The Journey Begins...

For those who may be navigating this blog, I plan to divide it into three parts: The Internship, which will contain information directly related to my work in the Special Collections and Archives department of the Cline Library, NAU, Flagstaff, AZ; Readings, which will be abstracts of the various articles and books relating to the internship; and the Journey, which will cover everything else.

May 27, 2008

Although my internship doesn’t begin until June 2, the journey begins today. I routed my trip from Billings (MT) through Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks. This certainly was not the quickest route to Flagstaff, AZ, but was definitely the most scenic. After a week of rain, the landscape was a vivid green and skies turned blue, mostly, by the time I reached Bozeman.

In the park the elk and buffalo were bountiful. Elk have a way of looking majestic even in their early spring shaggy-scraggly coats. Alongside the dark, imposing buffalo moms trotted small, buff colored babies. One insistent baby stopped mom in her tracks right on the highway so it could nurse.

I had forgotten how awesome, in the true sense of the word, the Grand Tetons are. But evening was closing in and I wanted to be in Jackson Hole before dark. What a great way to start the journey!

May 28, 2008

I traveled the backroads of Wyoming and marveled at the spring green next to the occasional red rocks. I took an unplanned route (missed a turn!) but it was scenic and, as long as I headed southwest, I didn’t much care what road I was on. This was new territory and I was enjoying the drive.

Utah was more beautiful than I expected with wide-ranging landscapes. There were mountains on the west and plains on the east. I stopped at an herb farm to see their lavender-lined labyrinth. Unfortunately the sprinklers were on so I was unable to walk it. But a stroll through the herb garden was just as good.

May 29, 2008

I drove into Zolub National Park (part of Zion) and as I rounded a forested hill, I was totally blown away by the vista of red rock canyons. To look at it from the highway, you’d never know such beauty was hidden there. I hiked in along a small creek for a couple miles and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery, not to mention the opportunity to stretch my legs.

From there it was on to and through Zion, which was more red rock beauty. It was also very nerve-wracking as the road is extremely narrow and twisty-turny, with no guardrails, so it was hard to drive and see the scenery. (There was also a very long, very narrow and very dark tunnel—my mother would be proud of me as neither of us like tunnels.) I made it to Page, AZ, this evening.

May 30, 2008

I feel like Page is the quasi-official start of my internship as the Glen Canyon Dam is a key aspect of the work I will be doing with Katie Lee. Lake Powell is still a controversial project and one that Katie, at 88 years old, still actively opposes. I took a side trip to Lees Ferry with the intention of doing some more hiking. Instead, I stopped at the Navajo Bridge. The original bridge, which is now a pedestrian bridge, is the only bridge over the Colorado in 600 miles. Both the dam and the bridge are engineering marvels. I’m so close to the Grand Canyon and anxious to see it but The Grand will have to wait for another time. Right now I’m ready to be off the road and settled into my new summer surroundings.

I arrived in Flagstaff at lunchtime and my new roommate, Kristen, was able to meet me and show me around the condo. It will be interesting as I have not had a roommate in 30+ years. But she seems very nice, my private bedroom/bathroom is more than adequate, and the two kitties are friendly and mellow.

Unfortunately, the condo is on the second level and my bedroom is on second floor. So, after six or seven trips up two flights of stairs, and as many promises-to-self to learn to travel lighter, I was at least moved-in.

May 31, 2008 – June 1, 2008

The weekend was spent getting to know my roommate and surroundings, unpacking, arranging my room and just general “nesting” activities. And resting. Flagstaff is at 7,000 feet and the oxygen, like water, is not in abundance. Despite warnings, I thought I was a tough Montanan and was determined that the high altitude would not affect me. Unfortunately, my body has had other ideas. I’m told that my general fatigue, light headedness, and fuzzy thinking are all products of the altitude and that I should be acclimated within about three months. Great—my internship is only 10 weeks! However, by Sunday evening, I am feeling better and think that perhaps I am becoming acclimated.