A Day in the Junior Ranger Room

 Good Morning!

I am not there yet!

I am not in the most marvelous delightful area for ALL ages here at Farragut State Park, Athol, Idaho. 

I am speaking of the Junior Ranger Program located in The Brig which is a WW II museum! Farragut was the largest naval training base in the United States during WW II. Only The Brig structure remains.

The Junior Ranger Program is located in two rooms within The Brig, two absolutely beautiful rooms that were once the kitchen and mess hall for the officers. A well taxidermized mountain lion holds court over the entire first room, often causing small children to be alarmed and definitely amazed. As a facilitator in the room, I answer questions to the best of my ability while guiding the children and  parents/grandparents to circle the correct answer on a small clipboard at various stations. For example, the first station is about canines and felines, identifying tracks. Second station asks whether a bat is most like a human or a bird.

As they circumvent the room the final station is measuring the child's "wingspan" and then identifying a bird with a similar wingspan from diagrams on the wall. This station is very popular and often a parent's wingspan, similar to the 79" eagle, is measured by the children.

The last requirement for a Junior Ranger badge is to stamp several boxes in the park booklet given to each participant. The boxes are identified by activities the child has participated in within Farragut. For example, completing the clipboard activity is one box accomplished, hiking with parents another.

It is a marvelous program. Errin, the park ranger in charge, adds more hands-on activities annually to the rooms. This year there are puzzles yet to be opened and skull replicas yet to be examined.

Now it's time to put on my "Dedicated Volunteer" shirt and travel to the museum.

Come visit - you won't be disappointed!

Sunday Sanctuary

I am but a mere older woman seeking God's Way in this World of Much Uncertainty. Only a few find it, the Bible says. A few, although many seek, or do they? 

I am meditating this morning about a blog I follow. The woman who is about my age, maybe older, regards herself as an atheist. Why do I follow her? She writes about her life, her solitude, her enjoyment of nature, her delight in the simple things in life, her dog and often shares a painting. This all appeals to me. Seldom does she get political and/or religious in her postings. When she does vent in said manner,  I still follow her, even though her political leanings are not mine and most certainly her religion (Is atheism a religion?) is not what I choose. She evolved into this decision because of her experiences with organized religion and her treatment in the workplace subordinate to men. I understand all of this, every single syllable. Man's interpretation is not always God's meaning. 

The God I worship offers so much more than mankind's doctrine. My God's doctrine, although the Bible is puzzling to me at times, can be explained and illustrated as He leads me.

This morning's devotion includes the above familiar verse, one that I often just lope over. To slide into sinful greedy materialistic ways is easy. I do it frequently. However, it is more difficult to right my path, think of Jesus' teachings and follow His Way. It is challenging and not for the lazy and/or excuse-finding individual whom I often represent. 

I ponder the paths that I have followed 

                                               am following  

                                                   will be following in the future. 

Are the gates easy to open and walk through? If so, does that mean they are not God's Chosen Paths? It's very acceptable to have questions, to try and figure out options, our chosen paths and  purposeful plans.

One peek at this link gives an extended explanation. I have cut/pasted just a few sentences.

Matthew 7:13-14 meaning | TheBibleSays.com

Sadly, the gate that is wide and the way that is broad is the one most people travel. That way leads to destruction. But because people go by appearances rather than by faith, there are many who enter through it. Conversely, few people find the narrow gate that leads to life.

May your Sunday be a blessing in your corner of the world.

Summertime in North Idaho

From Farragut State Park, Athol, Idaho:

We have arrived safely after three grueling days on the road towing our 29' travel trailer. This is our home for the ensuing three months as I volunteer here in Farragut State Park. It is a particularly endearing gig in the Junior Ranger (JR) program. The designated rooms are in the museum which was the brig during WW II. The history of Farragut State Park is fascinating and I shall devote numerous posts to it this summer.

Today I am laid back, settling into our old site on Volunteer Row, readying the trailer to be our summer "cabin in the woods." 

Needless to say, the park is gorgeous, our site marvelous, the volunteer gig delightful and the neighborhood offers many new friends to meet - all volunteers in various ways.

I have been a volunteer here in North Idaho for years. However, this is only my second year here in Farragut, about a thirty minute drive from Coeur d' Alene. Previously I volunteered in Indian Creek SP on beautiful Priest Lake for seven years. I lose count each time I try to recall the exact summers.

Today there is nothing pressing. I am eager to visit the room and see what new artifacts and learning stations have been added. Suzi and Glenn, the other JR volunteers, will be there today.

Think it's time to build my first fire at 9:22 a.m. and drink my third cup of coffee.