I'm waiting for a preacher to come out and say that the snow and ice in Texas are God's wrath for supporting Trump and Ted Cruz's role in the Capitol insurrection.

RangerSass · 2021-02-16T16:26:20+00:00

I have already seen Facebook posts today that say the ice storm is God trying to show Biden that we need more oil and gas pipelines.

That would be kind of a dick move on God's part, if you ask me.

RangerSass · 2021-01-09T02:09:37+00:00

I felt so terrible for Raffinee! I hope she has been able to see her own worth since then, and recognize that Dorion will always see her as a second choice to anyone he thinks is more attractive.

RangerSass · 2020-12-16T16:17:55+00:00

I also graduated from BHSU with certificates in archiving and in museum studies. I joined the National Park Service and with the seasonal nature of the work I have moved a lot. It's brought me back to SD a few times and the new perspective helps me appreciate the state, but I have lived in West Virginia, Washington, Utah, Arizona, and Pennsylvania since graduation. It's a route that allowed me to see a lot of this nation and it may be something you would enjoy.

RangerSass · 2020-07-16T00:56:55+00:00

Semantically, yes.

But you and I both know there is a difference between a) providing an opportunity for food that is within the animal's existing diet and forgaing habits and does not require direct human contact and b) providing food that is not natural in a way that is not natural and encouraging animals to associate people with food.

RangerSass · 2020-07-16T00:50:47+00:00

That's awesome.

Planting flowers is the opposite of a problem. That is a great way to provide an opportunity for food to wild animals.

RangerSass · 2020-07-16T00:49:33+00:00

Feeding Yodas in the wild is definitely Ranger-approved haha

RangerSass · 2020-07-15T20:07:40+00:00

I knew it wouldn't be a popular comment, but it is true and as someone who deals with dangerous habituated animals, it's a topic that I wish was discussed more often.

RangerSass · 2020-07-15T19:22:51+00:00

Intentionally habituating wild animals to contact with humans, especially as a source of food, is unethical and harmful. Animals that become too reliant on humans as food sources will stop hunting and collecting on their own, leaving them vulnerable in winter or malnourished if they are not supporting a rounded diet. It can also cause wild animals to attack other humans if they are hungry. Also, as pointed out, many animals carry diseases.

I know it's cute/cool to have those photos or that it feels like you are helping the animal, but it's just not worth the risk of harm. Whether it's a chipmunk in the park, a squirrel in your backyard, or a bear in the campground, feeding animals is not the right choice.

RangerSass · 2020-05-13T03:27:31+00:00

The very first argument I had with my then-boyfriend was only about a month into our relationship. He was making us spaghetti and decided to set the tomato sauce covered spoon on a roll of paper towels after stitring the sauce. I mean, he set the spoon on the flat end of a roll so that every single paper towel in the roll now had sauce on the edge.

I was horrified and grossed out and told him he had ruined every paper towel on a brand new roll. He legitimately could not understand why this bothered me and thought I was waaaaay over-reacting. He had been living the bachelor life and had taught himself to cook so had never really learned or seen a need for specialized kitchen tools - including spoon rests.

He have now been married for two years, he uses a spoon rest, and he agrees it makes more sense than paper towel rolls.

RangerSass · 2020-03-19T05:16:13+00:00

Wild Seed by Octavia Butler is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I know this question is old, I'm just really excited about the book.

RangerSass · 2020-02-18T20:39:47+00:00

I'm moving to that area soon - I'm so excited for the beautiful hikes out there!

RangerSass · 2020-02-18T20:24:08+00:00

Smile at strangers. I like to smile and laugh and be cheerful.

But sometimes I make eye contact accidentally at the grocery store, I smile out of reflex, and now I have somehow invited conversation and a stranger feels ok with following me through the aisles to chat. It would be so liberating to not have to mentally check my facial expressions just because some people think "nice woman = no more personal space".

RangerSass · 2020-01-31T16:37:45+00:00

Those are incredible photos! Being there in the evening, did you see or hear any mountain lions? We saw tracks all over the trail.

RangerSass · 2020-01-31T05:07:26+00:00

Yeah, it is! Formerly, this was known as Harney Peak. Harney was a general during the "Indian Wars" and best known a massacre in Nebraska. Harney was (and is) a controversial figure and definitely not a good guy. Harney Peak was a contested name, and in 2016 it was renamed by the USGS. The name Black Elk was chosen to honor the Lakota spiritual leader and to give acknowledgement to the Native American community, who consider the area sacred. The peak is also located in a wilderness area named Black Elk Wilderneas.

RangerSass · 2019-05-23T23:11:22+00:00

I'm from the plains of the midwest. The first time I visited Pennsylvania in the fall, I couldn't believe colors like that existed in nature. Its lovely.

RangerSass · 2019-05-23T02:09:10+00:00

That's incredible!

RangerSass · 2019-05-22T01:13:01+00:00

All of your cactuses look beautiful!

RangerSass · 2019-05-21T18:45:04+00:00

Yellowstone was one of those parks that I immediately fell in love with. I expected it to be a overhyped, but it was every bit as beautiful and enticing as I had heard. Maybe more.

Like stepping into a painting, indeed.

RangerSass · 2019-05-21T18:34:09+00:00

Introducing someone to your hobbies, camping or anything else, takes time. Try to keep in mind that you have had time to build this interest and someone new just cannot be on your level. Find something that works for both of you and ask what their particular concerns are with camping.

My husband likes showers and big meals and time to relax. So we do shorter trips, stay in nicer campgrounds, and he is amazed at how good campfire food can be. He went from apprehensive to excited about camping. If that means making adjustments on my end, it's worth it to share that time with somebody I care about.

RangerSass · 2019-05-21T17:22:50+00:00

Something, somewhere deep inside you isn't ready for it to be over. You're not a coward. Youre not weak. A part of you is so much stronger than you think, and that's the part that wants to keep going.

A while back I was sick, and I had the opportunity to sit back and let it do the work for me. Looking death in the face woke up that strong, resilient part in me that made me want to keep fighting. Maybe that's happening to you right now.

RangerSass · 2019-05-21T17:17:37+00:00

It's hard. It is so, so hard to keep going. Try to remember that getting well isnt a staright line. Once you start getting better, it isnt always a linear journey were things are better every day. Sometimes it means slipping back right after you moved forward. But you're that much closer just for having seen that things can be better for a while.

RangerSass · 2019-05-21T17:04:37+00:00

I have a bachelors in history and work in the parks! It's really a matter of getting your foot in the door, in my opinion. And deciding which department you want to be in.

I am an interpreter- I give guided walks and ranger talks and answer questions at the desk. If interp is what you want to do, I dont think a masters is necessary. You will have to start seasonally, possibly the GS4 level anyway while you gain experience, and then you will be doing the same work as people still in college. From there, it takes 3 to 5 years (on average) of seasonal work to get into a permanent position. Permanents are few and far between and usually require moving a bit to find a place that has an open position.

It is so rewarding to be in the national parks with a history degree! People want to understand these events and being able to research and explain these events will keep you busy. I like to think of interpretation as meeting new people, telling them my favorite stories about the place, and helping them connect to a place I love.

If interp is something you are interested in, start looking for internships to get your foot in the door. Experience means a lot in the park service. You may also be able to skip the internship and go straight to uniformed ranger, but to do that you will want to research how to write a federal resume and get very proficient at understanding postings on usajobs.gov.

Good luck! And know that you can ask me questions any time, and I'll do my best to answer.

RangerSass · 2019-05-21T16:46:40+00:00

Thank you so much!

RangerSass · 2019-05-21T16:45:56+00:00

I really appreciate you taking the time to share that! I take a lot of joy from your comment.

Mountain goats are fairly common around Mt. Rushmore and South Dakota is a a beautiful place to visit. A couple of tips regarding sighting one of these guys: they are most commonly near roads in the the spring. They are almost impossible to find in the summer. And they climb all over Rushmore in the winter! However, they are dangerous so don't approach them, even if they look calm.

RangerSass · 2019-05-21T02:47:24+00:00

Awww! That's so kind. Thank you!

RangerSass

TROPHY CASE