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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Trading the mountains for the seashore

I received some exciting news today.  It’s something I’ve been working on for a couple of months, but now it’s official.  Instead of going to Arapaho NWR in Colorado next summer, I’ll be volunteering at Oregon Islands NWR.

In July when I was thinking about next summer, I thought I’d like to return to Oregon.  I applied for several positions that appealed to me, but all those gigs were either taken by returning volunteers or decisions wouldn’t be made until next spring.  I’m a person that likes planning and dreaming, but I’m not so good at waiting until the last minute.

Then about six weeks ago, I received an email that stated some volunteers had to cancel for next year, and asked if I would be interested in the position at Harris Beach.  Oh, YessireeBob!  To me, this was the plum location because it was one of the few that had good cell phone reception (which means my air card will work).

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That tiny picture is of Goat/Bird Island.  It’s the largest island off the Oregon coast that is protected by Oregon Islands NWR.  My duties will be to man an observation platform with binoculars, scope, and interpretive materials to help and teach people about the birds and ocean mammals that can be seen.

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Tufted puffins, among other species, nest on the island.  (All photos tonight are from the web since I’ve never been there before.)  I’ll spend twenty hours a week doing this interpretation.  If you know me, you can appreciate how this assignment will be right up my alley.  Cool Beans!  Cool birds!  Cool whales!  Cool seals!  Cool tide pools!  Thumbs up

Once a week, I’ll also present an evening campground program on either sea birds or sea mammals.  Public speaking has never been a problem for me, and the power point program is provided by the Fish and Wildlife Service.  Should be easy-peasy.

I’ll be provided with a full hook-up site in Harris Beach State Park where both the viewing platform and amphitheater are located.  It’s a partnership between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Oregon State Park system.  I will be representing the refuge. 

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And in my time off?  I’ll just have to suffer trying to get a fantastic sunset photo like this one.  I’m pretty pumped about this new experience, and am really looking forward to it.

Yes, I did notify Arapaho NWR about my change in plans, and they were happy to have such early notice.  I felt a twinge of guilt about that, but I’m not sure how well I’d do at 8000’ for three months anyway.  So, it seems I’ve traded the mountains for the seashore…

I’m having a few difficulties with water pressure at the moment that are not the fault of the campground.  I’m hoping to resolve that before I head for Imperial NWR next week.  In the meantime, I’ll be taking a bit of a nostalgic trip tomorrow with Kurt and his wife Jody.  It will be a busy day.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

40 comments:

  1. I am so happy for you! I love sea birds after experiencing them when i lived in Ireland, and I know you will be so happy there as will be those visitors who come into contact with you. And whales, dolphins and other sea life? Just icing on the cake. I hope I can schedule a visit to the Oregon coast while you're there.

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  2. Oh, yippee skippee, will I finally get to meet up with you??? isn't Harris Bch where Sue Malone from KFalls likes to go??

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  3. WOW! Twenty hours/week AND all those animals. Congratulations!

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  4. WooHooey! That sounds like a match made in bird heaven! And once your foot is in the door... you'll be set for repeats! We've had a stay at home year and this year was supposed to be an ocean year, so that means it carries over to next year and that means that we just might to visit you! Cool beans!

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  5. A perfect match for you Judy! I am so happy for you that it all worked out!

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  6. well yeah. . .no brainer. . .sounds like a winner for ya. . .yaaaa!

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  7. Congratulations! What a great place. I love the Oregon Coast.

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  8. Oh wow, Judy this sounds fantastic!! What an absolutely GREAT summer you are going to have. When do you start??

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  9. What's not to love about the Oregon Coast, especially in the summer? Maybe you will experience a mosquito-free summer? :-)

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  10. Congrats Judy! What a great change of pace that will be! Sounds like a wonderful gig!

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  11. Way Cool!!! You can't beat the Oregon beaches in the summer!

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  12. That is so exciting! I can't wait to get there! I've never been to Oregon so this is perfect!!! :) :) :)

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  13. From what I've seen of Harris Beach from Sue Malone's posts, having you there to interpret the birds and other critters for us will be a treat.

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  14. Oh how I wish I could get to Oregon next summer. You are the perfect person for this interpretive job. Yay!

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  15. WoooHoooo! Perfect! So happy that you got such an exciting position.... sounds like the perfect match.

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  16. Sounds like your dream assignment! They are also getting a treasure.

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  17. Congratulations. Oregon is absolutely beautiful no matter where you call home.
    If you are in Brookings at the end of May, don't miss the Annual Azalea Festival. We had a wonderful time and the azaleas are fantastic!

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  18. WhOO--HOOO, good for you Judy, I envy you that assignment!! Congratulations!!

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  19. good for you Judy! nice to hear your summer will be spent on the Oregon Coast..we have stopped at Harris Beach before but never overnighted there..looks like a fabulous park!!

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  20. So jealous - OR coast is my favorite and I've been to that NWR - you will have a blast!!!! Can't wait to hear all about it.

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  21. Wow what a plum assignment! You are lucky!

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  22. Congrats, Judy! Can't get much better than Harris Beach, it's a beautiful spot.

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  23. Such a beautiful area, I think (so far) that that would be a place I could actually live full time! If it ever came to that again, I mean.

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  24. I'm always learning something new from you, Judy. I didn't know that Cool Beans was an ocean species that could be viewed through binoculars. ;c)

    When our water pressure drops in our Winnebago, I find that changing the water filter fixes it. It can cause both campground and onboard water pumped pressure to drop.

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  25. Sounds like a wonderful assignment! I bet you will love it there:)

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  26. The Oregon coast is amazing, congrats.

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  27. Excellent news! I know everyone that visits the area will enjoy your guidance and your weekly presentations. I am happy for you! It would have been easier to visit you in Colorado however!! :-(

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  28. What great news I know you will enjoy every minute.

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  29. We've loved our 2 trips to Oregon and look forward to seeing your posts from there....:)

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  30. Woo Hoo.... Congrats on the plum gig! Great location!

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  31. It seems like EVERYONE will be in Oregon next summer. I keep threatening to fly for a short visit. Wayne keeps telling me I can't go without him. Sigh.

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  32. You can guess how tickled Mo and Inare about this. As you know, Harris Beach is one of our favorite haunts!

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  33. Really cool beans, Judy! That's such a great place. We'll come up and see you!

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