I'm still here...

Wow, it's almost a month since I got here. In some ways it seems like last week and in others, it seems like years. At least I'm starting to feel not-quite-so-stupid. I still don't have my computer clearance which is a pain in the butt. And I still haven't found permanent housing. I keep going from wanting to rent to wanting to buy. Yesterday, I wanted to rent. After looking at rentals today, I want to buy. You can see why I'm so confused with this whole house-hunting process...

Last weekend I decided to take a break and find nature. That's not that easy to do around here. The best I could do close by, and it really was kinda nice, was Bruneau Dunes State Park about 20 miles south of town. It's pretty stark but it's fun to hike up the dunes, especially in bare feet.

Looking from one dune across the pond to another
It was quite peaceful and I got some much needed exercise. I also went to Boise one day--that will be my other playground. It seems like a really nice town with a great trail/park system along the river that goes through the middle of town. Good shopping, restaurants, and cultural venues and it's only about 40 minutes away.

And now for some pictures of the library:


And my office
The circulation desk and video room
Opposite the circ desk and looking past the lobby into the main library
It's a bit tired looking, but certainly much cheerier than Wells Library!

The Journey Continues...

The trip to Mountain Home was happily uneventful. I only got lost once--in Twin Bridges, Montana. Something I shouldn't even admit, as Twin Bridges has a population of 400...

Mountain Home, Idaho, population of 11,000 is your typical airforce base/agricultural community--no shopping other than Walmart and two grocery stores, no decent restaurants, nothing resembling a health food store, altho there are lots of tatoo joints and pawn shops. It'll be fine, it'll all be fine...

I think I'm going to enjoy the job once I get through all the necessary hoops. I spent a day and a half getting my first security clearance, which was actually in record time. Now if I could only get my computer clearance.

The library is small (30,000 books), with 5 part-time staff. They all seem nice and willing to work with me. Training was a whirlwind day and a half. But hey, it's not rocket science just government. I'm trying very hard to keep my mouth shut...

I don't have any pictures yet. So far, all I could take a picture of is haze. Apparently, the potato harvest is happening and there's a dust haze all over the valley. However, we had a nice rain this morning so I'm hoping for some clear vistas.

My big frustration this week was housing but I finally got into a phenomenally expensive- but-cheaper-than-the- motel-I-was-living-in -for-4-days furnished condo that I can rent by the day/week/month. I plan to house hunt this weekend to potentially buy a place. Rent is quite expensive here, but home prices are reasonable. We'll see. It feels good, however to have a temporarily permanent place. Hmm, one month seems permanent these days--I think there might be something wrong with that picture...

The Journey Continues...

And what a journey it’s been (and continues to be!) I’ve got a job!!! OMG—be careful what you wish for! I’m going to be the library director for Mountain Home Air Force Base Library in Mountain Home, Idaho. In the middle of nowhere… But it’s close to the mountains (great hiking), close to the Snake River (great fishing), and close to Boise (good enough shopping and entertainment). It’ll be fine. It’ll all be fine…

Since I’ve been so neglectful of this blog, I feel the need to give a synopsis of the past month (another OMG—I’ve only been gone from Flag for a month??!?)

After finishing in Flagstaff, I spent another weekend in Phoenix with family (a wonderful, relaxing time) then hit the northbound road. I stayed mostly on the back roads and saw some beautiful scenery.

Mesa Verde is a must-see. I’m in awe of the people who lived here.

Here's a picture from the Colorado pass between Durango and Gunnison (warning, when the map says a road is a “scenic highway” it means "narrow-twisty-turny-no guardrails-5,000 ft. drop-white knuckle-under construction road”)

Welcome home—two thirds of my 50+ year old, 5 ft in diameter willow tree was broken off. I admit I shed some tears when they cut it down. Stay tuned for more “exciting” news…

The Journey Continues...

The week before I left Flagstaff, I had the opportunity to go to the Grand Canyon with Jason, one of the librarians, and his two friends, Brooke and Eric. It really is as magnificent as in the pictures which, of course, don't do it justice!
My "mama radar" was really going off that day and they're not even my kids! It was kind of Jason to invite me and I really enjoyed hanging out with the three of them.

Internship Notes

WooHoo! My last internship notes! A bit late--like two weeks late. Oh well--I'm done! I'm pleased with the way the displays came out. Here are two of the upright cases, not that you can really tell what they look like.












It was with some sadness that I said adios to my coworkers at Cline, but I remain hopeful that I will return to a real job there.

We had a happy hour going away party and I was amazed at how many people showed up. Either they were happy to see me go or were really ready for an evening eating and drinking on a deck! I also had to say au revoir to my three great roommates, Kristen and her kitties, Iris and Dublin. I didn't ever get a picture of the kitties, but here's Kristen and Jason, the librarian I went to the Grand Canyon with (more on that later).

Internship Notes

I made another trip to see Katie and brought back her guitar and other items for the cases, and started installing the exhibit on Wednesday. Installation is going slower than I had hoped. By Friday, I had four cases almost complete and four in stages ranging from total disarray to sort of coming together. At least the almost complete ones are looking pretty good. After I give my presentation to staff on Monday, I will give a huge sigh of relief!

I finally made it to Phoenix last weekend to see Wayne and Cheryl (my brother and sister-in-law for those of you who don't know them). I got there in time for manhattans in the pool--what a life!
Phoenix was really too hot to do anything outside except hang out in the pool, so no walks or golf. But I did get some needed shopping which was good, and really, who can complain about hanging out in the pool. The best part, of course, was getting to spend some time with family.

I've been such a slug lately (although I do walk the mile and a half or so to work every day) so I decided to go for a hike today. About five minutes from the condo is the trailhead for Mt. Elden lookout tower. It's a bit of a challenging hike--2000 ft. elevation gain in 2.5 miles--but the views are awesome.
Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the top...
Oh, so close! But storms come up really fast here and every year hikers are struck by lightening. (That's actually a big black cloud coming over the mountain.) Decided it would not be good to be one of those statistics. Anyway, I was probably 30 minutes away and had a good work-out with great views. I suspect, however, that I'm really going to feel it tomorrow!