Most of our work experience
has been at the Toklat Visitors’ Center (the tent) and Eielson Visitors’ Center
(EVC). (No roving--smiles.) At both, Matthew and I
“open” and “close”—set-up props, hoist and lower the flag, and fill-out the
information boards. (With support from the other rangers! SMILES!) After that, it
is answering visitors’ questions, sharing information (trails, flora and fauna
info, ASL signs for Denali animals, and history), monitoring for bear, and
crowd-control. While we have been
here, we’ve had 5 bear walk through the visitor areas! Happily, there have been no “issues”. Some people haven’t wanted to “move
away” from the bear, but most of the visitors readily complied with
rangers’ directions and “hairy eyeball” glares.
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Eielson Visitor Center (EVC) |
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Toklat Tent (the tent) |
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Caribou boy! |
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Bear at the tent |
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Matt (the brat) helping to dig the fire pit. |
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Matt teaching the sign for "sheep" inside the tent |
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Successfully "passed the sign 'test' |
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Inside EVC from behind the information desk |
Matthew teaching the signs for the "Big 5" Denali animals--bear, moose, caribou, wolf, and sheep. He uses the skulls for "hints".
Kantishna Experience
On one of our days off, we took a bus tour to Kantishna. FUN! We learned about Fanny Quigley, ate blue berries and enjoyed the ride to the "end of the road"
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blue berries |
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Matthew picking blue berries |
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Matt at the "end of the road" |
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Fanny Quigley's cabin |
Dinosaur track arrives
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The helicopter brings it in... |
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Dinosaur track--luckily, the crack didn't hurt it. |
The work here has been WONDERFUL. However, the people at Toklat are even more so! Matthew and I have been gifted to be a part of everyones' lives here. As with the rangers in the front country (Denali Visitor Center), these guys are extraordinary! Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you shared--information, passion for the wilderness, support, and friendship.
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Matt and Diane
Brien, Alina, Jeanette, Joseph, Dan, Katie, Bob, Kate, and Tina
Jakara, Susan, and Junior
The threw us a great farewell potluck! |
This is quite the musical crew too! Joseph and Dan on the acoustic guitars and Brien on the banjo. Joseph wrote the first song featured--Galloping Glaciers. He thinks the second song is titled South on Route 29, but isn't certain. If anyone knows, please tell me.
So proud of Matt "sign" with 5 animals!!! Lovely pictures :) Neat video! Wow, that's so nice of people threw both you for farewell ;)
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