Days off are a good and healthy necessity, especially now that I’m into the more real summer Rangering at Bryce Canyon. Plus there’s the necessity of doing laundry so I went into town to also get WIFI while the washer and dryer did their thing.
I had planned to take a little adventure on UT22 north through Johns Valley to Antimony, then west at Otter Creek Reservoir on UT62 through Kingston Canyon, returning south on US89 for stop in Panguitch at the Big Fish for all you can eat Friday fish fry, and back east on SR12 to Bryce. A mostly paved loop of maybe 100 miles and hopefully lots of places to stop for photos. Seemed like a great plan. However, construction for the stupid roundabout at the junction to UT22 north barely had egress that was blocked by a huge gravel truck I wasn’t about to argue with. So instead I went to the nearby Subway for lunch and to turn around. We all hate construction and it may have an affect on visitor experience. I’m working on patience, not always successfully.
Later in the day a loving message of early Happy Mother’s Day from a cousin along with a Google image of the house our mom’s grew up in made me smile, with just a tiny tear.
Just before I left work on my Friday—on Wednesday—the next two-week schedule came out from my rather harried and soon leaving supervisor. Oops, it was a January schedule. Later, a corrected version showed up in my personal email that had many errors. Several people do look over drafts but mistakes get made when in a rush. I received another update before returning to work after my days off.
Sunday—my Monday—began with real Rangering at Bryce Canyon as I presented the 11am hoodoo geology talk followed by time to rove the rim answering questions and taking photographs under the perfect cloudy sky.
I did have to walk away from the Navajo Loop trailhead after a while because of the idiots tourons who won’t listen to the Ranger suggestions. People see a sign for 1.3 mile round trip and think flip-flops and no water is adequate, even with warning signs. The steep descent and ascent is 600 feet in .6 mile at 8000 feet in elevation. Need I say more.
The day ended at the plaza information desk outside the visitor center answering questions, orienting visitors, and helping Junior Rangers. The last is being handled a little different with COVID possibilities still looming. When we hand out books to people we deputize an adult and give them badges to award after activities are completed. Sometimes families return for us to swear in their Junior Rangers reciting the pledge.
“As a Bryce Canyon Junior Ranger, I promise to do all I can to help protect my national parks. I will collect litter while out exploring. And show respect for nature by not disturbing anything wild.” And keep my room clean, eat my vegetables, listen to my parents, not fight with my siblings… added variations by Ranger choice.
After a late start morning and an hour at the info desk my schedule allowed up to 3 1/2 hours as the “Road Ranger”. That basically means cruise the scenic road and stop at any overlook(s) you’d like to rove and answer questions. Oh yea, my kind of Rangering at Bryce Canyon with 7+ options depending on parking availability. I took my own truck/toilet and drove to Natural Bridge, one of the larger parking lots and with lots of visitor turn over. As in, oh-ah, take a selfie, and move on. Had fun telling visitors Natural Bridge isn’t a bridge in Bryce Canyon which isn’t a canyon. If you built a bridge what would it cross over? Right, flowing water usually. And that’s how a rock bridge is created geologically, flowing water. And there isn’t flowing water or rivers here. Instead it would be called an arch, created by other forms of weathering and erosion including water. Oh yea, and canyons are also formed by rivers, which is also not the case at Bryce. Instead there are 14 “amphitheaters” along the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Kind of looks scalloped, like the marks left behind from biting into soft bread. Always meet a lot of great people in national parks and here I met a biker, part of a group of friends, named Galen so he had to have a picture taken with Ranger Gaelyn.
Continued back towards homebase via a stop at Farview overlook with a far view I wanted to re-familiarize with, plus that’s where the summer hotdog wagon parks but they weren’t there yet. So I stopped at home for reheated pizza for dinner before returning to the info desk and closing now at 8pm.
Started another later morning and I’m so glad because it was only 22° when I woke up at 7:30am. Granted it did get up to 62° in the afternoon. Spent the entire day around the visitor center starting with a little project time which included checking email and on this day taking care of the library, one of my collateral duties. Then out to the info desk, more project time, and back to the info desk to close on an exceedingly busy visitor day along with other park business. I issued my first backcountry permit of the season and went over it all several times with a patient young couple to make sure I did it right. Lots involved with map and explanations of rules, forms, records, pay envelope, and distribution of bear canister for all food and aromatic items (mostly being protected from Ravens and chipmunks), all at the cost of $5 per camper.
By Wednesday I’m saying, “Thank goodness it’s my Friday.” Another cold 25° morning opening the visitor center by 8am with a new to Bryce Ranger T, making the process much quicker than doing it alone. After a couple hours at the info desk I drove to Sunset Point to present the 11am hoodoo geology talk which went well with a pretty large crowd, honoring distancing though not all masked. Then Ranger T and I had the rest of the day at the end of the road, Rainbow Point, to rove to our heart’s content, real Rangering at Bryce Canyon. We spent about 3 1/2 hours at Yovimpa Point, a short walk from the Rainbow Point parking lot with a 100 mile view to the south, all the way to the northern edge of the North Kaibab Plateau where you’d drive to the North Rim of Grand Canyon which opened May 15th. We answered many questions and took turns talking about the Grand Staircase, both geologically and as a BLM managed national monument, which is visible below this 9100 foot high point in Bryce. An awesome afternoon even warming up to 70° so I was finally warm. I forgot the camera so no pics. Then as we packed up to leave I saw that a chipmunk had peed on my cloth book bag used to carry props. The little bastard/bitch. There wasn’t even food in it. Good thing it’s washable. Saw the hotdog wagon at Farview on the way past but already running a little late continued back to base.
Back to days off preparing for a visitor next week. I even thought of trying again for last week’s aborted day-drive but then I remembered it’s everybody’s Friday, crowded, and there’s construction. Think I’ll just stay home until Saturday when I’m back to Rangering at Bryce Canyon. And now wondering what will change with the CDC saying no masks for the vaccinated.
Ahhhh…the Junior Ranger badge that requires some major effort! Only John Day Fossil Beds was harder. The tougher they are, the more you learn. I love reading your accounts of life as a ranger, as I can visualize every bit of it. Having presented as a VIP, I know how much it means to a Ranger when the visitors’ light bulbs turn on in their heads. Bless you and your colleagues for your efforts!
The newer book isn’t near as hard but very colorful. I do like to see those light bulbs. Thanks.
This really is fascinating! I have learned so much!
Thanks. That’s good to hear.
Sounds like you are busy but perhaps a bit frustrated at not being able to get our and explore on your own.
That is true.
Sounds a lot like a “job” just in case anyone had doubts thinking maybe that rangering in a beautiful park was more like a lark.
Very true. Most don’t understand what us Rangers do behind the scenes. It is mostly a fun job, if you have to work.
Thoroughly enjoyed this post and I felt like I was walking around Bryce with you. There always has to be idiots though sadly that do not listen, or cannot be bothered, or think they are clever. Enjoy your days off and sorry you missed the fish and chips. Take care, hugs from us both, Diane and Nigel.
Thanks. I do enjoy taking you along through the park. Took myself to lunch at the lodge today.
Glad to hear I’m not the only one working on patience. Problem is, I’ve been working on it forever!
Beautiful pictures of Bryce. I enjoy hearing about your days and how they are scheduled. But TWENTY TWO DEGREES! Oh my, not for me even in a gorgeous National Park.
I too have been working on patience forever. Thanks, I sure like taking you along at Bryce, and be thankful you didn’t have to be out at 22°.
My word you have been so busy since being back at Bryce,glad you eventually got all your personnel jobs done Gaelyn.Spectacular views and I love the house you were brought up in. Enjoy the rest of your journey and have a great weekend.Stay safe and lets hope we are nearing the end of a terrible year with Covid
Yes, work is very busy and 40 hours a week sure takes a lot of time out of life.
I really enjoy reading about your work activities. (Like the old joke, I like work, I could watch it all day long.) But I’ve always wondered about how rangers are assigned to various places and tasks and it has been so interesting to find that you rotate and to find out a little about what it’s like. Also appreciate the refresher about “not a canyon, not a bridge” which I’m sure I learned at some point but had forgotten ..
Thanks. I wasn’t sure anybody would want to read about the “everyday” life of a Park Ranger. But most have misconceptions about how it all works.
Fun to read about your rangering activities, Gaelyn. I smiled at your additions the the Junior Ranger Pledge. Our mask mandate has been (mostly) lifted, although non-vaccinated people are supposed to still wear a mask. Now, who thinks that’s going to happen!? Bob and I will still wear them when we’re around people.Too many tourists from everywhere here and many not vaccinated. Still snow around my house but melting day by day and some green showing where the gardens are exposed. Don’t freeze in the early morning, Gaelyn!
Thanks. We like to make the Junior Ranger pledge fun. I am pleasantly surprised how many visitors are wearing masks when they come nearby us or go into a building. I’m still wearing one t work. Soon you’ll be gardening again.
I know visitors are getting a real treat at your geology talks. You’re such a great presenter! Don’t know how any of you put up with the ignorance of humans, bless you all for what is more patience than I have left. Gorgeous pics, always so pretty under cloudy skies. You’re definitely keeping busy. Hope it warms up soon, but not too much!
Thank you. The presentations are my favorite part of the job. The visitor ignorance, not so much. Will see how long I can tolerate that this summer. Which is beginning to feel like it’s on the way, thank goodness.