Tribute to the Interpreters

The interpreters are back from Brooks Camp.  Most of them anyways.  There are a few people left to give guidance to the fishermen but most are back in King Salmon.  They are catching their flights back to the various parts of the states.  some are going home to go back to college.  Some go back to teach.  Some are moving on to other parks for the winter and a few are off on traveling adventures.

Interpreters have a tough job.  They have to be smiling ambassadors to our nations parks.  They have to be knowledgable about all the parks history, current biology, geology and ecology.  They have to know all the rules and protect visitors from the animals and from themselves.  It may be hard to believe but some visitors leave their brains at home and do some very stupid stuff.  Don't believe me, read "Oh,Ranger"  book one and two.  They are great books available at all park service vistior gift shops. 

The interpreters at Brooks Camp have even a tougher job as they have 45 to 72 brown bears in the area where the most visitors are.  They have to protect visitors, themselves all the while they are respecting bear territory.  Most of them have been under alot of stress especially these past few days with so many bears to deal with.  So I thought that I would throw them a going away dinner.

I invited all of those who were still in town to my house for dinner last night.  Six of them came.  I made chicken pot pie- from scratch, along with biscuits home made and a fruit salad.  My next door neighbor joined us and brought brownies and ice cream and I had some chocolate syrup to pour on top if they wanted to go all out.  It was a great evening.  They seemed to enjoy the food and even though I just have a few chairs the gathered around my coffee table and ate and ate.  We talked about all kinds of things and it was a great time.  I am going to miss them all and hope they return back next year though some will move on to other parks.  They did a fantastic job this year!!!!

On a personal note, I was told that a fan of the blog was at the park looking for me.  I am sorry I missed you.  I would have loved giving you a tour and getting to know you.  I hope you had an enjoyable memory making time at Brooks Camp.  If you have a chance leave me a comment and tell me what you thought.