having fun

[Guest guest]

I wanted to say something about having fun that wasn't on the poll.

As luck has it, my fun is my work and my work is fun. Must sound

crazy, but as a NPS Ranger in one of the most beautiful forests of

our nation, I work and live. It is such a joy to be here - have had

20 years with the service, 10 here, and together with my hubby at

DOI, really, we are lucky to have such great 'offices' - the wild

blue yonder of beautiful pines, flowing rivers, wildlife, etc.

Granted, there is physical work and alot of it. It is fun to a

point; of course as we know with CMT, if we do not pace our

activities we will hurt from muscle overuse. So, I have to remember

this or my body remembers for me! Even now, with snow still coming

down and on the ground, we are beginning to ready our first 5 public

campsites for use - really it is an assessment now. May 1, we start

the harder stuff. As I have Type X, I have very mild symptoms, it is

mostly the fatigue thing, but I certainly sleep well at night!

Working with NPS and other rangers is so enjoyable; we have great

camaraderie and are all close, our families in the area too.

I enjoy cleaning campsites and maintaining the Visitors Center and

training summer Interns and volunteers especially. I don't know what

else I can say, but this interraction with such a diverse group of

people with a love of the wilderness makes everything a joy.

I will say that being on fire patrol is not a joy nor is it fun -

long hours and constant surveillance. But as we rotate the task

amongst all of us, at least it is shared. And I know too I am part

of a valuable and important service - as one small out of control

campfire can take us and everything else 'out'.

OK, so yes, I am not all work and no play...for fun away from the

area, we will canoe on neighboring lakes or fish, which I love.

Fly fishing was my great all time fun until 1) my luck got worse

and/or really 2) my balance on slimy rocks with a current, even

with special boots got a bit too tipsy, so in I went - scared the

fish!

Now we enjoy fishing still, from the boats, or even docks at the

lake.

Other fun interest of mine is photography of area wildlife - helps

me practice patience; another ranger and I enjoy this interest

together, she is aware of my CMT and knows I am not the best runner,

in case we are threatened. She also does the developing; then we

ike to hang our best shots in the Visitor's Center for all to see.

(Most visitors do not see the wildlife like we do, as by the time

the season opens, the animals have left for higher altitudes).

Having fun of any kind, whether with others, or my own introspective

type of journaling, writing, singing, etc., is very important to me

and my health and ability to have a good attitude - it is all a

positive circle for me and my overall health.

Robin

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