Junior Ranger program took about 15 hours per week<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpndP7vdgIMur10hw-vnrxcV3-9eYpZmgToRyJyd4mrnaKa5BgdxffQ2Bn2HVeBIbHKlN-EQ8XwvU_CjLS_H1Kp0QFEua0e1OlS6od6Ijli2sZs8-hO64WZpEVJL_OOpaeGftk__YyA/s1600-h/Angela%252520%252526%252520Us%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Angela & Us" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhuXFc6qMBx6tBQLHwIYaawVjHi4Xcg2oXZeKgJcczxzTGOomYO9GK5jgGnYeTQu37TkcLSyuG9aFm0bmx1gjCmTQw6qvzjWmgLvM29qKTKhakKGd171T2Lxj7mvd4PrBaFicjvcFzw/?imgmax=800" height="318" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Angela & Us" width="405" /></a>Harris Beach SP is a large state park on the Southern Oregon coast. The host site was located near the office, in an area of trees and bushes, and had 30A service, which was adequate for this time of year. Our Interpretive Ranger, Angela, was a joy to work for, always upbeat, incredibly knowledgeable, and appreciative of our work. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtj7jgOr5PRWR0N-Wx6X1LHZTPbPyfhb5E4Yr2iMwjhWbjEy61ZUs2K853uerEZsO7f7Jsp0arTA3FVwddHCELlAUGFVs8Wcj-ZdEt5ga4TyKSPbkOO4VoY5u86o19c9zHB_c0csoIQ/s1600-h/RV%252520at%252520Harris%252520Beach%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="RV at Harris Beach" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhN5TJYliDSMn0Mk1dx-UB412to9_-AVOtJ6I33I242RprFu6st9yS7bVAtyCxdTjniyDHbnp5OSia9HOU4SUrIv59bcVO9rzbEK-INWwfrwQ7xd3jOFwb_Yoi5At8AK33pSSeKOpeA/?imgmax=800" height="296" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 10px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="RV at Harris Beach" width="377" /></a> Working with the children was fun; we had a library of projects to select from, and tailored them to the type of weather; sometimes indoors, sometime outdoors. Thanks to Angela, we learned enough about the area to conduct nature walks, and I developed a PowerPoint program on seals and seal lions for her use. The park manager was interested in our activities and appreciative of our work. <br />
Harris Beach is located next to Brookings, which has a nice harbor, adequate shopping, and numerous restaurants. Prices are a bit higher here since there are few routes over the coast range to the I-5 corridor, but not unreasonable. There are lots of back roads to explore, and in the fall the blackberry and huckleberry picking is outstanding.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEr3Bc0JaYwnvKdpbO80qQnVvnjb6Exh6WXvNTcOXWbnpn_OoTgj4u2pQAVe6ZBtC8H3C0wABc0e4lqz-B3JLI_LtFZiDHsNvkolY93BTsWBFevfZr9-wYzRTajSvE4NAi2qHwA37dQ/s1600-h/Arch%252520Rock%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Arch Rock" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd2U6smO0Mo32EXv3EPTwJTubwXVXxu47RkSB7489tD6-MtyVl7YUyhsVd4VnZpgWb-zEK-TCd-QFhczIM3faZJ5OGP-RillbvulMC267PqIM9e6I5dlu1g28KbglwJ2AqFLQj2Fwlw/?imgmax=800" height="407" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Arch Rock" width="497" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrO-7Z6B2C6pYzaN5HX2HfctzTvGqR-b6blQC3Tu8G-cdfbDCDn-yNcBs3jhoKFUJFuZy3fzIPCVwe58cQo7ia5UIedhrINwqpmPUlCFgzXXdmy4ZnkowudDCpM9qXFgLUG6ViSuNGg/s1600-h/Beach%252520View%252520West%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Beach View West" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NvQgRhdMfpFB0Oq-cMp-0UZRftLHbBwLbzsO-obJM9z7JYnJwFSWrbogr5sulOYHFNeLXcoYa3NwuMVxEgks8atgw36RfDcyRnTf8MjFlapJt3DwEFgmrUrBfQa8cbiOba98Mad81g/?imgmax=800" height="393" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Beach View West" width="500" /></a><br />
Contact Info: Angela Stewart, Interpretive Ranger, (541) 469-2021 <a href="http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_79.php" title="http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_79.php">http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_79.php</a>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5439154885978243885.post-59969777482267536662012-12-25T16:39:00.001-08:002019-12-12T19:33:13.332-08:00Lee Metcalf National Wildlife RefugeLocation: Stevensville, Montana<br />
Dates: Apr – Sep 2006<br />
Duties: Visitor center, environmental education, light maintenance and woodworking<br />
Hours Required: 24 each/week<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-46qDIy_1FMQjWcOWQHz3PBf6X4LYxy_-yciSuPg8xdbtxwLT4XLu6HFDLv5KQ3fT1MDb50DeSMFf-xn8h6mQKlpZEa5O7ChW-vc8U8dMlLnZcR5RC-zEPxxSenLjBnCqqNCFtVBgg/s1600-h/New%252520Tribute%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="New Tribute" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2q4Mx2pyO1koIK4tUH9swmk5KAVFiOcm0hOh8dzEu5io__ATSR9wuq8H_tOmC5aBcHYlGdgXRPp0tCXkZT3vtcZlEn1Rov9PMNHE0niiF5UGSNqQgoPCZ-sOKUclY8glF2ZTx7bGmw/?imgmax=800" height="306" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="New Tribute" width="392" /></a>Lee Metcalf NWR was our first volunteer experience, for both us and the refuge staff, and for us it couldn’t have been a better start. A friendly and appreciative staff, extraordinary supervisor, and an outstanding manager made our stay truly memorable. The two sites built for volunteers were 30A only, but were upgraded during our stay. The sites were in an area away from the maintenance yard, next to the “bunkhouse” where temporary workers were housed, and a washer, dryer, and large refrigerator/freezer were available for use.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fdWjvANL6_SQzkg6tEMGaR8WHwYGEUCfZTu025Zxn4utqZpp0I709-HFBY1duG_xH8inTUzyLu1_9v_uIEdS6tKNTdy1_6KtUzmtZe3ZqhqK1awJhKeX5C9waMfiY3_Ff15w2VXP4A/s1600-h/Refuge%252520Sign%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Refuge Sign" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzmY3WsYMpKwvf7xzhwz4eJmKCPB-9H-JR2LYiHasQM30_tOqLu4Mrbr4jgPItyeHPD5NXqTH0gS_Wf2mzqzbAhxiiAO6wnq_tj3NBdqIXsEoGD0_WvnnX-kbfPuIOAfaqCHd18kBbg/?imgmax=800" height="306" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Refuge Sign" width="390" /></a>Located along the river in the Bitterroot Valley and surrounded by the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains, the refuge is 2800 acres of ponds and woodlands. There are hiking and nature trails, birdwatching, and fishing. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGxz97jqwbVFnflC5yLcYoQq3IZjXjgFmnO3kl8kRzWNyTQEVBGN2jOR0vtFgHMROF1lF7fsQ9cP1Ygb2K8jJ2wcLv9q9T6GStWG_LgEhMQGi0DmvME0eFNLFkVwoL7um9v4F7MGTIg/s1600-h/Volunteer%252520Photo2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Volunteer Photo2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsk-N0zTQDr9I4zrJzOwQWdc0IU1dyRTUV37BH91Gc6pjS_qr1zld-9ZcDGjeDOVGzxCuRhxsQ-hhcmCKIZAth3sRU9T_uBW30moJeNA2P4Z5thkmM3yADktLQiWgg3n1FOrwQu4tfw/?imgmax=800" height="369" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 9px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Volunteer Photo2" width="374" /></a>Our primary duty was to operate the visitor center on weekends, and spend the other day working on projects. We were encouraged to select a project that interested us, and felt that we were members of the refuge staff. <br />
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The area was full of things to do. Missoula, with it’s vibrant downtown and university is 30 miles via four-lane highway, and Stevensville, a great example of small-town America is only three miles. There are endless trails for hiking, great trout fishing, and excellent shopping in the towns throughout the valley. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-enLRhF0oAaiqglLfBf_NyVHZpwOA_cGteHnj4WNrTpbUv7V9vhYUAzGKvcHC6WrsxPtEnvCe_4dZSTx0G8DoYfz7YZ_38FsrZ0S5rwUhSa78flI6HUKgysiS1vcLB0MsdbnP8v0Tw/s1600-h/Brenda%252520Teaching%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Brenda Teaching" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rp8pz-gB4f2pwGJ6hp_4xH6yT4b_SGytCyGnad0Zto7k0nRkW8-8-kVLgASXY48LwfA5QH7G56dVv5P0dU5cUyjx6fW-XiBl4jHCOBEPaYYpbddNB553WCfUWhjSYISp0u19ekx7Tw/?imgmax=800" height="375" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 10px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Brenda Teaching" width="477" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M8ap1kT__jXv2WCHGpWkd1qI8CG92_7hGEI75Vg06qu6x3eQlniRd42klGp2SCdl2ehpErCF4m-LTMv1Z3nC1sjjAvnc8H7tMH5B8fPyFjL-fDgPSP5rOPQr8qu-3kVsukOBgYzCnw/s1600-h/Refuge%252520Pond%252520View%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Refuge Pond View" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0lAKn3sQPK6TChyG6afVIFYBasuGcYON9ga9H7LFe8PKoG9jyK1eiJfP15_xHJBsl_meHVHoRYegSURRSh1f8qwynzmilIAS9Lu7NeoivlTCUBo4v8gxsMvkn7u_Iejg-A_C6gbhDw/?imgmax=800" height="377" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Refuge Pond View" width="469" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAdfSknXlAE4tZZbexWZlYkl5q1NEMz1GGcFExkQbEVdL5WdbW-mfkJPb3DRxkqHMUp0Vmk5JwNxQlhQ6P5LyNBIlzDGOE4QyOstk6q25Sjmf7sFm8suJ8WPXhYFv2cP2gksFmvrwHQ/s1600-h/Pond%2525208%252520View2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pond 8 View2" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXKflrUhyUv0i2UEG17no8sECo43JlvGgeVXkXjYj4xPOU-49iMbthwFUCzjbD7PKnCh6x10k65fbVBew8axWSOmVer8oH9P5spuCVN93YCmt0cSl0wE0WR88h_MgD46wf68ezJGmrA/?imgmax=800" height="369" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 10px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pond 8 View2" width="470" /></a><br />
Contact Info: Bob Danley, Outdoor Planner, <a href="http://www.fws.gov/leemetcalf/" title="http://www.fws.gov/leemetcalf/">http://www.fws.gov/leemetcalf/</a>DNPChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314232896329422808noreply@blogger.com0