I bought a Netbook yesterday from Best Buy, so I can keep up with the postings from Yellowstone. There is supposed to be Wireless access in Mammoth, so I can blog from my room. You may ask, why a Netbook? I know when you look at the Ram and storage compared to full size notebooks, it seems small. However, I compared it to Lindsay's current laptop and it's the same. And, it's far greater than the PC I'm using now!!! I wanted something small. I also got an external hard drive that I can load all the photos on, so they are safe on their own.
I didn't think I was going to like the keyboards on the netbooks, but they are all different. You just have to try them out. The mouse pads are also feel different. Just in case, I also got a wireless mouse.
I know, this isn't Yellowstone material, but I just wanted to let you know what I'd be using as a computer while in the park. I haven't upgraded my phone in forever, I don't have an Ipad, or a Kindle or a Droid, or any of that other high tech stuff. This is a big step for me!!!
Sapphire Pool - Biscuit Basin
My Favorite Feature - Sapphire Pool
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
I'm just so excited
I leave in less than a month. Holy Mackerel, it's only 2 1/2 weeks away. I've been collecting stuff up like crazy! I got a case of hand and foot warmers from Costco. Those come highly recommended, not only for me, but for my camera's battery. Apparently battery's die when they get cold. The extra batteries are supposed to be kept tucked somewhere warm next to your body. I got a spot all picked out.......
Besides my camera that I mentioned in the last posting, I've also ordered Smartwool socks & baselayers from Sierra Trading Post -http://www.sierratradingpost.com/. I discovered that I didn't have the right kind of baselayers (long underwear-cold weather jargon) for the kind of cold I'm going to be in. I've had a hard time getting out of the habit of buying cotton since I left Hawaii. You need synthetic or wool so that when you perspire, you don't get cold when you cool down. Aren't you glad I explained that? Well, at least I said perspire and not sweat.
Today, my spotting scope came from Cabela's. http://www.cabelas.com/ they had the best price and selection for what I was looking for. This is so I can observe the Grizzlie's claws and watch him tear into his dinner without disturbing him.......
I've also been putting together my Cross country ski gear. I've managed to do that quite cheaply between EBAY and the local thrift store.
Hey!!! I ordered my snowshoes!!!! EBAY!!!
Last weekend, the kids and I were up skiing at Mt. Hood- Timberline & Ski Bowl, and there were hoards of snowshoers. I guess it's the fastest growing sport. I'm hoping to burn some serious calories doing this, even if only in the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces in the morning hours, if I don't have time to run out and do some glassing for wildlife. Glassing: that's incessantly looking through your binoculars for some speck of wildlife.
I got a headlamp, just in case I'm out after dark....I promise, I won't go alone in the woods.
Oh, and Chris gave me his can of Bear Spray!!! Hey!!! It has a holster, just like a real gun!! Oh boy!!! However, I think I still may go for the Magnum size, just so I'll feel really protected in case I need to use it. (I'll probably pee my pants if I ever had to ) note here: Make plenty of noise, and most likely the bears will be no where in sight. You're supppsed to have conversations or sing while in the woods, but for some reason, during these times, I have trouble coming up with the right song.........
I posted earlier about my pic of the Herons, but I still had so much to still say!!!
Hey, there are about 11 Bald Eagles a couple miles from here out in a field that Chris showed me. I may take my camera and scope out there. apparently, if you can photograph birds in flight you can get about anything. I have to up my learning curve so I can get all those fantastic shots in Yellowstone when I get there.
I can hardly wait!!!
Besides my camera that I mentioned in the last posting, I've also ordered Smartwool socks & baselayers from Sierra Trading Post -http://www.sierratradingpost.com/. I discovered that I didn't have the right kind of baselayers (long underwear-cold weather jargon) for the kind of cold I'm going to be in. I've had a hard time getting out of the habit of buying cotton since I left Hawaii. You need synthetic or wool so that when you perspire, you don't get cold when you cool down. Aren't you glad I explained that? Well, at least I said perspire and not sweat.
Today, my spotting scope came from Cabela's. http://www.cabelas.com/ they had the best price and selection for what I was looking for. This is so I can observe the Grizzlie's claws and watch him tear into his dinner without disturbing him.......
I've also been putting together my Cross country ski gear. I've managed to do that quite cheaply between EBAY and the local thrift store.
Hey!!! I ordered my snowshoes!!!! EBAY!!!
Last weekend, the kids and I were up skiing at Mt. Hood- Timberline & Ski Bowl, and there were hoards of snowshoers. I guess it's the fastest growing sport. I'm hoping to burn some serious calories doing this, even if only in the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces in the morning hours, if I don't have time to run out and do some glassing for wildlife. Glassing: that's incessantly looking through your binoculars for some speck of wildlife.
I got a headlamp, just in case I'm out after dark....I promise, I won't go alone in the woods.
Oh, and Chris gave me his can of Bear Spray!!! Hey!!! It has a holster, just like a real gun!! Oh boy!!! However, I think I still may go for the Magnum size, just so I'll feel really protected in case I need to use it. (I'll probably pee my pants if I ever had to ) note here: Make plenty of noise, and most likely the bears will be no where in sight. You're supppsed to have conversations or sing while in the woods, but for some reason, during these times, I have trouble coming up with the right song.........
I posted earlier about my pic of the Herons, but I still had so much to still say!!!
Hey, there are about 11 Bald Eagles a couple miles from here out in a field that Chris showed me. I may take my camera and scope out there. apparently, if you can photograph birds in flight you can get about anything. I have to up my learning curve so I can get all those fantastic shots in Yellowstone when I get there.
I can hardly wait!!!
A Passion has begun
Some of you may know, that I am heading to Yellowstone to work and "do research" from March-June for 3 months. I have become a student of the Yellowstone.net forums, trying to learn all I can to be prepared. After taking a survey of all the photographers that responded to inquiries about cameras, I selected a Canon 400 Xti. I bought it as a package, and I got a 28-105mm & 75-300 mm lenses with it. I was influenced by price as well as usability.
I headed out to my nearest duck pond, here in Albany, Oregon - to hopefully shoot some Canada Geese that usually frequent there for practice. As I pulled up, I noticed only 2 pairs on the water, but the surprise was to follow.
A Great Blue Heron lifted out a tree that is in the middle of the pond, circled the area and then landed back in the tree. I was so excited that I might get his picture!!!!
As I was focusing in on him, and trying to get a shot, all at once, 5, yes count em FIVE of the buggars took off out of the tree. I settled in to wait for them to return. They came back, one at a time, but only 2 of them settled back into the tree. I noticed quite a large nest in the tree, and concluded that they are nesting there. The light was fading and since it was my first attempt with the camera, I was anxious to get home and see what I'd gotten with my new camera and my inexperience. Sadly, I had used auto focus, on the sport setting and my pics were blurry.
Yesterday, I headed over there again, and this time, NOW THERE ARE 6!!! I got 4 of them in perfect profile, near the nest,with 2 more hiding down below them in the tree. I used the P setting and took off the auto focus. I shot this with the highest ISO I could -1600 (since I see that's what some used in the pics I've liked.....) f 7.1 and I used the 75-300mm lens
(ok, so maybe I didn't set that up right in type, but you get the idea, if you want to pass on some tips...)
here's the photo, only minimally cropped. I'm not happy with how small they look, it looks better on my computer!!! hey if you double click on the image, it enlarges it and you can see it really good!!!
I headed out to my nearest duck pond, here in Albany, Oregon - to hopefully shoot some Canada Geese that usually frequent there for practice. As I pulled up, I noticed only 2 pairs on the water, but the surprise was to follow.
A Great Blue Heron lifted out a tree that is in the middle of the pond, circled the area and then landed back in the tree. I was so excited that I might get his picture!!!!
As I was focusing in on him, and trying to get a shot, all at once, 5, yes count em FIVE of the buggars took off out of the tree. I settled in to wait for them to return. They came back, one at a time, but only 2 of them settled back into the tree. I noticed quite a large nest in the tree, and concluded that they are nesting there. The light was fading and since it was my first attempt with the camera, I was anxious to get home and see what I'd gotten with my new camera and my inexperience. Sadly, I had used auto focus, on the sport setting and my pics were blurry.
Yesterday, I headed over there again, and this time, NOW THERE ARE 6!!! I got 4 of them in perfect profile, near the nest,with 2 more hiding down below them in the tree. I used the P setting and took off the auto focus. I shot this with the highest ISO I could -1600 (since I see that's what some used in the pics I've liked.....) f 7.1 and I used the 75-300mm lens
(ok, so maybe I didn't set that up right in type, but you get the idea, if you want to pass on some tips...)
here's the photo, only minimally cropped. I'm not happy with how small they look, it looks better on my computer!!! hey if you double click on the image, it enlarges it and you can see it really good!!!
Look closely, you can see the 4 clearly, the nest, and then 2 more herons hiding in the branches below.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I've been hired!!!!! Yippee Skippy!!!
It's finally time to let the cat out of the bag. Lindsay decided to move up her wedding date to August 27th, 2011. So, I knew when I was offered a position, it was going to hinge on my availability for the summer. I wanted to be back a month before the wedding, so I was looking at the end of July as my exit date.
I was offered 2 different positions, from 2 different companies.
First, Xanterra http://www.yellowstonejobs.com/offered me Reservations Sales Agent, stationed in Mammoth Hot Springs. I found out that if I stayed in the dorm, I could start sooner, than if I was planning on staying in an RV. I said I wanted to come right away!!!! The job contract that we set was from March 15th - June 15th, for 90 days.
I could stay on until my planned date of leaving, fulfill my contract and receive the $3 a day bonus upon completion. (if you don't fufill your contract, you are not eligible for re-hire - ever.....) This job is all phone work. I would be taking phone reservations for the hotels. Eventually it would work into Campground reservations and hopefully, booking activities.
If there's work available past that date, then I will stay longer.
The next job I was offered was with Yellowstone General Stores. http://www.visityellowstonepark.com/employment.aspx First off, they were going to put me at Roosevelt (yes!!) as a retail associate. However, the contract period didn't fit in with my time frame. I couldn't start there until the end of May (oh my-May?). Then, they offered me Set-up Crew, which is just a 6 week position, beginning April 18th (a month later than the other job). This job sounded super! I would live in West Yellowstone in an apartment, be on my own for food, drive all over the park daily to areas that aren't open to the public yet, and set up all the General Stores. Canyon, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake, Roosevelt, Norris (?) I loved the idea of being able to be out and about, hopefully spotting some wildlife while on my way to and from.
That job would end June 3rd. Just 6 weeks. If there was another position available, I could move into that, but of course, no promises were made. They need to know who's coming when, and leaving when. Of course, I get that.
I really struggled over which position to take. I liked getting there earlier, and being in Mammoth for 3 mos, being able to observe Winter in Yellowstone, and stay through June 15.
However, the Set-up crew job is more my style, a lot of moving around, doing different things, and doing retail display, which I am good at.
I decided on the Mammoth Job with Xanterra. I can be there by March 15th, snowshoe, (freeze my butt off) cross-country ski (?) (more cold), take photos (and freeze) Hear the wolves howl & watch their pairing off - hopefully, (watch my breath freeze) and be in the park before the crowds arrive. I hope I get to see some of the first bears as they emerge from hibernation.
I'm so excited!!!!!
Looking at the long term.....here's my plan. I will work in Yellowstone for 3 months. At the end of my contract, hopefully, they will need me in another position or the same one. I will take whatever they have, unless I am too homesick and ready for my own bed again. Otherwise, my plan is to return to Oregon by the end of July, so I have a month to help Lindsay with the last of the wedding preparations.
Then, if there's anything available, I would head back to Yellowstone for the fall, after the wedding. Either way, I will be in Yellowstone the last part of September/early October, on my way to Montana for my yearly trip there. I will be applying for some other things around the park. Maybe I will get some inside scoop on what it takes to get one of those NPS jobs!!!
I'd really like to spend every season there, but it doesn't have to be all in one long run!!
So, along with my crazy desire to spend some extended time in Yellowstone, and work in the process, my One and Only daughter is getting married at the same time. Life Happens!!!!!!
Enjoy the ride!
I was offered 2 different positions, from 2 different companies.
First, Xanterra http://www.yellowstonejobs.com/offered me Reservations Sales Agent, stationed in Mammoth Hot Springs. I found out that if I stayed in the dorm, I could start sooner, than if I was planning on staying in an RV. I said I wanted to come right away!!!! The job contract that we set was from March 15th - June 15th, for 90 days.
I could stay on until my planned date of leaving, fulfill my contract and receive the $3 a day bonus upon completion. (if you don't fufill your contract, you are not eligible for re-hire - ever.....) This job is all phone work. I would be taking phone reservations for the hotels. Eventually it would work into Campground reservations and hopefully, booking activities.
If there's work available past that date, then I will stay longer.
The next job I was offered was with Yellowstone General Stores. http://www.visityellowstonepark.com/employment.aspx First off, they were going to put me at Roosevelt (yes!!) as a retail associate. However, the contract period didn't fit in with my time frame. I couldn't start there until the end of May (oh my-May?). Then, they offered me Set-up Crew, which is just a 6 week position, beginning April 18th (a month later than the other job). This job sounded super! I would live in West Yellowstone in an apartment, be on my own for food, drive all over the park daily to areas that aren't open to the public yet, and set up all the General Stores. Canyon, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake, Roosevelt, Norris (?) I loved the idea of being able to be out and about, hopefully spotting some wildlife while on my way to and from.
That job would end June 3rd. Just 6 weeks. If there was another position available, I could move into that, but of course, no promises were made. They need to know who's coming when, and leaving when. Of course, I get that.
I really struggled over which position to take. I liked getting there earlier, and being in Mammoth for 3 mos, being able to observe Winter in Yellowstone, and stay through June 15.
However, the Set-up crew job is more my style, a lot of moving around, doing different things, and doing retail display, which I am good at.
I decided on the Mammoth Job with Xanterra. I can be there by March 15th, snowshoe, (freeze my butt off) cross-country ski (?) (more cold), take photos (and freeze) Hear the wolves howl & watch their pairing off - hopefully, (watch my breath freeze) and be in the park before the crowds arrive. I hope I get to see some of the first bears as they emerge from hibernation.
I'm so excited!!!!!
Looking at the long term.....here's my plan. I will work in Yellowstone for 3 months. At the end of my contract, hopefully, they will need me in another position or the same one. I will take whatever they have, unless I am too homesick and ready for my own bed again. Otherwise, my plan is to return to Oregon by the end of July, so I have a month to help Lindsay with the last of the wedding preparations.
Then, if there's anything available, I would head back to Yellowstone for the fall, after the wedding. Either way, I will be in Yellowstone the last part of September/early October, on my way to Montana for my yearly trip there. I will be applying for some other things around the park. Maybe I will get some inside scoop on what it takes to get one of those NPS jobs!!!
I'd really like to spend every season there, but it doesn't have to be all in one long run!!
So, along with my crazy desire to spend some extended time in Yellowstone, and work in the process, my One and Only daughter is getting married at the same time. Life Happens!!!!!!
Enjoy the ride!
Friday, December 31, 2010
References
I'm so excited!!! Yellowstone Service Stations has sent inquiries to all my references!!! It's a 2 page questionaire asking about my work ethic, appearance, honesty, etc. Fortunately all of the people I've chosen have worked with me in many capacities and had good things to say about me....I think.....
I've been enjoying the winter trip reports from people who took the snowcoaches in to Old Faithful Lodge, and on into the interior. In fact, there were ALOT of people at Old Faithful today when I checked the webcam. It was going going off as I loaded the site. amazing! when I need a Yellowstone fix, I head to the webcam page. Sometimes you even spot wildlife cruising across the screen. Yellowstone National Park WebCams by John William Uhler
Thanks to John for putting this site together that has them all. You can also access just the Old Faithful webcam from the NPS Yellowstone site. Yellowstone National Park - Yellowstone Webcams (U.S. National Park Service).
It's New Years Eve. I can't believe that it's been 10 years since we celebrated the Millenium!! Now we are entering a new decade. I wish that I was in Yellowstone.............however, I know that it's very cold there. I know for sure, that I'm buying a box of handwarmers from Costco!!!
I can't wait to hear the next round of hiring possibilities!!!
I've been enjoying the winter trip reports from people who took the snowcoaches in to Old Faithful Lodge, and on into the interior. In fact, there were ALOT of people at Old Faithful today when I checked the webcam. It was going going off as I loaded the site. amazing! when I need a Yellowstone fix, I head to the webcam page. Sometimes you even spot wildlife cruising across the screen. Yellowstone National Park WebCams by John William Uhler
Thanks to John for putting this site together that has them all. You can also access just the Old Faithful webcam from the NPS Yellowstone site. Yellowstone National Park - Yellowstone Webcams (U.S. National Park Service).
It's New Years Eve. I can't believe that it's been 10 years since we celebrated the Millenium!! Now we are entering a new decade. I wish that I was in Yellowstone.............however, I know that it's very cold there. I know for sure, that I'm buying a box of handwarmers from Costco!!!
I can't wait to hear the next round of hiring possibilities!!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
I guess I wasn't completely rejected....
I got this today!!!!
"You have been rated qualified and referred for the position of Fire Logistics Dispatcher, GS-04, NPS-FIRE-2011-010, in Mammoth Hot Springs, WY (Yellowstone NP)."
This is so funny. I have more experience handling money, making change and greeting people than I have being a dispatcher. However, for some reason, they classified me not qualified enough to be the gatekeeper, yet, I'm being considered for the Fire Dispatcher job. Oh well, I like the radio as well!!!! I figured because I didn't have any firefighter experience, that they wouldn't even consider me.
Also, I got a letter from the Yellowstone Gas Stations that they would be reviewing applications this week!!!!!
So now, I sit back and wait for the offers to pour in......
I'm waiting to buy my snowshoes until I need them, but I'm just dying to get a pair!!!!
Chris & Lindsay got me a 0 degree sleeping bag! now I can sleep in my van in the coldest of nights, and I will be toasty warm.......(I hope...thinking about trying it out downstairs one night just to see how warm it is.....)
Meanwhile, I'm reading blogs on Yellowstone, Trip reports and anything Yellowstone news worthy. I've also found quite alot of good programs on PBS that relates to Yellowstone.
"You have been rated qualified and referred for the position of Fire Logistics Dispatcher, GS-04, NPS-FIRE-2011-010, in Mammoth Hot Springs, WY (Yellowstone NP)."
This is so funny. I have more experience handling money, making change and greeting people than I have being a dispatcher. However, for some reason, they classified me not qualified enough to be the gatekeeper, yet, I'm being considered for the Fire Dispatcher job. Oh well, I like the radio as well!!!! I figured because I didn't have any firefighter experience, that they wouldn't even consider me.
Also, I got a letter from the Yellowstone Gas Stations that they would be reviewing applications this week!!!!!
So now, I sit back and wait for the offers to pour in......
I'm waiting to buy my snowshoes until I need them, but I'm just dying to get a pair!!!!
Chris & Lindsay got me a 0 degree sleeping bag! now I can sleep in my van in the coldest of nights, and I will be toasty warm.......(I hope...thinking about trying it out downstairs one night just to see how warm it is.....)
Meanwhile, I'm reading blogs on Yellowstone, Trip reports and anything Yellowstone news worthy. I've also found quite alot of good programs on PBS that relates to Yellowstone.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Rejected by the National Park Service
Here's my first rejection notice. Apparently, I didn't score high enough on the requirements to be a Visitor Use Assistant. (money taker at the gate) Darn. they don't know what they are missing!!!! I really wanted to wear that NPS uniform with the patch on it. I am disappointed......I told you I've keep you informed of the good and the bad. I still have 3 other companies that I have applied with. However, my cozy house is sure nice to spend the winter in. I'm working on my big event, the Horse Drawn Christmas Caroling Wagon. That runs this weekend, Dec 17 &18. I was just hoping I wouldn't get the call to come to Yellowstone before that was over!!! Even though the park is mostly closed, they still run people in on Snowmobiles & Snowcoaches to Old Faithful. they even do a drop off at the Geyser fields so people can Snowshoe around. that sounds awesome! I've asked Santa for Snowshoes for Christmas......
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