Lone Star Travelers Blog

Yesterday we completed training at Petrified Forest National Park and will now settle into a regular schedule as volunteers for the National Park Service here.  The last day of training was “program training.”  We accompanied one of the interpretive rangers for the day as she presented programs to the visitors in three different locations.  They were Puerco Pueblo, Painted Desert Inn and Crystal Forest.  At the end of the day we were given an outline and information on how to prepare and present our own programs.  We have a lot more information coming about this beautiful park and lots of pictures to post.

We have completed our first week of training at Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert.  Internet access has not been readily available until now so I am back and from now on should be posting regularly.  We have had 5 days of training and now are in the middle of 3 days off.  The first day of training was a brief orientation, a little bit of paperwork and then we were off for the day in a government vehicle with one other volunteer who is training with us to explore the park.  The second day was in a conference room with the supervisor ranger and 5 staff members including we three volunteers mainly going over rules and regulations.  The third and fourth day consisted of training in the Painted Desert Visitor Center and the fifth day training at the Painted Desert Inn.  As I learn more here at Petrified Forest National Park I will blog in detail about the various features of this park.  We will also be posting lots of pictures and a photo gallery so everyone may see how beautiful  a park this is.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is truly a magical place.  If you are in the process of making your summer vacation plans and are heading west to tour the Grand Circle of National Parks and Monuments including Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Mesa Verde and more you definitely should put Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on your “must visit” list. (more…)