My Summer as a Parkie Part 1

North America
May 1st 2009

Published: June 16th 2009

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Lani

Flat Stanley Arrives

...to Kelci's Chicago apartment. April.

The Drive

The road to my first real seasonal job, front desk at Apgar Village Lodge and West Glacier Motel in Glacier National Park, Montana.

I left my home in Florida, after the Florida Film Fest (I try to volunteer when I am home) had ended. It was April 8th. My first stop was Johnson City, TN, where I planned on spending the night at a friends. It was great to catch up and chill in her hot tub while looking a the full moon above. I got an early start the next morning and made it to my daughter, Kelci's, in Chicago (Lincoln Park) by 4pm. Chicago was still to chilly for my liking. Definitely warmer than when I was there in December, but still not quite spring. I stayed with Kelci for a couple of weeks, before venturing out, with my new travel companion, Flat Stanley (a token from my 8 year old neice, Macy) for parts unknown. I lined up a couch in Minneapolis. I arrived late, maybe 11pm and was cheerily greeted by my host. She showed me the couch (a futon), the bathroom, introduced me to her cats and we both went

Vosges Chocolate

Flat Stanley in the Lincoln Park Vosges Boutique

to bed. I only had a chance to chat with her and her boyfriend a short time the next morning before I, and they, had to take off. It turns out the she and her boyfriend had canoed the entire length of the Mississippi River in 70 days! How inspirational.

I stopped by the statue of Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) throwing her hat in the air (photo op for Stanley) and headed to my next stop, unknown as of yet.

I ended up stopping at a little, cheap motel somewhere in Montana. The next days' drive was precarious because when I was passing over the Continental Divide, going into Butte, I hit a big white out. Cars, and trucks, were sliding all over the place. I thought for sure, I was going to slide into a big Fed EX truck that was losing control, but after about 30 minutes of very tense driving/sliding, I made it over the pass and decided just to stop in Missoula for the night. I went to a bakery, Bernice's, that a friend recommended the next morning before I left. It was great. Every girl in there looked just like my friend.

Jessica (couchsurfing host)..

with Flat Stanley, in Minneapolis, MN

I can see why she is in love with Missoula 😉

My goal was to reach Tacoma, to visit my oldest daughter, Shay, by early evening, so we could make it to the taping of America's Got Talent. I did make it and it was quite the long, long night of taping and juking to get in and get seats. We got very lucky and were somehow able to bypass the hoardes of people waiting in a long line to get in. Some of the acts were really good, some, not so much.

I stayed in Tacoma for about four days before I had to report to work in Glacier National Park. I had an uneventful drive to Glacier and arrived May 2nd, met my boss, Ann and got set up in my sweet, sweet apartment in Apgar Village. The heart of the west side of the park. For the most part, the weather was not great in May. A few sunny days. The park was very desolate, so it was nice to ride around on my bike and see no one, for days. My place is just at the foot of Lake McDonald. I couldn't ask for

Mary Richards statue...

..and Flat Stanley. Minneapolis, MN

a better location. Living inside the park. It is a beautiful thing. My job is great. I really enjoy all of my co-workers and it is very low stress. I have been doing a lot of hiking, seeing a few bears, lots of deer and other critters and just enjoying the great outdoors. I am going to try to blog about some of the hikes I've been doing, plus some other events and experiences throughout my summer as a Parkie.

Additional photos below

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