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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Hot diggety dog!

Each time I volunteer at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, I have a debate with Stephanie Martinez, the volunteer coordinator, about how many hours per week are required for a solo volunteer.  I’ve been required to put in 32 hours/week each time while couples are required to put in 24 hours each.  I always argue that being solo shouldn’t require me to put in more time.  I am a volunteer after all, and 32 hours is pretty much like having a full time job.  I have also argued that it costs them less in water, electric, etc. with only one person in the rig.  I know all of her arguments about two for the price of one etc., but I ask you this: 

_MG_2957                         (All  pictures tonight are from around my site at Pioneer Family Campground.)

Do you think an RV site, essentially in a gravel parking lot, is worth $620/week?  I don’t think so.  The US government places the value of volunteer hours at over $20/hour, and the NWR website states that the number of hours required for RV volunteers should be commensurate with the average cost of a similar private campground in the surrounding area.

IMG_2954 _MG_2981

Stephanie, of course, has always won this debate and I willingly put in my 32 hours/week.  I just love what I get to do, and it keeps me active in this world.  Aside from the parking lot aspect next to a noisy road filled with 18 wheelers, I don’t think you can beat living on a National Wildlife Refuge. 

_MG_2977

So, imagine my surprise today when I received an email from Stephanie that stated that solo volunteer hours have been reduced to 24/week!

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                                                               Is this a live Chia Pet??

Hot diggety dog!  Maybe this year I’ll finally visit the Houston Space Center.  This will be my fifth time volunteering at Anahuac, so you know I like it there enough to return regardless of the hours required.

_MG_2967 _MG_2968

Some people prefer the desert southwest, and others prefer the muggy, mosquito ridden marshes of coastal Texas.  Isn’t is great that we don’t all like the same place?  I was busy outside under my awning this afternoon plotting my course for Anahuac.  Hitch itch is firmly in place, and I’m thinking of doing several Corps of Engineer Parks on my journey south.  I may even stop into Hot Springs NP for a refreshing spa treatment once again.  This time I’ll see if I can bring my camera with me.  It’s such an interesting experience.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

28 comments:

  1. Well, chalk one up for labor! Good for you!

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  2. I guess you were more persuasive than you thought! Enjoy the extra time off:)

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  3. I didn't realize you had such great power!! That really is how it should be. Each person put in 24 hours. Period. Has nothing to do with a couple or a solo. I always look forward to your pictures. They just make my day.

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  4. Gosh we pay around that for a month at a top notch rv park in Panama City Beach! Seems like alot to me.

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  5. I don't know if this is really a good thing. You'll have lots of extra time on your hands now and you know what they say: "Idle hands are the Devil's workshop".

    I guess we need to start saving up bail money for you. ;c)

    Pau & Marti

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  6. Your photographs are just gorgeous! The hummingbird and what is the cobalt blue bug?

    I had no idea this refuge was there. I had to look it up... been all over the area but never went to the refuge!

    Went to the ones farther south ... Laguna Atascosa ... loved it.

    Great reading this... love the wildlife ... bugs and all ;)

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  7. Good for you! I don't think I would work if they told me I'd have to put in 32 hrs a week, but I'd probably volunteer and then put in 40! If you like what you're doing then it's worth it, but I'm glad Stephanie capitulated.

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  8. Sounds like a good time will be had!!! Ikea is a HUGE furniture/household store, originating in Sweden. Everything is very spare and clean. they have set-ups at the store that shows whole houses and everything u need to set it up!! Lots of things do double duty for storage, Nice places with only 520 sq ft and u have everything u would need in there. Lots of apartment ideas. Everything winds around, u follow arrows on the floor, there are shortcuts to different sections. U have been full timing 4 so long, they probably got set up after u were on the road. they are in large cities :)

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  9. I agree with you Judy. And your experience is a blessing for them. They don't have to train you!

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  10. It's kinda strange, but I have enjoyed knowing that you were within a few hours' drive of me LG61820

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  11. I had trouble with blogger and lost the latter part of my post which said I'll "miss" you when you're gone! LG

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  12. you would think being a volunteer is just that..but $620 a week for campsite is a bit steep...what ever you decide to do..do what you love and go from there!...and we know you love to volunteer!!

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  13. Are you sure your hours aren't being cut because the hours of operation are being cut with budget issues? Just a thought I had... but anywho, you win!!! And please, would you quit taking pictures of bugs!!!! I read your blog at night and then had bad dreams...

    jk

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  14. And you were able to negotiate this cut in required hours without union intervention? ;) I'm sure you will make good use of your six extra free hours each week.

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  15. Good deal!! I agree, 24 hours per person, couple or not. Even at that, they are getting a good deal with all of your experience. Glad you are getting to do what you love doing.

    p.s. I LIKE your bug pictures haha! What is that blue thing?

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  16. I don't think I've ever heard of a campground that charges $620 a week - I certainly would never pay that no matter how nice it was. Glad to see you'll have more free time.

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  17. Something just doesn't seem right to me here. You volunteer your services & they turn around & charge you $620 a week for a campsite. What am I not understanding about this......

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  18. Keep that email just in case. Sure glad you will be back in Anahuac as you seem to really enjoy the area and duty.

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  19. Cool beans as you would say Judy! My Mom and Dad spent their honeymoon in Hot Springs National Park--just a hop, skip and jump from where I grew up.

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  20. Glad they realized you are a volunteer and they shouldn't take advantage of that. I think 24 hours a week is plenty.

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  21. I'm glad you won that battle. I think 24 hours a week is plenty.

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  22. No I don't and that is why I don't volunteer even though we have considered it.
    I haven't even spent that for a month!!! Glad they lowered your hours!
    Have fun
    Donna

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  23. Hurray for the single volunteer. I'm glad you got what you've been wanting. I could go on and on about the discrimination I've experienced as a single, but I won't. Maybe on my blog sometime.

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  24. YAHOOEY!!! I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TO FRUITION...AND...FYI, CANYON LAKE, NORTH OF SAN ANTONIO IS ONE OF THE NICEST CORPS PARKS EVER..POTTER'S CREEK...1/2 PRICE CAMPING IF YOU HAVE THE "GOLDEN AGE" CARD..WHICH WAS $9.00 LAST YEAR FOR WATER AND ELECTRIC...GOOD FOR YOU!!

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  25. 24 hours - good for you! I love the water lily photos. I tried for one last week but it sure didn't look like yours! Hope the cable gets buried soon.

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  26. Hurry back to Anahuac,Judy. Migrants are flying through and each day brings different birds. This morning I was watering in the butterfly garden and the sound of water brought in a blue-gray natcatcher. And you'll Love the new paved trail to the rookery overlook at Skillern. Take your chair and your favorite beverage to enjoy sunsets or sunfrises there.

    And if single hours get reduced retro actively, I wsould be paid up for at least another 6 months. I have over 1700 ahours since last November and my hour value to Adopt-a- Tree is over $14,000. It's a good thing that most of those hours feel like play.

    I'm sitting in the VIS wishing for customers.

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