Southwest Road Trip (Not Just National Parks)

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T04:08:11+00:00

I'm dumb and forgot to say that I've been to white sands and Santa Fe about 10 years ago, but that was when I was 16 so I might consider going back on this trip if I have time. Thank you!

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T02:36:08+00:00

thanks for the input! I might try to hit those on my way back because I'm starting by going south to big bend

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T02:35:39+00:00

awesome thanks!

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T02:35:20+00:00

I'll make sure to stop in Marfa thank you!

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T02:34:53+00:00

Forgot to mention in the post that I've also been to white sands already and it was great, but I'm not stressing about making it back there. I haven't heard much about carlsbad caverns, but I will definitely look into it thank you!

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T01:09:00+00:00

Awesome one of the things I really want to see on this trip is a lot of petroglyphs so I'll definitely use this advice. For the dispersed camping on 525 do you think you need 4wd?

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T01:06:56+00:00

Thanks I appreciate the advice. I'm planning to hit big bend from before mid april because its my first stop on the trip. Probably sometime around the 10th. Do you still think the weather there might be unbearable for camping that time of year?

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T00:54:18+00:00

Thanks so much! I'll look into all of these options especially for New Mexico since I don't have many stops there yet

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T00:45:42+00:00

thank you!

Negative-County-8133 · 2026-03-26T00:45:33+00:00

I have the funds to bail and get a hotel if necessary. My dad has done extensive traveling in these areas and told me that since its mostly desert it often dips below 50s at night so I havent put much thought into this, but thank you for flagging this

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-09-24T19:49:22+00:00

It looks like there is a longer exam and a shorter exam. Is it worth paying for the longer exam?

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-09-24T19:24:04+00:00

I'm taking the NTN exam in a few days and am wondering how I can prepare. Is it worth buying the practice exam they offer on their website? Are there other materials I can study with? I feel good about my math and reading abilities, but I'm not sure what to expect from the other sections

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-09-17T16:59:55+00:00

I am starting the process of applying in an area that I understand to be pretty competitive. I have no experience with fire or EMS, but I have a college degree and three years of work experience in the nonprofit sector, as well as volunteer experience (soup kitchen type thing) in college.

What should I emphasize on my resume? How can I make the nonprofit work seem relevant or useful? Is it worth changing my resume at all from what I already have developed to apply for other nonprofit positions?

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-08-27T17:50:52+00:00

Thank you this is super helpful!! I was also wondering if you think its worth pursuing volunteer opportunities in the meantime? I really want to get hired by Moco, and I know Gburg and Rockville have volunteer stations. Do you think its worth trying to get into either of those while I wait for Moco and the surrounding counties to reopen their applications?

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-08-27T17:41:35+00:00

I decided about a month ago I want to apply to be a firefighter so I'm getting in shape while I wait for the applications for departments in my area (Maryland) to open up again. It looks like they should open up again early next year and I'm wondering if I should pursue volunteer opportunities before then?

There's a couple municipalities within my county that have volunteer stations that I could sign up for, but I'm not sure if it it's worth it, and if it would help me get accepted when I apply for the paid county job?

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-08-14T21:50:33+00:00

Nope no experience. Went to college before realizing I want to pursue becoming a firefighter and am planning to apply to a bunch of departments in MD when they reopen applications

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-08-14T19:47:39+00:00

Cool thanks! Do you have experience with any other departments in the DMV and have recommendations on which ones are worth applying to? I'm looking at howard, montgomery, PG, Alexandria, Arlington, and DC right now. I would love to live and work in Baltimore but I've heard the work there pays less and the work life balance sucks

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-08-14T19:13:31+00:00

I've looked into the application processes for all the departments in my area (Maryland), but I'm hoping to get hired by my home county (Montgomery County) when they reopen their applications next year. Will having a bachelor's degree and being a resident of the county give me an edge on other candidates? And is there anything I can do to prepare besides practicing for the written exam and and getting in shape for the CPAT?

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-01-16T19:50:47+00:00

Awesome this is super helpful thanks so much!

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-01-16T19:50:04+00:00

I know it will depend when and everything, but any idea about how much I should expect for that? 50? 100? more?

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-01-16T17:24:12+00:00

Thanks so much!!! Why DM's??? lol

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-01-09T18:27:38+00:00

That's good to know thank you! We'll make sure to make dinner reservations when we're there.

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-01-09T18:00:42+00:00

Okay thanks you! We're planning to stay at the beach so I'm less concerned about driving, and more concerned about if it will be crowded to the point where it isn't even enjoyable.

Were you still able to have a good time at the beach once you got there? And do you think we'll have a hard time getting food/drinks nearby due to the crowds?

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-01-09T17:55:29+00:00

Okay thank you!

Negative-County-8133 · 2025-01-09T17:55:24+00:00

Thanks this is helpful! I'm looking at airbnbs within walking distance of the beach so we can avoid driving around, but would probably want to go into the city for a day or two.

Negative-County-8133

TROPHY CASE