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Menu
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  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
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        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
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Category: death

03 January 2012

Looking back at 2011

I rode the wildest roller coaster called life last year and after many lessons am ready for a simple Merry-go-round.  At least for a little while.
01 Jan. New RV stuck in snowy driveway Yarnell AZ (1024x768) (1024x768)
Stuck in the driveway
The last new year started off with a new home, that’s on wheels of course.  I’d been looking for Just the right 5th-wheel layout and price for several years.
01a Sunset at Grand Canyon South Rim AZ (1024x576)
The end of January a fellow Ranger friend attended training at the South Rim of Grand Canyon giving me an excellent excuse for a trip to the canyon.  I miss the canyon during my winter off-season.
02 February in Yarnell AZ (1024x576) 
Sonoran desert, bridled titmouse, sunset, cardinal & sparrows
February I watched the birds, sunsets and walked in the desert.
03 March traveling (1024x576)
Susie of Arabia & me, Colossal Cave, Saguaro NP & Casa Grande NM
I headed for south Texas to visit Mom in March taking in some interesting sights along the way, meeting fellow blogger Susie and having truck troubles.
04 Birds in TX (1024x576)
Black-bellied whistling ducks, golden-fronted woodpecker, chachalaca, long-billed curlews & great kiskadee
I added several new lifer birds in TX.
05 April Mom in car along Park Rd 100 Padre Island TX (1024x738)
Mom at Padre Island
Then the visit changed into moving Mom to Arizona.  After being in denial for a two week visit I realized Mom couldn’t take care of herself any more.
06 Moving Mom (1024x576)
Packing Mom’s house
April is a blur.  I might have been on autopilot.
07 March Resaca in San Benito TX
Walking along the resaca every evening helped.  Even more help was talking to Mike nightly and him allowing me to vent endlessly, without trying to fix it.
08 Aunt K & her art (1024x576)
K on the beach, her art & Oscar
Occasionally I could slip away to visit my Aunt K, sister to my father, a delightfully intelligent and creative person.  We just became friends in the past seven years.
09 June Ranger Gaelyn at Cape Royal with Wotons Throne in background NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x767)
I arrived a few weeks late to work in May, but the canyon waits patiently.
In June Mom passed away.  (K passed in October.)
10 July Test drive Ford to Snow canyon SP St George UT (1024x740)
July an almost new truck came into my life to tow the almost new RV.  Thanks Mom & Dad for making this purchase possible.  Every time I get behind the wheel I think of them towing their own 5th-wheel around the mid-west and south many years ago.
11 Hermit Rapids GRCA (1024x390)
Hermit Rapids Colorado River
August proved to be the highest crest of excitement, a month of many firsts.  I never thought I’d get to float the Colorado River through Grand Canyon, a dream fulfilled by my employer, The National Park Service.  And then flying back over this vast landscape put it in perspective.
12 Sept. Rainbow Bridge NM Lake Powell UT (811x1024)
Celebrated Mike’s September birthday with another first, renting a boat on Lake Powell and seeing Rainbow Bridge.
13 October vacation S UT (1024x576)
Cottonwood Canyon, Buckskin Gulch slot canyon, Eagle’s Arch, Johnson Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon, old movie set & Coral Pink Sand Dunes
My summer work season ends mid-October and a vacation was planned.  But plans often go astray and because the new truck needed some pricey repairs the extended vacation covered less miles but was still a lot of fun.
14 Back to Yarnell (1024x576)
Javelina, chipmunk, rabbit, scrub jay, home, quail & dove
November found me full circle and back to my winter home in Yarnell, Arizona.  Back to watching the birds, wildlife and sunsets.
15a Gaelyn's new haircut Yarnell AZ
December brought change, at least the beginnings.  A new haircut and starting the process of getting new teeth.  Life usually slows down for me during my off-work season.  That’s good because I have more changes to work on.  And, as we all know, change takes time to adjust too.

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2011, death, life 18 Comments
23 February 2010

Dad, can you hear me?

1956
I was always Daddy’s “little girl.” You showed me love in the only way you knew how, by spoiling me. Before my memory I used to ride on your shoulders and you’d tell me to duck under the doorways. Once I learned to walk I remember walking by your side holding your little finger to ground me to the world. You taught me how to water ski and eat the tops off the asparagus that grew in the garden. You took me for ice cream, burgers and hotdogs, our favorite foods. You called the riding lawn mower my first car and that got me to mow the lawn. Later you bought me cars and together we repaired them when needed. You stayed up to wait for me to come home from a date, even when I was late. You gave me away at my wedding and told my new husband with a smile not to bring me back. Yet I was always welcome home. You and I would have silly secrets that drove Mom crazy. (Crazier than she already is anyway.)

Ray Marvin Olmsted 1940s
I remember as a pre-teen hearing you only occasionally talk about being in North Africa during WWII and how you’d like to go back. As a teen I volunteered to go with you. But it never happened.

2005 at Padre Island
My Dad passed away Friday February19th, 2010 about a week after a massive stroke. Ever since he had several small strokes in the last couple of years I’ve sort of felt like I lost the Dad I knew and that every visit was a gift. Yes, I am sad for myself and family yet I know he’s better off as there really was no quality of life left. Sure glad I got to see him once more on my recent trip to Texas.

June 24, 1923 – February 19, 2010
There will be no official memorial; his body was donated to science. Yet I am taking my Dad’s memory to Africa, even if it it’s south and not north. We can both follow our dreams.

Because of you my life goes on. I will love you and treasure your memory forever. This trip’s for You!

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Dad, death, life, memories 31 Comments
03 January 2009

Carson’s grave

Carson’s final sleep

A quiet day for reflection. I’ve started an altar over Carson’s grave. I want it to be bird friendly and not javelina bothered. A scrub jay is the first to sing Carson’s praises, drinking from his water bowl. Soon the sparrows are bathing. Later even the Quail bobble over.

Me burying Carson

Thanks to everyone for the kind words.

Carson’s grave

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death, grave, reflection 11 Comments

Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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