Pictures Are Only Worth a Thousand Words Until You See it in Person

The “Green Dragon” tour around the valley at the end of orientation

Last week I finally arrived at Yosemite National Park to begin my second and final internship.  I took a cross-country road trip with two of my fellow Prorangers, Nick Fitkze and Brittany Kriner to get to our destinations.  With all the magnificent places we saw driving across the country I still was not prepared for the magnitude and the beauty Yosemite has to offer when you finally see it in person.  It truly is awe-inspiring. 

My first two days I spent in a new/returning employee orientation.  It was immensely helpful not only with information of what is going on in the park, but also meeting a bunch of new people who were just as lost and excited to be here as I am! 

Yosemite High Country

The following two days were followed up with a tour from Jesse Chakrin, which helped a lot of things finally connect.  People would explain parts of the park to me that I got to see and make the connection, finally putting the pieces together.  My week was finished off with a ride along with one of the supervising Valley Rangers, Kristen Loyd. It was a fantastic way to finish off my first week here and I am ecstatic to spend more time with LE.

This week has been a pretty mundane week, but it is a whole new subject for me.  I have been in S-130 and S-190 Wildland Fire training here in the park to become quailified to get my Red Card.

I am so excited for all the opportunities in store for me the rest of this summer!