Description

I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.

Moved

Thank you for stopping by. Just to let you know, I'm still blogging but have moved to Geogypsytraveler. Hope you'll follow my adventures. Just click here.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Sky Watch Friday - Mt Hood sunrise

Mt. Hood in Oregon 1996

Mt Hood, one of 15 volcanoes in the North Cascades of British Columbia, Canada, Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Named by European explorers on Captain George Vancouver's 1792 discovery expedition after a British Admiral, Samuel Hood.

Mt Hood was originally known by the native Klickitat, Cowlitz, and Multnomah people as Wyeast. His father, the Great Spirit, made him Chief of the people on the south side of the mighty river (today known as the Columbia River). His brother Pahtoe—who we know as Mt Adams—was made Chief of the people north of the river. For long times all the people traveled back and forth across the river on the stone Bridge of the Gods and they passed by the beautiful Loowit, Keeper of the Fire—now known as Mount Saint Helens. The brothers both came to love Loowit and both asked her to be his wife. She could not decide and the brothers began to quarrel. Thunder roared and lightning flashed as they threw hot rocks and spewed fire. The earth trembled and broke the bridge. When the Great Spirit saw this he smote the three lovers turning them into mountains of stone and ice.



Mt. Adams in Washington 1996

See Gypsy life of a seasonal park ranger – My World Tuesday further down the page for another photo of Mt St. Helens.

Mt. St. Helens in Washington 1996

Please visit Sky Watch Friday for more awesome photos from around the world.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

New Teeth



Monday Berta drove me to Algodones Mexico to the dentist. On the way, we stopped for the big breakfast I’d been told to eat. Friends own the Cactus Café in Vicksburg, AZ and they filled me up. The last meal I’d chew for about a week.

Upon arriving at the dentist I was led through several sidewalk stalls to another office a couple blocks away for x-rays. I was very impressed with the new technology. A small wand placed against the gums and a picture of my teeth showed up on a computer screen. Ten minutes and $60 later I walked out with a page of teeth pictures to find my way back to Dr. Castro’s office.

Next I spent five hours in a very tiny room as Dr. Marie and her assistant removed 18 teeth. They were so gentle and I was so numb. I never felt a thing. After stitching me up, the dentures were put in and after a little grinding I have a new smile.

Picked up medications--antibiotic and pain pills for only $13--then waited in line about 20 minutes to cross the border back to the USA. On the three hour drive home, the Novocain wore off and I started to hurt so took a pain pill.

Yesterday and today I was very sore. Trying to eat a little something reularly—ensure, smoothie, soup, pudding, jello, yogurt, oatmeal. Yet I’m not in too terrible pain, and it’s just going to get better.

I return to Mexico next Tuesday to have the stitches removed. Then one more trip in five to six months for alignment, if needed. Not bad. Three trips, $1300. I’ll know in a week or two how it all works out.

And I look forward to more beautiful smiling now that Obama will be President. YEA!!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

My World Tuesday - The gypsy life of a seasonal park ranger

For the last 12 years my world has changed about every six months. As a seasonal park ranger I usually work only six months of the year during late spring, summer and early fall. And, I work in some of the most beautiful places in the world, still limited to U.S.A.

Mount Saint Helens 1992
I started my career as a park ranger naturalist while attending WWU during the early 1990s after I’d taken a class in Interpretation. My internship was a summer at Mount Saint Helens National Monument 12 years after the big eruption. After graduation, I returned for four more summers to learn and share the never ending stories of Mt St. Helens, a landscape in amazing recovery. I found it almost unbelievable to

see the subtle changes that occurred daily.

Spirit Lake

When the mountain blew on May 18, 1980 I was planning a wedding in Illinois. Where were you?

Please check out more of My World Tuesday for an incredible journey.

Next week, what I learned about salmon.

Off to Mexico

Wish I could say it’s for fun. Instead, it’s the dentist office again. Tomorrow they pull what’s left of 18 teeth and put in dentures. I’m told I’ll be in pain for a week, soft food and liquid diet. Yet I’m also told I’ll have a beautiful smile and will soon be able to chew again. It’s only a week.

Don’t forget to VOTE! I’m getting to the poles even if I have to crawl.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Oh Deer...Life is for the birds

My neighbor and I are serious about feeding the birds plus other animals come to visit and you can see them here.

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