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 .