Just a short post to update on the new job:
Today my boss and I shoveled horse poop out of Scout Camp. The previous campers didn't take it to the drop-off site so we did it... I also set a bunch of mouse traps upstairs to control the mouse problem. Then I get to vacuum the rooms to make it safe from hantavirus.
I have started making flyers for Buckland Station, now that it's open more often and some flyers asking for volunteers to help us keep it open daily. That's the fun part for me--figuring out how to promote the park and get people in there. I also made us a Facebook page--Fort Churchill State Historic Park. I called Silver Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Senior Center to introduce myself and see if we can get some write-ups in their newsletters and I've been looking for grants and some things to add to the present programming--which right now only consists of self-guided tours and Living History Talks for reserved groups.
Later I'll post about the Carson River Snapshot Day and life at the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area (it's fun to be on the refuge for now--saw a flock of turkeys yesterday and some peregrines).
More later but for now I'm tired and it's my FRIDAY!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Ghosts?
Ever since I got here everyone's been telling me Buckland Station is haunted. There have been a few groups doing paranormal investigations and didn't find anything too conclusive, but there are some pictures of "orbs" and I guess they got a few EVPs, or "ghost talk." I've been really nervous about going over to my new office because of that, and even avoided it for the first few days (which was easy because of the training and reading policies, etc) but finally a few days ago I had to go over and arrange my office and bookshelf and get it stocked with office "stuff."
I've been over there for a few days now and today I did a lot of cleaning--dusting, sweeping and just spent a lot of time looking around. I even took a few pictures, hoping (or not hoping...) to capture some "orbs" of my own. I've never seen anything the least bit supernatural or even weird/unexplainable so I don't know if I even will. My boss told me I'm guarenteed to meet some ghosts while I'm over there, I guess because that's where I'll be spending most of my time--giving tours and sitting in my office. I even sat and read the binder (not all of it) given to the park by the paranormal investigation team, "Thin Veil Investigations." I did get a little creeped out sitting there alone in a 3-story building with no music or noise, other than cars passing on the highway, but still didn't see anything or feel that uncomfortable.
We'll see what happens! Any ghost enthusiasts out there? I'm interested in your stories!
I've been over there for a few days now and today I did a lot of cleaning--dusting, sweeping and just spent a lot of time looking around. I even took a few pictures, hoping (or not hoping...) to capture some "orbs" of my own. I've never seen anything the least bit supernatural or even weird/unexplainable so I don't know if I even will. My boss told me I'm guarenteed to meet some ghosts while I'm over there, I guess because that's where I'll be spending most of my time--giving tours and sitting in my office. I even sat and read the binder (not all of it) given to the park by the paranormal investigation team, "Thin Veil Investigations." I did get a little creeped out sitting there alone in a 3-story building with no music or noise, other than cars passing on the highway, but still didn't see anything or feel that uncomfortable.
We'll see what happens! Any ghost enthusiasts out there? I'm interested in your stories!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Last Day at Dead Horse Point
Well, my last day at Dead Horse Point State Park was September 20, last Tuesday. I went in at 8:30 a.m. and waited for my field trip to start with the Moab Charter School. I was working with 5th and 6th grade students, doing environmental education inside their classroom once a week, then I had planned two field trips per trimester for them to come up to the park. Tuesday, the 20th was their first field trip and my last day, so I was thinking that would make it easier and keep my mind off the fact that I wouldn't be seeing them again.
They showed up at 9:20 a.m. I met them at the bus, let them use the restrooms and then ushered them into the amphitheater outside the visitor center so I could give them their nametags. For name tags, I've been using old postcards with blank labels on them. I punch two holes, one on each side, into the top and make a loop with a piece of yarn. I passed out sharpies for them to write their names, then we went over the rules for the day. We went into the theater (art gallery) and watched the park video. It was funny--I'm actually in the park video talking about plant adaptations to the desert, and they all turned around to look at me and laughed.
I did a short program on biological soil crust, then we made some of our own by taking pieces of thread, pulling them through a drop of glue and then covering them with sand. The sand sticks to the thread, and there's your very own piece of biological soil crust! (haha)
After that activity we walked along the park's nature trail, then I had them make their own field guides to the plants and animals of Dead Horse Point State Park.
Next, we went up to the Point to see the view and had lunch in the picnic area. After lunch we hiked out to the potholes north of the visitor center and did some activities and they got to use their drawing boards to sketch something they learned about at the park. We had to try hard to keep them out of the pothole water. Of course, lots of things got dropped into the potholes: an apple, feet and lots of pieces of paper. Oops!
One more visit to the restroom and they were ready to get back on the bus and go back to school! Then I had to say goodbye to everyone, talk a lot about where I'm going and then turn in my keys and uniform.
It all felt weird, like I wasn't really leaving, but by the time we packed up the "cottage" and got on the road it suddenly seemed very real! After three days with little sleep and lots of packing, carrying and driving, I finally crashed last night and slept in until 9:30 p.m.
The drunken cat story:
I know my cat hates traveling so I called the vet and asked if they could help make a 12-hour drive easier for both of us. They sold me a little bottle of tranquilizer pills and I was to give her 1/2 a pill every 6-8 hours. I started in the morning before we were ready to leave. I knew she was drugged when she didn't fight me when I put her in the cat carrier. She did fight sleep and freaked out for about two hours before finally relaxing and falling asleep. During that time I got a lot of "how could you?" meows and stares.
When we got to the wildlife refuge where we're staying for a couple months, I let her out of the carrier and thought she'd head straight for the litter box. She immediately started running around the house, exploring and purring. She was totally drunk still though; she tried jumping up on the kitchen counter, the bathroom counter and a dresser and fell off all three. Lots of attention later, she stuck with staying on the floor and couches. She was soooo excited to be out of the carrier! When she did discover her food and water dish, she gulped it down and kept exploring. She slept all the next day (and I thought she must be hungover) and came out again at night with the same excitement. I think she's just as excited as I am to be in a new place!
I am, however, looking forward to being able to tell people I just moved here from Utah without wanting to cry!
They showed up at 9:20 a.m. I met them at the bus, let them use the restrooms and then ushered them into the amphitheater outside the visitor center so I could give them their nametags. For name tags, I've been using old postcards with blank labels on them. I punch two holes, one on each side, into the top and make a loop with a piece of yarn. I passed out sharpies for them to write their names, then we went over the rules for the day. We went into the theater (art gallery) and watched the park video. It was funny--I'm actually in the park video talking about plant adaptations to the desert, and they all turned around to look at me and laughed.
I did a short program on biological soil crust, then we made some of our own by taking pieces of thread, pulling them through a drop of glue and then covering them with sand. The sand sticks to the thread, and there's your very own piece of biological soil crust! (haha)
After that activity we walked along the park's nature trail, then I had them make their own field guides to the plants and animals of Dead Horse Point State Park.
Next, we went up to the Point to see the view and had lunch in the picnic area. After lunch we hiked out to the potholes north of the visitor center and did some activities and they got to use their drawing boards to sketch something they learned about at the park. We had to try hard to keep them out of the pothole water. Of course, lots of things got dropped into the potholes: an apple, feet and lots of pieces of paper. Oops!
One more visit to the restroom and they were ready to get back on the bus and go back to school! Then I had to say goodbye to everyone, talk a lot about where I'm going and then turn in my keys and uniform.
It all felt weird, like I wasn't really leaving, but by the time we packed up the "cottage" and got on the road it suddenly seemed very real! After three days with little sleep and lots of packing, carrying and driving, I finally crashed last night and slept in until 9:30 p.m.
The drunken cat story:
I know my cat hates traveling so I called the vet and asked if they could help make a 12-hour drive easier for both of us. They sold me a little bottle of tranquilizer pills and I was to give her 1/2 a pill every 6-8 hours. I started in the morning before we were ready to leave. I knew she was drugged when she didn't fight me when I put her in the cat carrier. She did fight sleep and freaked out for about two hours before finally relaxing and falling asleep. During that time I got a lot of "how could you?" meows and stares.
When we got to the wildlife refuge where we're staying for a couple months, I let her out of the carrier and thought she'd head straight for the litter box. She immediately started running around the house, exploring and purring. She was totally drunk still though; she tried jumping up on the kitchen counter, the bathroom counter and a dresser and fell off all three. Lots of attention later, she stuck with staying on the floor and couches. She was soooo excited to be out of the carrier! When she did discover her food and water dish, she gulped it down and kept exploring. She slept all the next day (and I thought she must be hungover) and came out again at night with the same excitement. I think she's just as excited as I am to be in a new place!
I am, however, looking forward to being able to tell people I just moved here from Utah without wanting to cry!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
New Job!!
Wow...I don't know where to start. More than a month ago Dave and I were talking about going back to where he's from, near Lake Tahoe. His family's from there and he's always lived there and missed it. I was willing to make a change (I've been at DHP for over 9 years!) but only if I could get a job that was worth leaving my current job for.
We kept an eye on what was opening in the area and a job came open for Fort Churchill State Historic Park near Silver Springs, NV. I applied, then called the park for a little more information. I was told to not live in Silver Springs but to check out communities like Fernley or Yerington, maybe even Dayton. At this point I hadn't been contacted for an interview, so it was just gathering information. I looked it up online and checked it out.
A few weeks later Dave and I were driving in the La Sals and I got a phone call from a Joy Elwood saying they would "very much like to interview" me. I called back immediately, set up the date for August 24, which was about three weeks away--or more, I don't remember. I read about the park, then had an idea that I should visit the park before the interview. I really wanted to see it and find out what I was "getting myself into." We made plans to visit, called the park to set up a day where someone was there to show us around and left the next week. It's a 12-hour drive so I thought it might be crazy but really wanted to see it.
I didn't take any pictures during the visit, so these are all stolen:
We kept an eye on what was opening in the area and a job came open for Fort Churchill State Historic Park near Silver Springs, NV. I applied, then called the park for a little more information. I was told to not live in Silver Springs but to check out communities like Fernley or Yerington, maybe even Dayton. At this point I hadn't been contacted for an interview, so it was just gathering information. I looked it up online and checked it out.
A few weeks later Dave and I were driving in the La Sals and I got a phone call from a Joy Elwood saying they would "very much like to interview" me. I called back immediately, set up the date for August 24, which was about three weeks away--or more, I don't remember. I read about the park, then had an idea that I should visit the park before the interview. I really wanted to see it and find out what I was "getting myself into." We made plans to visit, called the park to set up a day where someone was there to show us around and left the next week. It's a 12-hour drive so I thought it might be crazy but really wanted to see it.
I didn't take any pictures during the visit, so these are all stolen:
Buckland Station is where I will be most of the time. The purpose of this new position is to keep it open for tours, start a docent program and provide community outreach.
Ruins from Fort Churchill, a Civil War-era fort built to protect Mormon settlers from Indian attacks.
The visitor center/museum.
I interviewed on August 24, then found out that 100 people had applied for the job. They said 40 of those were qualified and they chose 13 to interview. Once I heard that I stopped worrying--lots of odds and lots of people interested! BUT on Friday after the interview I got a phone call from the manager saying it was a tough choice and it came down to me and one other person. I had the interpretive experience; she had the farming/ranching experience. They slept on it and then decided to hire me! Wow....I am still in shock! So....I had to accept the job, call Dave, then not look forward to giving my notice at the park!
I am excited! We'll see how this goes....I will be there in about a month...not enough time and I HATE moving....but I think it's for the best and it'll be a new adventure! I'll get to do interp, museum work and learn about ranching and farming....haha. Wish me luck :)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Last Night's Party
Last night I cooked dinner for Dave and two friends from work, Sarah and Jordan. They brought LOTS of chips and dip (salsa, 7-layer bean, guacamole), and margaritas. I made portobello fajitas and Spanish rice and stuck with some red wine because I had to work. We ate dinner, talked, laughed, watched a movie, and then Emily from work also came over. She works at Buck's Grill so she wasn't there until almost 10 p.m. and had to work early the next day so she couldn't stay long.
We went outside and I taught Sarah how to make a "time bomb" out of a ziplock bag, vinegar and baking soda. We also played with cornstarch and made an "anti-Newtonian liquid." I use those a lot for my after school science programs (I didn't do any this year though)....
Around 2 a.m. Sarah and Jordan headed for their trailer, which they parked outside the house for the night. In the morning Deena, the neighbor came over and asked if we'd heard what happened last night. We said no, and she said that the house across from us had a huge party all night and were drinking and getting crazy. People were in the street yelling and this drunk guy started breaking into people's cars. So we all went outside to see if our vehicles had been broken into and thankfully, none were! Deena said that she called the police to check on things, and it turns out that about five other houses had called the police for the same reason!
Jordan said Sarah slept through all of it but he heard everything and it was definitely a crazy party. The guy wasn't breaking into cars to steal things, he was so drunk he didn't know where he was and was looking for his car, trying his keys in all of the ones he got into. Yikes! Jordan heard him getting in trouble with his friends at the party, then talking with the police....I don't know how the situation resolved (I had to leave for work)...
I came to work and got to be a step-on guide for a tour bus, then cleaned most of the rest of the day. Right now I'm sitting in the entrance station listening to it rain and happy that I found Disney music on my Pandora station!! I also think it's funny that tourists expect me to be able to tell them what the weather's going to do, and how long it's going to storm...
We went outside and I taught Sarah how to make a "time bomb" out of a ziplock bag, vinegar and baking soda. We also played with cornstarch and made an "anti-Newtonian liquid." I use those a lot for my after school science programs (I didn't do any this year though)....
Around 2 a.m. Sarah and Jordan headed for their trailer, which they parked outside the house for the night. In the morning Deena, the neighbor came over and asked if we'd heard what happened last night. We said no, and she said that the house across from us had a huge party all night and were drinking and getting crazy. People were in the street yelling and this drunk guy started breaking into people's cars. So we all went outside to see if our vehicles had been broken into and thankfully, none were! Deena said that she called the police to check on things, and it turns out that about five other houses had called the police for the same reason!
Jordan said Sarah slept through all of it but he heard everything and it was definitely a crazy party. The guy wasn't breaking into cars to steal things, he was so drunk he didn't know where he was and was looking for his car, trying his keys in all of the ones he got into. Yikes! Jordan heard him getting in trouble with his friends at the party, then talking with the police....I don't know how the situation resolved (I had to leave for work)...
I came to work and got to be a step-on guide for a tour bus, then cleaned most of the rest of the day. Right now I'm sitting in the entrance station listening to it rain and happy that I found Disney music on my Pandora station!! I also think it's funny that tourists expect me to be able to tell them what the weather's going to do, and how long it's going to storm...
Friday, August 19, 2011
Cilantro Chicken and Vegetables
Thought I'd try a new recipe:
MARINADE
1/2 C fresh squeezed lemon juice (for me this was 2 lemons)
1/4 C extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp Mexican oregano
1/2 C minced cilantro, lightly packed
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tsp mustard powder (didn't have any)
1 tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper
SKEWERS
1 1/2 lb organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
1 orange bel pepper, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
1 poblano pepper, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks. (I bought this but forgot to use it. I'll use it in tomorrow's portobello fajitas!)
1 yellow onion, quartered (also forgot it)
20 grape or cherry tomatoes (also fogotten, used in the salad instead!)
1 small crook-neck squash, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small zucchini squash, cut into 1-inch pieces
(serves 6)
Combine all the marinade ingredients in a small mixing bowl and set aside.
Rinse chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the hicken breasts into bite-size pieces and toss in the marinade to coat. Cover and marinate for 2 hours in the refridgerator, tossing frequently. You may also use a zip-lock bag to marinate the chicken.
Soak 18 bamboo skewers in water for 15 min.
Thread chicken and pieces of red and orange bell pepper, poblano, onion, tomatoes, yellow squash and zucchini onto skewers, making sureyou have the same size chicken pieces per skewer to ensure even cooking. Separate chicken with vegetable pieces.
If grilling on agas or charcoal grill, set at high heat or allow coals to become hot. Put the prepared skewers on the grill and cook until chicken is browned. Turn and cook the other side for about 2 minutes, or until chicken is done and moist.
If you broil, preheat the oven to broil at high heat. Plae the skewers on the broiler pan as close to the broiler as possible. Allow the chicken to brown slightly. Turn over the chicken pieces and broil until done, 2-3 more minutes.
If using an electric grill, set at high heat and grill until browned on one side, about 4 minutes. Turn and grill on the other side until browned, or until the chicken is done, but moist.
Serve immediately...
I baked them in the oven for 15 min, then turned them over for another 10. I cut the veggie pieces a little bigger so they needed longer to cook...also served with a green salad (tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli and onion) and mushroom rice pilaf (from a box....).
Good luck!
MARINADE
1/2 C fresh squeezed lemon juice (for me this was 2 lemons)
1/4 C extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp Mexican oregano
1/2 C minced cilantro, lightly packed
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tsp mustard powder (didn't have any)
1 tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper
SKEWERS
1 1/2 lb organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
1 orange bel pepper, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
1 poblano pepper, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks. (I bought this but forgot to use it. I'll use it in tomorrow's portobello fajitas!)
1 yellow onion, quartered (also forgot it)
20 grape or cherry tomatoes (also fogotten, used in the salad instead!)
1 small crook-neck squash, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small zucchini squash, cut into 1-inch pieces
(serves 6)
Combine all the marinade ingredients in a small mixing bowl and set aside.
Rinse chicken breasts under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the hicken breasts into bite-size pieces and toss in the marinade to coat. Cover and marinate for 2 hours in the refridgerator, tossing frequently. You may also use a zip-lock bag to marinate the chicken.
Soak 18 bamboo skewers in water for 15 min.
Thread chicken and pieces of red and orange bell pepper, poblano, onion, tomatoes, yellow squash and zucchini onto skewers, making sureyou have the same size chicken pieces per skewer to ensure even cooking. Separate chicken with vegetable pieces.
If grilling on agas or charcoal grill, set at high heat or allow coals to become hot. Put the prepared skewers on the grill and cook until chicken is browned. Turn and cook the other side for about 2 minutes, or until chicken is done and moist.
If you broil, preheat the oven to broil at high heat. Plae the skewers on the broiler pan as close to the broiler as possible. Allow the chicken to brown slightly. Turn over the chicken pieces and broil until done, 2-3 more minutes.
If using an electric grill, set at high heat and grill until browned on one side, about 4 minutes. Turn and grill on the other side until browned, or until the chicken is done, but moist.
Serve immediately...
I baked them in the oven for 15 min, then turned them over for another 10. I cut the veggie pieces a little bigger so they needed longer to cook...also served with a green salad (tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli and onion) and mushroom rice pilaf (from a box....).
Good luck!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Josh Groban Fan
Soooo....On our trip last week (Wed-Fri) Dave and I went to NV to visit friends and see some new scenery. This is the story about what happened on the way home (well, I guess it's one of many that could be told).
There are very long stretches of highway out towards Hinkley and Delta, UT from Ely, NV. There is no cell service and no good radio stations. We did listen to tons of Republican radio (Rush Limbaugh) and debaters about the next presidential campaign though! The Great Basin is beautiful but makes for a long drive!
I wanted Dave to hear my favorite song: Weeping, by Josh Groban. He cringed, but I went ahead and put it in the CD player anyway. He said he wanted to throw it out the window, so I started another song, thinking it would be better.
Dave rolls down the window while hitting the Eject button, and promptly throws the CD out the car window while we're going 70 mph. I was surprised he actually did it! (Maybe I wasn't really that surprised...after all it's been over a year of dating....).
He said he only did it because I have it saved on my computer at home and can make another copy. I think he just wanted to make a statement...but now I have to retaliate. Maybe by putting Chess in the DVD player and looping it... haha. His statement, "Well, it will make a great Facebook story!" Hm.
There are very long stretches of highway out towards Hinkley and Delta, UT from Ely, NV. There is no cell service and no good radio stations. We did listen to tons of Republican radio (Rush Limbaugh) and debaters about the next presidential campaign though! The Great Basin is beautiful but makes for a long drive!
I wanted Dave to hear my favorite song: Weeping, by Josh Groban. He cringed, but I went ahead and put it in the CD player anyway. He said he wanted to throw it out the window, so I started another song, thinking it would be better.
Dave rolls down the window while hitting the Eject button, and promptly throws the CD out the car window while we're going 70 mph. I was surprised he actually did it! (Maybe I wasn't really that surprised...after all it's been over a year of dating....).
He said he only did it because I have it saved on my computer at home and can make another copy. I think he just wanted to make a statement...but now I have to retaliate. Maybe by putting Chess in the DVD player and looping it... haha. His statement, "Well, it will make a great Facebook story!" Hm.
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