Shining, Shimmering, Splendid - Carolan Coughlin, NRock

Sometimes the weather is wet and cold and miserable and your sleeping bag fails to keep you warm at night and you forget your rainpants and you have a fantastic week because you are so committed to MCC's unofficial statement: Don't be a wuss. It is absolutely neccessary to suffer sometimes during training season so as to be better prepared to help inspire your crew members when they whine about their hardships. "Cold? Cold, you say? Ha. You don't even know."

The high points of the week included working with vibrant Noxon characters, like Shaggy, who convinced us to clean up his adopted stretch of the highway in exchange for a pizza party at the celebrated local pizza joint, the Sneaky Beaver. We also learned a lot from Ken, the forester, whose vast knowledge of local flaura and fauna dominated every conversation. He told us which maps to buy, which trails to hike, where to find the good backcountry skiing, how to tell a White Pine from a Douglas Fir, and to watch out for flying squirrels because sometimes they try to sit on your shoulders.

The hitch ended with apocalyptic weather; black rolling clouds laden with every form of precipitation you can imagine. Big Casey, Eric, Dan and I watched the storm roll over the river with solemnity. The contemplative mood of the evening was excentuated by Dan erupting into song, singing "A Whole New World." The four of us stretched out our arms to the heavy, dark skies, to the smoky Cabinet Peaks, to the churning waters, and recited those holy words together. "A whole new world/ A new fantastic point of view/ Shining, shimmering, splendid."

I used to be somebody, but now I am somebody else - Camille Seed, Expedition 2009

I was getting packed for a trip that I wasn’t sure what to wear or bring. I was really nervous to leave my family for so long and at first I was very indecisive about it. I couldn’t sleep the whole night and thoughts were scrambling all in my head. I never realized that this trip was going to change my life, until the day I got in a green van. Here is my life changing story.

The first day, we were greeted by our leaders and we all waved as my family drove away. I was shaking at this point, wanting them to come back. I started to meet every one getting a little more comfortable with the new atmosphere. We all piled in the car and started to mingle. There was a long ride ahead of us, meeting everyone and just trying to get all the nerves away. After 3 ½ hours of driving we finally got to our destination.

We all got out and start making camp. This was a reality check for me. I used to have things done for me and now I’m learning how to put a tent up. It took me and my roommate Lisa maybe 7-8 times to finally get the tent up. We were all sitting on the ground talking and playing games. When it was time for dinner, we all helped out which was so cool for me because in my family my mom n dad do dinner and I do dishes. I was scared on what were going to eat and thought it was going to be like all vegetarian foods but we had some of the best food I’ve ever eaten and it was all home made. Our crew leaders were really amazing they were funny and outgoing. They helped us get ready for bed and Lisa and I sat up and talked about our life styles and how we got here and then we fell asleep.

The second day was a lot more interesting. We got up at 7:00 and had breakfast and hiked up this huge mountain to get to our job site to just see what had to be done. I was cold so I wore long sleeve under armor and my Carharts. I found out ten minutes later that was a huge mistake. It took us 2 ½ hours to hike up a 2.7 mile mountain. We got to the top and I just sat there in amazement. It was so beautiful. We were on the highest mountain looking down at little water falls, huge mountains and a whole canyon. I got my camera out and took tons of pictures. Then I started to notice there was A LOT of mosquitoes! I have never seen so many in my life. We were all getting bit and then I got out the spray and handed it down to the rest of the crew. We used a lot of spray.

Our leaders showed us on what work we were going to have to do for the week. It wasn’t so bad -- just some hedging and making trails. We had our lunch on this rock over looking everything. I just could not get over the fact that it was so amazing. We found a fallen tree and cut it into logs also talked about the rules the expectations for us while we ate our sandwiches. When I was packing for this trip I bought a watch and it came in so handy.

Our camp was beside a little creek and we couldn’t wait to cool down and get off all the sweat. Jimmy and Isaac (our leaders) went with us and we all got into this freezing cold creek and sat in there for like 20 minutes to cool off. We got out and ran back to camp and made macaroni and cheese for dinner. It was so good I ate 3 servings! 5 of us stayed up and talked about the day. We were all very different people but we also had so much in common. We looked up at the sky and saw so many stars. It was like a dream. That night was the night of a huge lightning storm. Lightning was striking all around us and we all had to get in the van to get cover. It was so loud and so unbelievable. I was scared at first, but then it just got really cool.

The next day, we had work to do so we got on all of our gear -- backpacks, water bottles, gloves and shovels, and were all ready to go. We started walking up the mountain. I was out of breath 20 minutes in and was thirsty and going slow. It took us almost 3 hours to get to the worksite and I was the third one there. Mosquitoes were everywhere again but the bug spray helped.

In the second week we went to a camp spot On Lake Mary Ronan. This was really different for us because we went from not seeing anyone but our group members to seeing all these campers that have TVs, IPods, and campers, etc. We were smelly and greasy. The work we needed to do was make a trail through this campground. At first it was difficult but then we all got the hang of it and got it done. Two days before we had to leave we had the trail done and looking nice. The hostess was very impressed. So for the next two days we got to sleep in and go swimming. It was so pretty out there with the lake right near us and the sky just shining down on us. This was very memorable to all of us. Our last night was the best …. we all slept outside under the stars when a meteor shower was happening. I really liked how this 2nd week turned out we became a team. This was when all of us started to actually get to know each other and make long life friends.

The third and fourth week work was in Glacier National Park. These are some of my best memories. We got a really nice camp spot and went sight seeing a lot. The work days were spent mostly with the national forest plant nursery. I liked it there; the people were nice and very welcoming. We had a leader teach us about collecting seeds. This was kind of boring but I learned a lot about nature. We went up to the top of the park to collect and store seeds. For a couple of days I learned a lot of names and why plants play a big part in nature.

One day we were picking berry seeds which was very hard because everyone wanted to eat them.  All of the sudden we see a little black bear with her two little cubs, 10 feet away from us! We all stopped and stared and then quietly walked away. It was such a rush I was all hyper and excited. Then a wind storm was starting to act up really fast so we hurried up and left.

We got news that a young boy was on the lake canoeing and he tipped over. Search and rescue came to ask us for help finding him. We got our gear and went on the back side of the lake in an old burned area where there was a fire. The wind was so strong trees were falling down all around us. It was really scary but such a rush. We were calling for the boy. Then finally 8 miles in, the radio called in and said they found the boy so we all scurried out of the forest. I was so happy they found him! When we got back to camp, we were all tired and hungry but we all helped with dinner and dishes. This was the coolest day! Mostly every day at Glacier we would head down to the lake and get all the sweat off. The last days came up so quickly so we said our goodbyes to everyone at the nursery and headed down to see our families.

The next day came quickly to see our families. We hadn’t really talked or seen each other in about month so I was excited. I wasn’t the same girl when I left home. Coming back to my family was exciting. I was a new and improved person. I saw everything in a new way, a new light.

We pulled up to the curb and all of the parents were talking. I looked in the mirror and I just laughed. I got out of the van and my parents ran to give me a hug. We all talked and told stories about our trip and it came to everyone leaving. We all said our goodbyes and I got in the car with my parents. As we were leaving I took off my sweat shirt… that’s when my dad had to stick his head out of the window. Apparently I stunk really bad and my mom sprayed me with a squirt of Fabreeze! We got to a hotel room and I finally took my first shower in a month. It was really cool to get back to my family on my birthday. It was a great present! I told them all about my experience.

My MCC experience changed my life in multiple ways. Before I left for MCC, I never really noticed the small, but important things of nature. I just went day-by-day thinking it was just weeds or just a tree. When I left MCC it was like I got new eyes. I seemed to notice all the little things. With all these new sights and adventures, I started to realize that I have not seen many great things in life because I was blinded.

MCC also helped my leadership skills, by knowing what I can do to help nature be at its best. I realized that nature has so much to offer and that there is still so much to learn about it. That is why I want to do something for the rest of my life, helping out nature and being outside is my life. This program has helped me decide what I want to do for the rest of my life, and how to take precautions and know what to do in bad situations.

I would recommend MCC to any person who likes to be outdoors and wants to help our wildlife.

MHDubbin’ It! - Morning Health Workshop Y'all! - NRock

Let’s take a moment and time travel, shall we? Take yourself back Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at approximately 6:45 am. I’d imagine you must have been snuggled warm in your sleeping bag while thoughts of pro-deals and Wild Bill ran through your noggin. Sounds luxurious. Now, please imagine that while you were still REMin’ it the folks up here in N.Rock were workin’ it. Decked out in the finest active wear found at the Salvation Army, your fellow crew leaders were MHDubbin’ it. What’s MHDub you question? Morning Health Workshop, of course. Every Tuesday and Thursday we rise before the sun to prepare our temples for what’s to come. Here is a sneak peek into what we do that makes us look so good. Cheers!


WARM UP:
Jump back & forth over line x10
Jump side to side x10
Scissor switch over line x10
Crisscross over line x10
Neck clocks x10
Lunges (fwd to back) x10
Squats x10
Heel to toe raises x10

20 Yards and Back:
1. RUN
2. Walking knee hug
3. Walking quad stretch
4. Straight leg march
5. Skip – Skip – Swoop
6. Shuttle
7. RUN
8. Lateral Lunge
9. Side to Side Swing
10. RUN

WORK OUT:
Set cones in ZIG-ZAG formation 10yds apart
Shuttle sprint x4
Back peddle x4
Shuttle x4
Sprint x4

CORE:
Full sit up
Flutter kicks
Russian sailor
Toe touches
Dying cockroaches
Plank (1 min. Front, L side, R side)

Stretch and Hydrate!

NRock Gets a New Office - Ahmad Bassiri, YCL

‘Bang, bang, bang’ the hammer drives the nail into the 2x4. Hunched over and smothered with fine white dust covering my new duck brown carhartts, I stand up reaching for the sky to release the tension in my sore vertebrae. I take a deep breathe and ponder over what delicious concoction of a meal I’ll make for dinner tonight….will it be the mac & cheese or the remnants of last nights sour dough pizza….. Suddenly my focus is broken by a deafening cacophony of power tools roaring in the background and by the miscellaneous pings and thuds that pierce my ears. Drops of sweat shimmering on my cheek and streaks of black mud scarring my forehead, I glance furtively behind me only to see my colleagues camouflaged in the same fine white dust-and they’re hard at work brandishing power drills setting up sheet rock.

This construction scene is the site of the new MCC office for the Northern Rockies region. Soon the regional office will leave its former abode in Glacier building situated in downtown Kalispell just off Main street to its new spacious home cradled in the new Gateway Community Center appropriately neighboring socially conscious agencies like the ‘Boys and Girls Club’, ‘United Way’, ‘CASA’ and even a ‘Meals on Wheels’ Cafeteria that has been the talk of the town. New personal offices, a new and improved area for the tool cache, a room equipped with a computer for crew members-even a shower and bath and ample amount of space for much more are many of the luxuries provided by the new headquarters.

Yes, MCC is growing! How fortuitous that I find myself in the midst of MCC’s expansion- embarking towards great new things. This is the biggest season yet for the Northern Rockies region- a record breaking 16 crew leaders! Armed with young eager environmentally friendly troops yielding Pulaskis and shovels, and revitalized with a new mission statement (Montana Conservation Corps inspires young people through hands on conservation service to be leaders, stewards of the land and engaged citizens who improve their communities), MCC is setting itself up for a monumentally huge season seeking to connect young people with local community members. They’re marching in unison towards an epic journey seeking to make a huge contributions and positive change in Kalispell and the surrounding Flathead County.

Bizon! - Paul Twedt, WW

We were contracted by the National Bison Range. They wanted us to clear game trails that the bison use so wranglers on horseback can drive bison to new grazing areas and down the mountain to the tagging and testing pens.

As we arrived at the Range, we had an overwhelming feeling that we had just entered Jurassic Park. Herds of elk and deer, both whitetail and mule, pronghorn and bison, all of epic proportions, were around every bend in the road. We had entered a truly wild place, and we all knew it. The National Bison Range is home to a herd of between three and five hundred bison, depending on the time of year. We took a break to stretch our legs from the drive and meet our sponsors at the Visitor's Center where we had a chance to look around and learn more about the area and the animals that resided there. Tim, our project sponsor/liaison, and Pat Jamieson of the NBR addressed questions of ours and took the chance to give us the details of our project. They lined us out on where we were to clear trails and the importance of clearing the most heavily used trails first because the wranglers were going to be herding the bison toward the end of the week while we were working on clearing other trails.

A week of meticulous chainsaw training earlier in the month ensured that we were all well mentally prepared for the work we would be doing. We collected our chainsaws, equipment, and other tools, gassed up and hit the trail. We soon found out that not only were the animals of monstrous size and numbers, but so were the ticks. The Jurassic Park ticks attempted to consume us whole, but we were indomitable. We quickly became accustomed to tick checks throughout our breaks and continued clearing these thick bison trails relentlessly. Almost every afternoon we were hit with precipitation of some sort, ranging from rain to snow, even gropple, which we dubbed Dippin' Dots. It made for an incredible scene in this wild place, but it never lasted long enough to drag down our high spirits. High winds made for difficult communication while running chainsaws, but we managed to work through the challenge and use our true inner chainsaw voices.

Morning stretch/safety circles were full of funny questions and stretches. Bruce had tucked his pant legs into his socks to prevent ticks from entering, and he had done such a good job that he was unable to do the sumo stretch. One morning the question for the group was, "What is your favorite smell?” When my turn to answer and request a stretch came, I said the "dirty old man." I meant a stretch that we had dubbed "the dirty old man", but everyone broke out laughing thinking that was my favorite smell. Rather than let them down by denying it, I rolled with it, claiming it as my stretch and my answer.

A bunkhouse with all the amenities we could hope for housed most of our crew, while others chose to camp out in the pristine location of the Bison Range campground. Our evenings were full of music. The nightly jam sessions included a minimum of four guitars and a banjo, a plethora of harmonicas and friends/crewmates eager to sing along. Most notably was the Wagonwheel sneak attack, where nearly our whole crew quietly approached our crewmate, Mack's, tent to play and sing their hearts out when he retired for the evening. Mack hates Wagonwheel, and even so, he claimed that it made his night. The meals that the crew prepared were fit for kings (and queens, of course). Venison stew, famous grilled cheese, and other amazing meals that I couldn't name but also couldn't forget.

When the week ended, we all felt that we had accomplished a great amount. We bonded as friends and also as a cohesive working community. The music will not be forgotten, but will continue on and become even better. The standard for meals was set, and we can all only hope that our own abilities and recipes will live up to the precedent. The animals we had the chance of viewing were incredible and numerous, and only the beginning of what we are sure to see throughout the season. The trails we cleared will be appreciated by few, only the wranglers and the wildlife will use them, but they are sure to be pleased with the improvement we were able to be a part of. If that is not enough, the astonishing views of the Mission mountains in the changing skies will be with us in memory forever.

Getting the Hang of It

March 5th, 2010

Of the many activities swirling about in week three with MCC, the one containing the most tangible measure of success would be tool sharpening. With so many educational concepts and models for leadership, many of the notches in the ruler of accomplishment are blurred proficiencies to be sensed rather than measured. Therefore, tool sharpening provided a satisfying contrast to much of our work thus far. Clarity as seen in the honed edge of a blade. For several hours yesterday staff scurried about completing various tasks. We are conducting interviews for our summer crews and packing boxes for the daunting task of moving to a new office location. Come afternoon, I took a break from interviews to sharpen pulaskis and axes outside in warm weather teasing of spring. Though often sitting cross-legged with other co-workers wielding files and blades, I found myself alone for some 10 minutes around 3pm. Now, let me pause here to give you a picture of the city blocks surrounding our office. Directly across the street from the backside of the building is a baseball diamond and a field of grass leading to a playground and small amphitheater. Though there is no school in the immediate vicinity, children often come here to play when their education is completed for the day. As I sat in the grass watching flecks of metal collect on my pant leg, an old woman cobbled past with her dog. She gave me a curious look and I was suddenly struck by the absurdity of the image I projected. I offered her a smile that attempted to convey, “Don’t mind me. Just because I am sitting here alone, sharpening this axe in the field next to those children on the swing set does not mean I have any ill intentions.” She smiled back, but I do not think she was completely convinced. I half expected to see a police car casually drive by following this brief interaction. But if it did, I was already back inside.


-Ashley Tendick