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Mid July marks half the summer season at Bryce Canyon

Though it feels like summer has barely begun, especially at 8000 feet, mid July marks half the summer season at Bryce Canyon.  Does it seem like I’m counting the days?  Maybe so.  I’m ready for a vacation.

cliffs clouds SR20 East UtahSR20 east Utah

Not like I don’t get days off, but they seem mundanely filled with chores like a long drive for shopping, and laundry at least a little closer to home.  Last week on a day off I avoided the dignitary visit of the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff.  Fellow park staff reported all went smoothly as he and the entourage were taken to the small out of the way Paria View overlook easily blocked to the public.  He is presumably visiting many national parks and meeting with staff.  Instead, I ended up in the holiday weekend busy town of Cedar City.  What was I thinking?

last light Aquarius Plateau sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI returned to work on Independence Day wondering if we’d be extra busy or not.  Remote national parks are often less busy on 4th of July because of the fireworks’ restrictions.  Didn’t feel any busier than any other day of the week.  Not even much of a noticeable difference between weekends and weekdays this busy summer.  I started at noon and due to nearby lightning worked information inside the visitor center.  Later, after closing the visitor center at 8pm scattered clouds made roving near Sunset Point for sunset a nice way to end the day.  I did hear a few boomers from my home under the Pines that night but am too far from Bryce Canyon City for their show.

After the next day’s 11am Hoodoo geology talk I engaged with a small group of visitors in conversation that went from geology, to cultural history, to archeology and anthropology, and genetics.  I love when this happens.  An approaching storm sent us different directions, me for lunch in the camper.  And that’s where I weathered the storm that came with a vengeance of wind and hard rain.  But not for more than 30 minutes.  I might have taken a nap.

trees sunrise clouds from RV Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSunrise view from RV door

The next day started hard and felt long.  I’m loosing another friend to cancer.  I’ve known Eddie since high school over 50 years.  Not long ago he was diagnosed Stage 4 and resigned himself to the last journey.  Yet he recently came around and decided not to lie in bed and wait for the end.  Instead he’s getting his RV home ready to roll and travel with family chauffeurs.  He called that morning to share the latest news.  Good news.  And I hope to cross his trail somewhere along the way.  The work day started with opening the visitor center and covering the information desk for an hour.  Then I did a practice run of a revised program from my Oregon Caves days called “I Dig Rocks” to learn how easy it is to identify rocks.  I was thinking of doing this program Saturday during the weekend’s GeologyFest, an annual event that happens at about half the summer season.  But at ten minutes the program is too long for today’s short attention span.  Glad I tried it out first.  After lunch I returned to the information desk for several hours and went home tired and thankful the next day was my Friday, even if it was an early start.

Pink Cliffs valley trees Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAfter opening and working two hours at the information desk it was time to drive to Yovimpa Point, the southern end of Bryce’s Paunsaugunt Plateau, my happy place.  Away from the hubbub and non-stop busy around the visitor center.  Grand Staircase geology talks are scheduled for 12:30 and 1:30, and sometimes they actually happen at those times.  I do short 10-15 minute versions whenever visitors show interest and lost count that day of how many times.  I talked as much if not more about fire ecology as visitors want to know about the fire evidence they see along the drive and Bristlecone Loop trail.  Two different stories.  A little boy maybe nine-years old asked why we fight fire with fire and not water.  I try to explain how a backburn works in this dry environment when water is readily handy and he quickly figures it out.  Seeing the lightbulb go off over his head is what makes my job so great.  A young (25) man hangs out conversing for over an hour in between my answering visitor questions.  In fact I get back late because we are engaged in good conversation for almost an hour in the parking lot.

Sierra cat RV bed Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAnd then two days off.  Felt good not to have to go anywhere and feel a little lazy.  Finished a post, labeled a whole lot of photos, did a minimal amount of housework, and cleaned the camper fridge.  The last, because I’m planning a road trip for my next days off.  It’s about time after half the summer season.  And so after four days work it’s four days off and I’m going to #PlanLikeAParkRanger, because I am, and head to…

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And yet another week of Rangering at Bryce Canyon

It’s hard to believe you’re not all tired of reading about my daily grind of Rangering at Bryce Canyon and thinking out loud about the future.  Once I started working on ideas I’ve become calmer about retirement thoughts making work flow better also.  Thanks for listening, sharing, and making suggestions.

Limber Pine roots exposed on rim hoodoos clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahLimber Pine roots along the rim exposed by erosion at about one foot every 50 years isn’t even geology

After two days off I returned to work a busy Saturday with a couple hours at the information desk.  Then after the 11am Hoodoo geology talk and some lunch I hung out near Sunrise Point for a couple hours making contacts with over 150 people.  Most want to know about the Queen’s Garden Trail starting down into the hoodoos from that point.  Some seem more prepared than others.  A dog came off the trail with no leash and when I asked if there was a person with the dog I was barely acknowledged and then totally ignored when I informed the person of leash rules and being on a no dog trail.  I called Law Enforcement but nothing came of it.  Seems there always has to be one jerk.  So that’s what comes of Rangering at Bryce Canyon.

Late start is common on Sunday’s schedule as I present the 9pm evening program every other week.  That schedule also includes two two-hour stints at the information desk.  I would so much rather be doing programs or roving somewhere in the park.  The repetitive questions get old.  “I just got here, what shall I do?”  Sometimes I look at them with a smile—thank goodness that can be seen again—and respond, “What did you come here to do?”  Tends to catch them off guard.  So I quickly add, “how long will you be here, do you want to hike or drive?”  Once I’ve oriented them to the map, in the newspaper they were given upon entering the park, I let them make decisions.  I am amazed how many visitors actually read my name tag and thank me by name.  A marvelous payoff for Rangering at Bryce Canyon.  Had several interactive children at my evening program about wildlife, both a blessing and a curse when staying on a schedule.

Next day after desk time I presented the 2pm Hoodoo geology talk then roved around Sunset Point for a couple hours.  Day ended with picking up liter around the perimeter of the overflow parking lot.  Way too many cigarette butts (I can now say that after four years cig free), hair ties, disposable water bottle caps, masks, and much micro-trash from food wrappers and merchandise packaging.  Went home tired and glad for the next day off from Rangering at Bryce Canyon.

hoodoos valley canyons clouds Paria View Bryce Canyon National Park UtahA full project day seemed best used as a mental health day preparing for company.  I felt guilty in the morning sitting in front of a heater while the Pacific Northwest temperatures soared higher than the desert Southwest.  How crazy is that?  Climate change?  Finally the park went into Stage 2 fire ban restrictions:  NO campfires, NO fireworks, NO smoking except in vehicle.  I’m betting the adjacent Bryce Canyon City still plans a fireworks display.  All morning and early afternoon the sky was dark and rumbling yet dropped very little rain.  Then just as my friends arrived it started to rain harder.  They brought it with from St George.  I was grateful for that and more.  We sat inside chatting for a bit then the rain stopped and we enjoyed a picnic dinner they brought along before going to the rim for a possible light show.  Ended up at Paria View where I rarely go because it’s a very tiny parking lot.  I now have a whole new respect for this overlook and may return for the next full moon rise.

tree shadows Paria View Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

tree shadow Pink Cliff Paria View Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWorked Wednesday as my Friday opening the visitor center.  We didn’t get huge amounts of rain at Bryce but below in Zion National Park flooding occurred that trapped people for a few hours and brought a lot of water and mud downhill.  The park closed Thursday afternoon and was already partly opened by Friday morning.  Many visitors either arrive at Bryce from, or are going next to, Zion so they had concerns.  Sadly, we didn’t have any better information than everybody could get on Zion’s webpage and Facebook page.

BRCA BARK Ranger program Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSometimes updates at my own park are hard enough to keep track of.  Like, we now have a B.A.R.K. Ranger program: Bag waste/poop, Always on a leash, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go.  Supposedly we’ll have some card and sealed dog treat to give to dog owners plus merchandise they can purchase.  Oh boy, one more thing to do.  Like we aren’t busy enough Rangering at Bryce Canyon.  2018 set the record at 2.6 million visitors and we are currently up 18% from that without international visitors.

Whiteman trailhead Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI ran away for an afternoon at Yovimpa Point, my happy place at the end of the scenic road, where it’s not so busy yet still chatted with over 100 people.  No rain fell while I watched clouds build to the north.  I did encounter a few drops on the way home and even stopped at Whiteman trailhead for a look at the weather to the east.

trees cliff SR20 West UtahThis followed by three days off from Rangering at Bryce Canyon.  I left the park early on Friday to avoid the issues of the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, visiting the park.  I drove to Panguitch for breakfast and took SR20 west to I15 for a different, faster, yet pretty route to shop in Cedar City and returned the same way.

Pink Clliffs Navajo Mt clouds Paria View Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI do hope monsoon visits the Southwest and brings enough rain to discourage the starting of lightning caused fires.  That would be wonderful for the drought stricken land.  Enjoyed a bit more rain on my days off.

Thursday was a day to remember the Yarnell Hill Fire eight years ago when 19 firefighters lost their lives and over 100 people in Yarnell lost their homes.

Sort of puts things in perspective.  Like why am I whining about my future retirement.  I recently realized retirement plans don’t have to be made forever.  And maybe wishes can come true when friends come through.  Time to move on and make the most of Rangering at Bryce Canyon, as it might be my last season.

Spiderman walking to WalMart Cedar City UtahLook who shops at Wallys.  Maybe shopping at the Fireworks stands in the parking lot.  (Post scheduled before the 4th of July so I am praying no fires are started because of careless fireworks, or Spiderman might have to come to the rescue.)

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Working the now at Bryce Canyon and thinking of the future

light & shadows hoodoos Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI’m trying to focus on both working the now at Bryce Canyon while thinking of the future at the end of the summer season.  Like repairing the camper and where to park the 5th-wheel.  How I wish for a handyman and private land instead of a RV Park.

Escobars Mexican Restaurant Kanab UtahSo after last week’s high temperatures and sunburned lips I had three days off to heal and do a little shopping in Kanab with lunch at my favorite Escobars.  High reached 103° and I didn’t stay long.  I hightailed it back up onto the 8000 foot Paunsaugunt Plateau to our livable high 80s.  Where I winter near Quartzsite was 128°.  And that’s why I don’t summer there.

Chatting to an old friend from high school in Illinois who has moved back to her original hometown in Michigan to a small house with a huge yard in a forest near a lake.  She says there’s plenty of space to park my RV.  Sounds nice except for winter cold and snow, plus summer humidity and mosquitoes.  Still I put her on my list of people to visit if/when I travel east.  Let me know if you’d like to be added to that list.

window view crepuscular rays clouds Bryce Canyon City UtahSaturday saw a little rain, very little actually, with dark skies that mostly teased moisture yet dropped dry lightning that started many fires in Utah and Arizona.  Discovered one more “needs to be fixed” on the 5th-wheel when I emptied the blackwater tank.  The valve opened, but the cable must be either loose or disconnected because now the valve won’t close.  Damn system is hidden behind walls and an underbelly skin.  Not something I’m going to be able to fix myself.  Thank goodness it’s opened and not closed and full.  Must run more water through the system to wash everything out of the tank and down the sewer hose.  May be TMI.  Same problem with the kitchen graywater valve except it’s stuck mostly closed so I don’t run water down the kitchen sink too much right now.  Joined some friends in town that night for dinner.

rock trees Pink Cliffs Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBack to work with a late schedule on Sunday.  Ranger T presented the evening program about the “Allure of Outlaws” in southern Utah which includes a lot of Butch Cassidy legend and lore.  Visitors love it.  After she set up the PowerPoint I walked to the rim and spent about 45 minutes slowly roving not too far away enjoying the last evening light.  Makes working a late shift worth while.

hoodoos Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWorked the information desk the next morning for an hour then out to the rim for the 11am Hoodoo geology talk with my supervisor attending to observe and coach.  She loved it.  Then after lunch I roved the rim for several hours before returning to the desk to close my day.

view West from Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAfter opening the visitor center in the morning I spent the day at my happy place, Yovimpa Point.  In fact because my watch battery died I spent a couple more hours than scheduled.  The view was smoky, but I’ve seen, or not seen, worse.  So glad there’s no fire now at Bryce Canyon.  Talked to over 200 wonderful people out there about geology and fire ecology.  It’s not that fire is always bad for the land.  In fact many places in the west need fire badly due to over 100 years of fire suppression.  But it’s scary stuff when close to residences and primary transportation routes plus the health issues breathing smoke.

The next day I was also scheduled for Yovimpa and because it was my Friday—on Wednesday—I thought about staying after work for the moon rise.  However, after opening the visitor center under cloudy skies with predictions of thunderstorms I instead decided not to drive out the 18 miles and mostly sit in my rig.  Instead, I went home for the day.  I am trying to use some of the hundreds of hours of sick leave I have accrued over my 29 summers of federal service and walk away from once I don’t work any more.  Seasonals don’t retire with benefits.  That made for a 2 1/2 day weekend when I probably should have driven the 1 1/2 hours to Cedar City to buy a watch battery, but instead I took a nap.  Woke up to news that both the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests in Arizona were going to close to recreational uses in the hopes of stopping human caused forest fires.  The Coconino had already reported over 20 illegal campfires during fire restrictions.  What is wrong with people?  It’s so hot, and dry, there is no reason for a campfire.  Thank goodness, as worrying about lightning strikes starting fires is bad enough.  Some areas have seen a little rain, but not much and it’s more dry lightning instead.  Come on monsoon rains bring moisture to the thirsty Southwest.

trees hoodoos valley sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

trees hoodoos sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWith a little more rain Thursday, and a lot of clouds, I didn’t hold much hope to see the rise of the full strawberry moon.

trees Pink Cliffs valley stormy sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

trees hoodoos sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBut it did seem worth dragging my lazy ass out to the rim for a potentially colorful sunset.  That didn’t disappoint at all.

valley Aquarius Plateau sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

full strawberry moon trees Bryce Canyon National Park UtahYet I didn’t figure to see the moon rise, or at all with cloud cover.  Glad I waited around and got a brief glimpse even if the photo isn’t great hand held after dark.

On days off I give more thought to what and where next after the now at Bryce Canyon.  That’s only about three months away.  I’ve contacted a couple RV parks located between Prescott and Yarnell, my old stomping grounds, and the prices have doubled in the last four years.  How I long to park the 5th-wheel on private land without neighbors as close as 20-40 feet away.  Rent would be cheaper over a six month agreement in Quartzsite near where I usually spend a lot of time in the winter, but that means moving again for next summer.  I know, having a house on wheels should be easy to move yet not when owning two RVs that I can’t move together.  My head’s in a spin trying to figure this out and make a decision.

trees hoodoos valley sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThank you for all the wonderful comments, support, suggestions, and empathy over my recent posts as I still work through what’s next in life after the now at Bryce Canyon and on to retirement.  I continue to be open to suggestions.

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