Looking back at 2018

I took a break in writing this fall.  It's definitely time for a New Year's update.

2018 was about doing everything I could towards becoming a permanent NPS park ranger. And then finally reaching that goal!

Taking the fourth graders on a field trip to Delicate Arch. This is what I love to do, and what I now get to do "permanently."

It has become really important to me to have a life where the work I do feels meaningful. What I love about being a park ranger is that I feel like I’m being of service to others. I believe in the importance of teaching science to kids and making sure they have fun experiences in our public lands. The vast majority of the people I get to work with (especially the volunteers) are dedicated, committed, and (most importantly) totally fun.

One of the incredible, young volunteers I had the privilege of working with this year. You can tell from my smile just how much fun we had.

But until now, I didn’t know if I could literally afford to do this job. Being seasonal has meant the high cost of moving every few months and of being unemployed between seasons. Not to mention no employee retirement. Granted, my permanent position has a long furlough and is still only part-time hours. But it offers stability and is a major step.

This year I worked at several parks— Arches (spring), Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (summer), Canyonlands and Natural Bridges (fall).  These parks served as base camp for incredible weekend trips.

A highlight of the year was doing field trips for students at the Needles.

"Just" a little weekend backpacking trip. The trailhead is a quick drive from home.

A little further away... Peakbagging with Holly in the Tushars (photo by PMags)

Finally getting up into the Henry Mountains with Jan.

While living in Georgia, I visited park ranger friends I’d made last year while working at Mammoth Cave.

2018 had a rough start. Getting surgery (to repair a inguinal hernia) in January was a reminder of how tenuous health can be.  Recovery was painfully slow but I was lucky beyond words that S. drove up to help me through it.

One new thing I did this year was take online classes towards a certificate in environmental education. It’s been years since I’ve had to do homework assignments or write a term paper. What fun to be a student again!

iNaturalizing has become a common verb in my vocabulary. This fall I made my 1000th observations using iNaturalist. I love using this app both to identify and learn more about plants and animals and also as a way to contribute data for other scientists.

Hold on, I need to iNaturalize this tiny alpine plant! (photo by PMags)

This fall I spent a lot of time with this guy. It’s pretty neat to share my life with someone who loves being outdoors as much as I do.

Backpacking in the Needles.

In 2019, I will obviously be spending a lot of time hiking and backpacking around Moab. And for my two month furlough during June and July? There is a certain trail that still calls to me.




Happy New Year everyone!