Volunteerism & Tourism: Hand-in-Hand – People Need People

Note:  AAAAACCCCKKK! After several tries to coordinate the type print and make this legible, it refused to change.  There's even double spacing when there shouldn't be!

Darn this Blogger dot com!

David's Passion: Photography

We retired in 1996, David from landscaping and I from office administration.  In 1994 we began developing and honing our photography skills.  Photography has become David’s passion, which I share with him.

David on Ponderosa Trail

Sugarite Canyon State Park, New Mexico 2009 

Me on a ladder getting as close as possible
to the cactus flowers

Saguaro National Park West, Arizona 

I have always enjoyed the creative side of computers and have taught myself most of what I know, utilizing software for office management, graphics design/publishing, and photo management.  I’ve become a “Jack of all trades and master at none!” It could be said that I am above average in computer literacy. It can also be said that I am very spread thin in what I know and fall very short in many areas.

David and I love to travel.  There’s such a great adventure in exploring places that most people never get to visit.  In 2004, we sold most everything – house, furniture, appliances – and stored the rest.  We now live full time in our 33-foot fifth-wheel trailer.  We are in our seventh year as volunteers.

Immediately, we knew it would be perfect for us.  From the beginning we found opportunities where we could use our skills and talents to fulfill the needs of various parks and public agencies.  To our advantage, we are provided, cost-free, full hook ups for our RV in return for our services.

Our full hook up site at White River Wildlife Area included a phone, washer & dryer, and refrigerator with a freezer.

This is a time of financial restraint for everyone including these public institutions.  They are in dire need of volunteer help.  Volunteers save hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars by providing services to accomplish the multitude of tasks that are considered low priority, thus left undone or bogged down in the bureaucracy.  Many Visitor Centers and campgrounds have already closed due to government cutbacks.  More could be closed if it weren’t for volunteers.  Tourism has become a major part of our economy.  Without these recreational facilities, many towns (and some governmental offices) would suffer.   It means unemployment in these communities.

Volunteers are the ones first there in time of need during major disasters.  Volunteers give to humanity, which becomes rewarding knowing that they did something worthwhile and good.  Did you know studies show that volunteerism promotes longevity of life?

David and I are strong advocates for volunteerism.  We hope to encourage EVERYONE, at some time in his or her lifetime, to volunteer service to someone, someplace, somewhere.  You all have something to offer!

Once you begin looking (online) you will find a bottomless pit of opportunities: Federal (including military/USO/Red Cross, etc.), state, regional, local, as well as opportunities for unpredictable situations like the recent gulf oil spill and weather related disasters.

You meet so many good people when you volunteer. 

Sugarite Canyon State Park, New Mexico 2009

All of us volunteers! 

 Volunteering can be fun and adventurous, too!

David and I taking a hike on one of several trails at

Sugarite Canyon State Park, New Mexico

Have questions getting started?  Don’t be afraid to ask!  Click on any of the links here to get started.  Good luck!  Enjoy!

 Castle Rocks State Park, Idaho 2004

David: Groomed & landscaped a long-neglected park. Also photographed images for the park's first postcards and brochure.

Me: Created the park's first ever brochure.

Gilbert Ray Campground, Tucson, Arizona 2005, 2006, 2007

We both managed the nearby archery range, worked the Visitor Center, and performed other tasks required as needed.

White River Wildlife Area, Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife 2007

David and fellow volunteer, Bill, dig post holes to build a fence.

LePage Park, John Day River, USACE 2007

David and I got to ride with rangers on their boat to photograph primitive campsites up river.

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife 2008

Mary leads other volunteers in a game of interaction

at a special volunteers' gathering.  

Corvallis Administration Offices, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife 2008

Mary helps the Volunteer Coordinator with various tasks.

Corvallis Administration Offices, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife 2008

David mows the lawns around the premises, including our campsite area.

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon 2008

Mary organized and archived the many slide images at this facility.

David worked with maintenance on lands encompassing over 

187,000 acres of wildlife habitat.

All According to the Plan...

We are staked down at Big Pines RV Park in Crescent, Oregon.   We are enjoying the robins and mountain bluebirds play and forage.












Currently, it is only 37 degrees and snow showers have been on and off all day.

Brrrr! We woke up to the snow flurries this morning.  It's been cold, and I haven't stepped away from my warm heater all day.  I gained four pounds today!  Of course, it's the layers that I'm wearing (and the sitting around), but after dieting and losing over forty pounds, I don't appreciate any weight gain!


It really is very beautiful to see the snow falling like little feathers from the sky (through my frosted window).  This beauty is why visiting this part of the country is nice.  And, I know that we will not be living in it for long!  


From my window (frosted, that is), I watch a neighbor's dog trying to catch the falling snow with his mouth.  Even this dog, however, stops to stare at the door of his owner's rig and begs to be let back in.  Did I mention how cold it is out there?


I also watch another neighboring couple who woke up to frozen water pipes.  I guess they haven't much experience RVing in freezing temperatures. (As full time RVers, we have actually been in the snow before... not always by choice!) Those poor people, all bundled up, trying to figure this out! Glad we have our water running nicely.... need it for the hot coffee and hot oatmeal!

I do enjoy being a snowbird.  Do you think some of the real birds of the wildlife nature make the mistake of flying north too soon?  We don't usually make this trek this early in the year.  I don't know what got into us to think we needed to "fly" north so early. 

Regardless, all is going according to our plan.  We knew this would happen today.  We purposely decided it was necessary to lay over one day until this all passed us by.  Tomorrow we will pack it up and move on behind this storm.


At least we are encouraged by occasional blue skies and the warmth of the sun as the snow-clouds float by. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the Internet, the view, some reading, some Sudoku, and the hot beef stew and dumplings that I cooked up. (Cooking helps warm the place up!)