Follow the migratory path of Mel

Another summer come and gone, and as I stare out the window at the rain spattering on the parking lot, I think to myself, I can't wait for snow. But I'm not going to get snow this year. Nope, I'll be lending my services to.....SUNNY FLORIDA!!!!!! That's right folks! A non-paid expense trip to spend six months in North America's most unique ecosystem, the EVERGLADES! You'll spend five days a week canoeing with fifth graders, and alligators, and tromping through the dense swamps showing snakes, spiders, and other slitheries to curious visitors. But to give you a little idea of where I'm coming from, this is the current view from Lake McDonald:
This, however is what Everglades looks like right now:
Which one would you take? Yeah, I know it's a really hard decision. Ski for the winter, run around the swamp looking for things that can eat me. It's a toss up. At any rate, I'm very excited to be employed. Although, truth be told, I was looking forward to my six weeks of unemployment, but I suppose getting paid beats sitting on my parents' couch watching reruns and catching up on Hollywood gossip. That Brad and Angelina thing is really heatin' up though. Oh well.
Currently at Glacier, I'm working with the education groups from the surrounding area, and without fail, I have contracted my first of, I'm sure, many colds. Sore throat, aches, and a general lack of ambition. It's at times like these that I wish I had a tv. But book learnin' will have to do. I have to read through my new Everglades books, so that when I get there, I'm not like "Alligator, who?"
So, if anyone is planning a Florida vacation for the winter, look up Ranger Melissa up in Everglades National Park. I'll be stationed out of Homestead and Hidden Lake.

The Powers of the Badge only go so far

I would just like to reiterate for the cyber-world and public at large, that because I wear a badge does not mean that I have control of the weather. If I did, you better believe it would snow a lot more in January and be an even 78 degrees from June through September. Unfortunately though, the weather does whatever it is going to do. Encompassing, but not limited to: snow, sleet, hail, copious amounts of rain and lightning strikes. I apologize for these inconveniences, but unfortunately, that 's the crap game you play when planning an outdoor vacation. So buck up, have an alternate plan, and bring an umbrella. There, that's been said, now on to more fun stuff.
Did another back-country trip. Up and over Gunsight Pass

and stayed at Lake Ellen Wilson, which is the one in the picture here. To use a term coined by our friend Eric, "It wope our asses". Yeah, it was kinda tough. Three thousand feet of vertical gain and twelve miles. Argh....I took a nap and listened to loons on the lake. That night, I think we were all dehydrated, so we ate a hearty meal of powerade (the red kind), and chicken picante ramen. Just enough salts to start to get that headache to go away. Then, I made the dumb mistake of reading "Night of the Grizzlies" before we went to bed, which is an account of two grizzly killings on the same night in 1967. Note to self: reading about bear attacks in bear country, not good for sleep purposes. The next day we awoke early due to cramped sleeping conditions, overheating, and Eric's incessant snoring ("I'm keeping the bears away," he says. Right....). Then we headed to Sperry Chalet, where we shared a pitcher of lemonade, after which we got the heck out of dodge, since 12 inches of snow is coming our way!!! Great weekend, and I just passed the 300 mile mark, and 307 for the season. Woo-hoo! I think I need new hiking boots now though, christmas ideas anyone?