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Category: Grand Canyon National Park North Rim

Smooth sailing first day back to work

April 25, 2016

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8am start time came early for me after six months of unemployment, or as I’d rather call it semi-retirement. The end of April is time to go back to work. Five returning Rangers met our new Admin Assistant and the Boss to do paper work, it’s the government you know. Plus we had to catch up with each other’s winter doings. And it started to snow, grapple really which is unfortunately very dry stuff when we need the moisture. Came down hard most of the day. Back to winter. At least it held off a few days to get settled in. Seems it usually snows the day I arrive or the next day.

Then the boss talked about some changes to our program scheduling. Nothing too major. Exchanged an hour long mid-day kid program with a 20 minute morning “Geo Glimpse”. Think I’ll talk about fossils. Also added a guided hike on the Widforss Trail mornings that staffing allows. Being the trail is named after painter Gunnar Widforss I might try to focus visitors to look at nature with an artist’s eye. Heck every body carries some kind of camera these days. Yet I’m not sure I’m qualified to teach photography.

Instead of working four 10-hour days like in the past many seasons we’ll be working a 5/4/9 schedule. As soon as I figure that out I’ll let you know. It adds up to 80 hours over a two week pay period. So one week we work five days with two days off and the next week we work four days with three days off.

The first two Artist-in-Residence arrive on opening day, May 15th. More on them as I find out.

Another Ranger and I will be marching in Kanab’s Amazing Earthfest parade May 14th. I think a float is being sent over from the South Rim. Lots of activities are happening for the week of May 8-14. More on that coming also.

Next week we’re going to the South Rim Monday to Wed/Thurs for training.

After lunch we all tackled a long overdue clean up in our tiny offices. Four piles for broken and antiquated stuff: trash, recycle (none inventoried electronics to Kanab’s Earthfest), surplus to the South Rim, and the I don’t knows. Opened up a little space to rearrange what’s left. Then we all fought and won with the computers trying to log on with IT’s help and do some more official business.

We still have much to do get ready to open. Going to be a great season.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, National Parks and Monuments , 17 Comments

Through the forest to the rim

Yesterday afternoon I explored my backyard which takes me through the forest to the rim of Transept Canyon on the North Rim.

Deer & sunset from RV North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The previous night at sunset I’d seen the light through the trees and shining on a building.  Plus if you look closely a Mule deer browsing.

Mule barn North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Turns out to be the old unused mule barn.  I live nearby the wranglers who lead mule rides a little ways into the canyon on the North Kaibab Trail.

 

Social trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

A social trail runs past it into the forest skirting a small gully.  The forest floor is carpeted with crispy needles.  No snow around and it’s dry.  Of course it’s suppose to snow tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forest path to rim from RV North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Then I’m headed towards Transept Canyon.

Barberry North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona                  Lousewort North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I saw a few plants flowering along the way.  The yellow Barberry also known as Mahoney and Oregon Grape.  Plus the tiny Lousewort.

View from Transept Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The Gambel Oak hasn’t started to leaf out yet and completely obstruct the view.

Across Transept Canyon Widforss Plateau North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I didn’t go far along the Transept Trail as a chill wind blew.  The wind in the pines sounds like waves crashing on the shore.  But gusts, like today’s predicted up to 55mph, brings pine cones down with mighty force.  Very startling on an RV roof.  Also a possibility of snow tonight.

Mule barn & RV North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

RV thru trees North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThen found were the social trail returned me to the barn and home.  Look closely and you can see my RV through the trees to the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snag North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaA huge snag behind my RV appears to house quite a few birds.  I fleetingly saw, and heard, a couple different woodpeckers.  Robins hoping around.  A hummingbird zinged by.  Stellar Jays flitting about.  I’m going to have to practice photographing birds.

I love the peace and quiet that occurs before the North Rim is open to the public.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, National Parks and Monuments , , , , 22 Comments

Moved in to the North Rim

Entrance station closed North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

This year it was quick and easy to get moved in to the North Rim at Grand Canyon National Park for my ninth summer season.  I am so happy that someone else tow the 5th-wheel this year.  Saved me the trouble of taking the slide-in truck-camper off and then back on again.  It’s kind of a pain.  Of course unlike the last eight years, this haul was only 85 miles and about 1 1/2 hours.  Previously, from Yarnell, I took two days to go 370 miles, typically stopping in Flagstaff a night or two to stock up on groceries and supplies.  I am now 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours from shopping again.

Dan towing 5er in side mirror Kanab UtahBy the time Bill arrived at 9am I was pretty much packed.  There were things to put in his truck, things to put in my camper, and then at 10 Dan arrived and hooked up to the 5er and we were on the road 15 minutes later.  Was very strange to look in my side mirror and see my house behind someone else’s truck.  All three vehicles caravanned up the Kaibab Plateau, through the forest and to the North Rim.

 

 

 

Meadows SR67 South Kaibab National Forest Arizona

Snow along SR67 North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSadly, there is very little snow, only a few patches in the forest.  The tiny lakes are full and water stands in a few low places on the meadows.  As much as I don’t like cold and snow the Earth needs the moisture.  There is a prediction for snow Monday.  At the 8200 foot North Rim we often see snow into June.

 

Morning light in forest from RV North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Morning view

Pulled into Admin at 11am AZ time.  My new supervisor Mandi was there and showed me on a map where I had been assigned to park on Dusty Road yet explained there were options.  Sure glad of that because my Imax windows would have been backed up almost to another RV.  Yuck.  Instead I chose #9 Abbey Road.  I look out into a forest—no canyon views this year—of my favorite tree, Ponderosa Pine.  And I’m less than 1/4 mile from the rim of Transept Canyon.

RVs #9 Abbey Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Dan backed the RV into my new parking place, we got it leveled, then hooked up to electric, water, and sewer, and put the slides out.  With a little rearranging, I was home sweet home again.  And surprisingly I occasionally have a phone signal anywhere from 1x to 4g.  It’s real hit and miss.  But better than nothing.  I will set up the Wilson booster and hope for improvement.

Sunset over Widforss Plateau North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

After dinner Bill, Sasha and I walked to the rim for sunset.  The wind blowing in the tree tops sounding like waves crashing on the shore.  What a thrill to see golden color over the Widforss Plateau once again.

Sunset from RV North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Yet the cool cold breeze sent us back home where, surprise surprise, we could see the sunset through a very dirty window.  Does anyone out there wash windows?

Inside RV North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

And now I have until Monday morning to settle in.

Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, National Parks and Monuments 26 Comments

Lijit

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