Out of the big ditch once again - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

mtnman · 05-16-2011, 06:00 PM

Since some folks enjoy seeing some of my work pics, I thought I'd post some.

For those who don't know, I work in the Grand Canyon monitoring endangered fish. We do a population estimate in the Fall & Spring on the Little Colorado River, a major tributary to the Colorado River, surveying approximately 14 Km of river above the confluence. Mine is the middle of 3 camps that are staffed with 3 people each. A helicopter drops us and our gear, food, etc. off and picks us up 11 days later. It is just over 3000' vertical from where we park and where we camp.

We saw another rattlesnake one night just outside of camp. I was walking while looking at the stars when it warned me that I was too close. No harm, no foul -- and no pics.

We caught a pile of fish -- about 250 per day. My back is still sore from leaning over a bucket working them up.

We saw some cat tracks -- a fairly large adult mountain lion. Pic included. My crew was kind enough to get some pics of me working. I also included one shot of the river.

I love it there and can't wait to get back the end of the month for another trip.

will8989 · 05-16-2011, 06:26 PM

So how do I get a job like that? Or is it "fun"? The water color is breathtaking!!

Wood Dog · 05-16-2011, 06:32 PM

Thanks for sharing your fantastic job/hobby with us. We learn so much form this site besides woodworking. I hate snakes so you won't have to worry bout me looking for your job.

woodsman · 05-16-2011, 06:41 PM

Great pics and beautiful scenery, thanks for posting them.

journeyman · 05-16-2011, 07:31 PM

Thanks Jim. I always look forward to your posts when you have been in the Canyon, it is a breathtaking place.
Mick

Sally · 05-16-2011, 09:22 PM

What a wonderful place to work.

jim_mex · 05-16-2011, 09:22 PM

Hi Jim - I also look forward to your photos even though it sickens the envious side of me to hear about your 'job'! With the temperatures we are having south of the border at the moment, being waste deep in that water just looks too inviting pal.

Btw - The river photo would be a good candidate for cutting as a puzzle. A beautiful shot!

rippersmom · 05-16-2011, 09:26 PM

Welcome home and thanks for the great pictures! Just how cold is that water you get to work in? Brrrrrr

Nancy in AZ

evilbadger · 05-16-2011, 11:21 PM

I can see why you love your job Jim. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Cutting Cathy · 05-17-2011, 12:37 AM

I love it when you share your adventure pictures Jim!! I'm with Betty, the water is such a beautiful blue! Thanks for sharing!

05-16-2011, 06:26 PM	#2
will8989 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Glen Burnie, MD Posts: 2,266 Thanks: 2 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	So how do I get a job like that? Or is it "fun"? The water color is breathtaking!! __________________ Betty "Congress needs to realize it is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Not of the people, by the people and for Congress." - Dr. Benjamin Carson, Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital

05-16-2011, 06:32 PM	#3
Wood Dog Senior member...Sweeet Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MA USA Posts: 7,748 Thanks: 13 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Thanks for sharing your fantastic job/hobby with us. We learn so much form this site besides woodworking. I hate snakes so you won't have to worry bout me looking for your job. __________________ WD aka: Gloria My Gallery " Two difficult things to say in life are Hello for the first time and Goodby for the last"

05-16-2011, 07:31 PM	#5
journeyman Rock 'n Scroller Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Yorkshire, England Posts: 1,573 Thanks: 12 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts	Thanks Jim. I always look forward to your posts when you have been in the Canyon, it is a breathtaking place. Mick __________________ Don't worry if people are talking behind your back. - It simply means you are two steps ahead of them

05-16-2011, 09:22 PM	#6
Sally Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Renton WA Posts: 3,290 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What a wonderful place to work. __________________ DeWalt 788

05-16-2011, 09:22 PM	#7
jim_mex 100% toilet trained! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pachuca, Mexico Posts: 5,499 Thanks: 0 Thanked 53 Times in 46 Posts	Hi Jim - I also look forward to your photos even though it sickens the envious side of me to hear about your 'job'! With the temperatures we are having south of the border at the moment, being waste deep in that water just looks too inviting pal. Btw - The river photo would be a good candidate for cutting as a puzzle. A beautiful shot! __________________ Jim in Mexico Dozing off? - nah, I'm creatively thinking with my eyes closed!

05-16-2011, 06:41 PM	#4
woodsman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wi Posts: 1,296 Thanks: 32 Thanked 59 Times in 57 Posts	Great pics and beautiful scenery, thanks for posting them.

05-16-2011, 09:26 PM	#8
rippersmom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 9 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Welcome home and thanks for the great pictures! Just how cold is that water you get to work in? Brrrrrr Nancy in AZ __________________ A clean house is a sign of a broken scroll saw!

05-16-2011, 11:21 PM	#9
evilbadger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,055 Thanks: 12 Thanked 59 Times in 58 Posts	I can see why you love your job Jim. Thanks for sharing the pics. __________________ Tim In God we trust, all others must pay cash! I don't want no bargains, they always cost me more money.

05-17-2011, 12:37 AM	#10
Cutting Cathy Proud Grandma Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I love it when you share your adventure pictures Jim!! I'm with Betty, the water is such a beautiful blue! Thanks for sharing! __________________ Cathy in NE "While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." - Anonymous

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