In July, Tom and I worked at the Tri-State Outdoor Fest as representatives of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. We had done this two years ago, but our job was a little different this time. The Tri-State Outdoor Fest is a celebration of all the things there are to do outdoors in the Tri-State Area. …
From National Parks
Boone Trace Commemoration
One Saturday in June, Tom and I joined Ranger Layton in a park vehicle to drive to Boonesboro, Kentucky for the finale of the Boone Trace Commemoration. 2025 marked 250 years since Daniel Boone and his axemen cleared and marked the trail leading into Kentucky. The Boone Trace Commemoration started on April 23 in Kingsport, …
Relaxing with Friends and Activity
Last week I wrote about the work Tom and I are doing at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. This week I am writing about relaxing. Relaxing and doing chores. Relaxing, doing chores, and hiking. Well, you know what I mean. One of the really nice things about coming back to Cumberland Gap is already knowing …
Getting Settled into the Park
After a month at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Tom and I are getting settled and developing our routine. It usually takes us a month before we feel like we are in the groove. Even though we usually work the same basic days at each park where we volunteer, finding the right balance of work …
Water Line Break at Headquarters
About a month before we came down to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, the volunteer coordinator called us to let us know there had been a water line break. The break affected the buildings in the area where we were supposed to stay. Because of the budget cuts, they were fixing the break in the …
Ten Favorite National Park Sites
What are your favorite national park sites? The National Parks have been on my mind a lot lately. I feel like President Trump is basically trying to demolish the National Parks, along with a lot of other things. And working in the National Parks, even as a volunteer, is pretty stressful right now. I have …
2025 Visitors at Fort Frederica
Tom and I have been pleasantly surprised by how many people come to visit us at Fort Frederica National Monument. But it is a great place to visit, especially in the winter. We have enjoyed everyone who has come to see us while we have been here. This year, however, we haven’t had many 2025 …
Ed and Debbie Braun, Living History Volunteers
Ed and Debbie Braun are volunteering at Fort Frederica National Monument this year for the first time. In fact, this is the first time they are volunteering at a National Park site. Ed and Debbie are from Edmonton, Canada, so they have enjoyed avoiding the snow and cold in Edmonton. Like the rest of us, …
School Groups at Fort Frederica
One of the fun things that Tom and I get to do at Fort Frederica National Monument is help with school groups. Ellen Provenzano is currently in charge of school groups. Ellen wears a lot of hats in the park. She is the bookstore manager, the archaeology specialist, and the education coordinator. She only gets …
Palmetto Hut Rebuild
When Tom and I first got to Fort Frederica National Monument, back in 2017, Tom and another volunteer built a palmetto hut. Tom had done a lot of research and gotten permission to build the replica hut outside the grounds of the historic area. He and Randy Benefield spent several weeks collecting the materials and …