May, 2004 Massachusetts -- West Bound!

Nick,

It is helpful to remember that the NPS was created to enable citizens to visit and enjoy what the park incorporates. That is the mandate under which they receive funding. National preserves on the other hand are in the business of preserving natural conditions to the extent possible.

It isn't a matter of being conservative -- but it is important to remember why those parks were set aside in the first place. If the NPS didn't provice amentities and services to visitors they would not be fulfilling their task.

The only branch of government that is supposed to make changes to that mandate is the US Congress. At the present time, the presidency is trying to use the national parks as a place to obtain resources (eg: fuel) -- that is probably an example of an over-step of authority AND THAT poses a far more dangerous threat to the parks than a few bathrooms or lodges.

I understand the difference between Preserves & Parks, but I still feel that places such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone have been over developed. It's just my opinion that parks shouldn't be commercialized to the point
that visitors coming to see the natural beauty are bombarded with Coca-Cola machines, and roaring machinery. I mean whats next, McDonalds and rollercoasters? If people want to have catered meals and sleep in an air-conditioned room, do it at the Four Seasons, not within view (or blocking my view) of one of the worlds natural wonders. I want to hear the hawks and insects, not generators and air-conditioning compressors.

Roads to key points in the park, ranger stations, flush toilets, and primitive camp sites. Thats all that is needed for all people (handicapped or not) to have access to our nation's parks (IMHO). I'd even go as far as to ban road-traffic, and use extensive rail-type public transportation (busses to start). Many parks have already partially adopted this policy, such as Zion NP.

It sounds like you started getting a bit political at the end of your last reply. While I'm an independant and don't happen to support most of President Bushs' policies, wrong doings in the Department of the Interior spread the spectrum of parties. I'm also curious as to why you edited "Snipped" my last post.

Well I've been at my new job for a couple weeks now. Back to a regular paycheck which is nice. Still looking for an apartment. I'm staying with my father in Athol, MA which is about 1/2hr east of where I lived before. I work down on the east side of the Quabbin Reservoir in a small town called Barre.

I tried signing up for some courses at the local college (Intermediate Spanish), and tech-school (Advanced Welding), but admission was closed, so I'll have to wait until winter semester.

I can already smell the aroma of wanderlust returning to me. Once I get settled in, I'm going to pick two long weekends, pack a backpack, and fly to a couple cities for the weekends. I'm thinking of San Francisco and Seattle. My friend just bought a BMW bike, so I don't think we'll be going to Portugal (bummer). Although I speak some "Travel" Spanish, I want to get to the conversational level. Next fall I'm definetly going to use my 4wks vacation to either drive to the tip of the Baja Peninsula and back, or hitch a flight to Spain and bum around the country with a backpack for a month.

Just figured I'd make a post and let you guys know I haven't abandoned this fantastic website, and that I read the posts here every few days.

Keep Traveling...
- Nick

Nick,

Good to hear from you too. What kind of job did you land?

I have grade 5 licenses for both industrial and municipal wastewater treatment. My last job was in the private sector treating industrial waste. Now I'm working for a town treating municipal wastewater. Real interesting work because it requires knowledge of everything from microbiology to mechanics. I spend about half my time in a lab measuring water quality, and half my time outdoors maintaining equipment.

Nice hearing from a fellow local Yankee!

You work in Barre? Every time I go through that town, I'm amazed at the conglomeration of roads surrounding the common. A lot of nice older homes up there, though!

If you want to test your skills with Portuguese (maybe for a future trip?), try going into Ludlow and striking up a conversation at a store. Spanish? Try Chicopee.

Regarding the tech school - what school is that that has the welding? I'd really like to learn that skill. I have a MIG welder but don't really know how to use it!

Monty Technical School. I can do some basic fabrication using TIG, ARC (Stick), and MIG, such as railings and racks, but I could never pass a certification exam for it. They have two different level classes they offer. Unfortunately when I tried to sign up last week admissions were closed. So I'll have to wait until winter or spring semester. The same with intermediate spanish which I tried to sign up for at Mount Wachusett CC.

Checked out some apartments today, but they were all too small. Hopefully I'll find one soon.

Still looking for a place...

I'd like to get either a BIG studio apartment, kind of like a loft, or a 1 bedroom with a real big living room. Besides traveling/hiking, my two passions are great food and great film. So I need a place with a full kitchen and atleast one big room for home theater. All the places I find are either small 1 bedroom apartments, or huge 2 bedroom apartments. Nothing in the middle. I do have 1 promising lead, and am waiting for a call back.

I promise to get some pictures up as soon as I find a place and get my internet connection up and running. I'll be going with a cable modem for this part of the state.

Just got an apartment today, and I move in next Wednesday. I'll be living in Athol, Massachusetts which is roughly mid-state up towards New Hampshire. I should have my cable modem up and running in a couple weeks. Then I can start posting some pictures of my trip for everyone to see.

Moved into my new apartment, and my DSL is up and running. I'll have some pictures up this weekend!