Expedition V

WildLink's Expedition V celebrated an unusually dry and warm spring with an unforgettable week in Hetch Hetchy. Traditionally one of our wetter expedition slots, Expedition V enjoyed a bright and hot week of sun-warmed granite and thundering waterfalls. We were visited by one short and beautiful storm our final evening out, complete with growling thunder and towering piles of cumulus clouds.

The expedition group was comprised of students from Liberty High School, and Crenshaw and Reseda High Schools in Los Angeles. The week included a spirited reenactment of the Hetch Hetchy debate, GLOBE water quality testing, a challenge hike up to Tilltill Valley, campfires, salsa dance lessons and waterfights to beat the heat.

To view journal entries from Expedition V, click here.

Earth Day

Don't forget, April 22 is Earth Day! There are probably many events already happening in your school or community that you can get involved in; if not, theEarth Day Network has some great resources to help you get started in organizing your own celebration of Earth Day, whether it's something small you do on your own, or something that involves your whole community! To learn more, click here.

Of course we'll be celebrating here in Yosemite, so please feel free to come and visit us, Earth Day or any other day! And remember, every day is Earth Day at WildLink! And now, in honor of our Earth, here's a poem from The Earth Speaks:

Only A Little Planet

Every particle of every thing
rock, water, flower, human
has been in the same place flaming
in the heart of our ancient sun
before the earth
came flying out of it.

The irises in your eyes
the tissue of roses

the slow giant rocks in mountain hearts

were all born flaming
locked in the sun as it drifted
like a light on dark water.

-Lawrence Collins

Backpacking
Scholarships Available

The Pinnacle Scholarship Program of Outward Bound West is looking for high school students from Fresno County. They have extended a very generous offer to fund interested and qualified students fully funded summer backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. These courses are three weeks long, and will give students an opportunity to experience the wilderness at an intense and rewarding level. But time is running out! If you're interested in this opportunity, please contact me at 209-372-0607, or by e-mail at mandy_vance@partner.nps.gov. Don't let this amazing opportunity pass you by!

Where Are
They Now?
Featuring Houston, WildLink Intern 2002-2003

This month, our "Where Are They Now" contributor is Houston, our WildLink intern from 2002-2003. Here's what she has to say:

After I left Yosemite in May of 2003, I moved back home to Winton, CA and began to look for a job. I started working in Merced at the new Lowes the following July and continue to work there still. I also started going back to school at Merced Junior College for Summer and Fall Semesters of 2003. I did well and passed all of my classes.

Around November, I started looking into other career paths and have decided to further myself by joining the military. I enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves at the beginning of February 2004 and my shipping date is set for March 15, 2004. My boot-camp will be 13 weeks long and held in Paris Island, South Carolina. Because of this I have taken the Spring 2004 semester off from college but will be back in time for the Spring 2005 semester.

I am very excited to be leaving for the military and hope that all goes well. I miss Yosemite very much and would absolutely love to be able to work there again sometime in the near future.

Got a story to tell? You can send ideas and writings to me at P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, or by e-mail at mandy_vance@partner.nps.gov.

Happy writing and I hope to hear from you soon!

Mandy