Looking back at our posts for the first part of 2012

ORPI  Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  The most beautiful desert environment.  Great volunteer services.  The location is remote, the visitor center is only 5 miles from the Mexican border.  It is basically 100+ miles from anywhere so to visit other attractions in Arizona requires some driving.  The working conditions are great.  32 hours per week per couple, so it is easy to perform.  There are several tasks as volunteer, the van tours ( either as the driver or the guide), patio talks to give, evening programs given at the campground, driving to Quitobaquito several times.  All good stuff.  Some of the volunteers we have met there have left special memories in our hearts.  We are going back there in January - April.

  Tallac Historic Site    WOW !  How do I put it in words?  A wonderful place to spend some time.  Great volunteers, I mean great!   It fealt like we were leaving family when we left on Monday morning.  we were the first to leave.  Everyone in the campground stopped by to say " This is not good bye, but only 'see ya later' "   Of the eight spots in the campground , everyone plans to return next year.  The work!  We worked our butts off during the first session.  It is the time to get teh site ready for visitors;  take down and store all the window shutters, rake pine needles, repair winter damage on the buildings, rake pine needles, get the displays arranged, rake, paint what is needing it, rake, etc. The second session arrives and the grounds are in pretty good shape.  It time to increase the number of programs and tours and the fun of interpretation begins.  R gave tours of the Pope House, dressed as the maid.  I gave tours dressed in straw hat and 20ish garb also.  Then came the Servants tours, dressed as the butler.  The finale was the events called "Vintage Vatican" where both the maid and the butler plus others serve Mrs Pope and her guests on the front porch of the Pope house.  The whole ten weeks was a good time.  Our "going away bbq was like a family get-together.  I will miss them.