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Tag: National Park

24 June 2020

Bryce Canyon first at setting the bar

valley Table Cliff clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBryce Canyon first national park in the nation to present live Ranger programs.  We are setting the bar in Utah national parks and even the visitors comment on how we have our act together.

Although Bryce is making history with firsts I am not.  Didn’t get the camper emptied or cleaned over last week’s two days off as planned.  Maybe this week with three days off.

Cockcomb Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument UtahFirst field trip

Last week, instead of an unpleasant cleaning chore, I went on my first field trip of the summer with fellow Ranger April.  She was sent with a government truck into Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to gather rock samples and I went along for the ride safety.  No permit needed for non commercial purposes, 25 pounds per day, plus one piece, with a total limit of 250 pounds per year.

Cottonwood Road Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument UtahEast off the Paunsaugunt Plateau on Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 to Cannonville then south on Cottonwood Canyon Road, which can be impassable even to all-wheel-drive vehicles under wet conditions.  But it’s been dry so there was just dust and washboard to deal with, along with amazing scenery.

Cottonwood Road Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument UtahWe drove along an eroded geologic fault, parallel to the Cockscomb’s dramatic shapes and colors where the Carmel and Entrada formations are turned upright along the East Kaibab monocline.  Then continued not quite to the junction with SR89 observing the stratigraphy while geologist April decided where to gather on the return trip.

Navajo sandstone Lower Hackberry Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Utah

Navajo sandstone calcite boxwork Lower Hackberry Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument UtahStopped at Lower Hackberry for samples of Navajo sandstone with intricate calcite boxwork.

Cottonwood Narrows Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Utah

rocks from Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument UtahThen further north at Cottonwood Narrows with colorful, jagged Navajo Sandstone pinnacles lining the road and gathered some fine samples showing ripple marks.

Sadly, I left my big camera behind and had to shoot with the phone.  Even worse I got bit up by gnats and now have a whole bunch of bumps and itches on my face.

Bryce Canyon museum opens

sunflower Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument UtahThe museum in the visitor center opened and now we allow 50 people into the building. People stay longer because of that so frequently there is a line to get in.  We are still counting at the door, not my favorite shift as I’m lousy at numbers and math.  The displays have to be sanitized a couple times a day so the area is briefly closed to the public.  The movie theater is still closed as distancing would have to be monitored in such a small space.  We do not have enough staff for that.  As it is, some schedules are opening or closing without other National Park Service staff.  Thank goodness we work as partners with the Natural History Association employees and help each other breaking down the day setup of merchandise, tables, and popup tents as needed.

hoodoos amphitheater Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBryce Canyon first Ranger programs

We started scheduled and advertised Ranger programs on the 21st, first full day of summer, Mom’s birthday (she’d have been 96), and Father’s Day.  Bryce is the only national park in the nation to do so, and will continue if the public can follow distancing guidelines.  Just before the 2pm hoodoo talk a visitor told me about a woman coming up the trail with a bad ankle being supported by two people. I could see them only a few switchbacks down the Navajo trail and radioed for medical assistance. When I returned to the tables moments before I should start the talk several groups of people were standing on the distancing dots waiting. I was impressed and thanked them for doing the right thing which allowed me to drop mask and talk.

If all goes well and the night sky is clear, laser constellation tours by interns will start this week.

The same day started longer open hours from 8am to 8pm.  Ranger info is still outside the building.

Not a first for more bug bites on my face.  After work and washing my face I was speckled with pink dots of Calamine lotion.  When did that stuff get so runny in consistency?

smoke Mangum fire from Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Monument Utah

Mangum fire map 6-23-20In fact those nasty biting gnats eventually chased Ranger Paula and me off Yovimpa Point at the end of our day.  But not before I presented one and a half formal Staircase geology talks out of a possible four, talked about the Mangum fire, and answered questions.

cows by horse corral Bryce Canyon National Park UtahCows are not wildlife

wrangler leading horses & mules Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMaybe the wranglers can roundup the stray cattle

A Bryce Canyon first for me was coming home after work to maybe a dozen cows outside the horse corral 100 feet from my door.  I called the non-emergency dispatch number in Glen Canyon and in the brief time it took for Law Enforcement to arrive the cows had wandered northward, still in the park.  Must have a break in the fence along the border between grazeable national forest and Bryce National Park.  The UCC (Utah Conservation Corp) crew of youth have been walking the fence to make needed repairs.

Cottonwood Road Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument UtahVisitors to Bryce Canyon act respectful and keep distancing, for the most part anyway.  I am noticing many large family-like groups.  They seem grateful for many Bryce Canyon firsts and frequently thank Rangers for their service.  I notice more people wearing masks to enter the visitor center than out at overlooks or trails.  I am wearing mine when in uniform in the public except for outside roving on trails when at a safe distance from others.  And now some counties in Utah, including Garfield and Kane that Bryce straddles, have gone Green, “the new normal”.  Not sure I see that as a good thing.

valley Table Cliffs clouds Cannonville UtahNext…

Come my Friday on Tuesday, and trying to decide what to do with my three-day weekend, other than the laundry I put off last week partly because it’s a bitch to find parking near either of the free/included in rent, in park options.

Feels like the summer season has barely started yet the season is almost half over already.  OMG, I find myself already thinking about what to do at the end of the season and over the winter which brings me back to owning two RVs I can’t move together.

Even after resetting the outside booster antennae my signal is not great, but guess that’s not a Bryce Canyon first.

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Bryce Canyon National Park, COVID-19, Park Ranger, Places I've been, United States, Utah geology, National Park, Park Ranger, ranger programs, RV life 33 Comments
19 May 2020

First week teleworking and training at Bryce Canyon

Now that I’m in the park and done with the basic government paperwork I’m under a 14-day self quarantine so the first week I’ve been teleworking and training at Bryce Canyon National Park, outside wearing a mask most of the time.

Sierra cat computer in camper Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI will admit it feels pretty strange to be sitting at home with barely any signal and working while my furry co-worker sleeps by my side.

hoodoos from rim trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAfter hours at the computer I move and park near the lodge for a better signal and a walk along the rim.

Sunset parking lot Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSunset Point parking lot almost empty

It is weirdly wonderful with very few visitors.  Although I expect that will change as the summer progresses and more trails open.

closed Navajo Loop trail Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahNavajo Loop trail is closed because of major rock fall.

trees cabins Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe concession isn’t open yet, and our campgrounds are closed, so there’s no overnight accommodations yet.

truckcamper site #1 mixing circle Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI’m still living in the truck camper and not sure when the 5th-wheel will be towed in.  The fellow who moved it last fall and stored it over the winter is busy with the natural history association part of the visitor center that opened last Wednesday with occupancy limited to 20 visitors.  No rush but I am looking forward to the big house and hope it fits into my new site.  Plus I’ll put the booster up and hopefully be back to a strong signal.

Ranger modeling program Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahRanger modeling Hoodoo Geology talk

The interpretive staff is getting some training which is being conducted outside.  We have several new Rangers this season.  Physical distancing is possible at the North campground amphitheater and overlooks.  We are wearing masks and were given black masks to wear with uniforms.  Makes Rangers look kind of scary.  Not to mention inhibiting breathing and drinking water.

hoodoos valley clouds Sunset Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahLower left the iconic Thors Hammer seen from Sunset Point and the Navajo Loop Trail

The weather has been delightful with days up to 70°F and nights as low as the 30s.  Thankful to have electricity and heat.  Plus just enough clouds to make the few photos I’ve taken look pretty.

window view corral mixing circle Bryce Canyon National Park UtahHorses and mules were brought in mid-week so my new neighbors are a little noisy at times.  My windows look right down onto the corral and loading area.  Maybe I should get to know them better.

immature Golden Eagle Ponderosa Pine tree mixing circle Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWhat looks like an immature Golden Eagle landed on a tree above a neighbor’s trailer.  Sat there at least 30 minutes.  But sadly my photos are out of focus.  Not sure if it’s me or the camera as I need to have my eyes checked rather badly.

That along with also needing a hair cut and a visit to the dentist.  Guess it’s all going to have to wait a little longer.

Next week’s schedule includes more teleworking and training outside.  Then it’s time to dig out the uniforms and hope they fit.  Utah is opening up a bit so expecting more visitors.  Yet none of us are anxious to see the park overcrowded.

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09 July 2014

Giraffes necking

OK, I’ve heard of people necking but watching giraffes necking was a whole new experience.  While visiting Augrabies Falls National Park in northwestern South Africa we took a little game drive and were fortunate enough to see giraffes necking.

This activity often involves males establishing dominance by winning a bout of necking.  Not usually of high intensity they rub and lean against each other sometimes for more than half an hour.  After a duel, it is common for them to caress and court each other leading up to mounting and climax.  Sometimes they get violent and injury follows.

This looks more like a dance to me.

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2014 South Africa diversity Ecotour, South Africa Augrabies Falls, giraffes, National Park 18 Comments
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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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