DNS Visits New Paltz

I was super glad that Fiona and Dave texted me this morning and announced that their cross-country ski trip was heading back to Delaware and passing through New Paltz! So I totally played hookie and went to see them as they were eating lunch in town! I love when Delaware Nature Society meets the Gunks! Miss these people so much! 

Thanks for stopping by!

TheChristyBel

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Harvest Moon Festival

Getting her face painted!

Amy and Mark's Wedding happened at the most perfect time, I was able to stop at the Delaware Nature Society's Harvest Moon Festival. I did not really get to take many photos since I was catching up with most of my former co-workers. But we did get our faces painted with some snapshots!

Really missed this event! So glad I was able to catch up with everyone and have some time with Lana.

theChristyBel

So Pretty!

Dream Team Memorial For Jim

Being on this Forever West Adventure has been such a blessing to experience a new place, new opportunities, and to upgrade my life.  However, being away from my family, friends, and a life I left back on the East coast has been a burden as well.  Not being able to see many of my loved ones whenever I want, not being able to see the little girls I used to babysit and nanny, hearing the progress and success about my brother's job, having my feet be immersed in the ocean and laying in the sun on the shore sands, and working with all the volunteers I left back in Delaware.  It has been really hard being so isolated from everyone from back home, especially when you are missing moments with family and close friends during times for healing the heart.

Back in October, I was saddened to hear that one of my volunteers, Jim, of my favorite volunteer groups had passed away. This past week, the group that he was a member of, the Dream Team, held a memorial ceremony for him and dedicated one of their projects to him and his family.  Being across the country made it really hard to heal after hearing of Jim's passing, but it makes it also challenging to not be there, in person, for people I care about during moments of being together with each other.

November 2011 - The Dream Team was awarded the Governor's Outsanding Volunteer Award
Left to Right: Jim, Eric, Kathy, Governor Markell, Tim, Hank, and Gordon

Jim, our honored friend on the left in the above photo, was a member of this wonderful group of volunteers I had the pleasure of working with when I was the Volunteer Coordinator for the Delaware Nature Society.  His dedication and support to this team was beyond remarkable.  Every Wednesday, this group of seven volunteers consisting of education guides, teacher naturalists, and trail management volunteers would construct numerous projects that benefitted the programming and visitors that the Delaware Nature Society served at many of their sites.  

Their first two projects were constructing two remarkable replicas of Lenape Longhouses on our Ashland Nature Center property which took more than two and a half years to complete from planning to finish.

A few weeks before I left for Wyoming, I was able to have one last goodbye with my favorite group!
Kathy is missing.

The team named themselves ‘the Dream Team’ and contributed more than 5,588 hours in all weather conditions to not only the two longhouses, but to more than 14 different projects at Ashland Nature Center, Coverdale Farm, and the DuPont Environmental Education Center when I was the Volunteer Coordinator. By having these beautifully constructed projects, like the longhouses, program participants and visitors are able to have authentic and realistic experiences and serve much larger groups. 

The Dream Team was awarded the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2011 in the Environment category and was presented their award in front of a ceremony with Governor Markell.  Jim was so proud and honored of the group's accomplishment.

Jim was by far such a determined and fearless leader and member of the group.  He would always show up prompt, ready to get to work, and always kept the group on track and focused!  His knowledge, experience, stories, and personality were beyond incredible talents and qualities that made him such a wonderful and involved member of the Dream Team!

Jim's Family
Photo Provided by Eric Roberson, Member of the DNS Dream Team

This morning, Eric, another member of the Dream Team, sent me an e-mail informing me of the Memorial for Jim and provided photos of the team and the Tribute.  They dedicated the Ashland Nature Center boardwalk that leads into the floodplain and marsh to Jim with a plaque in his honor.  It made me really homesick to not be there with the team, but very comforted that they kept in the loop of this.

Wishing I was able to be with the Dream Team and Honor Jim!
Photo Provided by Eric Roberson, Member of the DNS Dream Team

To be sent photos of Jim's Memorial was really touching and comforting to know that I was there in spirit to celebrate Jim's life.  Jim was a phenomenal volunteer, friend, and colleague to work alongside with at DNS. 

Individuals like Jim are the reason why I enjoyed working with DNS as a teacher naturalist, volunteer, staff, and a former volunteer coordinator.

Forever in my heart, Jim.

TheChristyBel

Living the East Coast Dream

The moment finally arrived on Friday, December 20 - the moment I was able to congratulate myself on completing my first semester of graduate school!

I set foot back on my East Coast Homelands around 4:30pm EST, where one of my besties, Brenna was waiting for me at the Philadelphia International Airport!

Oh, Hello, Philadelphia! I've Missed You!

It was such a wonderful feeling and a sense of relief when I saw the skyline. Even though I am not at all a city girl, Philly is always a comforting sight of home!

First Stop - Brew HaHa! Coffee! Delicious!

Of course when I got home, I had to endulge in some East Coast treats, like Brew HaHa! And Wawa! Haha. And of course fitting in as much time with friends, like Brenna, Lana, Tine, Jaclyn, and many DNS people!

I'm Glad my EMS Boys Enjoy My Postcards & Photos!

Another wonderful thing that I got to do was get back into working mode with Eastern Mountain Sports! I am 200% positive the boys enjoyed having a girl back in the store. I mean come on, who else would trot back into 151, put on a. Onesie and dance around the store...this girl! And I totally did on my first shift back!

It was also really touching to see my postcard and photos on the wall in the break room! I guess they did miss me! Haha such a loser I am for being all emotional about this!

Christine & Christy
Friendship Established in 1999!

Being back for only 2 weeks was clearly not enough time to work, visit with friends and family, and complete a long bucket list of east coast wishes. But what I did do was make sure I was busy my entire stay! Never sitting around!

Home is Where the Wawa Is!

On the second weekend of my stay, Luke and I traveled to Asbury Park, NJ for the night to visit with my wifey, Kelsey! So excited to see her!

Forever in Love with New Jersey!

Even though I am not a true blood, Jersey girl, I still feel this is a second comfort of home for me (despite former relationships that brought me there in the first place).

Mogo Taco Fix

As soon as I got into AP, we had to introduce Luke to Mogo Tacos and check out and support the grand opening on the new shop! By far the best tacos ever!

Wifeys Reunited!

Later that night, we hit up the town like old times. Checked out some oldies but goodies as well as some new bars. Very fun!

Bar Hopping in Asbury Park!

We're Cute as a Button!

I am so happy I got to see Kelsey! I miss her so much! Despite how crazy and terrible he circumstances were on how we met 2013 brought me to one of my newest best friends! It kills me That we are so far away from each other!

XOXO

The day before New Years, I took a hike at Ashland Nature Center with Tracey, her husband Glynn, and two of my favorite children ever, Kaylen and William! A great morning hike catching up and playing! I even took a stroll to my favorite secret spot ever, my tree. As a child  to when I needed a break from my desk in the nature center, this tree was my go to and escape!

My Favorite Place on Earth!

Not only did I see my tree, but had a Delaware Nature Society reunion with staff and my fellow interns, Brittany, Austin, and the newest addition to our DNS Family, baby Micah! Micah is by far the cutest babies of all time! His Auntie Christy loves him so much!

The Fantastic Foursome - With Newly Inducted Baby Micah!

Also the day before I leave, the east coast recorded about 7 inches of snow! Very appropriate as I prepared to head back west, as well as I needed snow to do snow density data research for my Winter Ecology class back in the Tetons!

Doesn't Feel Like the Holidays Without Snow!

Saying goodbye to everyone just after reconnecting with them 2 weeks earlier was such a tease! I mean, I'm ready to continue with school, but not at all ready to have to get up and leave home. I cannot wait until my winter break is a month long and not two weeks!

Brandon & I
EMS Represent!

My heart will always head East,

TheChristyBel

Farewell Delaware, 'Til Christmas

Saying 'Goodbye' and 'Thank You' to almost 23+ years of outdoor awesomeness and opportunities with the Delaware Nature Society.

First off had to say goodbye to two real jobs that brought me a lot of enjoyment and memories.  The Delaware Nature Society and Eastern Mountain Sports.  DNS was a bittersweet farewell.  After being there for so long as a participant, volunteer, and core-staff, I was more than ready to 'fledge' the DNS nest.  But at the same time, it was a really sad hit to be leaving not just co-workers and volunteers, but a HUGE family of people I've come to respect, admire, look up to, and most of all, love.  DNS is an extended home-land, and I cannot thank that organization enough for helping find my niche in the environmental education and outdoor recreational world!

Not only was DNS a job for me, but it became such a family.  Love, Hate, and Work all in One.  I wouldn't change that for the world.

Eastern Mountain Sports was a very wonderful experience.  I always thought that working retail would be very tiring and not fun, but working at a store that specializes in activities that I enjoy participating in, was hard at times, but very fun and entertaining!  Working with individuals that ALL love to be outdoors and do activities that get you out of a comfort zone and dirty at times was an incredible interest to have in common.  I'm gonna miss my EMS boys and Kristen very much.  Hopefully they will keep their word and visit me out west!

Leaving behind fellow co-workers, my volunteers, my counselors, and my counselors that have become interns was really hard.  But this farewell is not at all final, and I am excited to be able to take what I learn and experience over the next 11 and half months (for sure) and bring back some awesome stories, ideas, and what not back to the east coast!

Went to visit Lana and found this Ancient Artifact, the GameBoy Color!

Meeting Odie at Brenna's.  Such a little gem!

Gonna miss one of my favorite Land Management boys at Ashland.

Let me tell you, packing, whether it was moving out of my apartment, moving back home, going to college, or whatever, is my LEAST FAVORITE thing to do in the world.  It is so overwhelming.  I never really want to officially move.  Well...I take that back, I just don't want to ever pack.  It was pretty stressful to decide what was NECESSARY, what was something I couldn't live without, or what was needed for such and such.  The mantra was...'is this really necessary' and 'will this fit in the car' was constantly asked in my head.  Not to mention, the looks Dad gave me when I would bring down a box from my room.  Saying goodbye to my plants was so sad!! My little babies!  I hope my Mom talks to them to keep them entertained!

Saying Goodbye to my Little Flora Babies!  I hope my mom takes care of them while I'm away.

Not just trying to pack all of my warm-winter clothes and gear, camping gear and equipment, and school related odds and ends, you always need to bring something along that is good for your soul.  Clearly, I had to bring some things that reminded me of home.  Some stupid and silly, but when you look it at, you get some signs of hope and happiness.  Couldn't forget to bring some of Brenna's mom's honey, the Blue Bird carving from one of my favorite volunteers, Gordon Fisher, a hat from the Middle Run Tree Planting, and chocolate.  Don't judge me.

Clearly my priorities are still in line when it comes to what I must bring to Wyoming.

After about 2 days worth of packing, unpacking, sorting, and making a list of what I needed and what I was bringing, Little Blue was finally packed and ready to make the first portion of my trip to the Grand Tetons.  And I think I did pretty well for myself!  And if I didn't bring it...opps, it'll be fine.

I think Little Blue is good to go and ready for the 2,800+ mile trip out west!

A little friend to prepare me for the real thing in Wyoming.  The day I see a real moose.  My life will be complete!

After saying goodbye to the parents and the brother :( I was aiming to leave around 6:30pm, my journey was put to a halt when I sat in traffic right before the bridge into New Jersey...finally made it to Asbury Park, NJ around 10:00pm to see the second set of a wonderful band and close friends, the Accidental Seabirds!  So good!

At 6:30pm, I started my journey...only to be placed in an hour's worth of traffic on I-95N right before the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey.

Asbury Park - To Be Continued...
TheChristyBel