Thursday, January 7, 2010

The Things I Learned Volunteering at South Beach







Our stint at South Beach State Park was not our first month at an Oregon State Park. June 2009 we were at Cape Blanco State Park giving lighthouse tours. Great fun! However, December's stay at South Beach was more of a typical tour of duty for someone volunteering in the state park system.

So what did I learn? Let's see.

I learned how to change toilet paper in the bathrooms
also paper towel rolls

I learned how to drive a golf cart. ( we had a cart that was ours during our stay)

I learned how pick up litter using a "Pic Stick" a handy tool with a squeezabe handle on one end and a pincher on the other. A good tool for picking up stuff you do not want to touch.

I learned that many people are not careful with their litter.

I learned that a great many smokers do not feel that cigarette butts are litter or , if they do, throw them wherever anyway.

I learned that there are many pet owners who are not "responsible " pet owners. The State Park has both a leash requirement and a "scoop" requirement. Both rules are ignored repeatedly. The two items that I confronted the most while performing my duties patroling the park, were cigarette butts and dog poop. Both of these should be disposed of by their "owners". I don't think there is not a place in this country you can go and not see a butt lying on the ground.

I learned that the volunteers at parks, state and federal, come from a variety of backgrounds and economic situations and are some of the best people you'd want to meet.

I learned that my wife and I are happy and thankful to be able to continue to explore areas of this great country and be exposed to new adventures.

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