It has been a busy week of packing and planning as I get ready to head west. I was excited to learn that I will be part of a 20-person team during the service portion of my trip to the Blackfeet Reservation. I can't wait to meet some interesting new people! My team leader is the co-founder of Global Volunteers. She started the Blackfeet Reservation program in 1999, so she has lots of exerience working with this community. Since our vounteer work is based on the expressed needs of the community, we will find out what our jobs will be after we arrive in Browning. Most likely, I will work at the Head Start Center, Elder Care Center, or Summer Recreation Program. Our Blackfeet partners have requested winter coats, so I have packed an extra one to offer as a donation.
I have been checking the weather and updates for Glacier National Park pretty regularly this summer. Logan Pass on Going to the Sun Road opened on June 19, once all of the snow had been cleared. Plowing the road that most tourists want to travel is a huge task for Glacier National Park staff. Here is a link that shows what the road looked like on June 11. It's hard to believe this picture was taken less than two months ago!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/glaciernps/7368816592/in/set-72157629725011599
The Weather Channel says it is currently 50 degrees with showers in Glacier National Park and the low for tomorrow is 24! B-r-r-r! The extended forecast shows lots of sunny skies and higher temperatures, though. Everything we have read tells us to keep the flukey weather in mind as we pack. Browning (where the Blackfeet Reservation is located) is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest temperature difference in one day - a fall from 44 degrees to negative 56 on January 23-24, 1916! Ray updated our packing list for our backcountry hike, and it includes lots of layers. In his most detailed fashion, Ray has recorded the weight of everything we will carry, to ensure we are not overloaded for our hike. How lucky I am to have him on my team!
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| Making a list...and checking it twice! |
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| My backpacking clothes are in the blue bag on top |
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| Dinner. Add water, put in a cozy, wait, and...yum! |
I am in charge of meal planning for our backpacking trip. We will be in the backcountry for four days and three nights, so no side trips to the mini-mart! The notes on our map recommend packing freeze dried food, as it is less likely to attract animals. It is also pretty light. We will burn lots of calories as we hike, so I've packed some high energy food for each of us. Trail mix, protein bars, and turkey jerky anyone?
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| A delicious blend of sweet and salty |
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| Here is lunch for the week... |
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| And let's not forget, safety first! |
I hope everyone is enjoying a glorious summer!
Laura
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