Alive and waiting for a fire in the Grand Canyon

Well I have a few minutes of internet time so I am posting a quick update. The internet is super slow but at least I can check my email every now and then.

So We left for the Grand Canyon about a week ago and didn't even make it out of CA before we got a fire call.We drove down to Tuscon AZ and went to a fire for a day. It was pretty much out when we got there but we went out for a shift added bonus was that we got a helicopter ride to and from the fire camp (pictures will be added later).

Then we had to get a truck fixed so we spent a bunch of time at a horrible mall in Tuscon. At least it was a cooler day. So after that we headed up to Flgstaff AZ to spend the night....if any of you have been to flagstaff it is a really fun town so we all went out and had a good time. Flagstaff bar scene kind of reminds me of Houghton.

After that it was on to the granc canyon. Were we have been doing a fuels project. We have been using chainsaws to reduce the amount of fuel so that if a fire was to come through the area they would be able to defend the park. Anyway we spend our off time here hanging out at the north rim bar and trying to stay out of trouble.

We did have one other fire call but we didn't make it to the fire before we got canceled and had to return to the canyon, but we did get to stay in a hotel so that was nice. Anyway I better get going since I have to get up at 6:00 A.M to run.......hopefully I don't die on the run cuz I almost did today.

I will post pictures once we get back.

Who knows whats in store now

Well we are finally done with our training and we are available as of 8:00am Sat for fires so who knows what will happen could be anything. I am guessing it won't be anything to exciting yet but you never know.

My parents were up visiting last weekend. The picture of the two of them was taken by the worlds largest tree( the General Sherman). They are actually standing next to a branch of the tree that fell out during an ice storm this winter. Yes I said branch you didn't read it wrong that is a branch. The other picture is a view of the sierra nevada mountians here in the park. My dad and I took the photo while we were hiking up moro rock.

My posion oak ended up being horrible. I had/have it all over my face it is pretty scary. It is almost gone from my face, but is not plesant stuff. Besided my face I have it on my wriste and my hands and legs and stomach. So yes I have been itchy all week.

well it might be a while before the next post because we are leaving on Mon for the Grand Canyon, but I am sure that when I will get back I will update on the adventures that we have

Im a little suprised to find that this is my theme song Your Theme Song is Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf

"I like smoke and lightning Heavy metal thunder Racin' with the wind And the feelin' that I'm under" A total independent spirit, you can't be held down or fenced in. You crave the feeling of wind on your face... and totally freedom.

What's Your Theme Song?

I hate posion oak

So for all of you that aren't familar with the west, they have what's called posion oak...its pretty close to the same thing as poison ivy...but it grows all over the place out here. Anyway in 2004 we were in a lot of it and I would break out with this nasty itchy rash.....sometime even blisters, and then last year I didn't get it at all.

Well yesterday we went out and did what we call a practice fire. We did everything the same as we would on a real fire. And when I woke up this morning my arm itched and well I turned on the light and what would ya know I have posion oak all over my arms. Im pissed I even kept my sleeves down so I wouldn't get it. I hope that this isn't what the rest of the season is gonna be like.

In other news. We have one more week of training left. My parents are going to be here later tonight and are staying for the weekend. I am taking them to see the park tommorow, and then at work we have family day on sunday. so it will be a good time. Also the lady at costco today did not believe I was 21 and then when I showed her my id she said "is that really what a MN liscence looks like"

Oh and for all of you wondering...well my pull-ups didn't quite go as planned. I did two that counted and another two where I couldn't quite get my chin over the bar....oh well all is good

Soon to be my home again

Well I will soon be living in our crew trucks again. This picture is from last year when we were on a fire assingment in Wyoming, and yep those are the trucks we ride around the country in. There are seven seats in the back of the big trucks (2 in front so 9 in each) and during the fire season we pretty much live out of them. (that is if it is a busy season) The rest of the crew starts tomorrow so it is a big day. We have to do all these physical fitness test and hopefully I pull of my 4 pull-ups. I am not worried about sit-up and push up, but pull ups tend to worry me. I know that I should be able to pull out three but the fourth one might be hard. so if you are reading this push some positive energy my way tommorow afternoon.