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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Ups and downs today

Yesterday, before George, with a little bit of help from me, fixed the check valve on my hot water heater, I spent a good share of the day driving the perimeter of the refuge to refill the pamphlet boxes.  The pictures in tonight’s post are all from that drive.

69  Pea Island & Alligator River NWRs  201217

Being Saturday, today was my day to man the Pea Island VC.  In order to open at 9:00, I have to leave the rig before 8:00 to get all the way out there.  It’s usually a pretty smooth ride at that time in the morning.

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This morning was no exception.  It was a smooth drive until I arrived in the parking lot.  That’s when I noticed that something just wasn’t right.  It seems that overnight someone came and cut off the rope on the flagpole.  Only half the rope was there, and the half that was dangled fifteen feet in the air.  There was no way to possibly fly the flag today.  I just don’t understand what possesses some people to do something like this. 

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After reporting the vandalism to the law enforcement officer (LEO), the rest of the day was pretty busy with 125 visitors and over $400 in sales. 

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Then the last hour and a half or so a man just wandered around the VC and interrupted my responses to visitor’s questions with detailed further information about whatever the topic was.  Who knows if he knew what he was talking about.  He kind of gave me the creeps.  As closing time neared, he just plunked himself down in a chair and didn’t leave.  Eventually, a woman arrived and they both just sat there.  Very odd.  At 4:00, I locked the door from the inside so no new visitors could enter.  That finally seemed to get through to them, and much to my relief they left. 

69  Pea Island & Alligator River NWRs  201216

A number of other refuges where I’ve volunteered have an emergency button to push that connects directly with the local police and lets them know whoever is working in the VC needs help.  The two VCs here don’t have such an alarm, and it has crossed my mind that maybe one is needed.  Working weekends in these isolated locations could leave the volunteers rather vulnerable.  There are no staff members around, and we do handle quite a sum of money.  In this day and age, I would certainly find it reassuring.

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While I was working today, I had arranged that Cody, one of the interns, would be washing and waxing my rig for me.  I sure would have liked to be here when he did it, but I work Friday through Monday, and he works Monday through Friday.  I came home to a sparkling clean rig!  I had left instructions to first scrub the rig from top to bottom with an extendable brush using soapy Dawn water from a bucket, and then rinsing it with the hose.  After that, he was to use ‘The Solution’ on the entire rig and buff it with towels to a gleaming shine.  I know that they say that you don’t need to wash the rig before using The Solution, but it had been many months since it had a good cleaning on the outside, so I wanted the soap wash first.  Before I pay him, I think I’m going to have him return and finish a few areas I think he neglected to notice.  He did a pretty good job, but I can be rather picky when I’m paying for something.  Winking smile

So after some ups and downs, the day ended on a rather positive note.  Just the way I like it.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

26 comments:

  1. Have learned over the years to always follow your instincts when it comes to people and a strange situation.Does the VC have walkie talkies they could give you so if a situaton like this came up again you had a way to contact someone? Sad to say in this day anything unusual can make you feel very uneasy. The system the others have seems ideal. Stay safe.
    Donna.

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  2. Your pictures are absouletly beautiful

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  3. I agree - they need to have some way for you to signal for help. I would have been creeped out by the guy also. Glad they left without any issues. Thought Paul was going to wash your rig for you? lol

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  4. We agree that there should be some kind of Panic Button for those VCs because anything can happen.

    As far as the rope on the flag pole, installing a game camera focused on the pole might just catch the culprits.

    Be Safe and Enjoy1

    It's about time.

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  5. Boy that's some lense you've got there.

    I hope you weren't as nervous as reading your post made me. Glad it all worked out OK. You do at least have a phone there right??

    Is the refuge not locked at night? How did someone get in to cut the flagpole rope? Why in the world????

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  6. If they don't have a panic button maybe you should consider keeping some pepper spray and a baseball bat. LOL

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  7. I agree with Sam. There is a lot to be said about intuition.

    Emjay

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  8. There are sure some strange people in this world. Short of the alarm, and assuming you are not inclined or allowed a weapon, carrying a bear spray canister might give you some peace of mind.

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  9. Love the photos, not so much the uncomfortable position you were put in.

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  10. Maybe a handy copper head snake in a box would do? The picture you posted a while back scared the you-know-what out of me! ;c)

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  11. I use The Solution as well, but when my rig is really dirty like after a long drive, I still like to use lots of sudsy water the first time. The Solution is great for in-between washes and keeping the rig nice and shiny.

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  12. There should definitely be panic buttons. These days you just never know what someone is going to try and if you are alone at a remote location, you need a way to summon help quickly and unobtrusively. Love the butterfly pictures.

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  13. Someone has nothing to do with their time....what could cutting the flag rope possibly prove? Oh well, it takes all kinds I guess but I concur with everyone else...if u can't be armed, please get bear spray or something that would give u a fighting chance. Sounds like that fella wasn't all there. Beautiful pics as usual. Praying for safe days and nights for u.

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  14. Just an opinion. ('cause, like the thing I'm sitting on, we all have one)
    My suspicion is that your "gentleman friend" had a touch of autism, which would explain his need to butt in and fill in all the details about the refuge. Possibly "Asbergers", which is when an individual will perhaps become obsessed with knowledge on a particular subject. Sometimes it's music and all things to do with music history. (Got a nephew with that one...and he KNOWS his stuff)
    Relatively harmless, but creepy and annoying. Don't ask.
    Panic button of some kind though? Would be a good idea. Even if it were some sort of electronic device that you have with you. Something along the lines of "I've fallen and I can't get up".
    Well, you know what I mean.
    Having worked in a school system for over 20 years, I've seen my share of senseless vandalism. At the last school where I worked, we finally installed security cameras at my behest. Was gratifying to leave a little legacy.
    Apparently, just the idea that you could be on camera is enough to thwart most dim witted vandals.

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  15. Hi Judy,
    A security camera and sign inside the VC might work. Since there is currently no Help button you should be thinking about how you would handle some possible situations. I have occasionally been uncomfortable when out birding in remote places. If my "personal secuirty alarm" goes off I do not hesitate to get in my car and/or leave the area.
    CarolG

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  16. Agree ... some system to alert authorities would be good ... maybe they will install them at your suggestion, or provide walk-talkies as someone suggested.

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  17. Great pictures, You should suggest the panic button. It would be worthwhile in such an isolated location.

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  18. Bob has an excellent answer for the behavior of the guy...That was the thought that had crossed my mind. But you still need some kind of warning alarm for assistance! I'd really push for that. Great advice to work through some scenarios with the management.

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  19. Lots of good ideas here that perhaps you could suggest to the powers that be. Yes, good pictures also.

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  20. What is that saying..."If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck..." I think instincts are very important...I also would encourage the big wigs there to get some kind of security...One thing the bad guys like is to get someone away from others and out of populace...that's what my detective son-in-law says...isolation ...don't let it happen.

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  21. A lot of refuges have radio communication. Is there a number where you can call LE? Is there a Volunteer Handbook that addresses this situation? Again... your photos are great!

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  22. Love all the butterfly pictures. Too bad about the water heater, but good thing you were smart enough to have an extra part.

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  23. I'm glad the creepy people left. I hope they don't come back another day. I think all of these places should have some sort of panic button. People will rob and kill for a very small amount of money these days.

    How about if you get on the phone and "talk" to someone about when they are coming in? You wouldn't have to actually be talking to anyone, but it might give them the idea someone else would be there soon.

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  24. Great butterfly photos. And I'm really impressed because they are so hard to take pictures of.

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  25. Vandals really fry my butt!!

    We could use some one to wash our trailer here, looks as if we were off-roading this past weekend!!

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