First full day on the job, & we're tired. Prior to the ferry boats arriving at 10:30, we had to put up the flag, record previous day's temperatures and rainfall, get the visitor center ready, and clean the changing rooms on the dock. Both boats had campers, so we had to go over the rules and get them settled in. Afterwards we got a lesson on how to clean the bathrooms for the campground, what to look for in the way of problems, and more details about how to look after the campground in general.
In the afternoon we got trained on how to run the bookstore. Not sure how much of that we'll do, maybe next week. I think the regular attendant is off for a few days.
BTW, found out that the employees work 10 days on, then 4 off, during which time most return to Key West. The Fort Jefferson left this morning and took about half the staff, but it won't be too bad for those of us left, because the crowds are down now.
After the ferries left, we had to secure the visitor's center & do some cleanup. Last we replaced a 4x4 post at one of the campsites. They say that at times (when it's wet - definitely not now, it's been dry for weeks) there are problems with rats getting into food at the campgrounds. The posts are used to hang up food to keep the critters out.
All for now...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Awesome! More DRTO volunteers!
ReplyDeleteMy wife, daughter and I are also volunteers at Garden Key and on Loggerhead...
It's a wonderful experience.
If you are so inclined, you can read some of my blog posts from down there- both as a camper and as a volunteer...
http://l2uj.blogspot.com/search/label/DRTO
Say "Hi" to Dave and Pat for me!
TBG
www.listen2unclejay.com
By the way- here's my FAQ list from 2007...
ReplyDelete(Answers only, the questions are obvious.)
Dry Tortugas 2007
Frequently Given Answers
Theses are the most frequently given answers from this trip...
1. Yes, I live here.
2. 2 or 4 weeks at a time, 2 or three times a year.
3. Yes, the Rangers live here too. Year-around.
4. Yes, there are a lot of birds.
5. Yes, we get a lot of Cuban migrants.
6. Yes, the noise of from our generators.
7. No, we can’t change over to solar power.
8. No, you can’t tie your boat to the dock overnight.
9. All our supplies come out on our supply boat.
10. Once a week.
11. It arrives on Tuesday and leaves the island on Thursday.
12. No, cell phones don’t work.
13. No, there isn’t a payphone.
14. Our fresh water comes from a desalinization plant, and we also use rainwater.
15. The best place to snorkel? In the water. Heh.
16. Seriously. In the swimming area, and the coaling docks.
17. Yes, we have satellite TV.
18. Yes, we stay here when there is a storm or a hurricane.
19. Yes, there’s lots of fish in the moat.
20. The moat depth is from 2 inches to 8 feet.
21. No, you can’t swim/dive/fish in the moat.
22. Yes, we get turtles here.
23. Mostly in the summer- May to August.
24. Yes, they have nests on all the islands here.
25. Yes, Bush Key and Long Key are closed to visitors.
26. No, no spearfishing.
27. No, no lobster diving either.
28. No, no Starbucks, Coke machine, ice or fishing bait for sale here. Sorry.
29. Yes, you can fish off the dock.
30. No, you can’t eat the seagulls.
(I know, 13 is wrong now...It's an old list!)
TBG
Hi John & Monia,
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having a great time! It must be busier now that Labor day weekend is here. It sounds like a great adventure, even though it's primitive. But hey: you'll appreciate your house even more after you get back. At least you have air conditioning. It must be so beautiful out there, I'm soo jaleous!
No baby here yet, I'll keep you posted. I don't know if you're able to access your email from the island, but I'll try to post it here as well. Have a great time guys and I hope you will continue with the spanish classes John.
Take care.
Judith
Hi, TBG. Dave & Pat are on their 4-day leave now, but we'll say Hi for you when they return.
ReplyDeleteLooked at your blog; interesting how it's changed. It seems like many of the staff are new. How did you find our blog?
Love the site...
ReplyDeleteI've been volunteering down there for years-
(I think I started with the VIP Program as a Garden Key Host in 2000)
It's always nice to see how others fare down there- the tasks can bee pretty grueling sometimes, but the perks can be awesome.
As for finding your blog- I have a Google Alert set up so anytime "Dry Tortugas" or "Loggerhead Key" shows up on a blog post or in a news story, I get an e-mail twix.
Pretty handy, actually...
Take care- enjoy the islands!
TBG