For Rachael

I am pretty excited about this picture I snapped today of Middle Cave Lake. Hubby said, "Wow!!!"

Um...so these slabs have to go up on the exit trail for the new shelter project. Each one weighs 400-800 pounds (I've heard both figures, not sure which). The puzzle now is figuring out how to get them up there. That's a lot of helicopter trips, just sayin'.






These are a few of my favorite things...






J. giving his conclusion at the exit. See? Not as much snow as usual. Can you believe how clear those steps are??? Me neither.






Packrat Poop and LOTS of it. You can't even beLIEVE how much packrat poop is at the exit. At first, all of us rangers were like, "What IS this??? Do you see this?" And then we would walk further toward the exit and rangers would keep commenting, "It's EVERYWHERE!!!" I've never seen anything like it before. And speaking of poop, there were piles and piles of moose poop all over the trail below the gate. Ranger N. had a lot of funny references to it and even began talking about how things change for her when she switches from eating more meat and protein to more plants and produce...if you know N., then you know how she just mentions this stuff while hiking.



Special note! BIIIIG rock at entrance. Mike and Andy tried to move it and they couldn't quite budge it an inch. I'm so glad Heavenly Father takes care of this business in the off-season!






See? Not nearly as much snow as last year (and no ice!). What snow was here in these photos no longer exists because many rangers plus many shovels make clear trails.






Shoveling on the downhill. Shovel. Step. Shovel. Step. Like a fire line. Do you recognize any butts or biceps?






Water running down from Swinging Bridge. The pics aren't great, but all of us rangers sure took notice from Kodachrome!






Getting through the quarter-way slide at four in the afternoon. Same instructions every year: "One ranger at a time! If this thing goes, we'll need everyone else to help shovel that person out!" The new LE was spotting on the downhill and Mike was directing traffic at the gate. When I got down on the other side (steps up, steps down), Mike yelled, "No running down the trail, Kyburz!"





This post is for Ranger Rachael. She and Brad and I all started together, with others, in the class of 2003 and now Rachael and Brad, who were still with me last summer, have dropped out and I am left alone this summer at the cave. Not really. There are tons of great rangers (I miss working with my husband the most, and then Arlo...), but I have been thinking of Rachael and Brad a lot this week. Especially Rachael. So, all of the captions I have made by any of the photos were for Rachael's information. The little details were for her. I missed you today, Rachael, but fortunately I didn't need you the way I did last year. The place was downright tropical today compared to last time! Cave said to tell you "Hi!"

I Try to Teach

Another Teacher Appreciation Week has come and gone. I tell you, our PTA and all the students and families REALLY go all out for our school and faculty! I can't begin to list all of the treats and prizes I found in my box, the amazing decorations, the presents and snacks, the gift cards, and the DARLING NOTES from each student!!! And just so you know, it ain't just me. All of the teachers in our building have been spoiled rotten! Some of the notes that made me chuckle had comments about my curly hair (I would describe it as unruly) and stylish clothes. Stylish? Who knew? One boy thanked me for taking the time to help him really understand math, especially because I "didn't have to." Well, yes, it IS part of my job! These children really are THE Hope of America and I adore them. I enjoyed the note from one girl who thanked me for a large classroom library since her third grade teacher only had three shelves and she had already read everything. Another girl is quite aware of my addiction to school supplies, so she restocked me with fresh new writing implements. They really do pay attention when you mention your favorite flower and stuff like that. I don't deserve it all. I don't. But K and I are enjoying the rewards, right down to every last chocolate dipped strawberry.






Every year we have what I call "Potluck Gift Wrap." The kids brings scraps from home and I dig around for anything we can possibly use to wrap up Mother's Day gifts. About an hour before it's time to go home, I instruct the children to wrap their journals, the ones we've been keeping since the first day of school. You should see the looks on their faces, because they've been under the impression we would be doing a little craft or something! However, there IS no other option, so they all comply and that wrapped gift is their ticket home for the weekend. I love, Love, LOVE to see the finished products! It's one of the favorite things we do all year (MY favorite things) because they put so much love and earnest desire into the way their mom's face is sure to light up when she gets a first look at THIS:

The Big Fill

I went to work with K on Saturday since we have no common days off at the moment. Just the ride out and the ride back is more time than I would get with him normally, so I take my opportunities when they come along. He got out of the car and I headed back down the road to walk the Big Fill trail. This is where construction crews filled in an enormous area for the railroad grade back in the nineteenth century. The morning was cool (about 37 degrees and windy) and threatened rain, but no worries, I always have a little rain poncho with me. I hadn't walked this trail for awhile, so it was good to get back. I had a happy time just walking and thinking and praying. The morning was soothing after a stressful week at school. I'm so glad I can get outside as often as I do. It does a body good and I can't enumerate what all it does for the soul. After a couple of miles, I headed back to the VC.

K had to drive to town to make a deposit, so off we went--more car time with the ranger! When we returned to the VC, we had lunch together, another rarity. I read for awhile and then napped in the car. Later I hung out in the VC for a bit. After work, we attended the annual potluck for volunteers. Everyone's so excited about the May 10th celebration. It was great to see all the Spike folks at the party. Good people everywhere! We are so blessed with various friends from various aspects of our lives.





Mr. and Mrs. Raven



A bit of terrain, a view of ATK...




This natural rock shelter was probably used by the men who were constructing the railroad while they were blasting the rock. It was a great place to hang out when the dynamite got lit! K got to hike with the archaeologist last week and learned a lot about the dwellings used back in 1869. He saw dugouts (really shallow holes in the ground...unbelievable that people lived there for three or four months) and rock chimneys to let smoke out and tent pads/sites. It was a happenin' place for its time.



The walk was so medicinal. Just me and that pair of ravens. I love it when I'm outside and get to have the whole place to myself. Everything was calm and quiet. There was a breeze. The temperature was around 54 degrees when I got back to the car. Perfect hiking weather! I look forward to the hiking I'll be doing at the cave this summer. That job is such a blessing in several ways. I enjoy the Cave Family so much and without the visitors, I wouldn't have very many funny stories to tell! I'm so thankful that I've been given many things to do in my life to keep me busy and stretching and growing. My life is full because of these interesting things (teaching, rangering, marriage, reading, camping...you get the idea). You might say it's a little twist on the meaning of "The Big Fill." So...what's your personal Big Fill? What sorts of things have enriched your life?

Trust Everyone (and brand your cattle)

SATURDAY--ARRIVAL
K and I left in a snowstorm, but arrived safely in Fairfield, Montana. It really is the land where the deer and the antelope play. It's spring, and the wild animals were quite active, so we got to see a wide variety of things. We were delighted to find out that my sis, A., had driven over from Missoula to meet us at Mom's. She cooked and cleaned and spoiled us while she was there. It just so happened there was a benefit dinner and auction at the Community Hall for a dear friend and classmate who was injured at work in January. We walked over to that to contribute a little and give the poor guy a hug. This is a farming community with about 638 of the finest people you'd ever want to meet. The benefit was a success to the tune of $17,000. I just had to snap a photo of what the town does for a living!

Fine. Take your pictures if you must, but don't expect us to cooperate.






Spring thaw!






SUNDAY--FAIRFIELD WARD
On Sunday we attended our Church meetings in my home ward, the Fairfield Ward. Yes, I am a Fairfieldite and I'm proud of that! People always ask me if I am my sister, A., or they say, "Which one are you?" I sat by my seminary teacher, N., during Relief Society. I'm so thankful for all of these people who taught me the Gospel of Jesus Christ by word and deed when I was in high school. Such good folks! In the afternoon, my mom suggested that we all take a drive, so we loaded up and L. drove us to Gibson Dam/Reservoir out of Augusta. It was a pretty day! We saw sheep who couldn't be bothered with our photography (hence, many butts were photographed) and several deer and elk as well. The water was gorgeous, though frozen. It was a nice ride and so fun to hang out with Mom and L. I couldn't convince family members to let me take their pictures, so I don't have any faces to go with the names.

Um, yeah...so we forgot to bring our camera on our walk around the buffalo jump, but here's a picture of the prairie dog town on top of the jump and another picture of a nearby butte called Square Butte. The butte is not the buffalo jump.



MONDAY--VERY WINDY!!! FAIRLY NORMAL!
On Monday, we ventured out to the First People's Buffalo Jump near Ulm. It is a state park. It is the largest buffalo jump in North America. Not the highest, but the largest. We received an introduction from Don Fish, the ranger who happens to be a Blackfeet Indian. We learned about Dog Days. We toured the displays in the visitor center and then decided to walk on some of the trails. We were the only visitors there, so we went to our vehicle to drop off our purchases and get our camera for the hike. Someone else drove in and parked their car, but we didn't take much notice. Next thing we knew, this guy was calling out, "Is that Ken? Hi, Ken! Hi, Jody!" They say it's a small world, but really, who were we going to meet at a buffalo jump in Montana on a Monday morning in April? It was Ranger Jake McCoy, a ranger we had both worked with at Timpanogos Cave a few years ago! He is now a permanent Montana State Park Ranger. We had heard he worked in New Mexico and California and Nevada...but this was incredible!



TUESDAY--
We started off our day at the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls. We Montanans just call him Charlie. Charlie Russell captured Montana cowboy and Indian life through his paintings in the 1800's. We viewed his artwork and visited his studio. The Russell Home was there also, but closed. I told K that after seeing John Muir's Scribble Room and Charlie Russell's Art Studio, I would be needing my own room one day. I think I'll shoot for a library, but I guess I may have to become famous or something first. Tuesday was less windy than Monday, and so MANY of the local farmers decided to burn their stubble. We couldn't count all the fires! And let me just mention Mom's and L.'s hospitality. We were fed great meals including T-bone steaks! We are still stuffed!

The mare's name is Leola.





WEDNESDAY--
We left Great Falls and met my sis, S., and her husband, L., at the State Historical Museum. We enjoyed the exhibits of Montana history, especially with L.'s commentary. He's a multi-generation native Montanan with ancestors that rode in the calvary, mined, and raised cattle. And he totally looks the part decked out in his everyday duds: crisp jeans, belt and buckle, boots, cowboy shirt, vest, bullrag, and a $550 special-order cowboy hat from Bozeman. I said, "L.!!! You cost more than a prom date!" They took us to lunch at Steve's Cafe and then we all met back at the ranch in Boulder. K and I got re-acquainted with the dogs and cats and walked around outside with the kids to view the goats, peacocks, horses, etc. They also took us to Basin for dinner at the Silver Saddle. We ate Mexican food, but K thought he had died and gone to Heaven when he tasted their butterscotch chocolate pie.

Lime kilns in the mining district.




THURSDAY--
We hung out with Dad and then took off for town since he was preparing for a trip. We went back to the State Historical Museum to view a couple of additional exhibits we had missed the day before as well as to spend money in the museum's gift shop. We drove around Helena and up Grizzly Gulch near Last Chance to view some lime kilns. We walked around the historic district and resisted purchasing any sweets at the Parrot. We met Dad and P. as well as B. and F. at Taco del Sol for dinner. F. is an exchange student from Germany who thinks peanut butter and Mountain Dew are "amazing." Later, P. beat us all in Phase 10.

FRIDAY--
We had a slow, lazy morning at Dad's with his dog, Oliver. Dad was upstairs in his office when I emerged from the basement. Oliver stared at me, let me pet him, and then ran upstairs to inform Dad that there was a strange woman in the livingroom. He came back down to interact with me, ran upstairs again to repeat the same urgent message, and then came back down again. Finally, Dad came down to let Oliver know that everything was fine with the strange woman in the house. When we reached Idaho Falls, we contacted S., a former roommate of J. She did not hesitate to drive many miles on short notice from Sugar City to meet us at Frontier Pies. So good to catch up with her for a few minutes! This was after our short walk along the Snake River.

SATURDAY--LAST DAY OF TRIP
North Crater. I was loving the stark contrast between pure white snow and black lava patches--all against blue sky and white fluffy clouds.




Pahoehoe is the rope-like lava and a'a is the chunky, jagged stuff. But of course, I already knew this. Not because I've lived in Hawai'i...but thanks to Bill Nye the Science Guy. Thanks, Science Guy, you're the best!




This is Ranger Margaret. She and K were classmates in college. Nice to meet you, Margaret!


We had a marvelous time at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho on our way home from Montana. We got out and walked one of the trails (J only "postholed" through the deep snow on the trail twice, comical!). Because of the snow other trails were closed and the road was only open for a half mile, however, they said we could walk the road past the gate, so we did, for quite some distance. Had the place to ourselves. It was a bluebird day!

Lighting Chemicals on Fire, Kickball, and the Opera

This last week was an action-packed one for my students. It was our school's designated "Art Week." Our grade level spotlighted American Quilting. The kids were fascinated to learn that the slaves quilted entire maps right under their owners' noses to help people head north to freedom.

On Monday, the Utah Opera Company visited our school to do an assembly entitled, "Who Wants to be an Opera Star?" It was a great game show with lots of fun teaching going on. Prior to the visit, I gave my students a journal prompt to write about anything they knew or thought about opera. I seriously had five kids talk about Oprah and her life history. Now they know what a Mezzo-Soprano is!

On Tuesday, we had Deanna from Discovery Gateway Children's Museum (or whatever the proper name of the place is). She did an amazing science assembly for our grade level which included lighting chemicals on fire, so of course, she was a huge hit all the way around. Later, she spent time with each class allowing the children to wear safety goggles and mix chemicals. Boy howdy! So much fun!

On Wednesday, Mr. M. L. Forman, author of SLATHBOG'S GOLD graced us with his presence. I haven't read his books, but several of the kids had. We don't get live authors all that often. His books are selling well, but he's not a public speaker and doesn't really know how to relate to children. Perhaps he has the same challenge with adults. That's all I'll say about that.

On Thursday, the school nurse held a Maturation Clinic for all of the fifth grade girls. At our school, the Maturation Clinic for the boys isn't held until sixth grade. For those of you who haven't spent decades amongst maturation clinic attendees, this is real excitement. Excitement of a new kind. I should tally, one of these years, the number of times I hear a girl say, "I already know EVERYTHING. My mom told me EVERYTHING." I am tricky and discreet when I pass the notes out about the upcoming clinic. But the girls themselves get a little blabby and so the boys begin asking questions about what THEY will be doing while the girls are in their special class. At first, the boys feel slightly slighted that they have to wait another year for THEIR special class. But then...I announce that they'll be playing KICKBALL and they take off outside with no worries about missing out on something else.

Ah, kickball in springtime; it's almost poetic. I LOVE watching my students play sports. We have a physical education specialist at our school, so I don't ref as many games as I have in years past. Such joy! I take pleasure in finding out who can really kick and who gets away with bunting. I like to watch those who feel they must SLIDE into first base. I really like observing all the problem-solving that takes place on the field. I chuckle when I hear boys attempting to help peers with solid kickball advice. I like to hear the demands made to the pitcher, "Slow and rolly this time!" I'm interested in seeing who handles disappointment with grace. There are so many life lessons taking place on that kickball field. The weather was perfect. It was a glorious afternoon.

I told the girls to look for us outside, having no idea how long the nurse would end up taking. I wanted them to be able to slip their free samples into their backpacks without the boys asking questions. One girl emerged from the school and threw her arms around me, "I thought I was going to DIE!" Yes, melodrama is part of it all. I'm happy to report that no one fainted this year.

And today? Today was April Fool's Day. I didn't even try to do anything to anyone. One student came to school with a new plaster cast and a story about getting in a bike wreck last night. I played along and signed his cast (his mom works at the hospital). Another girl told her friends she's moving to Chicago because her dad got a job transfer. Other than that, things were unusually mild this year...except for the fifth graders who got married on the playground during recess. Z., a cool yet quiet kid, brought his guitar to class and played a couple of songs for us: Horse With No Name and Ode to Joy and something else by Linkn (sp?) Park. How's that for variety? This kid can hear something and pick it out on his guitar. He introduced one short piece by saying, "This is just a little tune I heard on a clock once, so I figured out the notes. I just kind of like it." While others wrote in their journals about Oprah Winfrey, this kid listed the opera songs he had downloaded to his IPod.

While my students were working on their quilts earlier this week, they were chatting about some of their experiences tutoring our first grade buddies in reading. Turns out the word family this week was -uck. Therefore, the first graders had to write all of the -uck words they could think of on their whiteboards. You know, "buck, duck, etc." Turns out some of the first graders said the "f" word without knowing what it meant. The fifth graders were on high alert and STRESSED OUT about it. Some coached, "Don't say that word! Stay away from that word!" Then of course some of the first graders would say it repeatedly just to be mischievous. One kid said he had to get strict with his first grade buddy, "Dude, do NOT put an "f" in front of that!" I laughed my head off hearing all these stories, so much that the teacher across the hall came over to inquire.

Precious children. I love them. I enjoy them. They make my day and they make my blog posts. I am so impressed with all that they have become so far.