In the Park Service, you can’t begin work or even move into housing until a crucial piece of paperwork comes through; it stalls more start dates than everything else put together. It is not unusual for an employee to be delayed a number of weeks past their hoped-for EOD (Enter On Duty); one is left high and dry with no knowledge of where the hang-up is or how many more weeks it might take. Meanwhile, one’s supervisor is furiously re-working the staff schedule for the nth time while the co-workers heave frustrated sighs at the heavy workload that shows no sign of abating.
I’ve missed two EODs already, through no fault of my own, and am desperately hoping it will clear this week. I have time to kill. Should I do something adventurous? Should I go see breath-stealing sights? Should I push myself physically? Should I go someplace I’ve never been? Should I refuse to come indoors? Should I do it in a way I’ve never done before???
Okay then.
BIKE TRIP!!!
Ennis, Montana, to Old Faithful in Yellowstone. Five days on a bike. In the mountains. At pretty darn high elevation. With foxes and grizzly bears and moose and wolves and pronghorn. And, because there were only three people on the tour and it is last-minute and the guide is a good friend of mine, the company gave me a great price. All I have to do is drive to Bozeman, 630 miles.
I guess this will take my mind off the clearance glitch. Do I have trepidation? You bet. I’ve been sedentary the past month and this will be a huge push in many ways. What I lack in muscle strength, I plan on making up in attitude and heart. I’ll take lots of pics and be back online next weekend. With a sore butt.
Ranger Kathryn's Arches 