First of all, I have to say that I’m glad that someone had some brains in their head and opened up the closed gates to the World War II Memorial for those veterans that came to visit today in Washington DC. These veterans are now in their 80’s and 90’s and deserve to see their memorial after giving so much to the freedom of this country. Perhaps the members of Congress should have seen the faces of those brave souls as they were denied entrance because of shutting down the government.
On my home front, the winds were howling today as staff arrived with four hours to shut down the refuge. It was kind of sad to see.
I had been assured yesterday, that if there was a shutdown, I would be allowed to stay here anyway. That was a big relief to me. I just couldn’t imagine having to get out and setting up an appointment for my refrigerator all over again somewhere else.
I thought some of you might be interested to know the impact of the shutdown on an individual refuge. First of all, the staff had to leave by noon today, except for the refuge manager. All work came to a halt. There will be no more surveys, no more work on invasive species, and no public access.
No public access means no fishing, hunting, or leaf peeping. (I’m glad I was able to get out for tonight’s photos before the shutdown.) There are two county roads that run through the refuge, and they remain open, but all other roads and trails are officially closed. All educational school programs have been cancelled. If the shutdown isn’t taken care of by tomorrow night, the Tamarac NWR Fall Festival on Saturday will be cancelled as well. This is a major yearly occurrence on the refuge, and much work has gone into the preparation for this event. It’s a shame to see it all go for naught, let alone losing the chance to acquaint so many attendees with the joys of nature and the refuge.
As a volunteer, I’m also not allowed to do anything except exist here. I’m not allowed to work on anything having to do with the refuge. So I’ll work on enjoying my enforced time off, buy some more ice, and get my extend-a-stay propane tank filled up. There is an outside chance of some snow flurries this weekend, so I want to be sure I have enough heat.
The great Minnesota ice storm on Halloween is lurking in the back of my mind. I think it happened some time in the early 90’s. I sure hope I’m not here to see Halloween, but I’d rather not run out of propane in the big tank in the motorhome in the mean time.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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I was thinking of you today and wondering how you would get your fridge fixed if you have to leave. Are they not putting up gates at the entrance to the VC area? I may be missing the National Parks on my scheduled route as well. What a mess!
ReplyDeleteHope you will be safe and warm while the shutdown continues
ReplyDeleteIt is terrible that the National Parks, Forests and Refuges are also affected by the shutdown.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it won't impact the wildlife. Enjoy your time off, and hugs to Emma. Happy Tails and Trails, Penny.
Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteLike your Autumn photos
ReplyDeleteIf you can't work, now would be a good time to take a vacation.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you and very glad to see our WWII vets go around the shuttered gates to see their memorial. Time may have weakened their bodies, but it hasn't diminished their brave spirits!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're able to stay on the refuge. We're being allowed to stay at our COE park, but as to being able to work, we're getting conflicting reports.
I am glad you can stay put. The actions in Washington explain where the expression "politics makes for strange bed fellows" comes from :( I think the founding fathers expressed the view that the system as designed by them was expected to be messy at times. I guess this is one of those times.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of the changing seasons. I was also glad that our veterans were allowed into the Memorial. Can you imagine the fall-out if they were turned away? Hope this mess gets cleared up quickly.
ReplyDeleteWe finally got to Assateague National Seashore, a much anticipated stop for me. But of course we can't stay out our reservation. We're still here and haven't been told how long we can stay. 48 hours. But 48 hours from when? No one seems to know. Since there are no services here - water, electric or sewer - I hope they don't lock us in. :-)) Glad you get to stay where you are.
ReplyDeleteYes... the congressman that moved the barricades did ... FINALLY ... a good thing. What a heartbreaking story that was on the news this evening. I've already done my rant on my blog ... my DIL was sent home early yesterday and was told no job until further notice. This weekend was drill weekend which meant enough to at least make a car payment... with THAT gone as well as her regular job on base... my kids are in deep poopoo
ReplyDeleteHowever ... as we all know ... Congress is still getting paid. sweet
Obamacare is never going to be repealed or de-funded in anyway as long as Barack Obama is President. The ACA is up and running because it has its own funding. Why are the Tea Party GOP'ers doing this since they cannot win?? Is it just to punish Americans for electing a President they don't like? I just find it very strange - even weird.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you may be able to stay on the refuge, Judy.
Strange, weird, stupid, disgusting, shameful, unconscionable....take your pick. All the fools in Washington care about is holding on to their power. I hope Americans will be smart enough to start voting them out of office in 2014. I imagine Canada has its issues too...we just don't hear about them.
DeleteI was wondering if they would make you move out..cannot believe that they don't have their crapola together in Wash DC...what a bunch of Bums. I suppose they will still get their checks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the report.
See ya! :)
It will affect the wildlife here, I imagine. The biologists manage the endangered Mississippi Sandhill Crane flock; they keep track of the family groups with fledgings. They tend the crop units - so there will likely be less food for them this winter. If it lasts long enough, they may miss the annual crane count. We have at least 4 events scheduled this month - school visits, a travel conference, an appearance at the local festival. They are later in the month, so I hope they will happen. But without time to plan, it's iffy.
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to see the barricades moved to allow those WWII Vets access. There will never be another time for them!
ReplyDeleteJudy,
ReplyDeleteYou describe a few sad results of the government shutdown. Can you imagine the millions of effects that most of us will never be aware of. This is monumental stupidity. I say: vote the bums out.
Very sad day here in the USA. So very glad to read about the WWII memorial.
ReplyDeleteThe photos of autumn are so lovely. Hope those snowflakes hold off.
great pics as usual. halloween?? havent they given you a time yet? think I would switch brands as soon as economical
ReplyDeletepossible.
Gateway Arch gets almost 2,000 people a day...its closed....many in COE parks are having to leave.
and those bozos (most of which dont even need the money) still get paid
I cried when I read the story about the Vets today. I was so glad they went through and around those barriers. They deserve more respect than that. Good news that you at least get to stay there until the fridge gets fixed. But what a mess. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
ReplyDeleteJudy, glad to read you are able to stay..Such a mess this DC..and the sad part is we never get the True Story as the news media plays it's game along with DC..Enjoy that beauty there as much as you can ..and I'm like you I always make sure I have back up propane..love my extend a stay set up when I was trucking on them roads..and always had my electric blanket.
ReplyDeleteStay Safe and God Bless..have Emma cuddle up next to you too... :)
My husband and I are selling our house, quitting our jobs and will be full timers within the next year. I was telling him about the RV refrigeraters and how they need the space around them if they are going to be operated full time. We just bought a used 5th Wheel, a Raptor, so we will need to take a look at it and see what we can do. Hang in there. I'm new to the blogging world and am enjoying reading yours.
ReplyDeletePerhaps closing the refuges will make enough folks angry that they will protest congress's actions .... the stink over the Veterans being refused sure got national attention... why not refuges as well?
ReplyDeleteOur current government's actions are disgusting, no other word for it!
ReplyDeleteThose are some beautiful photos of the fall foliage. Good that you are able to stay at the refuge.
ReplyDeleteWell, today should be interesting in D.C. The Illinois Honor Flight landed this morning and is due to tour the WWII Monument at noon Central time..Our uncle took this flight 4 years ago...They interviewed Mary, the head of Honor Flight Chicago, on Chicago radio this AM, and she said the government now has armed guards at the entrance, and she and all the vets are willing to get arrested to get in...If there is any kind of quagmire concerning these heroes, it won't bode well for Mr. Obama's administration...
ReplyDeleteSince the WWII Memorial is a walk-up facility, I fail to see the benefit of barriers being placed so people can't walk up. And then to pay guards to prevent people from just walking up to it makes no sense at all. So we are paying money we don't have to stop people from seeing something that is open at all times.
ReplyDeleteHad to move out of COE park this morning. Gates get locked there today at 4.
It is a really sad time for America right now. It infuriates me that we are being governed by imbeciles.
ReplyDeleteYour picture shows that the refuge is such a beautiful place, especially this time of year. It's such a shame people can't come see it. It's a shame too that the President and Congress are such a bunch of big, spoiled babies that they would rather shut the country down than budge an inch on anything. I think it's time we get rid of ALL of them and start over.....no rich guys or lawyers allowed. No campaign contributions allowed. No party affiliations allowed. Just a candidate saying what he/she stands for and if he/she changes his/her tune later or gives in to special interests he/she gets the boot. It's high time our representatives are like us and listen to us. I know, just a pipe dream. The bozos in power now will do ANYTHING to hang on to that power, including destroying everything this country has ever stood for. In the next election I will not vote for a singe incumbent. We need some REAL change.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with getting your fridge fixed and I hope the weather stays good while you're there.
What a beautiful place. I'm glad you get to stay. The whole government shutdown is ridicules.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful autumn colors. Too early for snow flurries!!
ReplyDeleteShutting down our national treasures? = Just plain WRONG.
I love your fall colors! Glad you are safe and able to stay!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are being allowed to stay. I was worried about you.
ReplyDeleteI was here for the famous Halloween Blizzard. You can bet I'm keeping an eye on the weather this year and doing my prep for departure. Most parks turn off their water October 15th to prevent freezing.
You always take the most awesome pics.
ReplyDelete