Driving, Driving, Driving

While it seems I have been getting a lot done in the last week, it also seems all I do is drive. I drive one hour to Asheville in the morning, work 8 hours and then drive back, doing the math that’s 10 hours a day.  That’s a typical work week for me, this week we had 2 public meetings.

Did I mention we had SNOW!

Public playing with maps!

 The one on Tuesday was in Mars Hill, which is and hour north of Asheville. We got everything ready for the meeting and drove there, had a 3-hour meeting about trails strategy, then drove back. Made for a long day, as the meeting was from 5-8pm. I didn’t get home till 10pm. Wednesday I got everything organized for our Thursday meeting because I wouldn’t be coming in on Thursday as the meeting is 3 hours away, with a 3 hour meeting. (3+3+3=9 hours) The meetings consist of going over our expectations, then introducing everyone, then the public gets to draw all over giant maps. This is so they can draw in the areas they want to have decommissioned, or possible connectors to make trails loops. Everyone loves loop trails. The meetings usually go pretty well, but dealing with the public, you never know when you might get a firework. (Someone who is loud, fiery and draws attention.) So far nothing too terrible, and for the most part people are respectful. It can be an issue when you bring all three groups together: horse, bike, and hike. (Oh and come on people when we say hike, we mean foot travel, please don’t put down, “No, I don’t hike I bird watch” or “I’m a trail runner, not a hiker”. Come on work with us here.)

The Biltmore in all its glory!

Friday I was off! I woke up at the bright hour of 9am I got to sleep in, (Awesome) then I went for a run, I managed to run a whole mile at 3000 feet elevation, pretty proud of myself. I’m practicing for the Pack Test, which is 3 miles in 45 minutes with a 45-pound pack. The start of getting fire qualified. (I’m pretty excited about that as well) When I was finished, I went to the Biltmore Estates. It was amazing to see the history of such an old building, I decided to get a season pass, which will get me in for free and any guests in for 2/3's the price, which is a pretty good deal. I went with Derek, my housemate, and his girlfriend Dixie. It was nice to just hang out. Except after my run then walking the 100,000 miles (no exaggeration) at the Biltmore, my legs were sure protesting. After the Biltmore, I went to my aunt and uncle's house for supper; it was wonderful, steak and potatoes, amazing salad and homemade salad dressing. Good wine and great company.

Today is Saturday, and I have donned my pickle suit to brave the masses. We have a conference call and I have come to expect writing this blog on Saturdays as I can not fit it in on any other day. I think it would be helpful to me to blog everyday, but then I think I would work more like a 12 hour day and that would be crazy. Later I will go up to the cradle and take pictures of visitors. I think we need an app for model release forms, because everyone hates them. If I could be like "Type your name then press accept," the world would be a much happier place. We need an app like the UPS: sign here and you got your package! Or in our case: sign here now I can use your image for anything forest service related. I’m not sure people realize what they are signing. I’m not saying don’t do it, I’m just saying ask questions “What is this going to be used for?” “How long do you keep the images?” etc. Simple questions might make you uncomfortable, like the first one, I can use it for anything because you gave me the rights for your image, and the second one, I can keep it for as long as I want. I own the image, its mine, you gave it to me to keep. Kind of creepy right? Or whenever you are at a large event, you are pretty much fair game. When you enter the event, your image is mine! Be creeped out, very creeped out, but please let me take your photo! :)

At the top of the Mountain you drive through clouds, not fog!

The Angry Green Monster

Jennifer Murrey Helps Plow The Garden

Wahoo! Opening day was a blast. The visitors started pouring in around 9:15 AM. The weather was a balmy 75 degrees and sunny. The perfect weather for a great visitor experience. We had all the houses open, seven in all.  The horses had arrived to plow the field, which will grow all the veggies used in the restaurant. Today I didn’t have a specific position so I roamed around taking pictures of the visitors. I found out everyone hates the model release forms. But most were very receptive to it when I told them I was an intern and it was to help me with my internship requirements. I think I guilt tripped them a bit. On Monday I got a call from Cindy Carpenter, the Cradle’s Education Specialist, that the paper wanted to write a story about opening day and I was the only one who took pictures, so it looks like I’m going to be famous! Look out Transylvania Times here I come! 

The Murrey Family Listens at the Black Smith Shop

Lilli Ashworth Interacts with the Exhibits

By Tuesday, I had spent 3 hours online with tech support trying to get my computer up and running. Had to leave it for 24 hours, as it hadn’t been updated since 2004! When I went on back down the mountain on Wednesday to get the darn thing the check engine light came on in my cute little blazer, apparently it has an extensive history of being a little ornery. People in the office can’t believe that’s the vehicle I received; most believe it needs to be put down.  As I sat down at the desk I borrowed to check on the computer, I got the same encrypted login I had spent 3 hours trying to get past and my computer hadn’t even updated. But what did I do? It wasn’t call tech support like a good little intern, no. I shut that computer so fast and drove back up the mountain to give tours, help little kids with scavenger hunts, and run a helicopter (that’s right a helicopter). I figured between the vehicle and the computer I needed a technology break, which I gladly took. 

Thursday I had a video conference in Asheville with Carmen and Michelle. I headed down the mountain (in that destined-to-leave-me-stranded blazer) to find a reliable vehicle to get me all the way to Asheville; it took 2 hours before I was able to find a matching vehicle and key set. Drove to town, only to find that Bob the fleet guy is on vacation. So it will be a few more days before the cursed blazer is replaced. Which leaves another question,“How am I getting back up the mountain if “my” vehicle s destined to be turned into a pile of scrap?” Well, I will tell you: after receiving a hand held radio and a request to ring if anything starts getting “fishy”, I drove that ticking time bomb back up the mountain, so far so good. But Friday is another day, and another trip to Asheville. (Oh right and the meeting went well it was great to see Carmen, another intern, and we discussed the plan for the next nine months. Nice to get a general game plan about how to tackle some of the bigger projects.)

Guess what I drove on Friday? If you guessed the green monster then you would be right! I think everyone was hoping that it would break down so we could get rid of it. But he prevailed, not a bump or a chirp; only that ominous orange glow taunting me from the drivers seat. Alice and I talked about Trails Strategy and our game plan through September. Oh, and did I mention Alice got a new job so she will be leaving middle of June, and I will be taking over Trails Strategy all by myself? Pretty big shoes to fill, but I’m up to the challenge. Friday after work the volunteers had a potluck and it was the perfect day for brats and hot dogs on the grill. (Thanks Jim and Lydia Decker!) People brought potato salads and beans, chips and dip, and all kinds of desserts! It was a wonderful spread. We sat at the community building and talked for a few hours as everyone let their full bellies digest. It was a great end to a slightly stressful week.

On a side note: do you see how much better I am with layout!! Go me! I find joy in the little things .

My First Week!

End of the first week. Wow, have things flown by! I am constantly reminded of the dedication Forest Service employees and volunteers have to the forest. Every project I am going to be a part of is for the betterment of the forest or the people working/playing in the forest. I am so glad that I get to be a part of such a wonderful agency. I have met so many wonderful people that make the gears of the forest service turn, that it's hard to keep track of all the names. Here is the break-down of my last week:

Monday: For the first part of the day I was in training with the Cradle of Forestry in America volunteers; a wonderful group of 12 couples dedicated to volunteering at National Forests, National Parks and State Parks. Their knowledge is inspiring; they come from every walk of life and every vocation. Some were teachers, others were doctors, some are from Texas when others are from South Carolina, and they all have gathered at the Cradle for the sheer pleasure of sharing their knowledge about the first ever school of forestry with the public. My afternoon was spent with Michelle Mitchell, my regional boss, going over the plan for the next nine months. Some of the tasks seem a little daunting but knowing that I have a great support group of staff and other interns has made the whole thing much easier to wrap my mind around.

Tuesday: Michelle and I met with the District Ranger to discuss his expectations for me. All-in-all not a bad meeting, we discussed some great opportunities I will have on the district level. There may be an chance to slide down "Sliding Rock" (an 80 foot long natural water slide) in 1900's era period clothing as a marketing tool to get visitors to travel to the Cradle, less than 3 miles away. Should be a great time.

Wednesday: I spent the first part of the morning in the corner, literally. I don’t have an office yet so I set up a table in the corner so I could plug in my laptops. One of the volunteers stood up and proclaimed to the Forest Service staff leading the training, “Who put baby in the corner?” of course this got many chuckles. In the afternoon I met with two employees of The Wilderness Skills Institute. We will be having a conference at the end of May in regards to Wilderness. I also received my Forest Service Uniform for when I’m up at the Cradle, so we all look the same. So excited!


Thursday: I was in a webinar at the SO (Supervisors Office) in Ashville all day.  I learned that I don’t know anything about how to update websites. But I met two employees at the Forest Service willing to take me under their wing and show me the ropes. Oh, and I got to see Carmen (another Intern from MobilizeGreen) on the webinar. That’s fun. I also got my vehicle, which is a cute little green Trail Blazer. (Picture below) the last hour or so of the day I spent with Alice Cohen. She will be my go-to for the next few weeks on a project called Trails Strategy. Basically, NC has 1,600 miles of trails, all of which are in need of some sort of maintenance. So the idea with this Trails Strategy is that we are meeting with the public to A) find more volunteers to help maintain the trails and B) find out which trails are getting the least amount of use and decommission them. Go figure, the Government has too much of something.

Friday: Today I was up at the SO again, working on the Trails Strategy (TS) project. We met with Lucy from Buncombe County Green Way Group, which is basically doing the same thing we are... they are just 10 steps ahead of us. Which is very very helpful.

Saturday: IS OPENING DAY!!!!!!! Can't wait to be out and about with the public. Everyone in their "Pickle Suits" (affectionately named so because when we stand together, we look like a jar of pickles)  WAHOO!

My Cute Little Green Blazer

My Cute Pickle Suit

Volunteers at the King House.

The Last 48 Hours

WOW! I have never been so overwhelmed, excited, and welcomed in all my life. I am so excited to start my new position tomorrow. Meeting every one has been such a welcoming experience. It has been so refreshing to meet all these people from all over the US, really wanting to make a difference in the lives of children in regards to conservation and sustainability. I am humbled by the dedication they have to the forest and the Earth. 

I live in a six bedroom dorm with one other person; a guy named Derek. He is working on Hemlock issues. My bedroom is small, but has plenty of storage space and because there are only two of us in the house, we each get our own refrigerator. There are two shower rooms and two bathrooms (each one is about the size of my bedroom, go figure). The community building is really nice: 3 washers and 3 dryers (not coin operated, WAHOO) two bathrooms with showers, a HUGE kitchen, two grills, and an inside/outside fire place.

Oh, and I forgot to mention NO AT&T cell service. So I had to climb down the Mountain to go to the Wal-Mart (not a super Wal-Mart, yes they still have those, shocking I know) to get a Verizon phone. I'm back to the age of flip phones (pictures to come), guess it goes right along with the "not-so-super Wal-Mart. So basically my iPhone is just a giant paperweight. Sad day for me. Oh well, guess it’s the price you pay for living in the mountains. 

Some interesting facts. 
Wildwood, MO is 466 ft above sea level
Brevard, NC is 2230 ft
Cradle of Forestry is 3280 ft
Blue Ridge Parkway is 5000 ft
Mt Pisgah is 5721 ft 

Needless to say it has taken a little bit to get used to the elevation. But I just go to bed a little earlier. It is nice and refreshing to be outside all the time again. 

Revelation

As I drive across the state of Tennessee, I realize this country is so big. There is so much of it I haven't seen. So much of it I can't wait to explore. I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life. To figure out the radio stations and the best grocery stores. I think it just fully hit me that I am moving cross country. Just me and my vehicle loaded with all the things I can't live without. The thing I'm most excited about is having family and friends come visit so I can show off "my" town. Can't wait!!!
Until next time. :)

Almost there....

New Home... WAHOO!!!

Day 2 of the trip

So, Day One went really well. I ended up in Nashville, TN. No, not in the city, but about 20 miles outside in Lebanon, TN. Not too shabby. Comfort Suites and O'Charley's: not a bad night. It looks like today will be a much prettier drive. Only took a couple of pictures yesterday. Any who I'm off! Hopefully I will add another blog tonight. Off to Asheville, NC to stay with my uncle.

Well thank you Tennessee, happy to be here :)

Kentucky: the Bluegrass State

Farewell Illinois, Thanks for the education!

HERE WE GO!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

by Dr. Seuss


Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!


You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

Well here we go the beginning of the rest of my life. It's been a couple of months coming but the day has finally come for me to spread my wings and fly. While I'm nervous, I'm also so excited. The car is packed the lists are crossed off and I'm on my way. Right now as I text this I'm sitting in the car parked in the driveway taking it all in. The whirlwind Washington, DC trip, the amazing training, the wonderful people... The last minute goodbyes. It's interesting to me to look at my life and say "This is what I have been training for/planning for my whole life. From the day 15 years ago when I went to camp for the first time to the first day of college and internships. This is what I have been working towards. And I am so excited to get this party train moving. Next stop Nashville, TN. :) HERE WE GO!

All packed up and ready to roll