After several great training opportunities plus a whole lot of spit shine and cleaning we are pumped and ready to open the North Rim. Everything looks sparkly including the Grand Canyon.
Returned to work after three days off, and celebrating Bill’s birthday, for two days of Operational Leadership safety training which was exceptional. Actually gained some new tools and good ways to help make us, you and the park safer.
That followed by Thursday’s drive with four of us to the South Rim and back to the North Rim for our computer cards. Plus we had to drop some things off, pick some things up, and raid the uniform cache for a new Ranger. Didn’t even have time to stop for photos. This shot from last week at the South Rim looking north at the same temples as the photo above.
Made a “bio” stop at Navajo Bridge on the way home and barely caught sight of a juvenile, black-headed California Condor roosting on the girders, #722 a three year-old wild-hatched female. Look closely for the #2 tag. Earned two hours of comp time with a full day of good company.
Friday off, thank goodness. And a free dinner at the Grand Lodge for Forever Resorts’ “shake-down” in preparation for opening. Lets new staff and old practice plus works out any bugs (I hope not) in the kitchen and dinning room. I have enough leftovers to eat for a week. The food was good and the was too.
This year there will be additional dinning opportunities at the Grand Lodge. A dinner buffet located in the auditorium. This is also the room we present a Ranger slide presentation at 8:30, different topics nightly. Because this is a new set up we’ll see how it goes with visitors sitting at tables after the plates are cleared.
Saturday, several Rangers including me, marched in Kanab’s Earthfest Dancing with Dogs parade. There’s a Greyhound rescue group gathering also. This is a new festival for the town and was over pretty quick. Had brunch at Parry’s, made a grocery store stop, and then back to the North Rim. I gave Bill my little camera to take photos but won’t see them until later today.
Sunday, the gate opened at 7:30 am and the crowds rushed in. I’m not scheduled for any programs opening day but will help out in the Visitor Center, rove to answer questions, and greet our first two Artist-in-Residence Patrick and Tina.
Check this out for more information about visiting the North Rim.
Put the Wilson booster on the roof but only seeing a slight improvement in signal strength, still very erratic and unreliable. With 1x and about 136 kpbs it feels like a return to dialup. Unfortunately taking my laptop to the rim hasn’t helped either. Perseverance and patience are my new challenges.