She Walked in the Wilderness with a Shovel

Farewell to my co-worker, Sarah, and enjoy your new adventures.

It is always a bold and daring move to...well... move across the country after quitting your job... to do a Student Conservation Corps internship, and then go back to school.   I was very fortunate to have such a wonderful person to hike with all summer who did just this.



I learned many great things, and was thankful to have someone out there in the wild with.  We saw many amazing flora and fauna.  Not limited to: seeing mountain lion tracks, seeing from afar a mama bear with 2 cubs, almost a cinnamon colored black bear walking in the trail, many wildflowers, interesting backpackers, imaginary pot farms,  destination workout videos, and of course the rivers, mountains, meadows and lakes that we hiked around while inventorying wilderness campsites.  It was always an adventure finding some of the sites, and discovering "new" un-inventoried ones.  Of course lunch breaks and the end of the day were well cherished.

Lunchtime rest for Sarah

Above Wolf Creek lunchtime spot

 It is nice to have someone to put your tent next to and to talk to out in the little used Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. It is good to have someone to remember the things I forget, to scout the river crossings with, and to trade off carrying the shovel with (right?).

Sarah thought it looked like a good spot to camp, and low and behold, someone already thought of that idea. We camped there and rest that night was well-deserved. 

Top of Corral Valley Trail ready to hike back to the trailhead

You never know who your co-workers will be.  I know I've been lucky to have so many friendships develop from co-worker situations. When you are working closely with one person and around them 24/7 you better hope you get along.  In team-building, experiential education settings you and your coworker hopefully do trust and communication style training before you work with your groups.  In a bike shop, you bond over stickering and learning about products, or on group rides.  On the trail, you just hike and learn.

Whether it is developing lesson plans, leading canoe trips and ridiculously fun to watch team-building exercises, helping teenagers learn personal responsibility through hard work, selling gear, or inventorying campsites,
                   
I have learned that work gets done, but it's important to have fun along the way.

Good Luck in Portland, Sarah! Thanks for listening, sharing your adventures, and overall making it an memorable and enjoyable summer!