Blizzard Thoughts: Infecting the World with Joy
Hello Beautiful Souls!
As the snow turns to rain, I am given time to think about my time here at Yosemite so far.
Right now, the kiosks that we work out of at the entrance station are covered with snow and the lines stand empty behind a closed gate. Yosemite National Park has been closed for two weeks now due to these hazardous weather conditions rolling through California. I’ve seen about six feet of snow fall during that time and it has forever changed my perspective of a snow storm. I’ve never seen anything like this before! I wouldn’t mind if I don’t again, however, at least I know how to navigate it now.
I sit in MC listening to the rain fall on the snow, I remember a small instance that happened while I worked in the kiosk during the Horsetail Falls event.
The lines were backed up around the bend as we greeted visitors eager to see the breezy fall lit up by the sun’s glow to appear on fire like lava flow.
I wasn’t personally able to see it this year, but it seems like I didn’t miss much because of the storm system moving in, the effect was muted at best.
Still, I greeted each visitor as they entered with enthusiasm to set they up for a great adventure. That is what I love about my job as a Park Ranger, sharing my enthusiasm for this amazing place they are about to enter.
One day, I received a great silent compliment. As visitors waited in line, a car from the next line over waved at me and I could tell my energy went to that car as well. It made me feel so great. I feel honored to be able to effect the energy in a positive way of those that pass through the gate. Not only in my line, but to anyone who can see me and wants to engage.
Communicating with people is my favorite part of the job. I do not always have the answer they want to hear. During reservations, which was during February for the Horsetail Falls event, I couldn’t let people in without a reservation. It hurt especially for the locals who wanted to only play in the snow. However, my job is regulating the traffic to the Valley to protect the people and the resource, so that is what I did.
Talking to people about the park closure has been hard too. A car came to the gate this past week from Poland and I had to turn them around. I told them that it was for their own safety because of hazards on the roads and avalanche risks. I spent a few minutes talking to them, asking them where they are from and what they are trying to get out of their trip. Yosemite is hard to renavigate people because it holds such awe-inspiring landscapes that are not comparable in the surrounding areas. Still, I shared, “I would hate for you to come this far and not be able to get home.” Then they seemed to realize the extent of the danger and most of all appreciated my willingness to have the conversation, even though it was not what they wanted to hear.
That happens a lot at the entrance gates. People don’t like to be told no and everyone responds a little differently. My response is to listen and share why we have the rules we do. Everything the park does is for the safety of the people who work and visit it, as well as to preserve the resource.”
A testament to that protection, we’ve had no significant accidents in the park with this storm. The park has made sure people have what they need and only work to clear the roads, etc, if they can do it safely. They have offered housing for those who need to be closer to the park or are without power. It has been truly amazing how people are working together to make sure everyone has what they need and we can safely move to open the park once again for visitors.
I am proud to be a part of Yosemite National Park. This is an fabulous place. I look forward to be able to go on the trails and into the wilderness as the weather subsides. I’ve spent the last couple weeks pouring over maps and reading about it’s landscape and history. Now, when we reopen, I will have all kinds of new tidbits to share with visitors, my co-workers are already receiving my random knowledge, lol.
The concern with the rain falling now is flooding. I sit and listen to the patter of rain on the roof, safe and awaiting the damage of yet another storm system moving through. A positive outlook is that California will finally come out of it’s extreme drought after this series of storms.
For now, I read, write and share. Staying warm and dry are my priorities. And remembering how much I love my job and all the people who come to the National Parks.
Wherever you are, I pray that you are safe and warm (but not too warm)! Sending you love and persevering energy. You’ve got this!
