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.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Scenic Sunday at Grand Canyon

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Lookout Studio, designed by Mary Colter and built to compete with Kolb Studio in 1914, sits along the South Rim offering deck and balcony views into and across Grand Canyon. It is now operated as a gift shop selling books, postcards and souvenirs.

To view more scenes from around the world, or to share your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.

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Guide training at Grand Canyon Day 1

GRCA water bottles

Part of the Greening of Grand Canyon includes adding water fill stations so bottled water won’t have to be sold. Should also reduce the recycling of all those plastic bottles. Of course, if you don’t bring your own water bottle you will still be able to buy water bottles to fill and they’ll most likely have cute pics or logos of the canyon. Just one bit of info today.

guns in NPs

And, yes, as of March 1st visitors with gun permits Will be able to pack a loaded gun on their hips. Not really sure why they need to but that was part of the Credit Card bill. Hell, I can’t carry a gun while in uniform unless I’m a law enforcement officer, which I am not and don’t want to be.

P15 cougar

P15 collard cougar at Grand Canyon (NPS archives)

22 adult cougars have been collared at Grand Canyon. One of the backcountry Rangers said that makes them out numbered 6-1 by cougars. Only 20 people in the USA have been killed by cougars since 1900. Hope nobody packing decides to shot one with more than a camera.

Other topics covered were about the proper way to dispose of human waste in the backcountry. Funny how folks really don’t want to haul out their own poop. How to safely prepare food and water for tour groups, reading the stars from different cultural perspectives, condors released in Arizona like Utah during the summer months, and archeology. And to end the day, Ranger Pat brought us up to date on the latest podcast technology being used at the canyon which you can check out here.

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Community Building where I was all day

Got a couple inches of snow and more is falling. Tomorrow morning I start off with a tour of the historic Kolb Studio’s residence. Sure hope I’m allowed to take pictures.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Beautiful day for a drive to Grand Canyon

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I dressed for the occasion. Hey it’s cold at 7,000 feet.

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Left the house about 11:30 this morning, no rush. Drove past the “lovers” boulders just before Prescott.

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Then on past Prescott towards Chino, the other side of these mountains.

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By the time I approached Williams signs of winter were quite apparent.

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And then I headed north into the park.

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I arrived about 4pm, parked and headed for the rim where I saw El Tovar throwing out a blanket of white.

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That’s the North Rim over there showing snowy streaks of white down the canyon walls.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

SWF - Guide training at Grand Canyon

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The 70 foot (21 meter) Watch Tower was designed by Mary Colter and constructed in 1932 to resemble the Native architecture

Several weeks ago I signed up for a free guide training through the Grand Canyon Institute. Over this weekend there will be seminars on such topics as cultural history, wildlife biology, watershed, astronomy, climate, injuries, geology and botany. Mike was going with me until he found out he has to work Saturday. So I’m taking the truck/camper, which hasn’t been moved in days weeks, OK, maybe over a month. The battery was almost dead so charged that over night. Will drive up Friday and stay with Ranger Maggi then return Mon.   Now packing so I can take off in the morning. Sure will be nice to see Grand Canyon again.

To view more skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Remember Whensday – I had a Dream

Senior photo 1972

As a 1972 high school senior I dreamed of traveling in the world, exploring other lands and cultures. I wanted to be a gypsy, and in this country I’ve gotten about as close as you can get living in an RV and traveling throughout the States. Now my time has come to further follow my dream.

Sally from The (Mis) Adventures of Karl and Sally operates a meme where the past is remembered through sharing old photographs. You can view more, or share, visiting Remember Whensday by clicking here.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Preparing for travel

Just call me a computer geek. Not really, but I did finally figure out how to get the music files from old laptop to new netbook. I always have to repeat the steps several times in a row to remember. One more thing done in preparation for leaving for South Africa.

Tomorrow a friend is helping me sew together a money belt. She has the sewing machine and skills I just have ideas. I looked at the money belts available online, no luck in local stores go figure, but didn’t care for the choice of materials. Did find one silk bag yet even it had nylon webbing and plastic clips for the belt. No thanks makes me sweat and itch. Instead I bought a silk dress at a thrift for fabric and Velcro to keep the pockets shut. If it works well I may have to patent the idea to pay for the next trip.

My GoGirl arrived and all I can say so far is that it works in the shower, not too surprising. I’ll continue field testing and report soon.

I’m learning to post on Windows Live Writer instead of my old copy and paste method from Word. It’s really pretty nice and easy to insert pics or whatever wherever. Should keep me blogging while traveling, when I find WIFI.

12 days left.

Monday, February 15, 2010

My World changes with the seasons

01 5th-wheel Yarnell AZ pano (800x360)

During winter I’m a vegetable. I hunker in and spend way too much time online which saves me from spending much money.

02 Morning light over Bright Angel Canyon from Lodge GRCA AZ pano (800x351)

Come the much desired spring I return to work as a seasonal Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park, the North Rim.

03 Yarnell spring flowers collage (800x678)

Actually I leave Yarnell’s flowering spring.

04 SR67 South entering GRCA North Rim AZ (800x603)

To find winter still clinging to the Colorado Plateau.

05 North Kaibab Trail Roaring Springs Canyon GRCA AZ (800x600)

During training the staff hikes rim-to-rim, north to south.

06 Gaelyn at creek crossing North Kaibab Trail Bright Angel Canyon GRCA AZ (800x600)

This year will be my fourth crossing.

07 GRCA wildflowers collage (618x800)

Summer is my favorite. Flowers start to bloom in June and subtly change through July on the canyon’s rim.

08 Gaelyn with view S from Point Imperial Walhalla Plateau GRCA AZ (800x600)

I greet visitors from around the world who come to see one of the Seven Wonders of the world, Grand Canyon.

09 Rainbow in front of Saddle Mt from Point Imperial Walhalla Plateau GRCA AZ pano (800x278)

Summer monsoons bring the gift of life.

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And wildlife abounds.

11 Sunset from Lodge GRCA AZ pano (800x282)

Rangers get paid in sunsets.

12 Fall colors Roaring Springs Canyon N Kaibab trail GRCA AZ (600x800)

When the leaves change colors and fall my work season is over.

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And I return to Yarnell where this winter I’ve been living in the little house with Mike.

14 Sunset Yarnell AZ 2 of 3 (800x600)

So the seasons start again.

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To view more of the world, or to share a part of your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

In a Spin


My heart is heavy and sad. So much so that I’ve made myself sick, a minor head cold trying to progress into my chest, which is always stress related. (No, go away, I won’t let you stay!) So much going on in my life right now when I should only be excited about my trip to South Africa. 14 days left.

My Dad is dieing. After a major stroke he is now in the hospital under Hospice care. Hard to say how long he has to live. I’m so glad I got to see him in Texas a few weeks ago, just he and me. I am thankful that two years ago I took care of all arrangements, body donated to science. There will be no organized physical memorial at my mother’s request. I don’t know what it’s like to lose a loved family member. What is this process called grief? I feel nothing, so maybe I'm in denial.

My Mom is sick, undiagnosed personality disorder. Has been for a very long time, in fact I’d say all her life. I’m no doctor but the evidence is clear. I’m still coming to terms with this. Plus I have concerns that I may also have inherited this personality disorder. I am trying to accept the way things are and have had many epiphanies over the last week or so. Knowing she’s sick has put many things in perspective.

Yet there is nothing I can DO. Instead I continue to work on Acceptance.

Acceptance: willingness to believe that something is true; the realization of a fact or truth and the process of coming to terms with it; the toleration of something without protest. OK, this is a protest I suppose. I did say I still working on it.

I just had to get this off my chest. Another way to help let go, accept, and try to live in the Now. Thanks for listening.

Help with computer!

I’m sure many of you have changed computers and wanted all your data including music on the new machine. Me too.

I copied music onto a flash drive from the old laptop, and then moved those files to My Music on the Netbook. They show up, but Windows Media Player can’t seem to find them. I’ve googled until I’m blue in the face with no answers. I’ve wasted way too much time on what should be an easy task. Is there anybody out there can help?

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Scenic Sunday - Kirkland Junction

Yesterday Mike and I went to Prescott; yes that’s three times this week. We took the back road and these rock formations along the way have always fascinated me so we stopped for a few pics.
Also got to check out the Netbook on WIFI and worked great. Yea!

15 days left.

To view more scenes from around the world, or to share your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.

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