That Awkward Moment…

You know that awkward moment when you have to admit that your big brother was actually right about something?  Well, we won’t tell him about it, but he was right!

If you have ever seen the animated movie “Open Season”, you would have been introduced to a woman park ranger who absolutely loves her bear.  She lives in the mountains and takes care of him; food, medicine, exercise, toys, the works.  When my brother and I watched the movie, he turned to me and said, “That’s gonna be you one day…”

Photo Source: http://www.cineclub.de/images/2006/11/jagdfieber-3.jpg

“Na uh!” was my response simply because I didn’t want to agree with him…haha.  And realistically, what is the likelihood that I would ever take care of bears…

As I was giving my enrichment to the bears today, I leaned over the fence and called them by name.  As they came out they were begging for the goodies in my hand.  And it hit me….HE WAS RIGHT!  BAHHH!

I also got pounced by the cougar today which was precious.  Due to OSHA regulations (and plain old common sense) there is always a barrier between the animal and the keeper.  My back was to the cougar fence and I caught movement out of the corner of my eye.  Aspen our male was stalking me.  He was low to the ground playfully creeping forward.  Then he paused, did that twitchy back leg thing cats do before they jump, and then BANG the ambush predator sprang forward and hit the ground right behind me.  I pretended to be surprised and then he rubbed up against the fence and purred.  My heart melted!  Cougars are a lot like house cats (plus fangs and the ability to run 45 miles per hour…) so they are playful on those rare occasions that they aren’t being lazy.  They are also the largest cat that can purr.

Overall, I am happy.  Yes, I am sore and tired at the end of each day.  Yes, the mountains are far from all my friends and family.  And yes, it can be quiet and lonesome.  But, God is showing me piece by piece the importance of being here.  And I am happy because I know he has this.

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On one last note, my mosquito net came in the mail today so that only leaves the backpack and the immunizations to get for the mission (the sleeping mat came in yesterday).  I scheduled my appointment to get shot… L at the health department in the nearest town of relevant size.  While I am out that way next week, I will try to find a store that sells hiking packs and kill two birds with one stone.  (Or cut two onions with one knife as I would say to my friend Alesha)  Your kind thoughts and prayers would be appreciated as I keep prepping for this.

(To read about me finding a church home here in the mountains: http://carolineritchey.theworldrace.org/)

A Keeper's Day

I figured you would want to hear about being an Animal Keeper here at the mountain.  It's none too exciting and differs from day to day and shift to shift.  But here was today as a good example:

It was opening shift so keep that in mind...

This is Sitka, our female Eagle.

6:20 am - Snooze alarm
6:25 am - Snooze again (where is that sun?)
6:30 am - Get up, drink coffee out of the fridge, and eat a brownie
6:45 am - Read Ephesians 4
7:10 am - Get in Uniform
7:15 am - Drive up the mountain (I live right at the bottom)
7:30 am - Arrive, unlock the office, medicate and feed the cats, grab a radio and pepper spray
7:40 am - Weigh out sardines, smelt, and mice for otters and owls.
8:00 am - Clean otter dens, feed otters, (while other half of team does the same to cougars)
8:45 am - Measure out Bear food and feed bears (while other half feeds and cleans skunk pen)
10:00 am- SNACK TIME!  Yogurt for me with the granola that Tara and I got for free!  Down to 7 boxes friend!
10:10 am - Wash dishes and prep today's enrichments
10:50 am - Out in the habitat (rain or shine) to talk with guests and give scheduled enrichments
12:00 pm - LUNCH!
1:00 pm - One last enrichment before handing it off to the closing crew.
1:30 pm - Feed otters again
2:00 pm -Various (weed-whacking, cleaning pools, making enrichments-todays involved peanut butter, paper mache and meat filled lemonade in balloons.
3:30 pm - Outta there!!!!!
4:00pm - Sit on the internet (coffee shop or library) and blog about it.

If I closed, I would work enrichments in the afternoon. And do a closing protocol with deer, eagles, and cougars.  My hours would be 10:30am to 6:30pm.  I close about half of the time and open the other half.

And Kodie being lazy as usual.  I think he needs an Enrichment.

FOR THOSE WHO are like, "What is an enrichment?"  An enrichment is anything that breaks up the daily routine of a critter to keep it from getting bored in captivity.  It could be a food snack, a puzzle, a game/toy, or a scent.  Anything to get them up and active.  We give each exhibit two enrichments a day and we try not to repeat an enrichment for another month so that they don't get used to it and defeat the point.

Sound like a fun day?  Do I get to play with animals?  meh...a little.  But mostly it is feeding and cleaning.  Like taking care of furry babies.  haha.

On a side note:  If you are interested in the t-shirt I designed as a fundraiser, you can find it here at  http://carolineritchey.theworldrace.org/

Mission Video

This is my mission support video that I made.  I don't claim to be good at making videos but I try.