On the Road and ... on the Lawns

Got here a week ago. Drive from Reno to Elko and then from Elko to SLC sucked ass. Salt Lake was surprisingly green, gorgeous and tidy in a Stepford wife, religious cult kinda way. Was amazed when I was able to buy beer in southern Utah AND it was from a local microbrewery.

Moab was scenic but touristy. Hotel owner in Green River, Utah told me Moab hasn't been the same since "those film crews started coming thru." It's near where they filmed the ending of Thelma and Louise and, more recently, Identity.

First night in Grand Junction, Colorado was in the absolute worst motel in town. The next night, I camped at a Forest Service admin. workshop on the lawn. Then there were three days of doing "stand exams" on the Uncampagne National Forest 80 miles south of town at 7,000 above sea level. I know nothing about forest biology! My boss is super nice and enthusiastic. Co-workers are a good mixed bag of thirtysomethings (who can't make a living in town) and college students, most of whom are biology or silviculture majors.

Uncampagne was full of ponderosas, aspen, elk the size of ponies and fresh black bear tracks everywhere. Barracks/cabins were filthy and remote. It's like the weekend hunting trip that won't end. :o)

This weekend, myself and another non-local summer hire, are camped out on the lawn of the workshop. A few wind storms, and this a.m. a quick thunderstorm drenching. Fortunately my loaner tent is water proof. Supposed to get assigned proper barracks 70 miles east of here on the edge of the Grand Mesa N.F. this week ... we hope!

Tomorrow they give us our fireline gear. The dreaded pack test is still up in the air. Wondering if they're checking my medical records from the Plumas in '96? I absolutely think the Forest Service owes me a new right knee one way or the other.

Just came back with co-worker from a Sunday hike on the Colorado National Monument. As pretty or better than the Grand Canyon or anything around Santa Fe, New Mexico. Chased a bright green lizard with a brilliant yellow head. It looked just like the blooming cactus. The red sandstone crunched under or boots like very hard salt rock.

Grand Junction is a cross between Carson City, Nevada and maybe, Yakima, Washington. Green valley surrounded by three towering mesa plateaus. If you have to be in the ass end of nowhere, may as well be a picturesque one. They've got a mall, theaters and a nice artsy downtown. What the hell.

Prairie dogs are just ground squirrels on steroids.

-- Mz M.