That time of year again after six months of play, gotta’ go back to work at Grand Canyon. If you call what I do work. Being a Park Ranger is sort of like pay-for-play. Trust me, it is work. Couple hours in the Visitor Center helping people make a plan for their visit be it two hours, days, or weeks. Lots of repetition: “Where’s the bathroom, water, gift shop, food, lodging, campground, trails, and, oh the canyon? Many times in that order. Interpretive Park Rangers research, study, learn, develop, and present “programs” for visitors about, anything and everything relating to the location. I think of us a WikiRangers, we wear the Hat. We might be called upon to find lost people, identify a bird, flower, rock, fossil….
I won’t lie to you, I love my job as a seasonal Park Ranger at Grand Canyon, but, I know how absolutely crazy busy it’s going to be this year. Last summer Grand Canyon, along with many other parks, experienced a huge increase in visitation. We topped the 5 million mark. I want people to love their parks, but believe there is a carrying capacity. I wonder when/if we’ll have to make reservations just to visit some of the most popular parks.
Plus 40 hours a week working takes a lot of time out of life. And I won’t be parked in the same place this year with my beautiful view of the canyon, and a cell signal. Instead I’ll be back in the forest, which is also beautiful. But I’m sure going to miss being online whenever I want to at home. So don’t be surprised about my absence on social media. I will continue to try to post to the blog. But it’s going to be a challenge. Guess I’ll work at home on the PC, then save everything to the laptop, and try to find a signal somewhere to send it all out into the cyber world. As it is I usually spend Way too much time on social media. FB is such a life sucker. In fact I get totally sucked into whatever I’m doing right now.
Bill and I will only be 1 1/2 hours apart so of course there will be more journeys as we continue to explore the area on my weekends, which are usually not on the real weekend.
I roll out of Kanab, Utah Friday. A friend is towing the 5th-wheel up to the North Rim so I don’t have to take the camper off the truck. That’s a relief. And I go back to work on Monday.
The North Rim Grand Canyon National Park opens to the public May 15, 2016. If you’re coming for a visit let me know, I’d love to show you around.
Too bad you won’t have your same site back. That was such a great location! I’m glad we visited last year 😉
Yea, I’m not real happy about this new location.
I don’t like being without internet. Social media is so addicting. Hopefully you’ll have WiFi at the Visitor’s Center. Welcome back!
Me either. I’ll either have to be at the rim or the admin building.
Holy cow winter went by in a big hurry! The location doesn’t sound TOO bad except for the no wifi bit — that sucks. I’ve spent enough time as a visitor in National Parks to know that you people wearing the hats work really hard (I also know I’ve never met one of you who didn’t love what you do).
As a senior citizen visitor/traveler though I do beg you not to look down *too* much on those of us who have to find the bathroom before we find the canyon ;>). It doesn’t mean we don’t want to to see the main attraction — we just have to get our priorities straight!!!
It sure did. We Ranger certainly don’t do this job for the money. I do understand that after a long drive restroom comes first.
Is it that time already for you to be in the most scenic “office” in the world? I’d dread visiting the Canyon with all the summer people there – too many people does take away from the wildlife experience. However, many of those visitors will only walk to the edge and peer over, take a few photos, and be gone.
Yes, it’s that time again. Sure glad I live there instead of visiting. But, you are right, highest percentage of visitors don’t stay long and just look into the ditch.
Really sorry about your site. With such seniority, how did you lose it? Nice friend to pull your rig up. Hope there us no snow to greet you.
Seems no seasonal employees will be parking in that area anymore. The sites were originally built to house construction employees while building some apartments. The area is otherwise permanent employees. I wouldn’t mind a little snow, but would also like it to melt.
Welcome to your ‘new’ home in your old digs. We were there last year and only ATT cell coverage I found was in front of the restaurant and probably a reflected signal from the South Rim. Glad to here there is some coverage, sorry you are not smack-dab in the middle of it – your posts are great. We’ll have to endure until when you do have a signal.
All NR signal comes from the SR. Had good luck the last two years with Verizon. Thank you. I’m glad you enjoy the posts.
Welcome back to the Rim. I will stay away until summer temps are over for any AZ travel. I would love to see the park in fall/winter.
You look great in your uni.
Rosemary
Thanks. I don’t blame you for not wanting to endure the summer heat and crowds. At least I don’t worry too much about the high heat on the 8200′ North Rim.
Winter just flew by! It’s a bummer you’ll be without Internet (have to admit that would be tough for me), but I’m looking forward to more of your excellent canyon shots.
Nina
Except when I’m cold, winter does seem to fly by. I’m not happy about the lack of internet in my home. Will be a challenge.
I think that after a few weeks you will find you enjoy the break from the tech world:) Sometimes it can be a little much. I actually enjoy not being able to connect occasionally. It is very freeing. Think of all the books you can read in the next six months in the evening:) Just trying to see the bright side to your dilemma:) Safe travels to your other home:) Say hi to Bill and give Sasha girl a hug!
Don’t know, I’m really an internet addict. Maybe I’ll go back to making jewelry again. Sasha got groomed this week and looks, and smells, like a new huggable dog.
The season really did fly by! Working in all that natural beauty has to be wonderful, but nothing is more exhausting than dealing with humans 🙂 Have a safe trip north, nice to be able to take both houses with you!
Yea, where did winter go so fast. Didn’t go to at least half the places on the ever growing list. I do love my job and location but it is exhausting.
We are en route to Yellowstone, where we will be working for Yellowstone Park Service Stations this summer. Hub is a 30 year+ ASE Master auto tech and a Certified RV tech. He will be in the garage and I will be a retail associate in the convenience store attached to the garage. I am excited, but also know it’s going to be a crazy, busy summer. I expect that I will be answering the same questions quite often. I just have to remember that it is the customer’s first time asking it.
Yellowstone sounds like an adventure. How fun a place to explore for the summer. Have a great time.
Welcome back, Ranger Gaelyn. I was a beautiful winter at Natural Bridges with all the extra snow. Now I’m enjoying watching the early wildflower species coming out for my second spring there.
Thanks Steve. So glad Natural Bridges is working out. A gorgeous place to be. Look forward to your posts with wildflowers.