Park Rangers

This is my last essay that I wrote for my English class. I got an A, so it must be good, right?

Park Rangers
Chris Andrew
USU Moab


Adj. Prof. David Neal
English 1010
November 9, 2009


I woke up to my cell phone ringing next to my bed. Groggily I answered. It was my friend Brian, a ranger at Canyonlands National Park. “Hey Chris, you still up for coming with me today? Awesome. Don’t forget that form your parents need to sign— you’re not eighteen yet. See you in a bit!” I quickly slipped on my clothes, grabbed my notebook, and ran out the door. Canyonlands National Park is about forty-five minutes away from my hometown, Moab, UT.

As I drove up the curvy road to the Canyonlands Visitor’s Center, I thought about what interested me about the Park Service. Park rangers protect the parks that bring tourism. “We try to protect the park from visitors, visitors from the park, and visitors from visitors. Say there’s a family on vacation from Michigan that’s camping legally, and then in the next campsite there’s a bunch of noisy, drunk motorcyclists that don’t have a permit. We’re obviously going to help out the Michigan family.” (Hays, Brian) Moab is a tourist-driven city, so it’s important that visitors feel safe and are attracted to the national parks around Moab.

After I drove past the Visitors Center, I went to the SAR cache. SAR stands for Search and Rescue, and it’s where I met up with Brian. He was organizing climbing gear for a patrol up Monster Tower—a six hundred foot pillar of slickrock—the next day. After we chatted awhile, I asked him about this climb. Climbers carefully select only the equipment that is necessary for a given climb. One of the most common pieces of equipment is the spring-loaded cam, a device that wedges into cracks, providing protection to the climber in case he loses his grip on the rock and takes a fall. Climbing with a heavy rack of cams dangling from your harness is tough, so it’s important to prepare and bring only what’s needed.

Even though he is on patrol, Brian is still having fun because climbing is one of his favorite pastimes. A ranger from another park was coming to climb Monster Tower with him. “As a Park Ranger, I can satisfy my need for outdoors as well as my need to help others and contribute to our nation and community…. I spend every day hiking, talking to visitors and improving the infrastructure in the backcountry. It's great to have a job where I can both build my resume and do what I love best!” (Hays, Angela)

After setting aside the gear he would not need, Brian showed me around the SAR cache. There were shelves of medical supplies, Search and Rescue gear, firefighting gear, and many other tools. He said that now that it’s winter and the park is less busy, they’re cleaning, organizing, testing, and replacing everything. “Over the summer everything gets used a lot and sometimes isn’t kept in good condition. So right now we’re in the process of going through our inventory.” (Hays, Brian) Another part of the SAR cache is the fire vehicle, a heavy duty pickup truck with firefighting equipment. Canyonlands isn’t big enough to have its own fire fighting department like larger National Parks, but it’s not close enough to a town to rely on theirs. So the rangers at Canyonlands are trained and equipped to handle small wild fires.

After leaving the SAR cache, we checked in at Brian’s office and then hopped into his patrol truck. He gave me a tour of the truck’s equipment. I was impressed by the shotgun and rifle secured to the roof. He also demonstrated the radar and communication systems. We drove to a canyon viewpoint to see if any visitors needed information or assistance. “When visitors come they want to see someone and know that the park is being taken care of. A lot of times just the presence of a Park Ranger gives people satisfaction that the park is in good hands.” (Hays, Brian)
After checking up on the viewpoint, we drove down the Shafer Trail, a popular off-road trail in Canyonlands. At one point the road widened and we could see tire tracks in the shrubs and soil. We hopped out and used rocks and dead branches to define the trail and prevent other “off-roaders” from following the illicit tracks. Sometimes the tires have made such deep ruts in the soft dirt that repair requires the use of a rake and shovel. We don’t want other jeepers to see the tracks and follow them, as if they led to a parking spot or pull-out. This would lead to the destruction of more beautiful wildlife.

As we returned to the main road, Brian pulled off into a pull-out to watch for speeders. He demonstrated his radar: “As the cars come toward us, this screen shows their speed. Sometimes it’s wrong; like maybe it’s reflected by something, or a bird flies by, or the AC’s on too high. So, by law, I have to estimate the car’s speed before I look at the radar.” He demonstrated by turning on the air conditioning full blast, and the radar shot up. “I’m pretty lenient; I give warnings for ten miles per hour over the speed limit, and normally tickets for anything higher.” (Hays, Brian)

While we waited there, I took the opportunity to ask Brian a few questions.
“Why did you want to become a Park Ranger?”
“I grew up around the Grand Canyon, and in my teenage years I volunteered for the Park Service there. The job sounded challenging, especially the search and rescue. It was what I wanted to do.”
“So what did you have to do to become a Park Ranger?”
“To become a protection ranger, I had to have a bachelor’s degree, attend a law enforcement academy, and complete an EMT course. It also helps if you have outdoor skills like hiking, climbing, skiing, and orienteering.”
With my interest piqued, I asked Lofton Wiley, another Ranger at Canyonlands, about getting a job with the Park Service. “One of the easiest ways to get a job with the Park Service is to volunteer. So maybe when you’re eighteen, volunteer on the weekends in the summer. That helps a lot.” (Wiley)

Later I learned that National Parks hire seasonal and permanent rangers. The permanent rangers are almost all certified, which means they have law enforcement training and carry firearms. Brian is working on becoming a permanent ranger at Canyonlands, where he would like to settle down and raise a family. Rangers like him make it possible for parks to stay open and attract tourists.

In fact, the small town of Moab relies on tourism for income. Hotels, restaurants, and tour companies all rely on the seasonal attractions around Moab to bring business. Before it was recognized as a base for adventure, Moab was just a small mining community. But now it has blossomed into a beautiful well-kept city, and the surrounding National Parks like Canyonlands keep it running. With the team of hard-working rangers at Canyonlands, it stays a clean and beautiful place.



Works Cited

Hays, Angela. Internet Interview 9 Nov. 2009
Hays, Brian. Personal Interview 23 Oct. 2009
Wiley, Lofton. Personal Interview 23 Oct. 2009

Konker

I wrote this essay for my English 1010 class. Enjoy.

Chris Andrew
USU Moab


Adj. Prof. David Neal
English 1010
October 6, 2009


When I was eight years old, my family moved from crowded St. Louis to beautiful Lee’s Summit, Missouri. I loved to play in the vast backyard of our new house. We had shady, climbable trees; thick, lush grass; and a green and white stilted play house. I spent countless hours out there—alone or with friends—hunting for savage animals, commandeering merchant ships, exploring faraway jungles, and pursuing many other adventures.

Owning our own “jungle” for the first time, we now had to take care of a yard by ourselves, using our own “machetes.” One of the implements my parent bought was a big, shiny shovel. I was captivated by the name “Truper”—whatever that meant—etched into the long, wooden handle. Whenever one of my parents set Truper down, he became an important tool in my expeditions. One day, however, Truper got a new name: “Konker.”

I was a paleontologist digging through the “ancient rock” in my backyard to find dinosaur bones. After a long morning of breathing in the dust thrown by Truper, I took a lunch break. Full and content afterward, I eagerly returned to my labor. Approaching the dinosaur quarry, I wanted to be cool by picking up my shovel without bending over. Stepping down hard on the blade of the shovel, I tried to grab the handle as it flew toward my four foot six inch high head. Too slow, I quickly experienced intense pain in my forehead, right below the hairline. Stunned at first, I really didn’t think I was injured too badly—until blood started gushing from my head. I ran to the backdoor, yelling for Mom. She rushed out and instructed me to lie down on the grass. She rolled out the garden hose and ran its cold water over my head while my little brother Joseph dashed inside to get my dad, a doctor in residency at the time.

Yanked away from his studies, Dad inspected the wound and declared, “I think he needs stitches.”
Mom questioned, “Do you think you can do them? I just don’t want to take Chris to the Emergency Room.”
“Yeah, but I’ll need to pick up some of my supplies at the hospital. I’ll be back soon.”

While I lay there, my friends jumped the fence that separated our yards. Robin informed me that she got stitches all the time. While my head was ringing and I was dying—or so I thought—Robin wouldn’t shut up. “Why don’t you take him to the basement, where there won’t be any distractions?” my dad suggested, as he prepared to leave. We all knew what he meant by “distractions.” He added, “You don’t need to keep running water on him. Just grab a clean rag and hold pressure.” Once again, Joseph was the runner boy, and was assigned to get a towel.

After positioning the rag on my forehead, Mom escorted me downstairs. I laid down while she read me The Arctic Patrol Mystery, one of my favorite books from the series “The Hardy Boys.” After an eternity, Dad returned and began the procedure. Cleaning my forehead with iodine, he then injected syringes of lidocaine into each side of the gash, making my forehead feel warm and tingly. He waited a few minutes for the anesthetic to take effect. As the needle pierced my skin, I felt pain shoot through my head. “Is it supposed to be this painful, Dad?” I gasped, trying to blink back tears. “Just relax, Chris,” he said. “You’re too anxious.” I tried to relax, but it was no use—it still hurt. After I complained some more, Dad checked the expiration date on the lidocaine bottle. It was expired and therefore useless. Lacking any other means of anesthetizing my forehead, he forged ahead, but only put in two more stitches.

The next day, I slowly ran my fingers over the bandaged wound, wondering how long I would have this foreign “attachment.” Two weeks later, Dad finally took out my stitches. I no longer had to keep my head dry during baths, move my head around carefully, and play less rambunctiously. However, I discovered a new ridge of skin on my forehead. Would I have this scar forever? I became aware that I was mortal. I was not indestructible. I still loved to play outside, but I knew I had to be more careful. I didn’t like being poked with needles!

Now at age seventeen, I still have that scar. It has receded from my forehead into my hairline, so it’s not as noticeable now. What is noticeable is my ongoing love of the outdoors. My family has moved to Moab, UT, where our “backyard” is limitless! Whether I’m hiking, biking, or rafting, I carry this scar as a reminder of my mortality. I’ve received many more wounds from these activities, but I haven’t let that deter me from adventure.

Grandma's Hands

Last week the Hazlett's grandma, Betty Hazlett, died. Ivy wrote this beautiful poem about her:

When I was little, I wondered what happened

to Grandma's withered hands.

They were wrinkled and shaky, and seemed so, so frail

but time helped me understand

that a life full of love takes a toll on one's hands

and wrinkles are merely the signs

of loving support, of change and of work

of lives touched and intertwined.

Those hands soothed a baby time and again,

they created soft blankets and things for a friend.

They were gifted with cooking good things to eat:

Slush, okra, grits, and other tasty treats.

We all loved Thanksgiving at Grandma's place

thought her hands played Shanghai with cunning grace.

She was proud and warm when applauding a child

but cool hands detected a temperature mild.

Those hands finished puzzles 1,000 pieces strong

and helped little fingers put things where they belong.

Now Grandma's hands no longer shake-

her failing body's gone

Now her hands hold those she's missed

for so very long.

Although her wrinkles are smoothed at last,

I know this is for sure:

No one will forget Grandma's hands

and her love that is so pure.

~Ivy Hazlett~

Conversation with Matthew

The other day Matthew (my 5 year old brother), started talking to me about my birthday (in another 5 months). He said, “Maybe I’ll get you a movie, like Wall-e or Star Wars. How much money is a movie?”
“I dunno, 10 bucks?”
“Oh. Well, Mom can get the movie and I’ll wrap it.”
Joseph chimed in, “You’re not supposed to tell him what you’re going to get him for his birthday Matthew,” Matthew gave me an embarrassed glance and commented, “Oh, yeah. Well, you’ll forget – won’t you Christopher?”
“Uh huh.” I say. A few moments later he asked, “What am I going to get you for your birthday?” I say with mock confusion, “I don’t know…”
“A movie! Remember?”
“You’re not supposed to tell me!”
“Oh yeah, oops.”

Kings Peak

The second day of our backpacking trip, Joe and I decided to climb Kings Peak, the highest peak in Utah at 13,528 ft. From our camp it was 10.5 miles, so we started at 4:45 a.m. the next day. We sped up to Anderson Pass, the base of the mountain, in about 5 hours!



From there to the peak was another 6,348 ft, and the trail disappeared into huge boulders we had to scramble. At the top we rewarded ourselves with a freeze-dried ice cream bar and 2 chocolate Reisens.

On the way back, we were sore and exhausted. Joe's like, "I know how we hiked here so fast. It was the oatmeal we ate for breakfast. I had three packs of that stuff." I looked up and grinned. "I had five." Later we stopped to take a look at Joe's foot, it was killing him (he forgot the insoles to his hiking boots). As he peeled off his sock he yelled in pain. You can see why:

At the end of the video, it's shaking because I'm laughing so hard.

We rolled into camp at around 4:30 p.m. after hiking 21 miles, and I didn't even bother to take off my stinky sweaty clothes. I crashed until it started raining later that night. Despite being very strenuous, it was one of the funnest hikes I've been on.

Backpacking

The first week of August our priest group went backpacking in the High Uintahs. We hiked about 7 miles to Bear Lake, where we camped.

Logan, me, Toby, Greg, and Joe.

Moon-set and sunrise over Bear Lake.

The fishing was terrible, we only caught 2 "32 oz" trout in 4 days.

The second day Toby and I climbed this. Don't pay attention to the dates on the pictures. :P

I wanted to climb it mostly for the huge snowdrifts at the top.

Mexico

There is way too much stuff to type about my trip to Mexico, so I'll just post a couple pictures and videos. If you want more info, see my Facebook album.

In Tulum. Gorgeous beach, huh?

Body surfing baby!

Backflipping at a senote. It was 180 ft. deep and had little black catfish swimming around.

Piramide de Luna in Teotihuacan.

This was at the Shrine of Our Lady Guadalupe.

Catching an iguana.

Camping at Onion Creek

Last week Jed, Jimmy, and I camped out at Onion Creek to keep an eye on 20+ boats for the daily the next day. It started raining, and we didn't have a tent or anything, so Jed came up with a brilliant idea. We leaned two paddle boats on each other, strapped 'em together, and put a tarp over the top!

Then we slid two duckies in there, deflated them a little bit and slept in them.

We slept high and dry, and very comfortable!

Memorial Day

It rained so hard Memorial Day that Ivy and I floated a duckie down 400 North! Later Jed and I went speeding through huge puddles in a truck. :D

Talent Show

Ivy and I put together a really funny "skit-sync"! Sorry about the poor video quality :P

Sunset Hike in Castle Valley

The other week Ivy and I drove out to Clinton's house and we all hiked out to a rock with petroglyphs all over it! My favorite one looks like Buddha, that's me rubbing his tummy for good luck. :P

Here's another strange one:

Yeah Chacos!

All of us, minus Sunny the dog.

I love sunsets; so vibrant! ;)

Me sticking my head in a pack-rat's nest. :D

Latter-Day Voices

We had a group from USU Logan come to Moab and do an amazing performance and morningside. Unfortunately, Joseph and I went to the temple that night, so we couldn't go to their show, but we were able to attend the morningside.


Kacee and Jackie, the two students that stayed at our house, with my some of my siblings and I.

And Joe, he's amazing at beatboxing!

Delicate Arch at Night

Last night we went on a moon-lit hike to Delicate Arch. It was pretty cool, the moon was really bright and we had a lot of people come.

All sixteen of us.

Under the Arch.

I AM LEGEND

I often think about how cool it would be if everybody just disappeared. I could do anything! Drive any car I wanted, break laws (mainly speed limits), live anywhere I wanted, etc etc. Then there would also be the downside: no electricity, no family, no friends, no internet, having to find or grow my own food... I think I like my life the way it is! :P

Stupied Hurts

Haha, here's a funny poster I saw at the Middle School in Nephi. Apparently ATVing there without the right protection is a problem.

I can spot four misspellings or misuse of words here.

Stupid DOES hurt :P

State Drama

Our Drama team went to State! We all did very well, and a lot of us got all three superior ratings!

Jed and I with our superior medals for our pantomime we did, called "River Trip".

Saren, Derek, and Russel with their superior medals for their one-act called "Star-Spangled Girl".

The dance was awesome, one of the best I've ever been too.

This is the pantomime Jed and I did:

And Braden and Monty did a hilarious one where Braden is an uncoordinated waiter and Monty is a celebrity that walks into Braden's restaurant.

Mudding!

Last week we had a weird phenomenon: it rained mud! First the wind kicked up a huge dust storm, and then it rained. The result: mudding, or mud raining! :P (None of these photos were changed in any way)

Sandstorm, before then rain.

And after it rained.

Mud on the roof of our playhouse in our backyard.

My Sweet Pelican Case

My phone and camera are already waterproof, it's just my iPod that I need to protect.  So I had a lot of room in my Pelican Case, and I decided to put a little portable speaker system into it.

Haha, now I can blast my awesome music in the wild!

Hidden Valley

The last day of spring break we decided to go hiking (surprise surprise, right?) to Hidden Valley. As we were walking along the trail, Ivy pointed up to the rock face and said, "I bet we could climb up that crack and get on top...", so we did. It was awesome, we could see for miles!

Rainbows sure are tasty!

And here's another scorpion we found.

Spring Break

With confilicting school and college schedules, my spring break was kinda short, but it was fun! On Tuesday it was warm enough to go on a water hike, so we went to Negro Bill. After soaking everybody and catching some minnows, we headed to the Hazlett's to eat homemade pizza and play ultimate frisbee.

On Thursday we went with a group from out of town to Delicate Arch in the full moon.

Here's a cool Wind Scorpion I found on the slickrock!

Then on Friday I "helped" with the Boy Scout BBQ. Like my shirt? :D

Hi Ho Cherry-O!

We had the games out last week, so I showed my sister how to stick the little cherries up her nose. And then I demonstrated how to plug one nostril and shoot them out! It was funny.

Moab Track Meet

This was my first track meet ever. It was alright, pretty windy but the sun was shining :) I ran the 2mi, 1mi, and then the 800 medley.

I PRed my mile at 5:55.

Jed said he thought he was going to die.

Region Drama

Friday our Drama team went down to Blanding for Region Drama. We had several people doing pantomimes, short plays, monologues, etc. Jed and I did a pantomime entitled "River Trip". I was really surprised, we got the highest rating on all three times we presented it (called superiors)! It was fun, and there was a lot of talent.

Weird urinals in the bathrooms there, just thought I'd post that. :P

And Zack Taylor's pantomime was hilarious:

Moab Half Marathon and 5 Mile Race

Last Saturday I ran the Canyonlands 5 mile Race! It was awesome, I PRed at 40:24, and I was the 76th finisher. We had some friends come to Moab and run the Half Marathon also. Afterwards I had to volunteer because I am on the track team, and before the race I volunteered too, filling all the race packets for the runners. I was exhausted when we were done, but I had a ton of fun running and hanging out with friends. This is my favorite year so far.


This is about the best picture I have of me running :D (I'm in the blue shorts)