Mud Muckin'

So on tuesday after a wonderful day of shopping and hanging out with my friend Nate, I'm sitting in my house relaxing and putting things away when Erin busts in the door and goes straight to her room. Only to come out moments later in civilian clothes and smiling. I ask her what she's doing and she (can barely contain herself) tells me that she is going out to pick up a sawfish! If you don't know the story with the sawfish, it is a criticially endangered species here in the Everglades. You'll see the pics below. I spent my WHOLE summer last year researching and creating a visitor center display AND I even got to catch one when I was helping with shark research. Gail told law enforcement I was "interested in them" I will outloud claim I am "OBSESSED!!". So to dim the story down on the way out, which Nate got called into help too, we get the boat stuck in the mud. Boating terms "we ran aground". Then 2 seconds later over heated the boat. So we had to walk to shore which is not that far away but it is very muddy. *side note to those who have seen the new Indiana Jones movie, the part when they get stuck in quick sand and can't get out. Yeah, the was me and Nate had to come pull me out.* Then walk through a tangle of mangrove trees which is not an easy task and wait, looking like a moron on the side of the road for the District Ranger to come get Erin and I and throw us in the back because there was no way we were gonna sit in the truck. Nothing like feeling like a bunch of pigs going to market. To finish the story, Nate stayed with the boat and waited for the tide to come up and found the sawfish (oh yeah, he was dead, that's why we were getting him). So enjoy the picks, I know Erin and I enjoyed the day and our skin is super smooth now!!

I wanna be a Mud Muckin' Park Ranger!

Nate carrying the sawfish to the truck.

The sawfish!

Sawfish in the truck with LE

Our muddy walk of VICTORY home.

We hosed off in the marine. It was quite entertaining.

SOOOOO High!

So yesterday Sue, Erin and I went to headquarters for meetings and to check in. Well, after we were done we took the govm't vehicle and drove all through the park. We didn't care, it's not our gas. HaHa! Well after we went to throw some 'bows like the day after Thanksgiving at Walmart to try and get some free equipment for our part of the park, we went to almost the highest point in the park. It was really high up and I just can't believe that we made it that high. I mean I work at a ski resort in the mountains during the winter and this was pretty high up even for me.

So I dedicate this pic to my friends at Sierra Summit Mtn Resort.

Minnesota?

I went to a baseball game the other day at Hammond Stadium. Now if any of you are Twins baseball fans you will know that this stadium is the home of Minnesota Twins spring training!! But I did not see the Twins, instead I saw the Ft. Myers Miracles with Sue and Gail. They are my supervisors at the 'glades. You'll even see Sue's dog Nekota. It was Dog Daze at the stadium. There was so much Twins stuff around me I didn't know where I was!!

Gail, Sue and Nekota

Gail saved me from being hit by this ball!!

This is Twin Territory!!

Greetings!!

Greetings Everyone!

Well, I've had alot of requests for MySpace and Facebook but I thought, "Everyone has that!?" and I'm not so up for people searching me. I thought this would be alot better to get fun stories and pictures from my travels to everyone. So keep checking and you will see pictures from my ranger experience in the Everglades (and hopefully other parks one day) and other fun.




Well to catch everyone up. This is my second summer as a seasonal park ranger in Everglades National Park. I decided to come back to work up my resume. Since the summer is quite here it is easier to complete projects and certifications that look awesome for other parks. Erin, my roomate from last year also came back and has finally come to join me here!





Erin is awesome! We have lots of fun together, keep each other sane, and are excellent at causing trouble in this tiny town. HeHe!! I look forward to another summer of trouble with Erin! (yeah, and she'll kill me for this pic! But as for a good word, she was not drinking that night.)


During the pass couple of winters I have worked at Sierra Summit Mtn Resort in California! I am the Sport Shop Supervisor, so I get to sell all the cool expensive jackets, pants, goggles, and sunglasses! I moved up in the world from the walmart cheep sunglasses to the expensive ones now. I don't think I could ever go back. Yes, I have snowboarded and finally took up skiing. Yes, I suck at both. But I do believe that skiing is my calling. I fell alot less. OR I just had a great teacher named Shannon!!

It was St. Patty's day! That should explain the green!

On my travels home I got to see my cousins Logan and Carter!

And my cousin Jaylin!

And I stopped in Pensacola to see my friend Bonny and her son Tommy!

So I know that was lot but I had to do a catch up! I hope to hear from all soon and I hope everyone is having fun and good times too!