Changes

My third summer season in Yosemite National Park is quickly winding to a close.  You wouldn't know it by looking at my room and the lack of packing taking place at the moment, though.  

Winter.  What is Kate doing for the winter?  I'm sure this is the question on all your minds.  Will she go back to Death Valley?  Will she go to another park?  Will she spend the winter in Houston again?  Will she work on an agricultural exchange somewhere in South America to improve her Spanish?

No to all of the above.  This winter holds a big change for me.  A significant change.

My first season with the park service was in 2004.  Over the past twelve years I have worked 14 seasons with the National Park Service in seven different parks and six different states.  I was able to celebrate the NPS Centennial last month in the Yosemite high country.  I wouldn't have had it any other way.

After 12 wonderful and fulfilling years with the NPS, I'll be turning in my hat and badge and hanging up my NPS uniform next week.  I will be saying goodbye to the Department of the Interior...

... and hello to the Department of Agriculture.  Oh my.  I have accepted a permanent job with the US Forest Service.  I start the beginning of October as a Natural Resource Specialist - Recreation for the Eldorado National Forest.

I will be moving to the Placerville, CA area, about four hours north of where I'm living now.  The job is permanent, which means no more moving every six months, no more limbo as to whether or not I have a job, and there is no furlough.  I'm excited and nervous for this new adventure which is fast approaching and immensely blessed.