Comache Grasslands

What was your favorite part of the 2 weeks spent in the Comanche Grasslands?

Coming home to delicious dinners...sooo hungry by the end of the day. And sittinf around the fire. ~Ayla

My favorite part was just getting out there, putting in a hard day's work and overexceeding the expectations of our sups. Going on long morning hikes before the sun rose over the peaks made this experience something to truly remember and a time I will never forget (because I got most of it on my videocam). ~Josh "Roscoe"

Working hard. ~Marshall

I enjoyed being in a remote are without people all around. ~Brendan

Exploring the area around our bunkhouse (hikes) and having an awesome fire most nights. ~Alex

Being out in the wild, no civilization rocks! ~Benn

I loved using our chainsaws during the second week to cut down the tamarisks. I cant believe we cleared the entire side of the bank we were working on! ~Katie

After 1 Week in Woodland Park...

After 1 week of bring at Woodland Park, what is your favorite part so far? Or What do you hope to accomplish this round?

Favorite part is how this job highlights our excellent teamwork skills. Being tired at the end of every day, feeling accomplished, and happy to come home to my team, which is not my family. Hope to get in better shape- mentally and physically. ~Ayla

My favorite part of week 1 would have to be getting certified as a class A sawyer, and becoming proficient at felling trees. I hope to still have gains in both physical and mental strength despite no longer being able to use the gym. ~Josh

I really enjoyed being able to get outside and experience the great outdoors. This round I hope to get in better shape and be a great firefighter. ~Anonymous

I love analyzing my tree stump after felling a tree to see where I can improve. I’m also loving being outside all day in the fantastic Pike National Forest. ~Alex

Someone told me that not only is it important to be strong, but also, it is important to feel strong- felling trees successfully definitely makes you stronger. This lifestyle is AMAZING. P.S. Russ is the new Chuck Norris. ~Clay

Being fluent with chain saw engines. ~Marshall

My favorite part is hearing the loud CRACK a tree makes after you stop running the chain saw, and the tree breaks the hinge wood as it is falling. Felling trees is a really empowering experience, and to see the giant trees fall is an awe-inspiring demonstration of man’s impact on the wilderness. ~Katie

Wildfire Fighting Training

What was one thing you learned, or one thing you thought was interesting from wild land firefighter training?

"The patterns that exist in most failures by firefighter teams that caused fatalities. It was eerie to hear the stories." ~Clay

"Everything was interesting. Stoked about getting on the mountain, proving myself to Russ, and beginning my career as a wild land firefighter, reaching ever closer to my goal of becoming a smoke jumper." ~Josh

"I was very curious about, and to learn the specific techniques which wild land fire fighters use to contain and extinguish fires." ~Brendan

"I learned that this experience will likely be the most mentally/physically thing I;ve done in my life. I'm taking this experience a lot more seriously and I'll be relying on myself and the team for support. I think I'll gain perseverance and patience." ~Ayla

"I enjoyed the tools/engine/firing devices training quite a bit. The different sections covering line work have also been interesting. I'm definitely looking forward to our first day in the mountains." ~Alex

"I learned about the various safety procedures that will keep our team safe." ~Benn

"I really enjoyed learned about the different tasks our team will get to do, and the different skills we will develop. As I'm learning about cold trailing, and patrolling for spot fires I can see myself doing this, and it just seems like such a different experience and I'm so excited to do it." ~Katie

Capping with Marshall & Clay

Yesterday Marshall and Clay took me capping (recruiting) with them. On the way to Cabrini High School I mentioned that it might be a Catholic school, because Cabrini is a Saint's name. I also mentioned that I went to a Catholic High School (all girls). So needless to say my male companions were interested in my tales of an girls only school, and the supposed shenanigans we were up to. We got to Cabrini, and discovered it was in fact a Catholic School. And that only girls attend. So we set up our table, put out the Americorps NCCC pamphlets, were looking sharp in our black and whites, and ready to tell people about the amazing job that we have. And don't get me wrong, I warned Clay and Marshall. When we discovered it was all girls I said, "Now, because you are male, the entire school population knew the moment you walked on campus. That sort of news spreads like wildfire." Of course they didn't believe me. I tried to convice them. At one point Clay turned to me and said "Do you mean to tell me that 100 girls are checking me out right now?" THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS SAYING! He still didn't believe me. Then a girl walked over. We were all excited...its time to spread the word about Americorps! And she asked "Will you go over and hug my friend and tell her 'Merry Christmas?' And we look over the her table where a gaggle of girls were giggling like school girls.
I told you so.
Capping was a good experience. We did talk to several girls at lunchtime, handed out information, and answered questions. After lunch we had a private dialogue with one girl who already applied, and was waiting for her phone interview. We talked to her for a while, answering her questions and telling her about life in Americorps.
However seeing Clay asked to hug a girl was probably the highlight of my day. Maybe the highlight of me week. And being at Cabrini was like being back at SHA. I enjoyed it.
~Katie

It's Already December?

Howdy Guys,
Wow what a crazy month and a half. It feels much longer an eternity almost. I don't think any of us were expecting this experience when arriving in Denver 6 weeks ago, but were enjoying it to the fullest. We also have learned to make sacrifices for others and in turn picking which areas we feel strongest about. You at home will be surprised at that challenges the team has embraced and overcome together. They say a lucky NCCC Team will go through 4 stages Meeting: which we did pretty easily in a 3 day car ride; Storming: where the team fights and figures out everyone's boundaries and comfort zones, Norm: at the point where the team finally comes together in a routine where everyone is generally satisfied; and finally Graduate: when we all depart our seperate ways. I have a feeling that the storming will occur soon however this will lead to a much stronger crew in the end.
On a much better note we just finished PT which was football and everyone is showing drastic physical improvment. Look out Rangers. And Clay, Josh, Katie, Benn, and Marshall were visited on site today by the History Channel for a new show premiering in January called Antique Archiologists and to know great surprise everyone looked hard working and dedicated so keep your eyes peeled. Well dinner is ready and I'm not one to miss out on Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese so until next time. E-UNIT!

Week Three and Going Strong

So the Warriors have hit their half way point. Only 10 working days left before we head back to Denver and were definitely "Getting Things Done". Just minor touch-up painting on one house and it's totally complete. And another near by is just a little farther from completion. Our menu has begun to variey and become more creative to the relief of everyone. We had a feast on thanksgiving with three other teams in the New Orleans area and no one left hungry (thanks to our amazing cooks, too.) The team volunteered at the 102nd annual Turkey Day Race Thanksgiving morning and had a good time being labled as race officals. Also we completed more service projects for Hands On New Orleans Friday and Saturday working mainly in a Community Garden laying a brick walkway, which turned out fantastic by the way. Unfortunately, our Football game against our rivals in Earth 3 the "Alpine Rangers" was cancelled today at their request (draw your own conclusions.) Were greeting the next two weeks with a mixture of relief and disappointment. Relieved in the sense that soon we'll be heading back to Denver and almost immediately headed home. However, disappointed that we have such a sort time to complete so many open projects, too. Well signing off for now folks but well post again soon enough until then. GO, Woodland Warriors!

Hey Folks time for another thrilling episode of Earth 4 in NEW ORLEANS

Hey fans its Marshall and unlike other blog posters I will not bring personal squables into this sacred literature.

Tomorrow is turkey day which would usually be difficult to swing on $4.50 per person however our own personal miracle worker Katie has made it very possible. Also we will be eating with the Water 1 and 4 so it'll be an Americorps Thanksgiving. Were all thankful for our four day weekend but the realization that we only have 2 weeks left afterwards to wrap up our projects is very real. We also can't wait to come home and visit all of you, too. And don't worry PT (physical training) is going strong and we found a routine that is ... hardcore thanks to our PT coordinators Clay, Alex, and Josh. Also the team is watching When the Levees Broke by Spike Lee which is showing some of the sides of the Katrina Disaster and producing very interesting discussions on faults and biases. However the team has begun to really bond and hopefully we'll make it through this with as little casualities as possible...I'm kidding of course.


Happy Thanksgiving and stay tuned