On May 29th, we officially began our field season. An atypical crew, “The Boys From the South” were functioning like a well-oiled machine and ready to get down to business. However, the next three weeks were assumed to be the hardest of the whole summer. An ambitious schedule is how I described it. Honestly, I had my doubts whether it could be done. Our fledgling crew was about to be tested. Would we sink or swim in that vast sea of mountain laurel?
Continue reading “An Ambitious Schedule”Tag: seasonal jobs
The Boys from the South
If I wasn’t kicking back cold brews with my crew, I was searching the ground for little green shit (LGS) to indulge my plant nerdery. Although we were on our second week of training, it felt like a mini-vacation to me. That’s what you get the third time around. At this point, I was refreshed and well versed with the nuances of the job. I was functioning as a co-trainer with a heavy emphasis on team building.
Continue reading “The Boys from the South”The Crew Assembles
As the old characters and new players converged, I looked forward to reprising my role in a slightly different way. Each rendition of this story always brought its own nuances and I was curious how it would play out this time. These next two weeks would certainly preface the rest of the summer. We would come to understand what we had to do and how we had to do it. More importantly, I would begin to define my “why.”
Continue reading “The Crew Assembles”Getting up to Speed
The afternoon of May 8th, I was driving west on that familiar stretch of I-80 towards State College. Deep inside my head, most of the travel was a blur. Luckily, I only had a hundred and four miles to my destination — a short distance by today’s standards. I was only home for two weeks and I was leaving again. Somewhere between excitement and sadness, I was opening a new chapter. In some respects, I was familiar with the plot. In other regards, it was a whole new experience. I wondered what I would get out of this opportunity. In the end, I discovered that it wasn’t so much about me.
Continue reading “Getting up to Speed”Full Circle
My first real job of this newfound career was with the Deer-Forest Study. I was a Penn State undergrad when I was hired as a field forest technician to roam the woods of Rothrock and Bald Eagle state forests in search of all things green. Two years later and thousands of miles behind me, I return to the very same place. Have I come full circle? Continue reading “Full Circle”
A Change of Pace
There was no deer trapping this last week. Although my crew expressed sadness upon hearing the news, I was happy to have a change of pace. I must admit, the adrenaline rush from tackling deer has waned. In abundance, anything can lose its luster — especially long, cold hours waiting for the net to drop. Perhaps more than the cold, the idle hours are what bothered me most. I was eager to learn something new! Continue reading “A Change of Pace”
Spring is Coming
Although it hardly seems like spring is near, the signs that the season is beginning to change are all around. Grasses are becoming green in southern Pennsylvania and the buds are about to burst into leaves soon. The red hue on the ridge tops will be green in a few weeks’ time. As the season changes, we are entering the twilight of our deer trapping season. Continue reading “Spring is Coming”
The House of Flies
I know you are curious about my living arrangements this winter. There is always something quirky about the places I stay and this time is no exception. Let tell you about the House of Flies. Continue reading “The House of Flies”
Anticipation
The first paragraph of a new chapter is neither here nor there. In the time between where I’ve been to where I’m going, there is much anticipation of what the future holds. I’d like to say that I’m used to changing things up every several months; the truth is, I know very little going into the next gig. Here I go again! Continue reading “Anticipation”
Why Deer?
I often said I’m not interested in working with deer. This winter however, I find myself working as a Deer Biologist Aid. It goes to show that you never know where you will end up. So, why did I take a job working with deer? Continue reading “Why Deer?”