My name is Karen Hartley and I am a retired United Methodist Minister, who grew up and served churches in Ohio. My husband, Tom, is an Electrical and Computer Engineering Emeritus Professor from the University of Akron. When my husband and I retired in 2014, we sold EVERYTHING and moved into a 35 foot long New Horizons Fifth Wheel RV. We are now full-time Volunteers with the National Park Service. We work for three to four months in a park and then move on to another park. We get to live in the National Parks with our RV spot and full hook-ups provided in exchange for 32 hours of work per week. In between gigs in the National Parks, we usually head back home to see friends and family in Ohio.
The National Parks have many different areas of service for volunteers. Tom and I enjoy doing Living History, where we dress up in an historical outfit and connect visitors with the era of history represented by our park. We have done Living History in Death Valley National Park, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Grand Portage National Monument, Fort Frederica National Monument, and San Juan Island National Historical Park. Each park focuses on a different moment in history and we love learning the new things about each park. We are staying physically and mentally active in our retirement.
I like to knit, read, and eat. You will find categories in the blog on each of these interests. I also like to explore new places, especially the National Parks. Most of my posts are about visits to or working in different National Park sites. After preaching every week for 30 years, I continue to talk about faith and the churches we visit in the Worship Experiences category. Our Map shows our travels year by year. Each dot represents a blog post about that spot.
I love to meet new people so you are invited to subscribe. Leave comments and connect with us if we are in your area. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Love,love,love it!! Can’t wait to follow you on your adventures and be inspired by you in a whole new way!
Hi Karen,
Do you know how I might be able to get in touch with Chris Barr, who you show in several photos here? There is someone using his information online and I would like to bring it to his attention so he can take the appropriate action.
You can reach him at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park where he works.
Karen, do you know the outfitter that recreates the red and canary green uniforms of 42 Regiment of Foot?
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I wanted to be sure to give you the right answer! The uniforms were made by Rick Haven. You can go to his website at http://www.just2tailors.com.
I enjoyed reading your blog. I’m looking forward to coping with income inequality through my family owned nonpartisan for profit practice in Brunswick, GA as part of my devotional. I have a paternal uncle and cousins living in Youngstown, OH.
I am always amazed at the ways all people are tied together. Locations, or idea, or faith. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Good luck with the family business!
Hi I am pursuing ministry with the Methodist church. I am in the discerning process. I am really enjoying your articles on acts of piety and acts of mercy. How can I find your full article from I think from sept 2016
Under the subscribe button on the left side of the web page (or at the bottom if reading on your phone) is a search bar. You can type in what you are looking for there and find the post. Here is a link to the post as well. https://sharinghorizons.com/means-of-grace/
May God bless you during this time of discernment. May God speak to your heart and spirit as you seek to follow God’s guidance.