Continued...

OK, I'm back. Like I was sayin, our trip was split up into two parts. The first order of business for part two was to paddle about five miles via canoe to the other cabin. When we started there was a stiff headwind that never let up. We never just paddle across a lake here, we paddle close to shore, and when we reach the narrowest part then we cross. The narrowest part of this lake is called "the narrows", and its none for its treachery. It is the spot of the last death of a ranger at YNP. Real exciting place huh? When we arrive at the narrows and the wind had the waves rockin and rollin. It looked nasty so we sat on the beach to wait it out. Well, we proceeded to sit from 11:30am til 7:30pm. Finally we had had enough (it could have been bordem, adrenaline, or the group of 20 boyscouts waitin with us that inspired us to leave.) We put on our drysuits and headed across. I can honestly say that that was the most dangerous thing I have done since I have been here. Waves were huge and crashing into our canoe and slappin us with freezin cold water. We did make it across the narrows, but just after we got across the waves filled our canoe and slammed us into the shore, forcing us to abandon ship on the beach. Fortunately, we were now on the side that the cabin was on. Bad part was, it was almost 9 and the sun was setting. We grabbed all the gear we could and begin hiking with our headlamps towards the cabin (not on a trail either.) It was sooo cool. I was carrying this huge pack and the cooler of food (I'll pause so you can make your jokes about me wanting to eat.....). We finally reached the cabin saftely. We cleared trails the next few days, and we covered alot of ground (over 13 miles one day, and around 8-10 the others). The trail were new to me and they had geysers and stream crossing and lots of other cool stuff. And I also got to hang a bear pole using all the climbin equipment. Oh, I almost forgot, I also got to respond to my first SAR (search and rescue). We actually finished our day at a reasonable time and eat a fairly early supper. It was around 8:30 and we were just about to get ready for bed bc we were so beat, when we began to here some interesting radio traffic. Their was a group of three women who were attempting a paddle trip and when the realized that they had bitten off more than they could chew, two decided to turn around and head back. The third didnt have the energy or ability to paddle back so the strongest of the three said she would come back and get her. Well, once the stronger of them returned, she realized she wasnt up to go back either. The women was last seen about 7 miles from where we were, making us the closest unit, so we responded. The sun had already set and it was gettin dark, but we grabbed our headlamps and packs and headed down the trail on a blisterin pace. Fortunatly, the lady was discovered safely, but not before we hiked a few miles in the dark in bear country. It was very exciting.

I should explain the pics from the beginning of this post. One is of me up the tree while hangin the bear pole, one is of me clearing trail, one of us hauling the boats up the channel were the current is too tough to paddle, a few of the flooring job including before and afters, and the one with a large green open meadow by a river is right in front of the ranger station and if you look real close there is a dark spot in the middle of the field- that is a grizzly bear! Not the best pic in the world, but its as good as I got.

I have one more day of work tomorrow and then I have a 5 day weekend. We have to clear a realy long and tough trail tom. When two specific rangers say it is a tough day, then I know I am in for a long trip! I ended yesterdays trip with another dip in the lake, which has warmed up but its still freezin.

I think that is all or most of the exciting things that yall have missed. I will post the story of when I proposed to Mal later, I dont feel like typing anymore.

Love Yall- BYE