Dearest family and friends,
The last 3 years have been an experience of a lifetime. I went from
graduating from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, to an internship
at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (where weekly I gave talks about
Moose). I then went to living in Australia, where I was a full-time
student, working part-time as a volunteer for Greening Australia, then
part-time as research assistant for one of my favorite professors, and
then finally part-time for a limousine and classic car company
(www.agoldenroller.com.au). I finally graduated with a Masters in
Environmental Education, and in June of 2007, I arrived back in Orange
County, California. I am currently teaching 4th and 5th graders about
ecosystems with a great environmental education organization
(www.insidetheoutdoors.org). However, I am now prepared to take on
what might be one of the most anticipated adventures of my life.
In a little over a month and a half I will become... Ranger Kate!
That's right, that title I've been headed towards most of my life will
finally be mine.
I will be a seasonal ranger at Katmai National Park and Preserve in
Alaska. This park is 4.7 million acres of wilderness, is estimated to
contain over 2,000 Brown Bears (and God knows how many other animals),
and was originally dubbed a national park because of the 1912 eruption
of a volcano called Novarupta which, according to geologists and
volcanologists, was ten times stronger than the Mount Saint Helens
eruption. For more information see www.nps.gov/katm/ I have also
included with this email a picture of what work will probably look
like on a daily basis.
I am excited, nervous and everything in between. I can't wait to see
if I can really hack it as a ranger in the bush of Alaska!
I will be living approximately 290 air miles Southwest of Anchorage
and inside the park boundaries, for 5 months. Which brings me to my
next point, I will have limited internet and phone access, so I beg
you, if you like to write letters or care to send me a care package
between May 5th and September 20th, PLEASE DO. :-) Email me or call me and I'll give you the address. :-)
Also, this may only be a seasonal position, I believe it will lead to
a long line of opportunities, if this is what I'm meant to be doing
for the rest of my life.
I owe it to you for providing me with support, advice comfort, and
happiness over the years! Thank you for making me the person I am
today!
This won't be the last time you'll hear from me, but I know how much
of a slacker I am when it comes to email. Hopefully 5 months in the
middle of nowhere will convince me that I should write more. Till
then, I hope all is well with you!!
Again, thank you!
Life is an adventure. So experience it everyday by trying something new!
The 5 Freeway.
The city of LA.
In the National Forest.
Starting to see snow!
More snow!
In Sequoia National Park!
Yay for snowshoeing!
John Muir Lodge. Where we stayed.
Big Sequoia tree!
See little Dylan at the bottom of the tree??
Another big tree!
A GIANT thermometer!
A road with a name that has too many 'Z's
The Nevada border.
The Vegas Strip is on this street!
The Strip during the day.
Large M&Ms on the strip.
Art at the Bellagio.
The plans for the Bridge.
The beginning of a bridge.
A power generator in the Hoover Dam. HUGE!! (Since you can't really tell from the picture.)
Inside the Hoover Dam.
View of the Colorado River from a vent in the dam.
The Hoover Dam from the air!
Close up of the Hoover Dam from the air!
