We had 400 high school forestry students at the refuge today, so it was “all hands on deck” to handle a crowd like that. They were here to compete in some practicum forest tests this morning, and then they were free to participate in four venues that we offered for their education and enjoyment on the refuge. I was stationed at the beginning of the Cane Pole Trail to direct them where they needed to go for an alligator presentation. It was a busy day with that many young people descending on us, but lots of fun besides. All of us senior volunteers are pretty well worn out tonight.
When I staggered back to the rig late this afternoon, I turned on the computer to check my email just in case there was a message from Tamarac NWR in northwest Minnesota. I had that interview yesterday, but wasn’t expecting to hear anything until tomorrow. Lo and behold, there was an email, and I crossed my fingers before opening it.
Judith-- I would like to offer you the position here at Tamarac. I think you are a great fit for our needs - you have the skills and experience we are looking for. Let me know if you would like to spend the summer with us and the loons, wolves, trumpeters and eagles etc... and then we'll go from there.
thanks so much!
Hmm… should I think about this?? Ha Ha! I was doing a happy dance! My response:
You Betcha!! I'll try to be there a little before the bird festival with "Bells" on! (pun intended) :) Let me know what I need to do next...
Ya-Hoo! Besides the fact that I love the north woods, and haven’t been there in seven years, I also have two sons and three grandchildren that live in Minnesota. They’re not exactly next door to where I’ll be (Minnesota is a big state), but I’ll only be working three days/week so some trips down to Rochester will be occurring. I’m a happy camper tonight, and that’s about all that was important to me today…
THE END!!
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
Posts
Yahoo!!!! I am soooo happy for you. When is the bird festival? I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteOh! Lucky you! What an awesome opportunity. Minnesota is beautiful and family, close-by, too! You'll escape before the snow flies...when's that? August????
ReplyDeleteGlad to see they recognized real talent and snapped you up before you got away, or got snapped up by a hungry gator. ;c)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Judy, we're so pleased for you!!!
Woopee!! Being close so that you can visit family will be wonderful. So glad that it all worked out for you!!
ReplyDeleteReally happy for you Judy! Door closed, window opened and it sounds much better for you. Minnesota in summer is definitely on my list. Too bad it isn't this summer. I'm an entire year behind because of the year of 2012. You do manage to get the best assignments. Gee I wonder why? :-))
ReplyDeleteShould be up there about the first week in June.
ReplyDeleteYAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's great news, Judy! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteYipeee...what wonderful news. Congratulations. What a bonus to have the kids so close. Going to be a great summer of fun for you two.
ReplyDeleteAlllllllright!!! You'll be in the neighborhood. Where exactly in MN is Tamarac? I'm making a trip to Bemidji in August, will I be close?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Judy, will be looking forward to reading your posts from Minnesota. Have never been there
ReplyDeleteso will enjoy seeing it through your eyes.
Yay! They are lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! With you experience they are lucky to have you:)
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic news!!! They sure did make the right decision.
ReplyDeleteWhat Great News!
ReplyDeleteI know you will love it there and they will love having you.
Congratulations, have a great summer.
ReplyDeleteOh, good for you! that will be a BIG change from the swamps to the North Woods.. and trumpeter swans, have always wanted to see them!!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the happy dance with you. Looking forward to reading your blogs from there.
ReplyDeleteGood news! If we don't get to go to Canada, maybe we'll head up your way before we do our Habitat build in August.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I read "loons and wolves" I was so happy for you. What a serenade you will be getting!
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful... congratulations! Don't think we've visited that refuge... looking forward to all the great photos you'll be posting!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! Very happy for you. Looking forward to your stories of your time in Minnesota this summer. We are still nearby in St. Mary's and would love to come by and see you in the next few days. We don't leave the area until Wed morning. Let us know if that will work and what the best day would be. Randy and Pam
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo! for you, Judy! that is wonderful news. I have always wanted to go to MinneSO-ta. Now I'll get to see it through your eyes in case we don't make it up there this year. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteOh Judy! What wonderful news about Minnesota! Minnie-so-tah! <-- my attempt at writing how it's pronounced, ya know. We lived in The Iron Range, about 40 miles NW of Duluth, a wee town called Hibbing. MN is soooo lovely in Summer! Bears, Loons and Wolves. Such a deal! I'm very happy for you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the great news! We'd love to have you come visit if you're coming through Wisconsin. We'll be camp hosting at Derge County Park in Beaver Dam, 30 miles from Madison. We met a lady a few weeks ago who told us she was from MinneSNOWta. Ha ha. Our son lived and worked near Moorhead, MN for six years. Not far from where you'll be. A very beautiful area!
ReplyDeleteGreat news sounds like a wonderful place to spend the summer.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Look forward to your posts since that is one area we have yet to visit.
ReplyDeleteCool beans to use your favorite phrase! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! One of my very favorite places!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new volunteer position. I'm sure you will love it. If you run into him say Hi to Denis Mudderman. We volunteered at Brazoria NWR and he was a grant writer there and at Tamarack. When will you be leaving your current assignment?
ReplyDeleteThe Land of 10,000 Lakes and one really happy RVing, volunteering great blog writer. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Judy!!! It's nice to be close to family.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Minnesota for being intelligent enough to nab you quickly and too bad to those other sites who weren't smart enough to grab you. I grew up in Duluth but it has changed significantly since the last time I was there which was eons ago.
ReplyDeleteJudy, so good meeting you today. Appreciate the lessons on the homesteaders there at Okefenokee. Here is a link to our blog - http://alpenlite.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteYIPPEE!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your next volunteer assignment ... with a bonus that will allow some family visits ... that's neat.
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the party but wanted to offer my congrats as well. Good luck to you and enjoy your summer in the woods.
ReplyDeleteWOOT!WOOT!...Are you coming through here???
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!! Having family within driving distance is a wonderful bonus. Very excited for you!!
ReplyDeleteGood gracious, Judy. Had to scroll half a day to get to the end of your comments! Congrats on the great job. Minnesota will be lucky to have you. I loved Minnesota when we traveled through there in 2010. I just remember green green green, and blue blue blue skies that went all the way to the horizon without fading in color. It was amazing.
ReplyDeleteYup, kids right next door--only 300+ miles away (about a six hour drive on the quickest roads). At least in the same state though so you can drive all day one way to visit one day then drive all day back again. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Sounds like the perfect fit.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Congrats on the position! So glad u got what u wanted. Since I will not be lucky enough to travel there I'm looking forward to seeing it thru ur eyes-u always have the best pics. A double bonus by being close to family. Wish u the best summer of ur life so far.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Minnesota is beautiful. I remember being told that it is the land of 10,000 lakes and 10,000,000 mosquitoes! Bring bug dope.
ReplyDeleteI know this is what you wanted, but I have to admit I'm a tiny bit bummed you chose not to go to the Grand Tetons. Just a tiny bit. Congratulations on getting what you wanted in Minnesota!
ReplyDeleteCongratulation on getting what you wanted.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new assignment. I specifically came in to read your blog to see if you got the job. I had two offers for the kind of assignments you and I both love and thought I could at least off them a superior substitute in you.
ReplyDeleteActually that off was supposed to be "offer". Having a bad brain day.
ReplyDelete