Your Very Next Step newsletter for January 2012

Your Very Next Step newsletter for January 2012

By Ned Lundquist www.yourverynextstep.com

“Naturam expelles furca, tamen usque recurret”

– Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace) (Epistulae, I, x, 24)

(You can drive nature out with a pitchfork, but she will soon find a way back.)

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

“Your Very Next Step” newsletter, published by Ned Lundquist, is a cooperative community, and everyone is invited, no…encouraged, no…urged to participate. Share your adventures with the network today! Send to lundquist989@cs.com.

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You may note that our website (www.yourverynextstep.com) has received a make-over. Bear with Ned as he learns how to use it.

*** In this issue:

*** Ned s upcoming travel schedule: *** Can I touch your hair? *** The Polar Bear Question

Travel news

*** 17th annual Winter Trails Day is on January 7, 2012 *** Airline to let flyers choose who they sit next to *** Reindeer Wrangling *** It’s summer down under: *** Altitude Effects Sierra Nevada (Spain) *** Airports court fliers with rewards programs *** What Did Snakey Eat? *** Bikini Travel Insurance

Trail / Outdoor / Conservation volunteer opportunities:

1.) Vernon Greenways Volunteers, Vernon Parks and Recreation, Vernon, CT 2.) Volunteer Opportunities, Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, Morris County Park Commission, County of Morris, Morristown, NJ 3.) Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, Boulder, CO 4.) Information Center Host, Ranger District Office, U. S. Forestry Service, Boulder, Colorado 5.) Adopt-A-Trail Program, Friends of White Clay Creek State Park, Newark, DE 6.) Adopt a Trail, Parks and Recreation, City of Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana 7.) Adopt-a-Trail Program, Morris County Park Commission, County of Morris, Morristown, NJ 8.) Volunteers, Montana Wilderness Association, Helena, MT

*** National Rail-Trail of the month:

Trail of the Month: January 2012 Houston’s Columbia Tap Rail-Trail

*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:

1.) President and CEO, Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor, Maine 2.) Volunteer in Conservation in Ecuador, Cosmic Volunteers, Puerto Lopez and other rural areas throughout Ecuador 3.) Newspaper Journalism Internships, Cosmic Volunteers, Quito, Ecuador 4.) Director of Development, Hole in the Wall, Jordan River Village Camp New York, NY 5.) Global Marketing Services Coordinator, Oregon Tourism Commission, Salem, OR 6.) Program Head of Sports & Games, Camp Beech Cliff, Mount Desert, ME 7.) Visual Information and Interpretation Assistant (Media), Zion National Park, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Springdale, UT 8.) Executive Director, Oregon Recreation and Park Association (ORPA), ORPA office may be home-based or in a shared park and recreation agency located within a three(3) hour drive of Portland 9.) Maine Trail Crew Camp Coordinator, Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Garland, ME

…and much more…and it’s all FREE!!!

*** Do you have a travel adventure to share?

Send me your stories and I’ll post in the “Your Very Next Step” and on the YVNS website (http://www.yourverynextstep.com/).

*** Ned s upcoming travel schedule:

18-22 Jan 12 Pisa/La Spezia/Lerici, Italy 21-26 Jan 12 Paris, France 6-13 Feb 12 San Jose/Arenal/Tamarindo/San Jose, Costa Rica

*** The Lundquist’s Beach/Jungle/Mountain/Volcano adventure:

*** Ned talks with Lisa Cederberg, Travel Consultant with Costa Rican Luxury Vacations (http://www.vacationscostarica.com/, about the upcoming Lundquist family vacation:

Ned: How long does it take to get from the San Jose airport to Arenal?

Lisa: About 2-1/2 to 3 hours if you stop along the way to eat or take pictures, etc.

Ned: What will we see along the way? What are the roads like?

Lisa: You’ll see coffee fields, sprawling green mountains and valleys. You’ll drive through a few small towns along the way. The roads will be mountainous, mostly, with amazing views.

Ned: How many different hotels are there in the Arenal area? Numerous. I don’t know how many there are all together.

Ned: What about the dining and shopping opportunities in the Arenal area?

Lisa: La Fortuna (the little town of Arenal) has a number of good restaurants and bars, as well as banks, grocery stores, pharmacies, numerous gift shops and more. You can get local cuisine for about $5 a plate, or a more upscale meal if you like.

Ned: How about the drive to Tamarindo? How long is that, and what will we see?

Lisa: Driving time from Arenal to Tamarindo can take between 4-5 hours. You’ll enjoy beautiful scenery along the way. As you get closer to Guanacaste/Liberia, you will notice less rain forest and more dry forest. You’ll see small towns along the way, Any drive in Costa Rica is beautiful (except downtown San Jose!).

Lisa Cederberg Travel Consultant Costa Rican Luxury Vacations “Local Knowledge – Global Service” U.S. Toll Free 800-606-1860 x 1243 – I’m available with very flexible hours. Please call at your convenience! In Costa Rica: 506-2296-7715 * Email: lisacederberg@goduesouth.com (http://www.vacationscostarica.com/):

*** Arenal Advice:

When you go to the hot springs in Arenal make sure you go at night. It’s too hot during the day and the different pools are lit up.

Lisa A Kilday

*** Costa Rica comment:

If you have not seen it Arenal is awesome in the true sense of the word – also stayed at Tamarindo – absolutely beautiful and went snorkeling – amazing sights! Enjoy!

Karlyn Messinger

*** Can I touch your hair?

Ned asked Heather Murphy to share some travel adventures. Like Heather, Ned’s wife Laura is a redhead. In some parts of the world that can be pretty exotic. Hence the “Can I touch your hair.”

“Can I touch your hair?” And other really odd moments in travel

Every trip I’ve taken has resulted in “The Experience” — some odd, bizarre and bordering-on-barely-believable situation like ‘Carl-but-that’s-not-my-real-name-in-Chinese.’

The Carl Story took place in late June 2010.

I was headed to Norfolk, VA to celebrate my paternal grandmother’s 90th birthday. A year earlier, my mother’s father celebrated his 90th. To have grandparents at my age is remarkable. Taking time to celebrate these milestones in their lives was an easy decision, even if travel logistics from Phoenix proved challenging.

Back to the Carl story. The World Cup was underway and the field was wide open. Soccer is interesting but I’m not a major fan. The rivalries and cultural insights have always interested me more than the game itself.

On a long layover at Baltimore Washington International, I ordered a beer at a place that was airing World Cup soccer. The game provided opportunities for conversation. To my left was an American who had studied in Argentina. To the left of her was a man from Bosnia.

Carl, the aforementioned Chinese man, was also watching the match. He was immediately to my right. He introduced himself as “Nice to meet you. I’m Carl…but-that’s-not-my-real-name-in-Chinese.”

Having not fallen off a turnip truck recently, I pretty much figured that out.

Carl, I learned, was his rival in soccer…or so he said. When it came time to pick a name in English, he chose Carl. Or so he said. Oh, and he works for the Department of Defense. Or so he said.

During a commercial break, he complimented my red hair and then asked: “Can I touch your hair?”

Huh?

Uh. Ummmm.

Okay, YVNS or JOTW fans: What IS the proper way to handle that?

Given my profession, I’m rarely at a loss for words.

I finished my beer, paid my tab and hurried off to wait at my gate.

I’m pretty sure I didn’t handle it properly.

*** More from Heather:

In my last installment for YVNS, I shared some excerpts from my trip to Iceland. Ned encouraged me to continue.

The Polar Bear Question

In the first installment, I referenced how the Glacier Hike guides came equipped with the Emergency Stupid Tourist Kit for the woman who was ill-prepared for the day’s activities. Well, after she was loaned the appropriate footwear and rain gear, the trek began.

Age, experience and fitness levels of my fellow trekkers meant that the guides would take periodic rest breaks and make small talk. The Ill-Prepared-Woman (sounds much better than Stupid Tourist) asked “Do you have polar bears here in Iceland?”

Now I confess, a few people asked me that same question before I left. I had researched this. The biggest mammals on the land in Iceland are the horses. In the water, there are whales. But polar bears will not find the land habitable and, despite the country’s name, it’s really not cold enough.

Our guides were very polite and had names like Thor, Hilmar, Bjarnar and Galdur. Or something like that.

“Nay. We don’t have polar bears,” one of them said. “Unless they come by mistake on an ice floe.”

Ill-Prepared-Woman says: “Then what do you do? Capture and fly them back?”

Hilmar: “We shoot them.”

Awkward pause.

Ill-Prepared-Woman (in shock): “Why don’t you tranquilize them and transport them back?”

Hilmar: “Much too costly. And it was probably an outcast or one who wandered away.”

Now the Icelandic are, at their core, eminently practical people. They’re also hardy souls who live on a beautiful if unforgiving island of volcanoes and glaciers. I didn’t get the idea that killing a wayward polar bear was something locals would look forward to – but it was practical. Wayward polar bears would seek food and there are sheep, horses, children and adults to protect.

While Ill-Prepared-Tourist was still processing this, I made a wisecrack to the two American ladies who trekked alongside me.

“Bullet: 39 cents. Tranq, crate, handler, flight: $4,000. Cost-benefit analysis? Done.”

We all had a very good laugh over the comedic timing of my MasterCard-ad-rip-off quip.

In the spirit of full disclosure, one of my dream photography trips is to see polar bears in their natural habitat. I’m not suggesting the Icelandic are brutal in any way. They’re practical, charming and wonderfully welcoming. But a polar bear relocation team would be hard to come by at the exact moment that one wandered ashore, weak and hungry from days at sea. The best approach is to ensure habitable conditions on their native turf.

Questions, feedback or your ideas for future trips are welcome!

Heather

Questions or feedback for Heather can be addressed here in YVNS by sending an email to Ned at lundquist989@cs.com. Heather through

Next month: “These People will Eat ANYTHING.”

*** Here’s the YVNS Travel News for January:

*** 17th annual Winter Trails Day is on January 7, 2012

Winter Trails Day offers children and adults new to snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing and cross country skiing for free, and to discover the great fitness and social benefits with these easy-to-learn winter sports.

The 17th annual Winter Trails Day is on January 7, 2012 and involves almost 100 resorts and Nordic Centers nationwide, and gets 11,000 kids and adults on the snow each year.

Winter Trails programs and activities vary in size and scope, as each venue chooses a program that will introduce these sports to their communities. Select the state or area to see the locations that are participating. Each Winter Trails event is run by a local organization or business. If you have questions about the location nearest you or if you have a group you wish to bring, please contact the venue directly for details.

The sport offering at each location varies, so please check the specific venue listing for details. Most Winter Trails events are located at Nordic centers or on public lands operated by the U.S. Forest Service or the National Parks Service. Many locations offer education programs and trail tours. Equipment and trail fees are free.

For information about Winter Trails, please contact Reese Brown (rbrown@snowsports.org) 802-236-3021.

*** Don’t sit next to the creepy guy:

Airline to let flyers choose who they sit next to Dutch airline KLM is set to offer passengers the choice of not only where they sit, but who they sit next to, the Irish Independent reports. The carrier hopes to introduce the technology next year, although plans remain in their infancy.

To be known as “meet and seat,” the online service will give passengers access to the profiles of their fellow fliers’ Facebook and LinkedIn pages, from where they may choose – using guidelines such as looks, interests and career fields – which passengers they’d most like to sit next to.

The airline has thus-far refused to say if the new “matchmaking” service will involve a fee, but many airlines currently charge passengers to decide seat preferences – via widely available seat maps – in advance.

The Independent reports the new service could have many beneficial aspects, from the ability to avoid the “traveler from hell,” to finding business connections, to stumbling upon a love interest. Though this service would be a firm step outside the box, airlines are now heavily involved in social networking, with British Airways boasting more than 136,000 Twitter followers and regularly running competitions on Facebook.

A recent poll by a flight comparison website found that of 1,000 flyers surveyed, some 45 percent admitted flirting whilst airborne. One third of those polled said the chance meeting lead to further contact once the plane reached its destination, with eight percent claiming it led to a relationship, the Independent reports.

http://www.irishemigrant.com/ie/go.asp?p=story&storyID=10692

*** Reindeer Wrangling

Director Eva Weber Braves the Arctic to Capture the Majesty of Santa’s Sleigh Pullers http://www.nowness.com/day/2011/12/23/1784/reindeer-wrangling

*** It’s summer down under:

Kiwis and Visitors Urged to ‘Be AdventureSmart’ this Summer

Every year thousands of people enjoy New Zealand’s outdoors and for the vast majority it’s an enjoyable and safe experience. However, sometimes unfortunate incidents do occur and often they involve people who underestimate the planning, preparation and sometimes the skills required for the outdoors activity they are undertaking.

In a joint initiative, leading outdoor organisations and government agencies have created and expanded the AdventureSmart.org.nz website. The aim of AdventureSmart is to provide both residents and visitors to New Zealand with one online location for safety information and planning support, prior to engaging in land, snow, water, boating and air activities.

Duncan Ferner, from the NZ Search & Rescue Council, says: “AdventureSmart has good advice for everyone, regardless of ability or experience. “Access to this information means that those taking part in recreational activities on offer in New Zealand will be better prepared and make better decisions which will in turn hopefully reduce incidents.”

AdventureSmart is also the home of New Zealand’s Outdoor, Boating and Water Safety Codes. The message is make sure you ‘know before you go’ by reading and following the 4 or 5 simple and easy to remember rules.

The rules are especially useful for overseas visitors who may have little knowledge of New Zealand but equally applicable to Kiwis, especially those who may be trying a new activity or visiting a different part of the country.

Examples of the simple rules include: • Tell someone your plans and leave a time and date for when to raise the alarm if you haven’t returned. (Outdoor Safety Code). • Watch out for yourself and others – always watch children around water. Swim with others and in lifeguard zones. (Water Safety Code). • Skipper Responsibility – keep everyone safe – stay within the limits

of your vessel and your experience. (Boating Safety Code).

Other features of AdventureSmart include; more than a thousand links to safety information from appropriate organisations, detailed information including videos on avalanche awareness and the outdoor safety code, plus links to where people can upskill and learn more about their chosen activity, for instance Coastguard’s boating education programme. www.adventuresmart.org.nz

*** What to Wear for Snow Sports (from www.snowlink.com)

Wearing clothing designed specifically to keep you warm and dry in one’s comfort level when playing outdoors can make a big difference. Versatile, functional winter apparel is worth the investment. Here is basic information about dressing for winter:

Layering

The best way to dress for winter is to wear multiple layers of clothing. This system gives participants the flexibility to add or remove layers depending on the weather and activities. Most commonly, winter sports participants wear three layers: wicking, insulating and weather protection.

Wicking layer:

 This is the layer worn next to the skin, usually, thermal underwear.  Look for thermal underwear made of a synthetic — usually polyester — fiber that has “wicking” power. As participants perspire, the fibers will wick (move) moisture away from the skin and pass it through the fabric so it can evaporate. This keeps skiers warm, dry and comfortable. Silk is also a good, natural fabric that has wicking abilities.  Even though it’s cold, snow sports will make participants sweat — especially if they are cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. This is why the wicking layer is very important.

Insulating layer:

 This middle layer includes sweaters, sweatshirts, vests and pullovers. The purpose of this layer is to keep heat in and cold out, which is accomplished by trapping air between the fibers.  Popular insulation materials include fleece, a synthetic material which maintains its insulating ability even when wet and spreads the moisture out so it dries quickly, and wool, which naturally wicks away moisture.

Protection Layer:

 The exterior layer serves as the guard against the elements of winter. It should repel moisture from snow, sleet or rain; block the wind, and let perspiration escape to the outside to evaporate. Specially engineered fabric is used in snow sports jackets and pants to accomplish this moisture blockage and transport. The common industry term for this fabric is “waterproof/breathable.” It is this fabric that makes snow sports jackets and pants so effective in keeping participants warm, dry and comfortable.  Most genuine winter shells, parkas and pants are made waterproof/breathable by using tightly woven fabrics teamed with a coating or laminate. This keeps moisture on the outside but allows perspiration to escape.  Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers — details that truly make garments comfortable in a snowstorm.  Some jackets and pants are shells (no insulation), some include built-in insulation, and others have zip-in insulation layers. Choose your protection layer based on temperatures and snow conditions in your area or where you like to vacation.  Although less baggy than in previous years, most snowboard clothing is still designed to fit looser than alpine skiwear, giving snowboarders freedom of movement. In addition, many snowboard pants are reinforced in the seat and knees for extra protection when kneeling or sitting on the snow.

Headwear

Up to 60 percent of the body’s heat can escape from an uncovered head. This is why wearing a hat, headband or helmet is essential when it’s cold. There are thousands of styles of hats and headbands, usually made from fleece or wool. Many wool hats have non-itch liners. Helmets are becoming very popular. Not only do they protect the head during falls, but they also provide warmth. A fleece neck gaiter (like a collar) or facemask is a must on very cold days.

Sunglasses and goggles

Snow, because it is a reflective surface, makes ultraviolet (UV) rays stronger. On sunny days, sunglasses are essential to protect the eyes. On flat-light days or when it’s snowing, goggles are vital. Special lens colors increase the contrast in order to properly discern terrain features.

Gloves and mittens

Look for gloves and mittens that use waterproof/breathable fabrics. Mittens, in general, are warmer than gloves, but offer less dexterity. Consider the type of activity when choosing between gloves and mittens. Snowboarding gloves and mittens often have a reinforced palm because of extra wear from adjusting bindings and balancing on the snow. Some snowboarding gloves and mittens also have built-in wrist guards, which are excellent for novice snowboarders. Gloves for cross-country skiing tend to be lighter-weight to allow for extra movement and a higher degree of perspiration.

Socks

One pair of lightweight or medium weight socks works best for skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing. Socks are made from a variety of materials, including polyester, silk and wool. Socks designed specifically for snow sports have wicking properties similar to thermal underwear, meaning your feet will stay drier and more comfortable.

http://www.snowlink.com/WinterTrailsHomePage/CrossCountry/WhattoWear.aspx

*** Altitude Effects Sierra Nevada (Spain)

Extracts here are taken from the handbook “TRAVEL AT HIGH ALTITUDE” published free by MEDEX. This handbook is highly recommended reading for anybody going above 2500 metres. Copies of the handbook can be downloaded free of charge at www.medex.org.uk

What is High Altitude?

“Altitude starts to have an effect around 1500-2000m. The body starts to behave slightly differently as it tries to make up for the change in oxygen levels. Go up too fast above 2500m and altitude illnesses are common. If you go slowly you should stay healthy.”

Acclimatisation

“When the body slowly adapts to lower oxygen levels the process in called acclimatisation. Different people acclimatise at different speeds, so no rule works for everyone, but there are good guidelines. Over 3000m go up slowly, sleeping no more than 300m higher at the end of each day. Going higher during the day is OK as long as you go down to sleep.”

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

The common symptoms for AMS are: headache; nausea (feeling sick); vomiting (being sick); fatigue; poor appetite; dizziness; sleep disturbance.” A simple scorecard is shown below. Keep check on your score.

Before you go: Learn about the symptoms of AMS

At altitude: If you have a headache and a total of 3 or more for the others, do not go higher.

If you have a headache, and a total of 3 or more for the others, have got no better or worse – go down

Observed effects in the Sierra Nevada during the last 6 years We have, in reality, had very few instances where AMS has resulted in having to bring a client down to a lower level. When that has been the case, the client has recovered immediately on getting to lower ground and has had no further problems.

These mountains have much high ground over 3000m, but provided that the advice above is followed, ie go slow, then the altitude effects are lessened considerably. On countless occasions we have parked the car at 2500m (having driven up in 1hr from 650m!) and someone has gone off too quick. It is very tempting! Our guides take it very easy, a snails pace, especially for the first 30 minutes after leaving the car. We find that in that time our body adjusts better and we can then continue a little more rapidly. However, we live and train here in these mountains. Clients coming straight in from sea level will find it harder.

The suggestion for clients therefore is to follow behind your guides. Forget records and competitive instincts. Go their pace. They know the speed at which you should be going. They have the experience.

http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/altitude-sickness-sierra-nevada.html

*** Airports court fliers with rewards programs By Nancy Trejos, USA TODAY http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/story/2011-12-26/Airports-court-fliers-wi th-rewards-programs/52233586/1

*** What Did Snakey Eat?

By National Wildlife Federation

Open iTunes to buy and download apps.

In this delightfully silly game, preschoolers develop thinking skills by matching 
the shape in Snakey’s belly to one of the three suggested objects. Did Snakey swallow an umbrella? A rhinoceros? Or even a school bus? The giggles never stop when preschoolers see the crazy things that Snakey has eaten. Choose the correct object 
and Snakey will spit it back out, then swallow something even funnier

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/what-did-snakey-eat/id483259852?ls=1&mt=8

*** Bikini Travel Insurance

Bikini Travel Insurance is designed to meet the needs of female travellers – but not forgetting partners & kids. It covers the things you’d expect like medical & repatriation, cancellation & curtailment. Added to that, the personal belongings cover is tailored to reflect the kind of things women travel with. http://www.bikinisure.com/home.aspx

(And here I thought it covered what might happen if your bikini didn’t cover what it’s supposed to.)

*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities:

1.) Vernon Greenways Volunteers, Vernon Parks and Recreation, Vernon, CT

The Vernon Greenways Volunteers are individuals who assist the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department through the maintenance, enhancement and proper use of the 30+ miles of trails in Vernon, CT. Sponsors adopt a section of Vernon’s trail system or finance a trail project through an annual tax deductible donation to supply the funds to support our work.

We are individuals who have chosen to give back to the community and make their own experience more satisfying by participating in the maintenance, enhancement and proper use of the trail system.

Maintenance – We assist the Vernon Parks and Recreation staff on trail projects. We execute our own trail projects. We keep trails clear of trash and debris. An assigned Trail Manager takes ownership of a trail segment. We have periodic clean-up sessions. To see trail accomplishments, click here.

Enhancements – We provide free biodegradable dog litter bags at pet stations, a receptacle for deposit of the full bags and we service both at selected high dog traffic locations. We provide free tri-fold trail specific maps at selected locations. A “Pick Up after your Pets (PUP) Project” was executed in the spring of 2007 to educate pet owners as to why they should pick up after their pets on the trail. In May 2009 the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department introduced a No Smoking Policy in parks, trails and ball fields to reduce the cigarette butt litter per our request.

Proper Use – All volunteers must participate in sound trail practices: follow posted restrictions, comply with town ordinances, “carry out what you carry in”, periodically pick up trash while using the trail, etc.

How will I be expected to participate?

All volunteers must agree to follow the “Proper Use” policies shown above. Participation in maintenance projects is not mandatory as we realize time and physical restrictions may not allow all members to participate at this level; we value your head and heart as well as your hands. However, some of the greatest enjoyment in this program is through the interaction with fellow volunteers and seeing the results of your labor on a completed project. Send ideas and suggestions to our e-mail address. Attend meetings, usually twice a year, and the annual picnic.

What is a Trail Manager?

All members are Vernon Greenways Volunteers. You may also elect to be a Trail Manager who takes ownership of a trail segment (most segments are 0.8 to 1.9 miles) which has not already been assigned. A Trail Manager’s duties may include but are not limited to: removing sticks, rocks and other debris; pruning small limbs; cutting back encroaching vegetation to maintain a trail corridor; servicing any of the enhancements listed above; replace missing signage; reporting vandalism and maintenance needs that are beyond our capabilities to the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department. Heavy duty trash bags and a trash picker will be supplied if requested.

Why should I join?

It is a way for those who use the Vernon trail system to participate in their community while improving this resource and experiencing the fun of interacting with like minded people. You will be kept abreast of trail happenings and events through periodic e-mails. Vernon Greenways Volunteers T-Shirts and baseball caps are issued to members.

How can I learn more or become a member?

Contact us via our e-mail address at BellinghamDL@att.net with questions. If you would like to join include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Virtually all contact is via e-mail.

http://www.vernongreenways.org/

2.) Volunteer Opportunities, Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, Morris County Park Commission, County of Morris, Morristown, NJ

Enjoy being outdoors? Have a love for Mother Nature and the beauty of the Park Commission’s diverse gardens? Join our volunteer team.

Pyramid Mountain is a natural historic area that includes three mountains and two stream valleys. It has over 1,500 acres of beautiful terrain and 20 miles of nature trails in Montville, Boonton Township, and Kinnelon with scenic views and several prominent geological formations. The Visitors Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10am to 4:30pm. http://www.morrisparks.net/volunteer.asp#gs

3.) Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, Boulder, CO http://www.wlrv.org/

4.) Information Center Host, Ranger District Office, U. S. Forestry Service, Boulder, Colorado http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/volunteerconnection/LoadOpportunityRe view.do?opportunityId=13362

5.) Adopt-A-Trail Program, Friends of White Clay Creek State Park, Newark, DE http://www.whiteclayfriends.org/adopt_a_trail.php

6.) Adopt a Trail, Parks and Recreation, City of Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana http://bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=529

7.) Adopt-a-Trail Program, Morris County Park Commission, County of Morris, Morristown, NJ

The Adopt-A-Trail Program is a great way to give back to our outstanding trails system. We have the largest trail system in New Jersey. Volunteers are needed to help with light maintenance and keeping us informed about trail needs. •An orientation session provides training in pruning skills, blazing, and more. •Our volunteers independently work their adopted trail. We ask for trail reports three times per year. •A 2 year commitment is required. •This is a great way to stay fit!

For more information, contact: Janet McMillan Trails Coordinator Phone (973) 326-7604 http://www.morrisparks.net/volunteer.asp

8.) Volunteers, Montana Wilderness Association, Helena, MT Montana Wilderness Association exists because of strong volunteer activism. Our members engage in a range of activities, from participating on the State Council to leading Wilderness Walks. We will help you focus your energy on an activity that best fits your talents and desires to contribute.

Volunteers who are interested in spreading a pro-wilderness message in their community can now participate in a program developed by the MWA State Council. The Council has produced a professional quality PowerPoint presentation, with script, about the positive values of wilderness. The show is suitable for a wide variety of audiences including service clubs, chambers of commerce, sportsmen’s groups, schools, churches etc. Training is available to coach volunteers through the presentation process, although the show is designed to be easy to use. Support materials include FAQs. Contact Doug Ferrell or call 827-4341.

http://www.wildmontana.org/takeaction/volunteer.php *** National Rail-Trail of the month:

Trail of the Month: January 2012 Houston’s Columbia Tap Rail-Trail If there wasn’t already a Motor City in America, Houston would surely vie for the title. Cars and trucks play such a central role in this sprawling metropolis that, until recently, cyclists and pedestrians here were viewed as strange or foolish—or both.

But a combination of enlightened leadership and government investment is starting to change that. As an article in the Houston Chronicle in 2010 noted, “This city ruled by the combustion engine is beginning, tentatively, to recognize that walking and biking are legitimate forms of transportation, and beginning to give them a little infrastructure of their own.”

Exhibit A in that attitude shift is a new, four-mile path, the Columbia Tap Rail-Trail. This trail not only serves as a safe transportation and recreation venue for residents of Houston’s Third Ward, but it provides a vital link to other trails and on-street bike lanes in the city—and a magnet for cycling advocates.

“It’s a really great thing,” says Veon McReynolds, head of the local nonprofit cycling group Tour de Hood, who lives just a few blocks from the trail. “Right here in the neighborhood, you see a lot of people using it for walking and cycling.”

The roots of the Columbia Tap go back more than 150 years, when Houston was a small but growing center of commerce in the newly minted Lone Star state. The underlying rail line—known back then as the Houston Tap and Brazoria Railway—opened in 1856 and served as an important route for moving crops and people into the heart of the city from plantations and ports to the south. It eventually became part of Union Pacific Railroad’s network before falling into disuse.

With federal and local funding, a four-mile section of the corridor from Dixie Drive to Dowling Street was later converted into a rail-trail and opened to the public in March 2009. Today, the 10-foot-wide concrete trail cuts a scenic line through Houston’s Third Ward, the historic heart of the city’s African-American community. Along the way, it passes through neighborhoods of small homes and apartment buildings, dotted with churches, schools and playgrounds.

Among the noteworthy sights along the Columbia Tap is Hermann Park, a 445-acre green space just two blocks from the southern trailhead. With its wide lawns, large ponds and meandering paths, this city park offers a peaceful respite from the bustle of the city. It also offers public parking, something currently in short supply along the rail-trail. The park and its surrounding neighborhood provide a wealth of educational diversions, including Rice University, the Houston Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Children’s Museum of Houston and the fascinating Buffalo Soldier National Museum and Heritage Center.

The multi-use Brays Bayou Trail (which follows one of several west-to-east flowing waterways that give Houston its nickname of the Bayou City) skirts the southern edge of Hermann Park and connects with the Columbia Tap. Less than a mile north of this trail access, the Columbia Tap slices through a 150-acre expanse of red-brick buildings, grassy fields and walkways criss-crossed by book-toting students. This is the campus of Texas Southern University (TSU), one of the country’s largest historically black colleges and home of a nationally ranked football team, the Tigers.

Four blocks west of here is the home of McReynolds, a former TSU professor and administrator who is widely known as ‘Dr. V.’ McReynolds has a long history as both a competitive cyclist and community activist, and about eight years ago he began taking friends and family on informal rides through neighborhoods in the downtown area, and nicknamed the rides “Tour de Hood.’

The rides grew in popularity and turned into weekly events, and McReynolds began supplying bicycles and helmets to youngsters who couldn’t afford their own equipment. The new rail-trail has provided another venue for his outings, especially those with young riders. “That’s one of the things the trails provide is a safe haven for a lot of the little kids to ride up and down.”

Equally important, the rail-trail is encouraging people in the neighborhood to get out of their cars and be more active, which improves their health, McReynolds says. “Obesity is a preventable disease and it comes from us being overly dependent on our cars and our technology.”

McReynolds’ is not the only group along the Columbia Tap looking to improve the lives of underprivileged residents. A few blocks north of the TSU campus and adjacent to the trail is the Third Ward Bike Shop, a project of Workshop Houston. This nonprofit provides area children with job-skills training, resources and academic tutoring.

At the bike shop, local students learn how to build and repair bicycles—and, by working there, can earn credits to obtain their own bikes. The bike shop moved to this location a few years ago because the group’s founders wanted to be next to the new rail-trail. Now, it’s not unusual to see youngsters testing bikes or riding to the workshop on the Columbia Tap.

North from the Third Ward Bike Shop, the trail runs through a hardscrabble section of the neighborhood, under a busy highway and into a warehouse district. From here, it curves northwest and spills onto downtown streets near the George Brown convention center and Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball; the stadium actually incorporates part of the city’s historical Union Station.

Work is under way on a new soccer stadium only two blocks from the downtown trailhead—”the first time the city has built a sports arena where cycling is part of the planning,” says Dan Raine, Houston’s bikeway program coordinator. From the northern trailhead of the Columbia Tap, it’s just a short ride on city streets to two other rail-trails—the Harrisburg and Sunset, and the MKT/SP (Heights)—and one that’s still under construction, the Heritage Corridor.

These trails take riders to neighborhoods east and northwest of downtown. And together with the Columbia Tap and other multi-use paths, they form a ‘critical mass’ that is encouraging Houstonians to get out of their cars.

“People who once said, “I won’t bike to work, ever,” now are,” says Raine. “They are also out recreating on the trails, and there’s a lot of pedestrian activity. I get a great deal of satisfaction from seeing a variety of folks out there using these trails. The Houston bikeway program is really on a roll these days.” http://www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringFeatures/trailMonth/index.html

*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:

1.) President and CEO, Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor, Maine http://www.execsearches.com/non-profit-jobs/jobDetail.asp?job_id=23258

2.) Volunteer in Conservation in Ecuador, Cosmic Volunteers, Puerto Lopez and other rural areas throughout Ecuador http://www.cosmicvolunteers.org/ecuador_parks.html

3.) Newspaper Journalism Internships, Cosmic Volunteers, Quito, Ecuador http://www.cosmicvolunteers.org/ecuador_media.html

4.) Director of Development, Hole in the Wall, Jordan River Village Camp New York, NY http://www.execsearches.com/non-profit-jobs/jobDetail.asp?job_id=23299

5.) Global Marketing Services Coordinator, Oregon Tourism Commission, Salem, OR http://www.prichardcommunications.com/macs-list/Oregon-Tourism-Commission/Gl obal-Marketing-Services-Coordinator/p5LmYZkdQ08W#top

6.) Program Head of Sports & Games, Camp Beech Cliff, Mount Desert, ME

Join us on stunning Mt Desert Island (Bar Harbor)! Bordering Acadia Nat’l Park, newly renovated day camp with 50 acres on Echo Lake. Head of Sports & Games plans creative activities to help every camper enjoy/participate; adheres to the health/safety laws of Maine/ACA.

Job Requirements

Min. req: 19 years old, year exp leading activities, enjoys working with kids of all backgrounds, passionate about outdoors & engaging campers ages 6 – 14, ability to plan wide range of activities. Pref’d Qual: BA Deg and 2 yrs exp leading sports & games. If no degree, equiv work exp. Salary DOE ($400 – $500 / wk) w/ poss. housing. www.campbeechcliff.org, contact sylvie@campbeechcliff.org.

http://www.varietymediacareers.com/c/job.cfm?site_id=7307&jb=9314042

7.) Visual Information and Interpretation Assistant (Media), Zion National Park, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Springdale, UT

This position will assist the lead visual information specialist and other personnel with work that communicates information through visual and digital means. Work will include managing, developing, and/or expanding several media databases, multimedia products, and creating visual materials such as images, diagrams, and charts for use in publications, exhibits, multimedia products, and park website resources. The incumbent will assist in managing and maintaining park websites, intranet sites, social media sites, and other digital resources. The work requires knowledge of and ability to apply the principles of visual design; knowledge of the technical characteristics associated with various methods of visual display; skill and ability to use required software and equipment, and the skill and ability to present information in a way that will appropriately convey the message to, or have the desired effect on, the intended audience.

Full Time – Term NTE 13 months

With guidance from the lead visual information specialist, the incumbent will develop a variety of publications and other printed material. These resources may include site bulletins, newsletters, and articles for newspapers and periodicals. The incumbent performs other duties including writing and editing text for publications, exhibits, and park websites.

The position will serve as a front-line representative of the agency. The incumbent may work in visitor centers, museums, and other visitor contact stations. As a front-line representative, the incumbent is responsible for providing answers to recurring visitor questions concerning the specific park area, explaining the area’s recreational opportunities, distributing maps, brochures, and other printed material, providing directions and routes of travel through the park, informing visitors of potential safety hazards, and conducting informal interpretation when appropriate. The incumbent may also independently research, design, and present interpretive programs varying in formats about park resources that employ appropriate interpretive techniques geared to the characteristics and interests of particular audiences.

Duties may be performed on or off-site at locations designated by the park. The incumbent may operate a variety of audiovisual and other equipment used in connection with interpretive material, such as computers, projectors, and audio equipment.

The incumbent will perform various administrative duties, such as scheduling, coordinating tasks, gathering routine information for reports, compiling statistical data, and other related activities.

The incumbent must be knowledgeable about a variety of resource-oriented topics, emerging technologies, and related software, and will continue to keep this knowledge current by pursuing training and other professional development opportunities.

The incumbent will be responsible for completing other assigned tasks and projects that support division operations.

The incumbent must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

Physical Demands The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. This is typical of work involving personal production or installation of exhibits, illustration work “on location”, or on-site inspection or supervision of one or more phases of the production of a visual product. Much of the work may require sitting for long periods of time and performing repetitive motions.

Incumbent must be able to hike several miles over uneven terrain in extreme weather conditions (e.g., heat). Assignments include extended periods of standing at information desks, hiking outdoors in hot weather, speaking for long periods of times, climbing and descending stairs, lifting, bending, sitting and working at a computer work station. Incumbent is generally assigned daytime schedules but will also work some evening and late night shifts.

Work Environment Work may be performed indoors and outdoors. The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted, climate controlled office and requires no special safety precautions.

Work is occasionally performed in settings in which there is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts and unpleasantness. Work may result in exposure to high or low temperatures, confined spaces, or adverse weather conditions.

Area Information Zion National Park is located in southwest Utah, where the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert provinces meet. Ranging in elevation from 3,666 ft. to 8,726 ft., the park’s 232 square miles encompass a startlingly diversity of plant and animal life. It is characterized by high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep sandstone canyons, and striking rock towers and mesas. The climate is generally hot with daytime high temperatures averaging 100°F in the summer and 50°F in the winter. Nighttime lows range from 80°F in the summer to 20°F in the winter. Minimal shopping is available in Springdale, Utah located two miles from Park Headquarters. A full range of shopping, medical, dental, religious, and recreational facilities are available in Hurricane (25 miles), St. George (45 miles), and in Cedar City, Utah (63 miles). An elementary school (grades K-6) is available in Springdale (closest town to the park), with bus service provided. Junior high and high school facilities are available in Hurricane, with bus service provided. Dixie State College is located in St. George and Southern Utah University is located in Cedar City.

This is a Term position. Initial appointment is 13 months with possible extensions up to 4 years. This position is also seasonal in nature and does not provide employment on a year-round basis. You may work a minimum of 26 weeks but it is expected that the candidate will work at least 48 weeks a year. Actual work schedule and period of furlough is contingent upon funding and operational needs.

http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/305768400

8.) Executive Director, Oregon Recreation and Park Association (ORPA), ORPA office may be home-based or in a shared park and recreation agency located within a three(3) hour drive of Portland http://www.prichardcommunications.com/macs-list/Oregon-Recreation-and-Park-A ssociation/Executive-Director/ph1NNtdP9p63#top

9.) Maine Trail Crew Camp Coordinator, Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Garland, ME http://www.jobmonkeyjobs.com/career/40435/Maine-Trail-Crew-Camp-Coordinator- Maine-Garland

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