I was driving the other day down the road of course when I came around the corner and observed a brown vehicle coming towards me, luckily in the other lane. It was the all too familiar vehicle of the "STUDENT DRIVER". How did I know? Because for some reason here (and I have seen it in other towns too) they marked the vehicle. This one has a sign on top like a pizza delivery person and I believe something written on the side. Two things went through my mind at that time...
1. Why do they mark the vehicle?
2. Should I swerve and see if they could react properly?
Oh please, I know quite a few of you out there have had similar thoughts.
The answer to the first one came to me via a website when I was looking for a good photo of a student driver. Creates a safer environment for kids while learning the rules of the road in the family car. Alerts other motorists that there is a beginner driver sharing the road. Reduces frustration levels for the student, parent and fellow motorists. Increases awareness on the road.
Well whatever is my answer to number one. For all of us devil-ish, impish individuals out there it just draws more attraction to the vehicle and conjures up more thoughts of cruel things to do to them. By the way, I did not swerve because by the time the first question went through my head, the vehicle had passed and the second thought was just coming to mind.
But honestly, I think marking the vehicle just makes it easier for people to screw with them more.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Another Paint Story
I logged on this morning to read Jack and he referenced Jay so I read his too. And then I realized I had a story of my own of the paint world. And no matter which blog you read first, you will come to the same realization...huffing paint will destroy somebody's world-fast.
For almost two years I worked in a substance abuse unit for a juvenile detention center. Most of the kids we got in our program were using weed, but there was that occasional other breed that had moved beyond the realms of weed and started experimenting with the other half.
I have also witnessed the effects of the drugs of choice on every other unit in our facility. I watched as juveniles as young as 9 came into the facility high on some sort of drug. I have had to assist with getting them restrained in every manner including a 4-point bed restraint. None of it was pretty. I watched as children went through the DTs from meth, heroin, and anything else in between.
Besides the kids who had found the wonderful destructive drug of meth, the children who had found the great high of paint were far worse. As Jack said, there is always this perma-smile on their face. I remember having several children come through our program. You would ask them a smile question such as what is your name...and then you would count off in your head...one, two, three and upon reaching 10 and sometimes 20, Johnny would finally raise his head, give you this smile, and answer your question.
And in one lobe of your mind, you kind of giggled, but you realized that was probably the only lobe that child had left. And then you realized the sad of it all. He was forever in a world of his own and probably never going to amount to much.
So when you parents sit your child down to talk about the realm of drugs, don't forget the over the counter drugs of the hardware store. We had kids that huffed the paint, but they also preferred gasoline, carburetor fluid, and pretty much anything else. But of the paint--silver and gold were tops on the list.
For almost two years I worked in a substance abuse unit for a juvenile detention center. Most of the kids we got in our program were using weed, but there was that occasional other breed that had moved beyond the realms of weed and started experimenting with the other half.
I have also witnessed the effects of the drugs of choice on every other unit in our facility. I watched as juveniles as young as 9 came into the facility high on some sort of drug. I have had to assist with getting them restrained in every manner including a 4-point bed restraint. None of it was pretty. I watched as children went through the DTs from meth, heroin, and anything else in between.
Besides the kids who had found the wonderful destructive drug of meth, the children who had found the great high of paint were far worse. As Jack said, there is always this perma-smile on their face. I remember having several children come through our program. You would ask them a smile question such as what is your name...and then you would count off in your head...one, two, three and upon reaching 10 and sometimes 20, Johnny would finally raise his head, give you this smile, and answer your question.
And in one lobe of your mind, you kind of giggled, but you realized that was probably the only lobe that child had left. And then you realized the sad of it all. He was forever in a world of his own and probably never going to amount to much.
So when you parents sit your child down to talk about the realm of drugs, don't forget the over the counter drugs of the hardware store. We had kids that huffed the paint, but they also preferred gasoline, carburetor fluid, and pretty much anything else. But of the paint--silver and gold were tops on the list.
If I had to list the top drugs that kill the brain cells and body the quickest of our youth:
1. Ecstasy-we watched a video that showed whole lobes missing from a girl's brain
2. Paint-watched it in person
3. Meth-observed a child incarcerated over and over and the effects it did to him
4. Heroin-numerous times I watched the children hooked on this return to our facility
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Bored out of my mind
I recently became unemployed in September. Thanks to an unknown political figure and the funding of the National Park Service, there wasn't enough money for my job so I was laid off. Boss Lady said FIRED, but didn't really mean it that way. I was prepared for it I thought. I would have so much free time and get so much done. Well, in a sense I have done that, but in a sense I am bored.
First, I took that vacation to Costa Rica and that was great and all, but it is over and I am back in civilization and wondering where the hell my life is going to go. I received a great email from Little S the other day, it went like this:
Recently found yourself unemployed. Unsure about your life. Tight for money. Need a vacation. Well I have the job for you. Travel with me in an all paid expense trip across I-70.
I couldn't resist it. She was going to do all the driving because I can't drive a stick. I mean I could if I had to, but I don't so I don't practice. Lame I know, but oh well. So sometime in November, I head out to Rhode Island and drive back across I-70. Excited. Not too much.
Anyway, I wake up each morning with my boyfriend because the rooster alarm goes off and today I ate breakfast with him. And then I jumped online and did some things we all day. I then did a project. I came back in and laid down because I haven't been feeling well since arriving home from CR. I read my book "A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet-Anyone you want me to be" by John Douglas. Great author and scary book. I then fell asleep for a while. Little S woke me up and asked about the I-70 trip.
I did some more online bullshit, started the makings of dinner, and then watched Dr. Phil and Oprah. Then I did another project. Completed the dinner thing and am now checking on things again.
Can you tell I am bored out of my mind. I had said I wasn't going to sleep my days away during this unemployment but I am. Oh well. This weekend I will be volunteering at the park during one of the busiest weekends there is. Finally some action in my life.
But men, can you answer me this...my projects that I do have to do with little things that my boyfriend just doesn't get around to doing and it irritates me most of the time. Today, I put his rocket box on top of his vehicle. Simple task that took no more than 10 minutes start to finish, except I need him to help me tighten a bolt. And I am making dinner. Now men, wouldn't you love to come home to a home cooked meal every night. And this is what boyfriend writes in an email today:
First, I took that vacation to Costa Rica and that was great and all, but it is over and I am back in civilization and wondering where the hell my life is going to go. I received a great email from Little S the other day, it went like this:
Recently found yourself unemployed. Unsure about your life. Tight for money. Need a vacation. Well I have the job for you. Travel with me in an all paid expense trip across I-70.
I couldn't resist it. She was going to do all the driving because I can't drive a stick. I mean I could if I had to, but I don't so I don't practice. Lame I know, but oh well. So sometime in November, I head out to Rhode Island and drive back across I-70. Excited. Not too much.
Anyway, I wake up each morning with my boyfriend because the rooster alarm goes off and today I ate breakfast with him. And then I jumped online and did some things we all day. I then did a project. I came back in and laid down because I haven't been feeling well since arriving home from CR. I read my book "A True Story of Sex and Death on the Internet-Anyone you want me to be" by John Douglas. Great author and scary book. I then fell asleep for a while. Little S woke me up and asked about the I-70 trip.
I did some more online bullshit, started the makings of dinner, and then watched Dr. Phil and Oprah. Then I did another project. Completed the dinner thing and am now checking on things again.
Can you tell I am bored out of my mind. I had said I wasn't going to sleep my days away during this unemployment but I am. Oh well. This weekend I will be volunteering at the park during one of the busiest weekends there is. Finally some action in my life.
But men, can you answer me this...my projects that I do have to do with little things that my boyfriend just doesn't get around to doing and it irritates me most of the time. Today, I put his rocket box on top of his vehicle. Simple task that took no more than 10 minutes start to finish, except I need him to help me tighten a bolt. And I am making dinner. Now men, wouldn't you love to come home to a home cooked meal every night. And this is what boyfriend writes in an email today:
And no, you don't need to be doing these projects (but, you are majorlyappreciated).
Lets see I sit home all day bored out of my mind and he doesn't want me doing them. Men, would you have the same answer or would you leave me a 'possible' list of 'chores' you'd want me to get done? Let me know, please.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Survived Costa Rica
This story starts a little ways before October 11th. It starts on October 9th really. We were in Phoenix visiting family and getting together with Jeff. In the few days before arriving in Phoenix, I had lost my sunglasses and cell phone. We were at the grocery store and I said 'I should get some cash so I don't have to deal with it on Monday. The ATM machine ate my debit/VISA card. I figured I would just come on Monday and get it back. Of course they don't service the machine and it was destroyed by the time I got to the bank. They gave me a temporary ATM card that would shut off when my new one was issued while I was in Costa Rica. Let me just say THANK GOODNESS my boyfriend was going with me. There is so much to tell really that I might leave some of it out. We were going with not much of a plan. Jeff, Murray, and I were ready for the adventure of it all though.
October 11 We arrived in San Jose at 930pm. Ginger Love said she would pick us up, but upon leaving the terminal we didn't see her. We were immediately attacked by taxi drivers wishing to help us. We said possibly, but we had a friend coming. One of them followed us across the street and waited. As I had my back turned, Ginger passed by and cross the street. Jeff said is that her and I said Ginger. Taxi man immediately starting yelling GiGi, GiGi. Jeff burst into laughter as I went to get GiGi. That was her name the rest of the time there. She whizzed us though the streets of San Jose in a crazy mode that we would realize is how everyone drives down there. It made us a little comfortable having a good place to stay the first night even if it was filled with mud because her house had gotten flooded.
October 12 We would make reservations to go rafting and then head back into San Jose. While waiting for the bus, I made mental notes of our surroundings because we would have to get back here at some point. We arrived in San Jose and followed the GiGi map perfectly to our destination. We stopped at the post office because it also had a tourist information office. I had noticed that the police were out in great numbers, but didn't think anything about it. As we stood in the tourist office, we heard what Jeff thought was a parade. And then we saw things starting to fly. Jeff was standing on the stairs and was immediately ushered into the building as they locked the building up and storekeepers were closing up shop. We did what any other tourist would do--snap a photograph.The Riot Upon leaving the building there was spray paint and broken windows, but the shopkeepers were already cleaning up. We spent the rest of the day in a bus (minivan) traveling to Monteverde. It was one of the bumpiest, suckiest, rides I have ever endured in my life. We stayed at a great B&B where Yolanda made great breakfasts.
October 13 We had arranged the night before through Yolanda to do a canopy tour. This included 15 zip lines, a Tarzan swing, and a walk through the rainforest by ourselves. Jeff on Zip I loved the zip lines and the walk. I hated the Tarzan swing as I hate that feeling of flying. Me on Tarzan swing Jeff kept saying that this isn't something he normally does. I think he was a little worried about going on vacation with Murray and I to begin with as we are a little crazy. He enjoyed the hell out of all of it and said the Tarzan swing actually relaxed him. We did our walk in the rain as we would so many other days. We just got used to it, me especially considering I hate the rain and water dropping on me.
After missing a bus to hit the national park, we ate lunch. Murray had no idea what it was like to get Jeff and I together laughing. While eating lunch, this Australian had diarrhea mouth sitting at the table next to us. The gentleman with him got up and Aussie immediately engaged us in conversation. Murray did most of the talking because after Aussie described his projectile vomiting and diarrhea experience in Cuba, Jeff and I were laughing uncontrollably. We got up to pay and the gentleman that had been sitting with him said the guy had been talking nonstop since 8am the previous day.
That night we went on a Night Walk Tour with Johnny. We saw a kinkajou, a possum, tarantulas, sleeping birds, and other night creatures. Johnny spent a little too much time on ant hill, but overall it was a great tour.
October 14 Yolanda had arranged for us to take a "jeep", boat, "jeep" over to La Fortuna. The "jeep" is actually a minivan. How he got us to the boat (Lake), Jeff and I are unsure as he just seemed to turn at the weirdest places. The only thing I didn't like about driving with others was that we couldn't just pull over and take photos when I wanted to. Plus on this trip, Chatty Cathy talked the entire time. Murray finally realized what Jeff and I had meant about Gabby on the bus ride to the canopy tour. We got in the boat and skirted across to the "jeep" that would take us into La Fortuna. Have a reservation to a hotel, get in this "jeep". No reservation climb aboard this one. They took us to La Choza Inn.
Let me just interject for a moment and tell you that you are not supposed to flush the toilet paper down the toilet, but instead put it in a waste paper basket next to the toilet. As some of you might know from my bathroom issues, this didn't sit very well with me.
Anyway the room didn't have its own bathroom but for $28 bucks a night per person which included a Volcano tour and a soak at the hot springs, I wasn't going to complain. The tour was great and sitting in the hot springs watching lava rocks roll down the sides of the volcano was great. They had one hot spring that was 187 degrees. No, we did not go in it. During our tour, we saw monkeys, turkeys, birds, and of course leaf-cutter ants. Volcano
October 15 We woke up to the light. We dressed and then started to head down the stairs. I stupidly asked what time it was and was told it was 5 minutes to 6am. I about cried. We ate breakfast and then headed out to the waterfall. It was 5 km away. After walking for about 5 km or more, Jeff and I finally flagged down a taxi and asked about the waterfall. He laughed at us and said get in and I will take you there. We picked up Murray who was looking at some sort of bird and drove to the entrance of the waterfall. Upon going to pay, the cashier informed us he didn't have change. This would come to irk the shit out of Jeff as time went on. We paid and hiked down to the waterfall. It was quite beautiful I have to say. Upon returning to the top and heading back to town (walking), we somehow picked up a companion. This dog followed us the entire way into town until our hotel miniature dog scared it away. It was a long walk back it felt like, but we made it in time to catch the bus into San Jose. I attempted to use my atm card but had no luck with it. We arrived in San Carlos where there was a bus change. All the locals got off, but the 5 white people stayed on unsure what the hell to do. Jeff, thank goodness for us, could speak enough Spanish to figure things out for us. When we arrived in San Jose, the same thing would happen.
So we arrived in San Jose and hired a taxi to take us into the heart of the city to grab something to eat before heading out to GiGi's. The town was busy and scary and I kept my head looking at my knees. I was also sick of being in a vehicle by this time. Jeff was looking around and getting a little nervous as well. His nervousness broke loose when he looked over to see the prostitute have her breast flapped up and down my her little pimp. He turned to us and said I am willing to pay for the taxi all the way to GiGi's. Having taken in the landmarks by GiGi's the first day on the bus would prove helpful. By this time, I was in full anxiety attack mode. Murray was trying to keep me calm, but my heart was racing 90 mph. There are two lanes-one turning left and one going straight. Taxi man pulls between the two lanes and cuts in front of the straight lane. I told him he would have been shot in the states if he had done that.
We arrived at GiGi's safely thank goodness. We went out to dinner at this great restaurant where we were treated to an Argentina show. Glenn and Keith had showed up at the house before we left, but they had to return to rental car. Upon returning to the house, introductions were made and then we went to sleep as we were awaking at 5am to go rafting.
October 16 No rest for the weary. We were back on a bus and then another bus. I attempted to get cash again from an ATM, but it didn't work. Once again, thank goodness for the boyfriend being with me. Our time was going so quickly. Our boat crew was made up of Jeff, GiGi, Keith, Glenn, Murray, and I. All friends of GiGi's visiting from the states. Our guide was Juan. After our bus trip to their headquarters and paying for the trip, we headed to the river via another bus ride. Getting around places seems to take an entire day sometimes. We started rafting on Class II and III rapids. We arrived at the lodge. Now for those of you that have taken Colorado River Trips--the accommodations are not tents. We ate lunch and then went on a short hike to this small waterfall. We started down this other trail, but decided to return the way we came since we didn't know where the other went. The next day we found out that it came out right at our cabin and we all had quite a laugh about it. That night we had a great meal and then headed to bed where a stream ran right behind our cabin. The boat crew
October 17 We awoke to rain and an amazing leaf bug on a plant outside. We ate breakfast and then hung out while the rest of the rafters left. We were the only ones staying over 2 nights so we would have the place to ourselves. The 6 of us, two guides, and the daughter of the owner along with her friend. We threw on wet clothes and hiked back up to the waterfall and then climbed up the waterfall. A place where even our guides had not been. There was also a waterslide on the rocks there. Before arriving at the waterslide, I would slip and hit hard on the rocks. I grabbed my arm and said "no bones sticking out, we are good to go". Since the rain was still pouring, we skipped the canopy tour and just relaxed all in our own way.
October 18 We awoke to blue skies. It was great. We ate breakfast and then did the canopy tour. The entire time Glenn kept saying "Murray, we have to open one of these in the states". It definitely would be a blast. Afterwards, we packed our bags and packed the boats for our departure. We would be hitting Class III and IV rapids today. The rapids The other boat that met up with us would lose their occupants several times, including the owner's daughter at one point. She abandoned ship and road with our supply boat after that. I wonder if her guide still works there? Upon ending our trip we passed under a bridge where a couple of kids jumped probably about 60 feet into the river. It was a set up for the visitors as he was waved to jump by our guide and then climbed into our boat. Jeff thought he was swimming towards us to collect tips. We ended the trip with a great lunch at the headquarters. GiGi did her talking and got them to drop us off at her residence instead of downtown San Jose. We BBQed that night and again hit the sack earlier.
October 19 Oh the time is going too damn fast. We took the city bus into San Jose. Glenn would be accompanying us on this leg of our trip, but getting off in Hermosa. We got down to the city early because we had to run some errands. I once again tried to get some money, but it didn't work. Murray and Glenn were able to get some money. As we were standing there, Murray said here why don't you take some of this...I said is this for last night or this morning. Jeff started laughing. I said 'you weren't supposed to hear that'. We went down to pick up the disk of photos from the raft trip. We had paid for 3 and were only given one. Jeff talked to the guy and he said he would meet us at the bus stop. We got to the stop and were approached by this man. When he said something to Jeff, Jeff said No. It was the guy from the raft company giving our disks. We finally got them, boarded another bus, and spent the day traveling to Quepos.
We arrived in Quepos surprisingly. The bridges were the most scariest things I have ever traveled across in my life. We were immediately given a business card by a kid about a hotel room for $6/night/person. We took it, checked in, and went to dinner. The hotel was noisy and had a prostitute standing outside. Oh well, what can you expect for $6/night. Upon returning from dinner, my bag was crawling with ants. I can't stand ants. I felt like I had bugs crawling on me all night. The next night we moved hotels.
October 20 We headed down to Manuel Antonio National Park. Another bus trip. It wasn't that long though. We hiked through the rain forest and along the coast. We saw monkeys, an agouti, lizards galore, a raccoon, and of course birds. Monkey We went swimming in the Pacific Ocean. I hate the ocean, but I went in and hung onto Murray the entire time. When we were almost to the end of the park road, the squirrel monkeys started crossing the path via the trees. Flying monkey I think Murray must have taken about two dozen photographs. And the best part of them was when one shit on Jeff's arm. Of course it would not have been funny if it had happened to me, but I thought it was rather funny. We also saw a deer that was raised by the park rangers. We left the park, ate lunch, and took the bus back to Quepos. We did a little shopping and resting.
Murray and I went out that night to a bar. Everyone in there, 20 people, were whites and probably Americans. Hell, even the bartender was from Austin Texas. We said we were on a scouting tour and he said "be careful. I did that and the second time I never left". We watched history in the making as The Boston Red Sox beat the Yankees. Of course by the time, Murray and I ate and went back to the room, I was drunk and almost fell asleep during the last inning. Murray kept waking me up though.
October 21 Guess what? We boarded another bus to San Jose. This one was an express bus so it wouldn't have so many stops. We checked into a 5 star-hotel compared to some of the other ones we had stayed at. We then hooked up a taxi to take us to the Doka Coffee Plantation for a tour. It was quite a ways away so instead of coming back, he just hung out and waited. I think he was paid well for his waiting. Jeff gave him some rum, I gave him some chocolate covered coffee beans (and women don't part much with chocolate), and his payment was well over the $10 he said quoted. We walked to the souvenir shop outlet which wasn't an outlet at all and then to dinner. We were asleep early as we had another plane to catch at some Godly hour.
October 22 We awoke at 445am and headed out the door to the airport. Everything went smoothly and now I am back home in Moab. My next adventure is awaiting me on Monday I am sure.
Sorry for the length, but hope you enjoyed. Check photos out for a slide show of all the photos I have listed for Costa Rica. Between Murray and I, we took over 300 photos.
October 11 We arrived in San Jose at 930pm. Ginger Love said she would pick us up, but upon leaving the terminal we didn't see her. We were immediately attacked by taxi drivers wishing to help us. We said possibly, but we had a friend coming. One of them followed us across the street and waited. As I had my back turned, Ginger passed by and cross the street. Jeff said is that her and I said Ginger. Taxi man immediately starting yelling GiGi, GiGi. Jeff burst into laughter as I went to get GiGi. That was her name the rest of the time there. She whizzed us though the streets of San Jose in a crazy mode that we would realize is how everyone drives down there. It made us a little comfortable having a good place to stay the first night even if it was filled with mud because her house had gotten flooded.
October 12 We would make reservations to go rafting and then head back into San Jose. While waiting for the bus, I made mental notes of our surroundings because we would have to get back here at some point. We arrived in San Jose and followed the GiGi map perfectly to our destination. We stopped at the post office because it also had a tourist information office. I had noticed that the police were out in great numbers, but didn't think anything about it. As we stood in the tourist office, we heard what Jeff thought was a parade. And then we saw things starting to fly. Jeff was standing on the stairs and was immediately ushered into the building as they locked the building up and storekeepers were closing up shop. We did what any other tourist would do--snap a photograph.The Riot Upon leaving the building there was spray paint and broken windows, but the shopkeepers were already cleaning up. We spent the rest of the day in a bus (minivan) traveling to Monteverde. It was one of the bumpiest, suckiest, rides I have ever endured in my life. We stayed at a great B&B where Yolanda made great breakfasts.
October 13 We had arranged the night before through Yolanda to do a canopy tour. This included 15 zip lines, a Tarzan swing, and a walk through the rainforest by ourselves. Jeff on Zip I loved the zip lines and the walk. I hated the Tarzan swing as I hate that feeling of flying. Me on Tarzan swing Jeff kept saying that this isn't something he normally does. I think he was a little worried about going on vacation with Murray and I to begin with as we are a little crazy. He enjoyed the hell out of all of it and said the Tarzan swing actually relaxed him. We did our walk in the rain as we would so many other days. We just got used to it, me especially considering I hate the rain and water dropping on me.
After missing a bus to hit the national park, we ate lunch. Murray had no idea what it was like to get Jeff and I together laughing. While eating lunch, this Australian had diarrhea mouth sitting at the table next to us. The gentleman with him got up and Aussie immediately engaged us in conversation. Murray did most of the talking because after Aussie described his projectile vomiting and diarrhea experience in Cuba, Jeff and I were laughing uncontrollably. We got up to pay and the gentleman that had been sitting with him said the guy had been talking nonstop since 8am the previous day.
That night we went on a Night Walk Tour with Johnny. We saw a kinkajou, a possum, tarantulas, sleeping birds, and other night creatures. Johnny spent a little too much time on ant hill, but overall it was a great tour.
October 14 Yolanda had arranged for us to take a "jeep", boat, "jeep" over to La Fortuna. The "jeep" is actually a minivan. How he got us to the boat (Lake), Jeff and I are unsure as he just seemed to turn at the weirdest places. The only thing I didn't like about driving with others was that we couldn't just pull over and take photos when I wanted to. Plus on this trip, Chatty Cathy talked the entire time. Murray finally realized what Jeff and I had meant about Gabby on the bus ride to the canopy tour. We got in the boat and skirted across to the "jeep" that would take us into La Fortuna. Have a reservation to a hotel, get in this "jeep". No reservation climb aboard this one. They took us to La Choza Inn.
Let me just interject for a moment and tell you that you are not supposed to flush the toilet paper down the toilet, but instead put it in a waste paper basket next to the toilet. As some of you might know from my bathroom issues, this didn't sit very well with me.
Anyway the room didn't have its own bathroom but for $28 bucks a night per person which included a Volcano tour and a soak at the hot springs, I wasn't going to complain. The tour was great and sitting in the hot springs watching lava rocks roll down the sides of the volcano was great. They had one hot spring that was 187 degrees. No, we did not go in it. During our tour, we saw monkeys, turkeys, birds, and of course leaf-cutter ants. Volcano
October 15 We woke up to the light. We dressed and then started to head down the stairs. I stupidly asked what time it was and was told it was 5 minutes to 6am. I about cried. We ate breakfast and then headed out to the waterfall. It was 5 km away. After walking for about 5 km or more, Jeff and I finally flagged down a taxi and asked about the waterfall. He laughed at us and said get in and I will take you there. We picked up Murray who was looking at some sort of bird and drove to the entrance of the waterfall. Upon going to pay, the cashier informed us he didn't have change. This would come to irk the shit out of Jeff as time went on. We paid and hiked down to the waterfall. It was quite beautiful I have to say. Upon returning to the top and heading back to town (walking), we somehow picked up a companion. This dog followed us the entire way into town until our hotel miniature dog scared it away. It was a long walk back it felt like, but we made it in time to catch the bus into San Jose. I attempted to use my atm card but had no luck with it. We arrived in San Carlos where there was a bus change. All the locals got off, but the 5 white people stayed on unsure what the hell to do. Jeff, thank goodness for us, could speak enough Spanish to figure things out for us. When we arrived in San Jose, the same thing would happen.
So we arrived in San Jose and hired a taxi to take us into the heart of the city to grab something to eat before heading out to GiGi's. The town was busy and scary and I kept my head looking at my knees. I was also sick of being in a vehicle by this time. Jeff was looking around and getting a little nervous as well. His nervousness broke loose when he looked over to see the prostitute have her breast flapped up and down my her little pimp. He turned to us and said I am willing to pay for the taxi all the way to GiGi's. Having taken in the landmarks by GiGi's the first day on the bus would prove helpful. By this time, I was in full anxiety attack mode. Murray was trying to keep me calm, but my heart was racing 90 mph. There are two lanes-one turning left and one going straight. Taxi man pulls between the two lanes and cuts in front of the straight lane. I told him he would have been shot in the states if he had done that.
We arrived at GiGi's safely thank goodness. We went out to dinner at this great restaurant where we were treated to an Argentina show. Glenn and Keith had showed up at the house before we left, but they had to return to rental car. Upon returning to the house, introductions were made and then we went to sleep as we were awaking at 5am to go rafting.
October 16 No rest for the weary. We were back on a bus and then another bus. I attempted to get cash again from an ATM, but it didn't work. Once again, thank goodness for the boyfriend being with me. Our time was going so quickly. Our boat crew was made up of Jeff, GiGi, Keith, Glenn, Murray, and I. All friends of GiGi's visiting from the states. Our guide was Juan. After our bus trip to their headquarters and paying for the trip, we headed to the river via another bus ride. Getting around places seems to take an entire day sometimes. We started rafting on Class II and III rapids. We arrived at the lodge. Now for those of you that have taken Colorado River Trips--the accommodations are not tents. We ate lunch and then went on a short hike to this small waterfall. We started down this other trail, but decided to return the way we came since we didn't know where the other went. The next day we found out that it came out right at our cabin and we all had quite a laugh about it. That night we had a great meal and then headed to bed where a stream ran right behind our cabin. The boat crew
October 17 We awoke to rain and an amazing leaf bug on a plant outside. We ate breakfast and then hung out while the rest of the rafters left. We were the only ones staying over 2 nights so we would have the place to ourselves. The 6 of us, two guides, and the daughter of the owner along with her friend. We threw on wet clothes and hiked back up to the waterfall and then climbed up the waterfall. A place where even our guides had not been. There was also a waterslide on the rocks there. Before arriving at the waterslide, I would slip and hit hard on the rocks. I grabbed my arm and said "no bones sticking out, we are good to go". Since the rain was still pouring, we skipped the canopy tour and just relaxed all in our own way.
October 18 We awoke to blue skies. It was great. We ate breakfast and then did the canopy tour. The entire time Glenn kept saying "Murray, we have to open one of these in the states". It definitely would be a blast. Afterwards, we packed our bags and packed the boats for our departure. We would be hitting Class III and IV rapids today. The rapids The other boat that met up with us would lose their occupants several times, including the owner's daughter at one point. She abandoned ship and road with our supply boat after that. I wonder if her guide still works there? Upon ending our trip we passed under a bridge where a couple of kids jumped probably about 60 feet into the river. It was a set up for the visitors as he was waved to jump by our guide and then climbed into our boat. Jeff thought he was swimming towards us to collect tips. We ended the trip with a great lunch at the headquarters. GiGi did her talking and got them to drop us off at her residence instead of downtown San Jose. We BBQed that night and again hit the sack earlier.
October 19 Oh the time is going too damn fast. We took the city bus into San Jose. Glenn would be accompanying us on this leg of our trip, but getting off in Hermosa. We got down to the city early because we had to run some errands. I once again tried to get some money, but it didn't work. Murray and Glenn were able to get some money. As we were standing there, Murray said here why don't you take some of this...I said is this for last night or this morning. Jeff started laughing. I said 'you weren't supposed to hear that'. We went down to pick up the disk of photos from the raft trip. We had paid for 3 and were only given one. Jeff talked to the guy and he said he would meet us at the bus stop. We got to the stop and were approached by this man. When he said something to Jeff, Jeff said No. It was the guy from the raft company giving our disks. We finally got them, boarded another bus, and spent the day traveling to Quepos.
We arrived in Quepos surprisingly. The bridges were the most scariest things I have ever traveled across in my life. We were immediately given a business card by a kid about a hotel room for $6/night/person. We took it, checked in, and went to dinner. The hotel was noisy and had a prostitute standing outside. Oh well, what can you expect for $6/night. Upon returning from dinner, my bag was crawling with ants. I can't stand ants. I felt like I had bugs crawling on me all night. The next night we moved hotels.
October 20 We headed down to Manuel Antonio National Park. Another bus trip. It wasn't that long though. We hiked through the rain forest and along the coast. We saw monkeys, an agouti, lizards galore, a raccoon, and of course birds. Monkey We went swimming in the Pacific Ocean. I hate the ocean, but I went in and hung onto Murray the entire time. When we were almost to the end of the park road, the squirrel monkeys started crossing the path via the trees. Flying monkey I think Murray must have taken about two dozen photographs. And the best part of them was when one shit on Jeff's arm. Of course it would not have been funny if it had happened to me, but I thought it was rather funny. We also saw a deer that was raised by the park rangers. We left the park, ate lunch, and took the bus back to Quepos. We did a little shopping and resting.
Murray and I went out that night to a bar. Everyone in there, 20 people, were whites and probably Americans. Hell, even the bartender was from Austin Texas. We said we were on a scouting tour and he said "be careful. I did that and the second time I never left". We watched history in the making as The Boston Red Sox beat the Yankees. Of course by the time, Murray and I ate and went back to the room, I was drunk and almost fell asleep during the last inning. Murray kept waking me up though.
October 21 Guess what? We boarded another bus to San Jose. This one was an express bus so it wouldn't have so many stops. We checked into a 5 star-hotel compared to some of the other ones we had stayed at. We then hooked up a taxi to take us to the Doka Coffee Plantation for a tour. It was quite a ways away so instead of coming back, he just hung out and waited. I think he was paid well for his waiting. Jeff gave him some rum, I gave him some chocolate covered coffee beans (and women don't part much with chocolate), and his payment was well over the $10 he said quoted. We walked to the souvenir shop outlet which wasn't an outlet at all and then to dinner. We were asleep early as we had another plane to catch at some Godly hour.
October 22 We awoke at 445am and headed out the door to the airport. Everything went smoothly and now I am back home in Moab. My next adventure is awaiting me on Monday I am sure.
Sorry for the length, but hope you enjoyed. Check photos out for a slide show of all the photos I have listed for Costa Rica. Between Murray and I, we took over 300 photos.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Costa Rica
It is great here. We did this ZIP line that had 15 different ones. Night walks. Today heading to Volcano and Hot Springs.
Photos abound.
Photos abound.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
I Simplified
In 2000 a friend and I were talking about another friend. I wouldn't say it was behind his back but more like John Boy lives like this when he doesn't have to. See John Boy comes from one of those privileged families and has money. But John Boy sleeps on the floor, doesn't have a television, has a few clothes, and lives simply. I bit. Just that mere thought of living like that peeked my interest and I made the decision to do some what of the same...
The first simplification was every electronic device except this stupid computer. I called the cable company and said come get your box because with 500 channels, I still can't find anything to watch. The tv sat idle for sometime before my sister came and picked it up. I downsized my stereo to only include the radio portion. I got rid of the alarm clock with CD player, the scanner, and anything else that required batteries and a plug.
Once I made the initial decision, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. Even though I didn't think at the time that a weight was on my chest.
One year in college my father counted up my CDs in my collection. At the time I believe I had around 50 of them. He asked how much one usually cost and I said approximately $15. He said you have $750 worth of CDs here. I chuckled like any good youngest of seven spoiled child would and said with a smile "No Dad, you have $750 worth of CDs. He didn't chuckle back. The year was around 1994-95.
So you can image that when the year 2000 came around that I had much more than 50 of them. I go rid of everyone of them.
My family and friends freaked. Mostly they kept saying just let me hold on to them while you go through this phase. But to me it wasn't a phase at all. At least at the time I didn't think it was. It was ridding myself of materials, materialistic items in my life. Now, my sisters will laugh at that statement because I always have the newest fad thing for example XM radio. But at the time it made a lot of sense and today it still does.
Did I end up sleeping on the floor? Yes. I lived in an apartment constructed in 1918 and had beautiful hardwood floors. I would put down my nanny blanket and then throw my down comforter over me. I would cross my hands across my chest and tell myself to clear my mind. And peacefully I would fall silently into the floor and into the earth and sleep peacefully. Today, I sleep terribly and have weird ass dreams nightly. If I didn't like cuddling to the warmth of BF, I would probably be sleeping on the floor. It is better to be closer to Mother Earth.
When DVDs became the hot item, I started my collection of them. And then one day I decided it was time to simplify again. Again, my friends freaked. Just let me hold on to them until you realize your stupidity. Today, life is simple in a sense.
But probably the most important item I ridded myself of was a watch. My watch used to be a life line of sorts. I couldn't leave the house without the heaviness on my right wrist. It took a little while getting used to, but I finally did it. And this year when I placed it on my wrist every day for the mere instance of work, it felt like a heavy weight. By taking off the watch many years ago, I felt I slowed my life down. Sure I had a clock that got me to work on time, however; it wasn't a necessity to get me out of bed. I quit stressing about making it somewhere on time. I mean if I had an appointment, I would get there on time. But time wasn't an essence to me. I was living in the moment every day and so two minutes from now or two minutes ago didn't mean a damn thing to me. There was nothing I could change or do to change those minutes before or soon. I was living in the now and it became my motto. As I read in a book "The Miracle of Mindfulness", you must think about what you are doing presently than what you are going to do afterwards. By doing so, you were actually experiencing that instance. In doing so, it put a smile on my face.
As you might have read, I have lost my sunglasses (Oakleys, a pretty price) and my cell phone (not cheap either) in the last couple of days. I have been very irritated over the loss of them both. Each day I would go where I think they were and go through the vehicles and every thing else. I was talking to Flapper today and she said sorry, but sometimes these things happen for a reason.
And all I could think of was SIMPLIFICATION.
The first simplification was every electronic device except this stupid computer. I called the cable company and said come get your box because with 500 channels, I still can't find anything to watch. The tv sat idle for sometime before my sister came and picked it up. I downsized my stereo to only include the radio portion. I got rid of the alarm clock with CD player, the scanner, and anything else that required batteries and a plug.
Once I made the initial decision, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. Even though I didn't think at the time that a weight was on my chest.
One year in college my father counted up my CDs in my collection. At the time I believe I had around 50 of them. He asked how much one usually cost and I said approximately $15. He said you have $750 worth of CDs here. I chuckled like any good youngest of seven spoiled child would and said with a smile "No Dad, you have $750 worth of CDs. He didn't chuckle back. The year was around 1994-95.
So you can image that when the year 2000 came around that I had much more than 50 of them. I go rid of everyone of them.
My family and friends freaked. Mostly they kept saying just let me hold on to them while you go through this phase. But to me it wasn't a phase at all. At least at the time I didn't think it was. It was ridding myself of materials, materialistic items in my life. Now, my sisters will laugh at that statement because I always have the newest fad thing for example XM radio. But at the time it made a lot of sense and today it still does.
Did I end up sleeping on the floor? Yes. I lived in an apartment constructed in 1918 and had beautiful hardwood floors. I would put down my nanny blanket and then throw my down comforter over me. I would cross my hands across my chest and tell myself to clear my mind. And peacefully I would fall silently into the floor and into the earth and sleep peacefully. Today, I sleep terribly and have weird ass dreams nightly. If I didn't like cuddling to the warmth of BF, I would probably be sleeping on the floor. It is better to be closer to Mother Earth.
When DVDs became the hot item, I started my collection of them. And then one day I decided it was time to simplify again. Again, my friends freaked. Just let me hold on to them until you realize your stupidity. Today, life is simple in a sense.
But probably the most important item I ridded myself of was a watch. My watch used to be a life line of sorts. I couldn't leave the house without the heaviness on my right wrist. It took a little while getting used to, but I finally did it. And this year when I placed it on my wrist every day for the mere instance of work, it felt like a heavy weight. By taking off the watch many years ago, I felt I slowed my life down. Sure I had a clock that got me to work on time, however; it wasn't a necessity to get me out of bed. I quit stressing about making it somewhere on time. I mean if I had an appointment, I would get there on time. But time wasn't an essence to me. I was living in the moment every day and so two minutes from now or two minutes ago didn't mean a damn thing to me. There was nothing I could change or do to change those minutes before or soon. I was living in the now and it became my motto. As I read in a book "The Miracle of Mindfulness", you must think about what you are doing presently than what you are going to do afterwards. By doing so, you were actually experiencing that instance. In doing so, it put a smile on my face.
As you might have read, I have lost my sunglasses (Oakleys, a pretty price) and my cell phone (not cheap either) in the last couple of days. I have been very irritated over the loss of them both. Each day I would go where I think they were and go through the vehicles and every thing else. I was talking to Flapper today and she said sorry, but sometimes these things happen for a reason.
And all I could think of was SIMPLIFICATION.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Another Volunteer Project
I can't pull myself away from the park. There is so much I've already explored and so much I haven't explored that I go back day after day. I am a volunteer now which is a perk in a way because it allows me to take a G-vehicle instead of my own gas guzzling one. So yesterday I ambled back into the park, got the Big Dodge, and headed out to the area where BF and I went on Friday, but not exactly. See on our way back, we found what we thought was another site.
So I stopped into the office to pick up a radio and hopefully locate my cell phone and sunglasses which I have lost in the last several days at the park. The radio was the only thing I picked up. (Little to say, I don't know anyone's # because it is all on the phone). I told Boss Lady to listen for the ever famous SS or Triple S. Sara Situation or a Serious Sara Situation. I told her where I was going or at least the general location. I got suckered into doing some petty work and then
I drove out the 18 miles to the dirt road and then to the KB area. The drive out there was quick as they have just graded that road FINALLY and now you can go 80 on it. Oops, I didn't type that. I was rambling down the road when a NorthernHarrier flew over the drainage and into a tree. I hopped out and watched him through the daddy-bought binos. Eventually, I arrived at the parking area and hurried up the hill because I didn't want the other visitors to see me going off trail to locate this site. I scrambled up and over rocks and took a few risks that would have sent me down the hill if I stepped wrong.
I reached the top and pulled out the necessary tools--food, GPS, camera, pen/paper. I ate first while walking around checking to see if there was other images/writings on the wall. I didn't find any and the GPS unit was up and running by the time I returned. I marked the location, took photographs, and wrote down the names. Who Walter R Godman is I am not sure, but he was in the area between 1910-1915 according to the writings on the wall. N.N. was there sometime between 1935 or 1955 (I couldn't determine what the numbers said). There were other people who had scrawled their markings, but I couldn't make it out. What we thought was rock art was a half-circle (otherwise known as a semi-circle) with some scratchings in the center. (Does a half circle have a center?) There were two other images, but unknown what they were. Most likely all from Walter R. Godman. There are several old mining camps in the area so may be Walter is from there. Finished with my work, I decided to explore in the area some. (Side note: I just looked up Walter R Godman in Google and got a guest book from a funeral chapel--what is the internet coming too).
So I started exploring and found a peaceful area that I would like to return to with a pen and journal and just write down my thoughts of the day. There was no sound in the quietness of the breezy air. It was just me, the rocks, the spirit of Walter R Godman, and the Earth. The blue sky was littered with random clouds that were like cotton balls. TheCloud I wish I could explain the color of the sky. I wish I could explain the taste of the air. I wish I could explain the feel of the sandstone. However, you wouldn't understand because you weren't in the moment.
I found this crack and in my mind made up some fantasy to where it would lead if I went through it. (Possibly to my sunglasses and phone). Possibly to a Heaven that I do not believe in. Possibly to Hell where if one exists I am going. Possibly into the canyon below--the most likely answer. But mostly I think about what it must have been like to explore this region when there were no roads leading to this place. What must have it been like to explore where no man had been before. And I correlate it to being the first man to step foot on the moon--an unexplainable feeling to all.
I turned my attention from the crack and looked over the valley. I shot this photo--anarch. And didn't realize the magnitude it had within the confines of my soul until I pulled it up on the computer at home. And you might think that it is a beautiful shot, but again you won't know the true feeling of it because you weren't there. Even if it takes your breath away, it won't be the same as if you were standing there. I live by the belief that you must get yourself dirty to truly enjoy the beauty of this Earth.
I explored around some more finding a couple more arches and taking in the beauty of somewhere I had been before, but had never been. As I was hiking down I heard the ever cry of the Tattle Tell--otherwise known as a swift. I call it the Tattle Tell because for some reason when it cries out other things happen like other birds appear. There was a fairly large blackbird in the distance. I pulled up the daddy-bought binos and took a look. I watched intently as it soared and then went into dive bomb mode and then soar mode. More or less it was playing in the breeze and wind current that comes off the bluff. Then the second one appeared. I watched them both until they flew through the beams of the sun and blinded me. I believe they were turkey vultures, but not sure because they didn't have to obvious markings of them, however; their flight patterns were conducive to a turkey vulture.
I arrived back at the vehicle and headed down the 4 wheel drive road. I would stop many times and do rehab, trash removal, and just things that needed to be done. I finally returned to the office, searched for my phone again, and headed home with my heart soaring with the birds.
I leave you with this photo that I changed with photoshop--Spiral
After writing my patrol logs for my last couple of days, I am heading downtown to the library to find out who Walter R Godman was...
So I stopped into the office to pick up a radio and hopefully locate my cell phone and sunglasses which I have lost in the last several days at the park. The radio was the only thing I picked up. (Little to say, I don't know anyone's # because it is all on the phone). I told Boss Lady to listen for the ever famous SS or Triple S. Sara Situation or a Serious Sara Situation. I told her where I was going or at least the general location. I got suckered into doing some petty work and then
I drove out the 18 miles to the dirt road and then to the KB area. The drive out there was quick as they have just graded that road FINALLY and now you can go 80 on it. Oops, I didn't type that. I was rambling down the road when a NorthernHarrier flew over the drainage and into a tree. I hopped out and watched him through the daddy-bought binos. Eventually, I arrived at the parking area and hurried up the hill because I didn't want the other visitors to see me going off trail to locate this site. I scrambled up and over rocks and took a few risks that would have sent me down the hill if I stepped wrong.
I reached the top and pulled out the necessary tools--food, GPS, camera, pen/paper. I ate first while walking around checking to see if there was other images/writings on the wall. I didn't find any and the GPS unit was up and running by the time I returned. I marked the location, took photographs, and wrote down the names. Who Walter R Godman is I am not sure, but he was in the area between 1910-1915 according to the writings on the wall. N.N. was there sometime between 1935 or 1955 (I couldn't determine what the numbers said). There were other people who had scrawled their markings, but I couldn't make it out. What we thought was rock art was a half-circle (otherwise known as a semi-circle) with some scratchings in the center. (Does a half circle have a center?) There were two other images, but unknown what they were. Most likely all from Walter R. Godman. There are several old mining camps in the area so may be Walter is from there. Finished with my work, I decided to explore in the area some. (Side note: I just looked up Walter R Godman in Google and got a guest book from a funeral chapel--what is the internet coming too).
So I started exploring and found a peaceful area that I would like to return to with a pen and journal and just write down my thoughts of the day. There was no sound in the quietness of the breezy air. It was just me, the rocks, the spirit of Walter R Godman, and the Earth. The blue sky was littered with random clouds that were like cotton balls. TheCloud I wish I could explain the color of the sky. I wish I could explain the taste of the air. I wish I could explain the feel of the sandstone. However, you wouldn't understand because you weren't in the moment.
I found this crack and in my mind made up some fantasy to where it would lead if I went through it. (Possibly to my sunglasses and phone). Possibly to a Heaven that I do not believe in. Possibly to Hell where if one exists I am going. Possibly into the canyon below--the most likely answer. But mostly I think about what it must have been like to explore this region when there were no roads leading to this place. What must have it been like to explore where no man had been before. And I correlate it to being the first man to step foot on the moon--an unexplainable feeling to all.
I turned my attention from the crack and looked over the valley. I shot this photo--anarch. And didn't realize the magnitude it had within the confines of my soul until I pulled it up on the computer at home. And you might think that it is a beautiful shot, but again you won't know the true feeling of it because you weren't there. Even if it takes your breath away, it won't be the same as if you were standing there. I live by the belief that you must get yourself dirty to truly enjoy the beauty of this Earth.
I explored around some more finding a couple more arches and taking in the beauty of somewhere I had been before, but had never been. As I was hiking down I heard the ever cry of the Tattle Tell--otherwise known as a swift. I call it the Tattle Tell because for some reason when it cries out other things happen like other birds appear. There was a fairly large blackbird in the distance. I pulled up the daddy-bought binos and took a look. I watched intently as it soared and then went into dive bomb mode and then soar mode. More or less it was playing in the breeze and wind current that comes off the bluff. Then the second one appeared. I watched them both until they flew through the beams of the sun and blinded me. I believe they were turkey vultures, but not sure because they didn't have to obvious markings of them, however; their flight patterns were conducive to a turkey vulture.
I arrived back at the vehicle and headed down the 4 wheel drive road. I would stop many times and do rehab, trash removal, and just things that needed to be done. I finally returned to the office, searched for my phone again, and headed home with my heart soaring with the birds.
I leave you with this photo that I changed with photoshop--Spiral
After writing my patrol logs for my last couple of days, I am heading downtown to the library to find out who Walter R Godman was...
Monday, October 04, 2004
YOU'RE FIRED
Those were the words that I heard last Thursday. Actually I heard them about a week prior to that, but Thursday was my last day. And no, I wasn't really fired, but terminated for the season. But Boss Lady wanted to be like Trump and use those words. Thank goodness she doesn't have the same hair. I wouldn't have been able to go to work without laughing every day. So I am unemployed. Really this post should be entitled what I am going to miss and what I am not going to miss about the job....so I will just list them here...
WHAT I WILL MISS
The morning sunrises and the evening sunsets
The various animals crossing the road
Some of the visitors
Those moments of sheer beauty
Those moments of utterly silence
The camaraderie overall
And just the fun of the job
WHAT I WON’T MISS
People parking ½ in the road, ½ off the road
The same question over and over
Doing surveys that didn't’t make sense to me let alone the visitor
Responding to stupid things
Having to give food to the fee people (HAHA)
Having to execute stops with the unknown
Actually having a job
But don't think I am too far from the job site as before I was FIRED, Boss Lady signed me up as a volunteer and let me keep my pager. The signing up as a volunteer allows me to attend trainings and stuff that will be beneficial to me. However, it also gives them free labor to do things they need me to that will benefit them.
So with that in mind, BF and I went hiking on Friday to a rock art site which I need to finish doing paperwork on and sending off photos. Of course, when we returned, we also found some more so I will have to hike up there to do that. We climbed up this ridge and decided, heck, we were this far why not go all the way to the top and it was well worth it. We walked our separate ways once on top to explore what we wanted and also to give each other that silence to take a deep breath and enjoy it. TheHike
My friend, Timmy, said it was safer with me being a road bitch now that my sketchy background cleared. I said what do you mean by that and he said now you aren't doing those crazy things you were writing about before. Well folks, get ready for those crazy stories to start popping out again.
On Saturday and Sunday, I attended a Advance Technical Rescue course. I learned some great techniques, but most importantly I learned not to volunteer to be the first patient especially when you don't know what you are being lowered over. In my case, I was lowered over a 400 foot cliff in a litter. I had someone with me the entire time, but when you are teetering on the edge and then lowered over something that you weren't aware was like 400 feet it is nerve racking. BGO asked why I was breathing so hard. Well, it might have to do with the fear of heights and that I am hanging vertically 300 feet in the air. I eventually calmed down and was able to open my eyes. Unfortunately, the way I was tied into the litter was cutting off the circulation to my hands and feet and eating into my legs painfully. Every time the litter adjusted or moved a millimeter it made it more painful. I told BGO I was not doing well and needed to be taken up. The nausea hit me shortly thereafter from the intensity of the pain and I told BGO to get on the side of me because I was going to puke. I was now back near the edge and I told the Edge Attendant the same thing since I was strapped down and they would have to turn me sideways. Most of the people on top of the cliff thought it was because of the height that I was screaming, but BF knew that scream was sheer anguish. When they got me on to the top and untied, I was helped out of the litter because I didn't think I would be able to stand. There were indents in my legs, but surprisingly they didn't bruise, but are tender. Lets just say that I didn't volunteer the rest of Saturday, but I braved it on Sunday. Overall it was worth the pain to learn the new stuff. Thetraining
Starting today, Monday, there won't be any volunteering or blogging for a while. BF and I leave on Thursday for Arizona and then boarding a plane to Costa Rica. So don't panic if you don't see me posting or commenting. I am sure I will have some great stories and photos when we return. So I will check you all at the end of the month. Be safe.
WHAT I WILL MISS
The morning sunrises and the evening sunsets
The various animals crossing the road
Some of the visitors
Those moments of sheer beauty
Those moments of utterly silence
The camaraderie overall
And just the fun of the job
WHAT I WON’T MISS
People parking ½ in the road, ½ off the road
The same question over and over
Doing surveys that didn't’t make sense to me let alone the visitor
Responding to stupid things
Having to give food to the fee people (HAHA)
Having to execute stops with the unknown
Actually having a job
But don't think I am too far from the job site as before I was FIRED, Boss Lady signed me up as a volunteer and let me keep my pager. The signing up as a volunteer allows me to attend trainings and stuff that will be beneficial to me. However, it also gives them free labor to do things they need me to that will benefit them.
So with that in mind, BF and I went hiking on Friday to a rock art site which I need to finish doing paperwork on and sending off photos. Of course, when we returned, we also found some more so I will have to hike up there to do that. We climbed up this ridge and decided, heck, we were this far why not go all the way to the top and it was well worth it. We walked our separate ways once on top to explore what we wanted and also to give each other that silence to take a deep breath and enjoy it. TheHike
My friend, Timmy, said it was safer with me being a road bitch now that my sketchy background cleared. I said what do you mean by that and he said now you aren't doing those crazy things you were writing about before. Well folks, get ready for those crazy stories to start popping out again.
On Saturday and Sunday, I attended a Advance Technical Rescue course. I learned some great techniques, but most importantly I learned not to volunteer to be the first patient especially when you don't know what you are being lowered over. In my case, I was lowered over a 400 foot cliff in a litter. I had someone with me the entire time, but when you are teetering on the edge and then lowered over something that you weren't aware was like 400 feet it is nerve racking. BGO asked why I was breathing so hard. Well, it might have to do with the fear of heights and that I am hanging vertically 300 feet in the air. I eventually calmed down and was able to open my eyes. Unfortunately, the way I was tied into the litter was cutting off the circulation to my hands and feet and eating into my legs painfully. Every time the litter adjusted or moved a millimeter it made it more painful. I told BGO I was not doing well and needed to be taken up. The nausea hit me shortly thereafter from the intensity of the pain and I told BGO to get on the side of me because I was going to puke. I was now back near the edge and I told the Edge Attendant the same thing since I was strapped down and they would have to turn me sideways. Most of the people on top of the cliff thought it was because of the height that I was screaming, but BF knew that scream was sheer anguish. When they got me on to the top and untied, I was helped out of the litter because I didn't think I would be able to stand. There were indents in my legs, but surprisingly they didn't bruise, but are tender. Lets just say that I didn't volunteer the rest of Saturday, but I braved it on Sunday. Overall it was worth the pain to learn the new stuff. Thetraining
Starting today, Monday, there won't be any volunteering or blogging for a while. BF and I leave on Thursday for Arizona and then boarding a plane to Costa Rica. So don't panic if you don't see me posting or commenting. I am sure I will have some great stories and photos when we return. So I will check you all at the end of the month. Be safe.
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