Goth Night in Hodgdon

To celebrate the peak of the summer season and the full moon, Hodgdon had a party.

Hodgdon is known to have some wild and loud parties. The good kind of fun that means you work hard and play hard.

We learned the party was moved from the trailers to the wood pile. At first we didn’t know what that meant. It seemed creepy and nefarious.

And yet we are all rangers, dedicated to a life in the outdoors and our connection with it.

The woodpile was perfect! We were able to have a fire and a bunch of people well into the night. Eveyone was encouraged to wear black and dark colors. That made a shadowed effect where you had to get close to people to see them. It made for some intimate conversations.

On the other end of the party was a dance tent. Which seemed like a lot of fun, but the strobe light was too much for my senses. Still, the music was loud and the energy powerful. Since we were tucked back into the woods, the music could go on all night. Finallly a party that could last as long as the people did.

I left about 9:30 pm, just as some others were arriving. I heard from all that the party went well into the night and was exactly what we all needed, a chance to be wild and let loose.

The best part, when I talked to a coworker’s partner in passing, he shared that he went to the site expecting to see a mess. Instead, he found it to be impeccable, perhaps even better than we found it. That made me feel proud to be part of something that cares.

Introducing the Barbie Wave

One of the seasonal gals got a Ranger Barbie as a gift. She has become a bit of a mascot at the Big Oak Flat entrance.

Barbie would sometimes wave hello or goodbye as visitors pass through the gate.

Some were confused. Some smiled. Most appreciated the characterization of our authority of the resource.

My favorite was a day when this gal was sick, very sad, but a visitor came back and asked where Barbie was! I said she’s sick today, but she’ll be back tomorrow. The visitor said to send her well wishes said they missed her.

That is all we ask for in this life, a connection. This showed me a beauty that us being here, really does make a different.

Thanks Barbie.

Trip to Seattle to Celebrate Family!!!

The highlight of August was my trip up to Seattle to celebrate Z’s birthday. I saw my family, my friends, and played lots of games. The best part…seeing Z turn 14 and celebrating our life together.

If you are interested in this adventure, I go to greater depth in other posts:

Seattle Trip (August ‘23) Part 1: Heading to Washington

Seattle Trip (August ‘23) Part 2: The Oregon Coast

Seattle Trip (August ‘23) Part 3: Celebrating Family

Seattle Trip (August ‘23) Part 4: The Long Way Home

Faces of Anda in August

The Faces of Cookies for August

A Day on Tioga Road

My first trip into the High Country was a success! It is beautiful! And I only made it halfway.

I explored a waterfall as I started up the pass. Then I went to sit by Tenaya lake. Then I found another waterfall on the way back down.

Finding wild moving water is a way that I am able to settle my spirit and make sense of my world. I love this opportunity to spend time in the back country. The high country is a special place demands love and respect. And also comfort.