This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

Ranger Smiley Dave Extinguishing the Fire
Photo Credit: Ranger Bob Elsinger

This morning, I hiked up the Millbrook Ridge Trail to get up to Hawk Watch to help with the daily count. When I got up to the Viewing Area, I looked toward the south as the trail continues towards Millbrook Mountain and I saw three teenage to college-aged kids (2 males and 1 female) trying to head down the Millbrook Ridge Trail back down to Trapps Road. But not only were they just trying to bushwhack and not using the actual trail (clue #1), but they were carrying large backpacks with an exposed tent bag and large rolled up sleeping bags (clue #2). When they were slipping and sliding down on the "Not the trail" path they were going, I mentioned to them to stop and follow the blue blazes so they could safely get down to the Trapps Road. The girl replied, they were fine and that they went this way yesterday. After hearing that, I asked them, "Oh so did you camp up here YESTERDAY, cause you know camping is NOT allowed on the Preserve." And clearly said, no. Then I stated, "Oh, so carrying around a tent and sleeping bag on all your day hikes is a thing..well that's bold. No camping is allowed." Then she gave me a dirty look and continued down the trail with the two males. 

Bahh, seeing people like that and interacting with people like that really makes me so aggravated with how people do not follow rules and really do not respect wild places and the outdoors where other people also recreate. After they headed down the trail, I texted a ranger letting them know what had just happened and went about my HawkWatching til noon. When I left, I got a text from the ranger I alerted earlier asking more about the three hikers I had seen that morning. Confused, I responded asking why. And their response was that there was smoke being observed on the Ridge and was called in from people in town (in the Foothills). When the rangers responded to the call, they discovered that a fire was made 300-yards south of the Hawk Watch and it was still smoldering (not properly put out) and whoever made it used green wood (which made it so smokey). Bahhhh, hearing that made me even more aggravated and I was totally kicking myself to not have acted more on this situation. Not that I could have done more than try and hold them in the spot I saw them in or follow them down to the parking lot and call a ranger, but how was I supposed to know a fire was also made?! I did not see or smell smoke from Hawk Watch. People like that are the reason why we have some fires on the Ridge that are not natural and why we cannot have nice things. I wish people would learn and respect the outdoors the way most of us outdoor enthusiasts and recreationalists do.

TheChristyBel

Camp Peregrine

This past week I survived my first week of Mohonk Preserve Summer Camps. There is much to get used to as far as logistics and the Preserve's methods to approaching camp (it's pretty different from what I am used to), but it went pretty well. Working with 7-10 year olds has been great. Ideally, I prefer the wee little ones or the much older ones, but this group of kiddos we had this week were pretty awesome. They definitely set the bar high for future summer camp sessions for me. This week was a short week due to the July 4 holiday, so I only had three days with them (I missed the last day as I had to leave for Maine for a wedding - next blog)! But the three days were pretty great. We hiked them all around Spring Farm, Duck Pond, and a scramble at the Mountain House. The campers were able to do some ecosystem studies, play lots of games, develop community, pass around the Leadership Stick, and admire wildlife. It was a pretty good week and a great way to ease myself into the Preserve's camp season. Usually my camps are themed and very activity structured to keep the campers engaged. This camp approach is very flexible and student-centered (something I had to get used to). But overall, I really liked the feel for it and definitely got my brain spinning on how I can make future camps more of my own. I am really looking forward to my second week and making that week much better than the first.

TheChristyBel

Rock Rift Hike

Northern Red Salamander in the Duck Pond Stream

Pond Study at Duck Pond

Mason was one of my favorite campers

Savannah Testing Out Her Bees Wax Boat

Black Rat Snake Visit at Spring Farm

Discovering Red Efts in the Forest

Hiking at Spring Farm

Mommy and Me in the GTNP

Momma Moose & Calves
The Second Twin is Hiding to the Right of Its Mother in the Bushes

Here is the second edition to the Grand Teton Babies. I am really enjoying this month of tours: there have been lots of sightings of new life here in the park. Enclosed in this entry is just pure cuteness, it will make your heart explode, pure jealousy of my life, and some amazing views of what this park has to offer.

Come Visit!

TheChristyBel

Osprey On Nest

Lupine Meadows Fox Den
Multi-Colored Kits Playing With Each Other

Beaver Creek Fox Kits Cuddle with Momma

Beaver Creek Fox Kits Morning Playtime

SandHill Crane Colt at the National Elk Refuge

SandHill Crane & Colt at the National Elk Refuge

Momma Moose & Calves