I don't really know where to start.
In the last two weeks, I've worked 10 days. After each 5 day work stretch, I leave feeling as though I've been on vacation.
It brings to mind this one time I was scanning through the radio stations, while driving to Presque Isle. I was doing the normal thing people do from Bangor to Houlton on 95: zoning out.
My driving coma stopped me on this sermon by Dr. David Jeremiah.
He spoke of how people settle into careers.
Careers pay well. Careers offer upward mobility. Careers can be very stable.
And then there are things you are born to do. Things that pull at you as you sit at your desk.
It doesn't pay well as well. The schedule isn't always set. The benefits are probably lacking.
All of these details do not matter, because the work IS the pay AND the benefit.
This is your Calling.
I've spent the last 2 weeks moving 500 pound rocks out of the ground by hand, doing Leave No Trace presentations, swatting bugs/ picking ticks, getting caught on a mountain in a lightning/hail storm, and seeing rare wildlife.
My calling.
For the first time in my life, I'm working for a REAL purpose. No percentages. No making some rich guy richer because of my hard work. No up-selling.
Now, the sweat off my back stops erosion, and teaches people how the smallest unknown action can adversely change the wilderness. I finish the day feeling like I maybe made a difference that actually matters.
There is no going back now.
Without further ado, this is straight out' the notepad:
May 30: riding bike at 40 mph+ down Pinkham Notch, cell phone flies out of my pocket and skates down 16 in pieces. somehow still works.
May 31: Watched helicopter make multiple pickups of supplies for Madison Spring Hut. Very awesome. I messed up on my schedule as well this day and did 2 Pinkham Ascents (a 4+ mile climb on my bike) before 8:30 am...mind you, this is not even 48 hours after running 31 miles. Ouch.
Jun 1: Did trail work in the Southern Mahoosucs. Electrical storm produced hail and we were just below a ridgeline with tons of metal tools. Had 3 ticks, and the mosquitoes were so bad that you could barely breathe.
June 2/3: On my morning ride up Pinkham, saw 2 moose. Spent day off trail gathering massive rocks and rolling them downhill, using downed trees as barricades in pinball fashion for later use as waterbars. Gigantic complete rainbow just across the road from Pinkham. Cold days. Bad black flies. Evenings spent drinking Double Bag and talking methods of killing fecal mice that make their way to the shelters.
June 5: Spent day and night at Ethan Pond Shelter. I was heading down to the water source and heard a loud noise going up a tree. Way too big for a squirrel. Surprised to see a Marten staring at me. What an amazing creature. Some resources state that to see one of these in the wild is a once in a lifetime experience. Before bed, spent a while by the pond. Very tranquil. Was awakened in the night by a very loud and pissed off sounding bird in the distance. Not sure what it was until the next morning.
June 6: Finished compost training. I went to the pond in the morning and scared a blue heron off. It went to a rock a few hundred yards off, and made the same noise I had heard the night before. Something must have gotten into it's nest.
June 7: Hike to Gentian Pond Shelter for more training. Before bed, we were hanging out and were astounded to see a snowshoe hare come within 18 inches of us. It did not seem at all concerned by our presence. Just before dark, another caretaker and I walked down to the pond to see if we could view any more wildlife at this amazing spot. We were rewarded by the sight of beavers going in and out of their lodge. A couple of them swam just off shore and we took the hint to leave when one of them slapped their tail at us. Saw my first deer tick ever. Scary how small they are. I honestly don't think you would know you had it on you until it was too late.
June 8: After two days of Leave No Trace, the irony of the real world hit us on our hike out. In less than 24 hours, part of the trail we had hiked in on was completely wiped out by a skitter from a logging crew. I am not a tree hugger by any stretch and respect private landowners' rights, but that was kind of a downer.
I have 3 days off, and then it's back in the woods, and I start my 10 day stint. Let the fun stuff begin!
Thanks for following along,
krp
Nature calls
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