Fire, FIRE said Mrs. McGuire...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izltIPgftfE

Back from a two-week Safety Officer assignment on the Horseshoe 2 fire (Coronado National Forest/Chiricahua Mtns.) where I was once again just one of many fine fighting-the-fire folks from all over the country: Johnny Orton (Coeur d’Alene, ID), Jennifer Reilly (Fredricksburg, VA), Tom Fielden (Happy Camp, CA) and so many MANY more. I was reminded of the scene in the movie “Patton” where Karl Malden as General Omar Bradley tells Patton: “I do this job because I’ve been trained to do it. You do it because you LOVE it!” I’ve known for sometime I’m a composite of both. I worked primarily in/around Chiricahua National Monument.

The Santa Fe NF’s Type 2 incident/Pacheco fire is in Santa Fe’s backyard, but no real threat to town as it is burning away most structures towards a wilderness area. I also see that one of my favorite songsters (see May 20^th post and above link) is coming to play some tunes for us on July 11^th at the historic Lensic Theater. We plan to be there on the aisle in row C.

This retired National Park Ranger is getting back into the routine of daily pondering. Weed whacking caught up, I find myself playing tennis (I’m very rusty), practicing yoga (well eventually), and doing some archaeological site assessments. In July I have an assignment as USTA official that’ll keep me busy for a few days. Plus another trip over to Arizona: my mom hopes to leave “assisted care” behind her, sister Laura had a knee replacement yesterday (all went well), and sister Chris has a new home to check-out, and more... The sequel assignment to Petra Archaeological Park is into the planning stages: PAP II - The Journey Continues...

Finished reading Paul D. Berkowitz’ THE CASE OF THE INDIAN TRADER: Billy Malone and the National Park Service investigation at Hubbell Trading Post. Good well researched read, with some “slippery slope” insights how doing good can turn to the dark-side quickly. When I finished reading I got a little choked-up: not only because it was about the NPS’ Special Agent Program that I helped in its infancy (my badge # was 3), but because of the human cost – Susan Morton was a good friend and trusted colleague. A good motto that won’t steer you wrong is: Facts – Integrity - Truth. They’ll keep you FIT. You should read it…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7xw1Q7hwco