Moon over Yarnell
My gypsy life and winter in Yarnell was over before I knew it, and it was time to return to my…
My gypsy life and winter in Yarnell was over before I knew it, and it was time to return to my…
Gaelyn in Visitor Center 2006 by S. Gladish
…alter-life as a seasonal Park Ranger at Oregon Caves National Monument. But I did more than lead cave tours.
Wild Rhododendron along Myrtle Creek Trail
Spring hiking through the Redwoods less than 30 miles away and on the road to the California coast offers biological diversity because of the unique geology.
Darlingtonia are carnivorous
Metamorphic serpentine—a soft waxy rock used for carving—is characteristic of unusual flora and toxic to many plants due to a lack of essential nutrients and high concentrations of heavy metals.
Historic Oregon Caves Chateau
After three seasons learning about the cultural history of the area and monument I felt confident enough to develop a living history program.
Gaelyn/Darlene with visitors in Chateau coffee shop
I created a composite character of a woman, Darlene (borrowed from a dear friend of the right age), who presumably worked in the Chateau for Oregon Caves Company, a private concessionaire, in 1953.
Gaelyn/Darlene with visitors in Chateau lobby
Dressed as 73 year old Darlene and in character, I shared stories from the past while encouraging visitors to create their own memories as we toured the historic Chateau.
Gaelyn and Darlene onboard
In September I took a long weekend to visit the real Darlene and we celebrated her birthday…
The Columbia Gorge
…onboard a sternwheeler on the Columbia River out of Cascade Locks, Oregon.
View of Stevenson, Washington from the river
Learning to tie-die
Over the summer a friend taught me how to tie-die (I know, where was I in the 60s) as we increased her stock…
Welcome to Barter Fair
…so we could share space at the fall Hope Mountain Barter Fair where I’d sell my jewelry and other stuff.
Barter Fair booth
Having fun at the Fair
And when the Fair was over I knew winter was coming to Oregon so I would be moving on to warmer climates.
Great tour! Love your jewelry, too! Oregon will always be one of my favorite places to have lived! Thanks for the great photos!
Gaelyn: An interesting look at your walk through life.
You have an interesting life. Glad you keep sharing it with us.
Great selection of colourful photos.
What a wonderfully varied life with impersonations and lovely fairs. Love the statues and the Indian.
I’d like to know more about Darlingtonia! They look like little heads poking up from the ground!
I can’t wait to see where you go next.
You have such a wonderful assortment of knowledge of flora, fauna, and geology, not to mention history of the various areas where you’ve lived.
that chateau is a beautiful building. It’s such fun to see all the places you’ve lived and worked.
Looks like you have allot of fun. I would enjoy your job too. Have a great week.
Amazing places you visit… thanks for this virtual tour!
Been yrs since i have been to the Oregon Caves. Nice post
Been yrs since i have been to the Oregon Caves. Nice post
A fascinating tour with you Gaelyn. I love those old boats and could easily live on one going up and down the river all day.
Gaelyn – You lead such a varied, interesting, colorful, and FUN life! And you get to enjoy nature at its best. What more could one want?
Tie-dying is fun, I have done that before too. The Chateau is stunning, love your idea of creating a ‘living’ character too, it enhances visits I’m sure.
That’s very interesting, Gaelyn! I love tie dying too, it’s so much fun. Thank you so much for sharing your world with us 🙂
What fun you had in Oregon! When I was a Girl Scout leader, tie dyeing was one of the favorite crafts of the girls when we went camping. We made lots of tie dyed t-shirts and bandanas.
What a multi-talented and interesting woman you are! Those carnivorous plants are unusual. I would think twice before walking through that big patch ;-0
This post was tons of fun. Lots to see and read about. 😉
Great photos, great place.
Those carnivorous plants look like duck heads, and so many of them! You sure have a lot of interesting experiences. Good thing you take photos and share them with us. Colorful tie-dye pictures. My son showed me how to tie-dye shirts last summer, great fun!
Very interesting life you lead, I am sure you enjoy it all.
You could sell your pretty jewelery at my local market by the Railway Station! I like the last photo of the manikins and the children, its really nice, specially the little fairy in front.
Love your ranger stories..
These are wonderful photos! I think you have a wonderful life, too! Thanks for visiting my blog.
I’m currently in Oregon… I think I need to go check out the Oregon Caves National Monument (now that you’ve mentioned it)!
That is great that you developed a program. Tie-dying is a messy affair!I have only done it with children, however. Maybe that’s why.