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Rocky Mountain Gardening
zacharys

We, you won't hear me grousing about the cold for a while...

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

So I was mentioning to Skybird the other day in thr plant ID topic that we might have some news as far as moving.

Back in June I was doing my weekly job search and applied for several postions, none of which I expected to hear back from. Per usual almost all of them came back with the federal government's version of "its not you, its me", an email saying that I am "qualified and eligible, but not recommended for this position."

Except for one.

One never came back and instead I got an email about two weeks later asking if I was still interested in the position. I said I was and about a week or so after that I got a phone call asking for a reference list. So I sent one out. That was a Friday, and I don't work Mondays so Tuesday when I went in and one of my supervisors asked me "so, your applying for jobs eh? I talked to a guy at Stovepipe or something or whatever. Good for you." So then I called my other supervisor who was on a wildfire in Montana at the time and sure enough, he had talked to him as well.

Anyways, about a week after that he calls me again and we do a phone interview. Now I'm getting a litte excited, but still not really holding my breath. And after a week I start to wonder...no word, but this is the fed's and as I was told one time before "the wheels of government never stop turning, but they move a very slow speed." But, after two weeks I start to give up hope. So then my co worker and my boss tell me that I should email them and see whats going on and sure enough he emails me back and tells me that the HR person who is supposed to do all this stuff is on vaction and wont be back for another week. So more waiting.

So here we are, nearly two and a half months after applying for this job I finally get an email from HR with an official job offer from the National Parks Service. As long as I get a clean background check, starting in October we will be down in the beautiful (and not to mention WARM) Sonoran Desert for at least the next four years at at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

So, next Memorial Day, when a spring snowstorm is dumping a foot of heavy wet white stuff, you will somehow have to do without my pissing and moaning. I know thats going to be tough. But, I will of course still be around here on RMA. Arizona is still technically in the "Rocky Mountain Region" after all and even NPS includes it with Colorado (and several other states) as part of their "Intermountain Region." So, you'll probably still be stuck with me hanging around, whether you want me or not haha.

Comments (7)

  • 9 years ago

    What a great story. I read the whole thing on pins and needles waiting for the happy ending. Congratulations, Zach!

    The Sonora Desert has a very special place in my heart. It's where I did my Outward Bound. My kids laugh whenever I start my, "Did I ever tell you about the time I was in the Sonora Desert..." They don't even know the half of it. It was really an experience. The kind of experience that you hate in the moment because it's so hard but would do all over again.

    Please be sure to keep posting pictures of all the new flora, fauna, and birds you experience there. I look forward to seeing the pictures!

  • 9 years ago

    Congrats!!!

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  • 9 years ago

    Thank you guys! It is a little bittersweet, I have to admit. After all, both my wife and I grew up here and both of our entire family and all of our friends are here. Leaving is not going to be easy, but being able to finally break out of being in a seasonal position is a great opportunity.

    Leaving Fish and Wildlife at the Arsenal isn't necessarily what I wanted to do, either. But the reality is that eventually the Army money that we are being paid out of is going to run out. Its a weird thing that every paycheck you get puts you closer to being laid off. It's also a very small and not well funded organization even in the best years. Without getting too political, these upcoming ones are definitely not going to be some of those "best years." So while I do love working for FWS it would put me in a very tight spot if I were to limit myself, and especially if I were to try and stay on the Front Range.

    But with al that being said, I'm definitely looking forward to this new experience down in Arizona. From what I can tell, its going to be absolutely gorgeous down there. I have never been there, except when we stepped over the line at the Hoover Dam back when I was like 7. So all of this will be tremendously facinating and exciting get to be around a completely different landscape from the one I'm used to.

    I know those types of experiences very well, Popmama. But I hope this time isn't one of those, haha. Although it's good to hear that the desert there left an overall good impression on you, despite the difficulty. At least you're not just trying to convince me how hot it's going to be ;). I will definitely be putting up pictures of all the new things I find down there. I'm sure the novelty of cactus flowers will wane around here after the first month or so. I'm pretty sure they don't really bloom until late "winter" so you guys have until at least then.

  • 9 years ago

    Well, your pissing and moaning will be missed, Zach! It sounds like a great opportunity. It's pretty tough to raise a family on seasonal work, so good for you on looking long term. This should open some doors for you, too, down the road.

    It'll be fun posting with you when we're in one of our March/April blizzards and you're in a T shirts and shorts.

    I wish you the very best on your new adventure!

    Barb

  • 9 years ago

    Wow Zach - what a climate change for sure!! I have a sister who lives outside of Tucson, and always love visiting her there. There's something magical about the desert scenery - such expanse, and the blend of the mountains with the desert has a beauty all it's own! Congrats on the full time job, and the wonderful experiences you and your family are about to begin! So glad you will still be active on the RMG group though!! Can't wait to see your pics of all the new birds and plants!

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks Barb. Yeah, I'll be sure and post some pictures of my feet in flip flops in March for you guys haha. Although, they do apparently get frost down there in January...

    It wasn't so much the money with the seasonal work as it was constant job searching and the longevity factor. Plus, I have been wanting to get away from the crowd and expense of living on the Front Range. Granted I was thinking more Eastern Plains or West Slope, but thats alright.

    Yeah Misty, It does seem to be beautiful, of course this is coming from someone who took the job sight-unseen haha.

  • 9 years ago

    Don't worry all--I'll piss an moan enough for myself and to make up for Zach! I do envy you being out of the CO winters, Zach. My husband wants to sign on for staying another 10 years now, meaning I'll probably have another 5 CO winters at least......More time to move the garden, anyway.

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