Field Expedition: Service
Did you know that many National Park volunteers are serving our country by keeping parks and historical lands open to the public? Many of the beautiful places we visit would be closed if it were not for volunteers.
Our family was on a working vacation in Tennessee visiting family. On a day trip, we visited the Smoky Mountain area and up into Virginia. Off the beaten path in a little town where the famous Virginia Creeper bike trail passes through is an old railroad station called Green Cove.
We parked our bikes and went inside this quaint station that in the past doubled for a general store and post office. It appeared that time stood still as we clopped on the old wood floors. The original stock of every product you can imagine lined the shelves of this multipurpose store. Green Cove Station is the only original depot building still standing along the Virginia Creeper Trail. William Buchanan and his wife ran the private station along with their daughters to serve the community as a train stop, store, post office, and freight office. The Buchanan’s home was just yards away so they could serve the area continuously for their communication needs and the town storytelling spot.
Inside we met Ruh Berg and Scott Traxler. They have been National Forest Volunteers since 2001. Ruh was quick to answer questions and help us find the moon pies Grayson and Grant wanted as a snack. We struck up a conversation and that is when I discovered how important volunteers are. Ruh told us that Green Cove is only open if there are volunteers to be there to keep the doors open and serve the bicyclists coming by on the trail. Ruh and Scott have been coming to Green Cove each summer for the past five years. We also discovered that when they are not volunteering, they live in Ocala, Florida, just an hour away from our home. It is a small world.
We love visiting National Parks and Forests, but I had never considered that there could be beautiful places that the public cannot access due to not enough rangers. National Park Volunteers are relied upon to keep many places alive and available for us to enjoy.
Ruh and Scott shared all the places they have traveled and had life-changing experiences by being volunteers for National Parks and the Forestry Division. They have traveled all over the country serving in places like Oregon State Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Lake Tahoe, and Sand Dunes National Park. They have led re-enactments of time periods in Northern Minnesota of the fur trading years and led a wagon train of RV’s to Northern Alaska. This gig was sounding like the best job ever!
Ruh was passionate about their job. She and Scott love preserving history as National Park volunteers and that is exactly what they are doing here at Green Cove. Sharing stories of the people who passed through this town generations ago.
The Buchanan’s operated a well-oiled machine during the heyday of train travel. A telegraph was sent to the station before each departure heading their way. A list of the number of passengers was sent and any special requests. Mrs. Buchanan and her daughters would make sandwiches, coffee, and a special dessert. The trays would be set up as the train arrived and it was offered to the passengers for a nickel. The Buchanan’s were entrepreneurs seeking many ways to take care of their family and serve the community and its needs. Their home still stands and is now a bed and breakfast operated by one of the granddaughter’s of William Buchanan.
Does being a National Park volunteer sound interesting to you? I found a few resources that have an opportunity for all ages to participate in continuing the awesome resources we have in this great land. Whether it is a summer adventure for your family, a teen volunteer corps or a retirement opportunity, you can serve your country in countless ways. Serving to preserve the great history that made America is an important job for our future.
Next time you visit a park or out of the way museum, ask the caretakers about their job. You will meet the most wonderful people with a passion for preservation.
We rode 22 miles and crossed 17 bridges through the Jefferson National Forest.
Creekside primitive camping was available.
We rode through forest and prairie and saw an array of wildlife.
Our family had lots of laughs and a few falls.
We ate chocolate cake at a little cafe that was featured in Southern Living Magazine.
My dream is to do it again someday.
Check with your state parks for volunteer opportunities.
In 1933 as Franklin D. Roosevelt was taking office as president, there was a crisis facing America. The Great Depression was in full swing and many Americans were out of work and going hungry. A New Deal program was being developed on creating federal work relief. The Civilian Conservation Corps was an idea that Roosevelt felt would work on two fronts. Help get families on the aid relief roll back on their feet and preserve our natural resources.
During the efforts of the CCC that was overseen by the Army and Forestry Division, more than eight hundred parks across America were built and public roadways formed. Over the years more than 2.5 million men between the ages of 18-24 served in the CCC. This effort provided food, clothing, and shelter for these men along with a wage of $30 per month, $25 was sent directly to their families.
The CCC and their handiwork can be seen today in every state across America. They built roads, dug through mountains and built bridges with only hand tools. It is amazing what they accomplished and the rugged life they lived during their service.
In 1942 when World War II was beginning, their work shifted to war efforts and after the war, the program was closed. Many states still offer a similar program for young workers to experience a similar mission of preserving and improving our state and National Parks. I invite you to look a little closer next time you are at a park to see if it was touched by the handiwork of the CCC.
Youth Conservation Corps
nps.org/gettinginvolved/youthprograms
Student Conservation Association
thesca.org
Lost…in the Perfect Spot
One summer relatives were in town and we decided to venture to Alexander Springs, just an hour north in the Ocala National Forest.
My father, his brothers and my grandparents spent many summers cooling off at Alexander Springs, escaping the Florida heat before air conditioners. I think it is awesome to share places with my kids that generations of our family have shared too. This was my first visit, although I have heard stories and seen photos.
Grayson, Grant and I gathered the snorkeling gear, packed lunch and headed out for a day of fun. After an hour of travel, I realized we might be a little lost, we should have arrived at this point. Much of Ocala is forest and tiny towns that are gone when you blink. I knew I was not far but wasn’t exactly sure which road I missed. I caught sight of a sign for a visitor’s center and decided I needed to stop.
Well back off the road, in a clump of trees, was a little wooden cabin with an open sign in the window. I assumed it was the visitor center I saw a sign for. I was happy to find a place to get us going in the right direction. We were now at the two-hour mark, and I knew our family would wonder where we were. Cell service was not working in the forest.
We opened the old screen door and walked inside the cutest cabin. Inside was Mrs. Lee. I told her our story, she took me to the wall map and showed me where to go. She then told my boys to go check the other rooms to see what they could find. I couldn’t imagine that they would find anything interesting in that tiny, dusty old place.
After she gave me a map, assured me I was not far, I went to the back rooms to find the boys. I was surprised by all the Indian artifacts, taxidermy animals, historical photographs, clothing and tree dissections packed in two tiny bedrooms. This place was a fantastic history lesson.
We needed to get going. We said goodbye to Mrs. Lee and signed the guest book. We had been the only visitors that day or for many days it looked like. I told her we enjoyed our visit, I was happy we had gotten lost.
While catching up to our family we found another fantastic gem. Alexander Springs is spectacular. Blue water bubbling up over the spring. The swimming area was large, but only a small area by the spring was over our heads.
Green grass blanketed the picnic area where tables were plentiful. Old oaks and tall, skinny palm trees surrounded the area. It was picturesque of old Florida, just as I remember in my grandparents’ photo slides. I felt like a time traveler as my mind overlapped the photos in my memory with the reality of our day. Why had I not come here before? Is our life so busy that taking time to visit such a beautiful place, literally one hour drive away seems like a bother?
Alexander Springs and the events of that day made an impression on me. That evening I did a little research about the area. I felt that I was missing out on something right under my nose. What I found was that the visitor’s center, where we met Mrs. Lee was named the Pitman House. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC, in 1938. It was part of America’s launch into conserving our natural resources and parks. This particular home was built for the state game officer.
This was my first knowledge of the Civilian Conservation Corps. However, in my research, I discovered that most any park I have ever set foot on was touched by the CCC in some way.
Look for historic sites built by the CCC in your area. Thousands of young men, worked hard to build these areas to support their families deep in the heart of the Great Depression. What they were able to accomplish in a few years is treasured today. What a magnificent historical study I stumbled upon. This touches every state in America and can be studied by all ages.
I must share with you something interesting that I read that night while finding out about the Pitman House. I read that it had been closed down for quite some time and there was no date set for re-opening. Interesting. Maybe Mrs. Lee felt impressed to open up the house for a bit that day. Little did she know what an impression the house would make on a lost and weary mom.
God’s beauty surrounds us daily in big and small ways. Let him guide you to “stumbled upon” treasures.
A small historical museum was hidden in a tiny cabin. It was well worth the time to look around and learn new things.
The hospitality of a park volunteer can put you at ease when you feel out of your comfort zone.
We enjoyed swimming in a crystal clear spring.
Hiking trails that were full of historical markers and information.
Wildlife from insects to deer was visible.
Interview a Park Ranger
CCC cut and paste activity
CCC research activity
Field Expedition Park Activity