A new park for summer 2019

I applied to a lot of national park sites for summer 2019, then the government shutdown dragged on and hiring officials ended up 35 days behind.

Once the government reopened I received several emails to check for my interest and availability (I&A).  Some I wasn’t referred to at all.  No surprise there.  Being a Park Ranger is a desirable job and extremely competitive with hundreds of applications for each position.

You may remember all the BS I went through last year with new interpretations to old rules and me ultimately not getting my job back on the North Rim Grand Canyon after working there 10 summers.

Any of the parks I applied to would be a great place to work.  Some where higher on my personal list than others.  Seasonal employee policy is, say yes to anybody that offers.  Then if multiple offers are received, decide quickly and notify parks you’ve decided to turn down.

Parks I said no at ‘I&A’ checks:  Pipe Springs would be too hot.  Sequoia-Kings Canyon didn’t offer RV parking.  Desert View South Rim Grand Canyon is 25 to 45 miles for a signal.  I worked Mesa Verde in 2005 and know the ladders would be bad for my shoulders.

Parks I haven’t heard from since the ‘I&A’ checks:  Rocky Mountain, the first national park I ever visited during the 1970s when I thought about living there someday.  I’ve never visited Yosemite.  Petrified Forest would be interesting but overly warm for summer.  Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the second park I ever visited.  Yellowstone’s Old Faithful District where I spent my honeymoon.  Neither the North or South Rim Grand Canyon.

Park I was offered, accepted and want to work:  Bryce Canyon, at the top of the Grand Staircase, Grand Canyon is the bottom.  Bryce is not really a canyon but a series of scallop-like amphitheaters on the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau displaying magically carved hoodoos in warm banded colors.

The summer season begins mid-April with a couple weeks training.  Loads of new learning possibilities in geology, ecology, astronomy, natural and cultural history.

Hiking new trails and chasing the light with my camera.  Plus explore lots of Utah landscapes within a reasonable drive.

Still some logistics with moving.  Either drop the camper in Kanab first then back to Yarnell to haul the 5th-wheel to Bryce Canyon where I have a RV space.  Or, balance that against paying someone to haul the 5th-wheel.

So, let me know when you’re coming for a visit and I’ll make recommendations as I learn about reservations, boondocking, and frienddocking.