It's been a while since I've written anything. Partly because it's been so busy around here with Christmas, the end of Ron's deployment, work, training excercises and such... and partly because I just plain didn't feel like writing.
I just got back from a week of training at the North Carolina Justice Academy in Salemburg, NC. It was the 27th annual Park Ranger Academy, a program that I highly recommend for anyone interested in the field. I don't know of any other training opportunity where you can get so much; all classes and field trips, lodging and meals for a week for just $150. I've gone for 3 years and have made some incredible friends from all around the country and had such a great time that I would take personal vacation and pay out of my own pocket to attend this training if my department wouldn't pay.
I spent most of the week taking Wildland Fire Suppression classes. Usually I take a wider variety of classes, but I'm interested in getting my Red Card since I'll be moving to California. Lots of fire fighting opportunity out there. I passed the basic classes and now I have to prepare for the pack test. It's 3 miles with a 45 lb. pack in less than 45 minutes. I'm pretty sure I can handle that. It's been a while since I've backpacked and I plan to do a bit of training before taking the pack test, but I'm optimistic about it.
Hmm, I had planned to write so much more, but I'm getting pretty sleepy right now. Take care everyone!