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So long, farewell

5.1.03



I recall when I was in high school in Wisconsin that scattered amongst the typical teen heart throbs on my bedroom walls were Ansel Adams photographs of Yosemite. At that time in my life the places of Half Dome and El Capitan seemed somewhat unreachable, as if the place existed in a far-off place and time. The idea that I could actually handle the granite, examining the specks of mica, feldspar and quartz that made up the towering walls seemed impossible. It was simply too beautiful and enormous of a place for this girl from the Midwest to comprehend.

The reality of Yosemite never truly sunk in until after I finished college when I read the job announcement for the WildLink position. I remember filling out the SCA volunteer application and having to list my top three choices. I put a star next to the Yosemite position; in my mind I thought it might give me an edge over the other applicants and get me closer to this magical place.

The day I arrived last September seems more like a decade than 8 months ago. The unfamiliar scent of the mountain misery plant brought out by a light drizzle of rain tickled my nose as Barb drove me through the mountains on Highway 41 into the park. I gasped at the size of the ponderosa pines, much taller than most trees back East, and those weren't even the giant sequoias. And then came Tunnel View. Ansel apparently didn’t have a special lens or an airbrush to enhance the size and grandeur of Yosemite. It really was that beautiful in person. My neck hurt for weeks from looking up.

As they say, all good things must come to an end, and I am moving on, perhaps to return in the fall. I have recently been accepted for great job at the Chugach National Forest in Alaska. I’ve always wanted to live in Alaska and the Interpretive Ranger job is awesome – teaching visitors about glacier movements that are happening before your eyes will be pretty amazing.

The major issue with the Alaska opportunity is that I’d have to leave WildLink and Yosemite a month earlier than expected, missing the final WildLink expedition. In my excitement in being accepted for the position at the Chugach, I almost forgot the fact that I am going to have to soon leave this place I’ve grown to love. I have only three weeks to say goodbye to the sights, sounds and people that have been my community for the last eight months.

My last “hurrah” will be the WildLink Family Weekend May 9-11. I’ll be getting together with some participants of WildLink expeditions from this year and their families. I am looking forward to this event the most perhaps of all of our activities, it will be a great way to catch up with the students and wrap up the year.

Some of my highlights with WildLink include visiting the General Sherman tree –the largest living thing on earth (Expedition 1), encountering an autumn colored grove of aspen on our spectacular hike from Tenaya Lake to Yosemite Valley (Expedition 2), helping with the National Park Service’s aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling (Expedition 3), squeezing 15 people in a snow quinsy we made (Expedition 5), and exploring archaeological remnants of Hite’s Cove (Expedition 6). I’ve also had the chance to be trained in GLOBE water monitoring, met some real cowboys at the Backcountry Horseman’s Rendezvous, and explored writing in a Yosemite Association workshop run by Beth Pratt.

I’d like to thank all that have made the WildLink program a success this year, especially the teachers that have recruited students, gathered paperwork and organized chaperones and transportation. Without you, the program would not be able to run smoothly.

And those at the park, especially Barb Miranda for giving me the opportunity to have a year-long WildLink experience. Barb is a mastermind in corralling people for wilderness education projects, and is an inspiration for all who love wilderness. My co-leader Kristin Malone who has been a great mentor and friend to me, Mandy Vance has also been great to work on projects and interns with, and of course, the WildLink Interns: Umar Abdullah, Houston Reed and Jose Herrera. Umar, Houston and Jose contributions on the WildLink expeditions and at pre-trip meetings were invaluable. It was great to have a younger presence in the office and to watch them develop their skills in their time here.

And of course, to all of the WildLink participants – the students that are the program. For putting up with inclement weather with positive attitudes, for being open to meeting new people and cultures, and for going back to your schools and being ambassadors to wilderness. It has been a privilege for me to get to I hope that you take advantage of the opportunities the WildLink program offers you. I encourage you to check out the WildLink website, especially our career page for opportunities in the environmental field. Best of luck in the future!

This place has been home to many more who have inspired me, To have the spirit of John Muir, the courage of the Buffalo Soldiers, the delicate hand of Chiura Obata and the knowledge of the Miwok, paired with the eye of Ansel Adams and the foresight of Abraham Lincoln are qualities I aspire to, beyond the borders of Yosemite.

Thanks for a wonderful year!

Jocelyn