As the Interpretive Ranger at Pawtuckaway State Park, I have the pleasure of living in the woods all season. My cozy campsite offers many appealing features; nighttime calls from my Barred Owl neighbor, a view of a misty wetland, sights and sounds from Pileated Woodpeckers, and the simple pleasures of cooking over a propane burner. […]
Tag: Discover the Power of Parks
Wondrous White Lake Walk
They take a deep breath in. It’s controlled and elated, with each inhale they bring themselves further away from the distant memory of stress, and soothed into a nubile state of complacency. As the air leaves their lungs, consumed of its oxygen it becomes a carbon slurry. The breath lofts up, bounding straight for the […]
The Spirit of The Notch
As I drove into Franconia Notch State Park, bright eyed and bushy tailed, I was experiencing everything for the first time. Yet, in a way, every visitor, whether a veteran or a first time explorer, is gazing at new scenery every minute, hour, or day. For, The Notch is forever changing. As a Floridian, I […]
Woods Whisperer
The journeys and adventures I’ve had in the park pale in comparison to the journeys and adventures I’ve had with my new friends here. I’ve found that the combination of those two have made my experience here truly spectacular! As the Bear Brook Interpretive Ranger I have an exciting opportunity to experience the different moods, […]
Campsites 101
Ready to find the perfect match for your family trip or weekend getaway? New Hampshire is home to 75 state park properties – many with campsites abounding. While most have the standard fire ring and picnic table, not all are created equal. At Greenfield State Park, the campsites offer much more than the standard package. […]
“Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.”
When you commit yourself to ten months of service, something with a definitive end, it is easy to get wrapped up in the world of countdowns. I can tell you that there’s only one weekend left of interpretive programming left at Bear Brook, Pawtuckaway, Umbagog, and Franconia Notch State Parks, but that’s not what we’re […]
Ponding Adventures
Earlier this spring, all of your Discover the Power of Parks interpreters were introduced (or re-introduced) to an activity that would become the ‘bread-and-butter’ program of some of our summers. We were handed nets that smelled vaguely of pond water, three white plastic bins, and a dicotomous key with some strange and slightly frightening creatures […]
Soundscapes of Bear Brook
More recently in my time here at Bear Brook, I’ve found myself listening intently to all of the sounds that can be heard in the different environments around the park. I’ve recently had some hearing troubles and the whole experience has given me a new appreciation for the different instruments in Bear Brook’s symphony. So […]
The Old Man of the Valley
Since I have moved up to the Great North Woods, I have had a sense of wanderlust. To quench my thirst for travel, I do what any sensible adventurer would do- I go geocaching. I know some of you out there are scratching your heads and wondering, “What in the world is geocaching?” Well, I […]
Making my Day
Coming into this position serving with the Student Conservation Association, I expected to be teaching people about the environment in general and the parks where I was stationed specifically. I looked forward to working with a bunch of different people in different environments, from the elementary schools in Manchester to the top of Mount Monadnock. […]