"Personal Credo" Mark Genito, Greater Yellowstone Crew Leader

The story of my life, one day, may be divided into chapters like a novel. If I’m lucky, it might even be interesting enough for someone to want to read it. However, I would imagine that most of it would sound pretty common. There may be a chapter titled “Awkward High School Stage” and another titled “College Bound”. Maybe someday there will be a chapter titled “Marriage” or even “My Firstborn”, not exactly groundbreaking material for a page-turner. Typically, every good story has a plot twist or turning point in it, where the reader begins to think that maybe it’s not the same old story they’ve heard a thousand times before. That chapter for me thus far in the novel of my life would be titled “The Rejuvenation of Mud and Soul”.

It would start off with me in my jeep, a stack of papers with times and places to be, and a trunk full of camera equipment. Driving a hundred miles a day around Monroe County in Northeastern Pennsylvania shooting photo assignments for a small newspaper nobody read. It would go on to explain my demeanor… dejected, tired, unmotivated, and easily irritated. It would describe in vivid detail the way I slept late into the afternoon and ate cereal for dinner. It would number the total of close friends I had, 3. And it would illustrate how at the ripe age of 24 I was already jaded by my career choice and unfulfilling lifestyle. The chapter would conclude with a 25-year-old version of myself, wearing a tattered and faded pair of Carhart pants and a dreadfully worn in green t-shirt, standing in a drafty and stale trailer near the highway, a sheet of plastic in my hand, a cold window in front of me and a warm feeling in my heart. I’m a crew leader in the Montana Conservation Corps, the tattered Carharts and shirt is my uniform distressed from over 2,000 hours of National Service volunteering. The trailer belongs to a low-income resident of the community I belong to and am a part of. And the plastic in my hand is the remedy for the cold window, weatherizing the home and helping the family that lives in it to save money and stay warmer in the face of the cold Montana winter months to come. Lastly, the warm feeling in my heart is the result of a life change that spanned the length of the country and turned my world on its head.

Somewhere in the deep and pristine wilderness of the great West, thousands of miles away from anything and anyone familiar, I scratched a hole in the Earth and my soul began to renew. I quit my job as a photographer, abandoned most of my belongings, and drove across the country. The hole I was digging was to function as a drain for water on a trail, it was my first day of trail work as a member of the Montana Conservation Corps. I began writing a new chapter in my life, one that involved me getting dirty, the kind of dirty that acts as proof of the hard work accomplished And despite my unfamiliarity with everything and everyone around me, I felt more like myself then ever before in my life. And the reason for it, was the fulfillment a received from serving others and the environment, instead of only serving myself; and to share in that service with the like minded people around me.

I believe the only certain happiness in life is to live for others. This idea of contentment through service is one of the many things I learned during this epic chapter of my life. And it is the one thing I hope above all, remains a driving theme in every chapter in my life still to be written.

"Pearls of Wisdom" Zoe Zulakis, CM Northern Rockies

There is a small shabby trailer tucked away in the closed down RV park on the south east side of Marion. A Dodge truck parks permanently next to it, its engine lays under it, shaded by its flatbed and encroaching weeds. The screen door blows open and shut in the wind, and the unmistakable smell of sewage swirls upward from the underbelly of the faded yellow home. I feel abandoned here.

A man comes to the door. It bursts open. "Oh that darn screen!!! Hello, come in come in come in." He wears a worn and mismatched sweatsuit, his skin is falling from his bones, his smile is bursting across his face, and his right hand is outstretched. "Hi I'm Chris! This is my son. Well thanks for comin! Glad you could fit me in."

And so I learn that this little inhospitable corner of the world, is home to the most loving person I will ever meet. Hanging from the ceiling in little drawstring bags are his treasures. Quartz crystals, small pearls, knickknacks which he finds beautiful and enjoys. The corners of his living room hold his guitars, relics of his past, and on his coffee table are countless bottles of poisonous medication, which will determine whether he will have a future.

We quietly assess the home while he asks us about our lives; about what we love to do; about who we love. He shows us pictures of family, and sings some of his favorite tunes. He becomes faint from the excitement but even after sitting talks himself silly. Four cracked windows, no smoke detector, no CO detector, no carpeting, only two rooms (the kitchen and the living room) which are finished, broken pipes, freezing cold floor, and a lot of dishes which are for naught because of his constant nausea. He brushes aside cancer as though it isn't an elephant in the room. As though it hasn't taken up enormous space in his life, as though it hasn't left him abandoned and broke in this naked place. And you only realize the tragic truth when you look into the eyes of his son who helps change lightbulbs and laughs at his dads jokes, but who steps outside for a cigarette, hanging his head, knowing that his father will probably not be around long enough to feel the cold that will seep into the windows of this broken down home.

We chatter happily as our work progresses and suddenly the windows and doors are sealed, the lightbulbs are shining, the detectors are beeping, and our job is done. It seems brighter, perhaps warmer. "Open your hand!" He grins at me. I open it. "Close your eyes!" I close them. I feel a cold hand on mine. And then I feel a small smooth pebble. I know what it is. But I am afraid to open my eyes. Afraid that I might cry. Afraid that I am angry for him. Angry that I can give him plastic windows but that I cannot save him. Angry that in this dreary home he will see the last of his days, and that he is giving away one of the few beautiful things that he owns, away to me.

I open my eyes anyway. There is not a bone of anger in him. He admits to no frustration in the face of this great injustice. None of that. He is simply smiling with the anticipation of a 2-year-old. I thank him profusely, tell him that his treasure is beautiful, because it is the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given me, and I turn to leave.

"Wait!" He says.He takes Eli into one arm, and cradles me in the nook of the other, and pulls us toward him. We wrap our arms around his tall skeleton. When I look back up he looks sad but smiles. "Thank you. It was nice meeting you!" The screen door creaks and slams behind us and the unmistakable smell of sewage again composes itself. But I no longer feel abandoned here. I am accompanied, instead, by grief and anger, and in my pocket, a small pearl- a reminder that even if plastic cannot keep out the cold, maybe compassion and humanity still can.

And. I. cry.

"5 Principles of Project Comaprison" Charlie Grove, Northern Rockies CM

Throughout the season I’ve come to notice certain trends when comparing project experiences with crew members from other crews. From these conversations I have devised a list of five principles to help guide my fellow MCC’ers in their own project comparisons.

5 Principles of Project Comparison:

1. Location - No matter where you went the other crew went somewhere cooler. There are many amazing places to go in Montana and I’m sure you’ve all been to some of them. Our crew has been lucky enough to spend time in Glacier National Park, Kootenai National Forest, and even Priest Lake in Idaho. And yet, there’s still that crew that spent a month in Antarctica… Well, not really, but by the way they describe wherever they really were you’d think they’d been somewhere as extraordinary as Antarctica.

2. Work Performed - You might think that 15 miles of trail you cleared, brushed, and re-treaded in 4 days was quite an accomplishment. That is, until you talk to your fellow crew member who just got done building the Great Wall of China and stopped by Egypt on the way back to finish off another Pyramid. We’ve all seen the numbers and it’s clear that MCC does an amazing amount of work over a 5 month season. Can you imagine how amazing the numbers would be if we just added up everything we’re told by other crew members?

3. Wildlife Viewing - No matter what wildlife you saw, they saw something better. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you saw vs. what the other crew will say they saw:

Your Crew, Squirrel
Their Crew, Deer

Your Crew, Deer
Their Cre, Elk

Your Crew, Elk
Their Crew, Moose

Your Crew, Moose
Their Crew, Black Bear

Your Crew, Black Bear
Their Crew, Grizzly Bear

Your Crew, Grizzly Bear
Their Crew, Sasquatch

As for my crew, we’ve seen 18 grizzly bears and a unicorn… Beat that!

4. Weather - No matter what your weather was like, their weather was more extreme. There was a hitch in early June where our crew was fortunate enough to spend a day working in rain/sleet/snow. There was no way anyone could top that. That is, of course, unless you count the crew that got 6 inches of snow that day and had to build an emergency fire at lunch to warm up and the other crew who had to spend the night in a hotel, paid for by the sponsor (see Principle #5), due to heavy snow. Thus, no matter what weather you endure some other crew had it worse.

5. Sponsor Hookup – Your sponsor could give you food, tools, or even have your equipment helicoptered in, but in the end it doesn’t matter because the other crew’s sponsor took them rafting or had them flown out of the backcountry in a plane that just happened to be there. Your sponsor may have been great; more than you could ever ask for, but in the end… you still had to walk out didn’t you?

"welcome Home" Jose V. Najera, Central Divide CL

It is said that, “Home is where or what you make it,” true but home is just a physical structure that would be cold and empty without the people who live in it. To me home is just an idea now, I’ve traveled for so long to remember where that physical place called “Home” is anymore. I think of home as the people who make me feel at home, people who share a common ground, an ideal and a dream. Everyone represents a place, a space, a time and maybe even a memory of home. To all of us who make up MCC that’s I call home. We are home to those who share a common ground and to those who don’t, we are here for the sole purpose of serving our community and finding where the last pieces of our puzzle called “Life,” fall into place. So, let’s put down the pieces of the puzzle in our hands and stop being preoccupied as to where they go and look at the pieces laying on the table. We must figure out where all the other pieces fall into place first, they play an even bigger role in the puzzle than that pieces in our hands. These pieces could very well be our leaders, our crew members, the places we’ve worked at or just simply the idea of being here. Some will figure this out sooner that others, and some have already discovered the warmth of our home but it will come to all of us when the time is right. Though, I can’t say exactly why you are here, I know that we share similar if not the same ideals.

Although, I may not know all of MCC crew leaders and crew members and all that make up this experience, I can honestly say; “Welcome home,” if you are no longer physically a part of MCC, “we miss you.”

Finally, I wish to say that you may come back at anytime we will all be here at “Home,” just come on in.

Props from the Program Manager

Here's to Western Wildlands Cls, Jonny Morgan and Jess Harrell for submitting a bi-weekly report and using nothing but haikus! Thanks y'all, for spicing it up!

A few highlights:



oh Monday, Monday
crew seems to be sleepwalking
go to bed early

special treat with rain
no more work with metal bars
lightning gives crew rest


crew done with Blodgett
ready to have weekend fun
bridge better beware


crew on top of game
no rock can survive this team
hippopotamus

"Haikus" Northern Rockies CM, Jennifer Erickson

It is almost half way through the season now and, like myself, some of us might be missing the comfort of home. I have begun questioning a lot of things recently, including my place here in the MCC. I left a a big piece of heart in Cincinnati-with remainders scattered in old, musty apartment buildings and in the existing memories of past lovers. I’m trying to fill some of the void with the joy found in my new adventures and an improved, positive outlook on life.

It is important for me to learn how to take comfort in those, seemingly insignificant, moments in life that, when strung together, make up the “big picture.” I’ve read somewhere that “we often see or sense something that gives us a big of a lift, or moment’s pure sadness” and realized just how important those instances are. Sometimes these blips in our life answer a lot of our questions and can aid in the occurrence of an epiphany to some degree. I believe it is important for us to remember why we first came here and what it is exactly that it keeping us here. It’s important that we not look at this experience in a wholistic sense, but reflect and hold on to those meaningful, everyday occurrences that truly are the components of life.

Here are some of my personal encounters, in the form of haikus, that have helped to shape and mold my experiences with my crew and with the MCC:

Setting sun atop the mountains
With a glimpse of my shadow-
i am humbled

Starry night in July
Silent air
Wondering-what else is out there?

Wiping sweat off my brow...
i wonder-
if it’s time for lunch

Air rushes in the opened windows
Gravel crunches below
Our voices form melodies

Belly aching from laughter
Reality is lost-
holding onto this moment-we are invincible.

Kudos!

Northern Rockies RS, Cliff Kipp, forwarded the following email sent to him by a user in Idaho who cam across an MCC crew:

This past weekend, we ran into the crew working along the Upper Priest River trail in Northern Idaho.We were impressed with the good condition of the trail, and noticed the recent maintenance work.Later we hiked by their camp, and agreed it is a well-kept camp. Clean and laid out exactly as it should be in bear country.We eventually crossed paths while hiking up to the falls. We were surprised that so much work had been accomplished by such a small crew.We really appreciate their good work! Thanks!

MCC Letters to the Editor

Northern Rockies CM, Zoe Zulakis, got a killer letter to the editor published in the Bigfork Eagle. To check it out, click here: http://www.bigforkeagle.com/articles/2008/08/14/editorials/letters/letter01.txt

"Yellowstone" Greater Yellowstone CM, Stephanie Davidowski

Yellowstone National Park is known to many as a place for scenic views, new and unseen wildlife, and a chance to reconnect with the parts of the world that are naturally beautiful and mysterious.
My crew and I worked there for three weeks. We can possibly relate to the appealing attractions I just spoke of, however, our experience was completely different because it was part of a job. Do not misunderstand; I loved every minute of it.
During those three weeks I learned about the people I have grown to respect for who they are (and whom I will probably continue to respect, always). Our crew gained more experience, more confidence, more cohesiveness, and yet somehow we remained ourselves, individual people. It is really hard to comprehend the fact that when a person sets their mind to something they can do great things, but when a group sets their mind to something (and this is with anything) the "great things" are on a scale that at one point was the unthinkable, the impossible. At the end of the day, I think that we truly felt fulfilled, simply happy. I do not see how you could feel any other way when at the end of the day you have accomplished something that holds depth and meaning, and you have attained that feeling not just from yourself, but with other people.
The projects that we had to tackle were of course physically and mentally demanding as well (it is a part of the job). When we arrived at the Artist Paint Pots in Yellowstone all I could remember thinking was "Wow, this is going to be hard." But then I stopped myself and remembered to take the project day by day. Everyday is after all, a new day right?
The first week was full of moving materials that were a necessary to complete our projects. We moved what seemed like an endless supply of logs and rocks. The logs were needed to build check steps to prevent erosion of the trail. They were also needed for a bumper wall to keep people within the safe boundaries of the trail (after all, curiosity can easily lead you astray in a beautiful place). The logs were also needed to provide new strong and aesthetically pleasing railways for all the people who come to visit the Paint Pots. New fencing was also needed in several different spots (I now know how to build a jack link fence).
Week two was a short and sweet word that can be bittersweet, and that word is crazy. This week really marked our crew's ability to tackle different projects separately to not only try to keep cohesiveness but also to be more efficient ( as it is not time that is always important, it is what you make of the time you have). Two rock staircases were needed on either side of the trail loop. The people in my crew who worked on this spent long hours learning to place rocks in a way that made a perfect, even, and beautiful staircase(yes, a staircase can be beautiful). I truly believe that these were the most significant projects.
It is funny because when I try to logically sort out what we did together, I can't. There was so much more that we did in between the huge projects to make them possible. There was also so much more to the whole experience. Logically, it is a job, a different experience. But really at the end of the day it is simply a good feeling.

Buck and Rail Time Lapse

Greater Yellowstone CM Michael Rosenberg provided this time lapse footage of a fencing project from a hitch in Grand Teton National Park.

If you don't like the weather...

These photos were sent in by Ashley Litts, cm with the Central Divide region. These were taken during the crew's first hitch, in June of this year! You might be feeling hot right now...but remember, it could change in a flash.

"A Whole New Trail" Western Wildlands CLs

Those of you who were lucky enough to attend the crew leader talent show at tech training will remember the fantastic vocal stylings of Western Wildland leaders Jonny Morgan, Adrienne Priess and Abby Sweet.

The trio rewrote the lyrics to Alladdin's "A Whole New World"...the result? "A Whole New Trail", the stuff of MCC legacy.

"A Whole New Trail"

I can show you the trail
Winding, climbing and rugged.
Wild forests untrammeled on this magic hiking tour.
A whole new trail
(don't you dare cut my switchback)
lopping branches in the way.
Making waterbars and chopping logs.
Now I've made a whole new trail for you
(Now I'm making a new drainage)

Unbelievable tree!
Take the chainsaw and fell it.
Tell me hiker can you find where I just made that cut?

A burly trail!
(Don't you dare braid my trail)
We put a switchback in for you.
You want a turnpike? We'll do it right
to prevent erosion.

General tread is 2 feet
Take your mattock and hinge it
Make sure that your backslope meets the angle of repose.

A perfect trail!
(Don't you dare take those horns!)
make sure you follow LNT.
You best be 100 ft, before you pee
And don't poo in the water.

The Bestest Trail!
(Don't you dare doubt our skills!)
We get real ripped when we do work
You can get a tan and look real bad.
Damn we are so sexy.

This whole new trail....

I'm cold and wet
I stink real bad
I smell of sweat
My feet hurt bad

But we work so hard.... for you and for meeeeeeeee.

(interpretive dance at will.)

Time Magazine Article on Service

This week’s issue of Time Magazine revisits the topic of national service, following up on the cover story issue from last year. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1823951,00.html.

Check it out!

An MCC Mystery

Lee Gault, MCC Program Director, is wearing these sunglasses because...

"A Day In the Life, An Original Short Story" Jennifer Erickson, Northern Rockies

Most of us walk into this “occupation” with little to no expectation. There in our arrival, to the MCC, lie one hundred different ideas of what our daily routine is going to be like. While, most of the time, this adds to the fun and excitement of the experience it also calls for a bit of a rude awakening ….on those rare occasions. “Those days” – you know what I’m talking about here…and we’ve all had them.

Allow me to share with you one of “those days…”- (and by those days I mean five of them-)

a day (ahem)…week in the life of team Rowdy Yekoms:

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The wonder is to see these trees and not wonder more.” Ahh, yes….I would have to agree. But, you know…there are some moments in life when you just don’t have much patience for mother nature… and you start wondering about things like…”why is it snowing in the middle of June?” or…”do they really expect us to set up camp in a snowy field filled with mules and land mines?” (note: “land mines”- a term used to describe what animals leave behind after digestion.)

Our trip to Hungry Horse Ranger District was much anticipated- seeing as it was going to be our first “real” spike complete with a week full of “real” work. Our projects included; planting trees and shrubs around various location in the Flathead- near all three forks…and the destruction (oh, yes!) and reconstruction (also fun) of a small bridge – a project we were most excited about.

Now …I will lay out the week…

Day One: Monday 6/9/08
We load up the rig and set sail for Hungry Horse. Upon our arrival we are welcomed by the crew we will be working with. We are also questioned about our work attire… I start to question myself…”Oh, no! Did I remember my boots?! -look down. See boots- Check! Next, we follow the forest service to the trail, but before we barely make it five feet down the road our rig, Airforce One (or- not so #1 Dad) , starts to sputter and we lost all momentum- we have just broken down- for the second time this season. Welcome back, Gramps! (He is always there for us.) So when we finally make it to the site it starts to rain. We continue to work …and our boots continue to get soaked. It has been a long day. Needless to say….we look forward to setting up camp and cooking up some hot grub. On our way back…we loose a couple items from top of Gramps…a tarp and a lid to one of our boxes…but we are so tired at this point that we really only care about setting up camp and getting into warm clothes. Then we enter the pasture... Obviously, there was a communication breakdown, because we are now stuck in a traffic jam of mules. The whole field is full of mules and land mines. (you know what those are now…) We leave the pasture of inevitable doom and head back to the ranger station were we set up camp in a square patch of grass in the middle of the ranger station property. We now resemble a bunch of homeless people. At least we are settled in- time to cook… As we start to put the pieces back together- we notice we are missing one very important piece- one that belongs to our Coleman stove!- Not to worry- we make by and Cole hooks us up with amazing quesadillas. Day one is over now and we are read for whatever day two has in store for use…we think….

Crew Morale: two points

Day Two: Tuesday 6/10/08
I wake up with a nasty head cold- hooray for me. I can tell we are all having a rough time adjusting to the unpredictable weather- especially with cold, wet boots and socks. Oh, well, we’ll get over it- today can’t be as bad as yesterday…right? Wrong. (Cue: snow.)

Highlights of the day include: Blisters from wet socks/boots; fighting back my tears because I have a horrible cold and my frozen fingers can barely grip my spade; and half of the crew had some issues- which are better left unwritten- that involved large amounts of Gold Bond….oh!...and lots and lots of snow!

Crew Morale: one point

Day Three: Wednesday 6/11/08
(I wish I could add in sound effects in between days- kind of like Law and Order…sorry…back to the story.)

We spend the day planting shrubs and bushwacking down a mountain. This leaves most of the crew soaking wet..( seeing as rain gear was only applied to the top half for some…) This calls for a very wet, very sad crew with-what felt like- ninety pound Carhartts on. I guess the ranger district felt bad for use because later that night we ended up in the luxury suite AKA the helibase. Very nice. We are excited and I’d say the crew moral went up a couple points.

Day Four: Thursday 6/12/08
We wake up inside this time. We are much warmer and much happier now, because we know today we get to work on the bridge! Yay! The rest of the day was very comical. We get into some- very stylish- thigh high waiters and start the demolition. So there I am….standing in a creek bed…snowing pouring down on top of me…waiters- up to my thighs- praying that I stop sinking in the mud before water nearly flows over the top of my boots…thinking…”*$&#!*$!”

Highlights include: mini mud fight with B; BIG mud fight with B; Joe’s boot rot; ripping apart pieces of the bridge out of a freezing cold creek; OH!! And how could I forget the very first time we met our team mascot…LADIES AND GENTS….please welcome.. “Rowdy”- the one hundred and fifty pound golden retriever.
Crew Morale: 4 points
Day Five: Friday 6/13/08
We wake up VERY warm in the helibase. We are thankful for this as we reflect back on our past week. I think I speak for the crew when I say that the completion of the bridge really made everything that happened previously well worth it. Without a doubt THIS day was the highlight of, not only our week, but our entire season…..so far…

Crew Morale: …off the charts…


On a serious note….

This whole experience has given me more than I could ever need….even though, sometimes, I may not think so. It is a test, a collaboration of positive, experimental efforts…a time to break down things and then build them back up again. I am beginning to see that light at the end of the tunnel…by choosing to volunteer with the MCC we also choose to make a little sacrifice. We have taken the “road less traveled by”…. We are making a huge difference here…. ”and that has made all the difference!”

"The Horse-Human Relationship" Scott Stevens, Eastern Wildlands CM

During the past three months, being a part of the Montana Conservation Corps and working for the United States Forest Service, I have seen a steady growth both mentally and physically. Meeting new people each day and learning from them has been overwhelmingly positive in helping me develop new skills.

One of the most memorable moments of my MCC experiences was learning that we’d be working in the Shoshone National Forest and working with a herd of U.S.F.S. horses. The excitement shared was mutual among the crew. Overly anxious to embrace the historical lore and nostalgic landscapes of the Shoshone National Forest, our nation’s first national forest set aside by Teddy Roosevelt as part of the original Yellowstone timber reserve, we took it all in with an open mind. We were then introduced to our horse trainer, Scott Le Fur. Now Scott was a very experienced rider. Having grown up riding horses, he spoke in a vernacular similar to the Duke and explained the ins n’ outs of wrangling with the fastidiousness of a college professor. Teaching eight green seasonal members the know-bout’s of riding in three days would have seemed nearly impossible, but not for this stoic cowboy.

During our training, both Scott and Bill Oliver, our sponsor for the summer, were very patient with us. They knew we weren’t going to be able to soak every bit of information all at once so they provided us with a setting that made the experience tough, but very stress-free. In order for us to get the essentials down, like dancing the double dutch, Scott had us repeat each step countless times. “Saddle on? Good. Now take it off and saddle him up again.” By the time we had it down, we were in silent competition with one another to see who could saddle up their horse faster. Any time either Scott or Bill sensed a struggle, which could be done a mile away, they were there lending a hand. No matter the question, they answered them…even if they were just asked the same question by 7 other people in the past 10 minutes. Neither of them got frustrated or allowed themselves to lose touch with the group.

Now before riding, we had to learn how to become the dominant figure in the horse-human relationship. Scott was positive we’d pick up sooner or later that it wasn’t going to be very easy. It definitely proved to be difficult, but possible. From cleaning out their hooves, to getting the cinch around them we would experience a few kicks and many head jabs. Eventually, after a couple of hours and many tugs on the lead rope, they give into their own stubbornness and yield to your authority.

The sun was rising, and as we emptied out of our cabins, wearing our finest cowboy attire, carhartts and an MCC shirt, we walked down to the barn, saddled up our steeds, climbed up, settled in, and took a deep breath. Today we were going to do some riding. First and foremost, we had to get the feel for our horse. From across the corral, Bill and Scott instructed us step by step. Within time, we began to feel comfortable. So Scott and Bill stood back and examined our riding skills as the inner cowboy in all of us emerged and we began to yip and yee-haw our way around the corral, consciously or sub-consciously mimicking all those western movies we had watched as kids. We certainly received a few well deserved chuckles and grins from them as they took note of our Hollywood horse commands. Watching from atop his mule, Scott snickered and said, “You know, it never fails. Each year I run this course and people begin feelin’ comfortable ridin’ around this here corral. They start gettin’ all wild & western with their horses, and forget every thing I taught them about commanding their horses.”

We did it though. We were certified horsemen. It was time for us to put on our best pair of chaps, get our selves a fine-lookin’ Stetson hat, saddle up our steed, and ride off into the sunset just as our hero’s of the old west once did.

"A Most Unassuming Creature" James 'Lando' Reimann Eastern Wildlands CL

Given our surroundings, it seems only natural to feel a connection to the rustic wilderness around us. A core value as a member of the Montana Conservation Corps is to become stewards of our environment, and this task is undertaken in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most intriguing fashion of stewardship is connecting with one of the many animal species which is unique to Montana and the surrounding areas. On my crew alone, we have a wolf (solitary but loyal to the pack), a buffalo (strong and gentle), an owl (intelligent and vigilant), a prairie dog (fond of napping and lovable), and the rattlesnake (quick, clever, and surprisingly strong). I suppose that I too, the Ironman himself, has even taken up this idea of connecting with a local animal: the dung beetle.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the dung beetle may have not been everyone’s first choice, but it is truly a most unassuming creature. As most crew leaders may find apropos, the dung beetle is most at home in the “stickiest” of situations. Tirelessly they tread, focusing on their ball, all while thinking about the future that this stinky sphere holds in store. For the beetle, this odorous orb is the key to reproduction and the legacy that passing of one’s genetic coding involves. However, for this man sized beetle, my ball is a bit more symbolic.

Just as Sisyphus struggles with his boulder, we too, as members of MCC struggle with our own lives. Troubles on the trail, homesickness, adjusting to life where a muddy stagnant pool of water is seen as a beautiful oasis. These are just a few of the the elements that add to our individual dung balls. Like the dung beetle though, it is important to remember that the destination, and not the ball itself, is why most of us are out here. Experience, kinship, and memories are just a few of the rewards that await us in October/November. The leagacy that we push forth, while often times daunting and unnerving, is something that is worth pushing. We hold in our hands (or mandibles, given the circumstances) the future for the next generation of little MCC beetles, wolfs, owls, snakes, buffalos…

Yes, the dung beetle is a most unassuming creature. While it cant fly like an owl, hunt like a wolf, run like a buffalo, bask like a prairie dog, or strike like a rattlesnake, the dung beetle is amazing in its own right. Strong, steadfast in resolution, and doesn’t mind getting a little dirty; a creature worthy of our praise and admiration.

"Top 10 Ways to Kill Biting Flies" Clayton Martins, Northern Rockies CM

10. Construct a tiny electric chair and make them all ride the lightning.
9. Genetically engineer a giant frog with ten tongues and an insatiable appetite.
8. Launch a full scale nuclear assault on the forest.
7. Train in the ways of the ninja, then decimate them all with your katana.
6. Learn voodoo and put a curse on them such that they will all spontaneously combust at midnight.
5. Wrap every tree in the forest with fly paper from top to bottom and then wrap yourself as well.
4. Get a gunslinger to shoot their wings off from 1000 yards.
3. Freeze yourself in carbonite until they have gone extinct.
2. Create an army of nanomechanical flies to infiltrate the ranks of the real flies, causing their evil empire to crumble and collapse from within.
1. Take a stalk of bear grass and swing in wildly while running through the woods until you pass out.

"Spring in Montana" Melissa Vandehouten, Northern Rockies CM

Spring in Montana is a strange creature. To the untrained, or better yet, unfamiliar eye, it slinks and slithers around the edges of our bodies. If one is not careful, it might strike your reddened cheeks with its frosty palm as you move innocently toward its den and higher into the mountains. With every step, you may become numb in its presence. Your hands may feel like that have aged 50 years as you try to clear away what were once green limbs, now turned powdery white. The creature can spit and cast its giant shadow as you cut deeper into the heart of the trail.

They say there are two ways to keep it at bay. The first being a fellow who can loudly sing an Irish tune of warm days to come. Somehow this strengthens your slowed step. The second is a little trickier. You must build a fire. However, you must find the wood to feed this fire from under the belly of the beast while it sleeps. If you are careful not to wake it, the wood will be dry and fuel the fire you so desperately need to save your shivering bones.

It is said this creature does not make a noise. That its voice is dulled; a heavy silence that can only be found in the wettest of snow falls. However, I’ve heard it rumble and moan. I’ve seen it shed its leathery skin and roar with new blood rushing through its veins. I’ve seen it tamed by cool rains and calmed by the scent of lupine and sweet grass.

As with every creature in this world, there is a yearning to move. Change. Adapt. One can recognize a creature and call it by a certain name, but can not be discouraged when it does not act exactly like the ones encountered before. These creatures have evolved to fit these lands, these waters, these mountains. This Spring is not like the last or even the next one you will cross paths with, but take heart in knowing that you will have rid yourself of expectations, and in turn, quieted your mind. This way you will be sure to recognize Spring by its movements and its tracks. Most importantly, you will have gained a new appreciation for its godly might.

"This I Believe" Zoe Zulakis, Northern Rockies CM

I am an NPR junkie. My favorite series is admittedly an oldie and undoubtedly a goody. It’s called This I Believe. This I Believe is enlightened by the variety of the everyday and not so everyday notions of its eager contributors who submit their beliefs to the NPR gods to be read on air. I approach a number of my own beliefs with a certain amount of passiveness. It is a habit that I am trying to break. It has taken me until the approach of my quarterlife to realize that your beliefs are what charge you with the inspiration to live your life as you would like it to be lived. It takes consciousness of your circumstances and confidence in your belief to make thoughtful and sustainable contributions to this world.

The mission (belief) of the MCC is to provide its members with the tools and guidance necessary to become contributing members to society through service, stewardship, leadership, and civic engagement. All of this of course is simply rhetoric—a mission to be fulfilled by US!! So while we venture to become the next great contributors to our organization and to our community, take the time perhaps to ask yourself why you are here. Certainly it was some kind of belief! Your contribution to this organization will be inspired by your belief!! And it can be whatever you want it to be!!

Here is mine….I believe in the mountains. They are the watershed, the great giver of thy nature, the great feeder of endless cycles.They are the mark of our history, of our mutability, of our organic fate.They are what we must venture over in order to see beyond.They touch the heavens, but remain grounded.I believe in the mountains.I know that they will challenge me. I know that I am small. I know that sometimes I am quiet and unsure. But I am sure of something. Something that has invigorated me. I believe in the mountains. Our lives are about climbing them. And at the greatest peak there will simply be more peaks in the distance. I know these things. But this is why I believe in the mountains. Because I believe in myself to overcome them and not only that but to LOVE them, to learn from them, to leave them.And so here I am, in Big Sky. Because I believe in the mountains. This, I believe.