On Tuesday, I donned my brown pants and belt, checked that I had the proper boots and drove to Cataloochee in the Smokies to start my first day with the Elk Bugle Corp. I had read Wild about Elk and all the other materials I was given and I was ready. I was pumped, as they say.

I met the crew chief on my shift, Pat, the only experienced one and two other guys, Mark and Paul, also newbies. I got my NPS volunteer hat and shirt and got into the e-car.

The electric car, more like a golf car, was light and fun to drive. However, we spent almost four hours in it. I was jostled especially on dirt roads to and from the Palmer House and I knew that my back and neck were going to hurt. We stopped to talk to visitors and that was very rewarding but I knew that this job was not for me. As the lightest person in the car, I was bounced around too much. Sure enough, I had neck and back problems for the next couple of days.

During the training, we concentrated on learning about elk and I thought that most of the time, I'd be walking or standing talking to people. So I reluctantly quit after the first day; I am really disappointed since the other folks were so interesting. Now I'm waiting to see if I can get assigned to another volunteer job in the Smokies. I really don't want to turn in that NPS volunteer shirt.

I have a picture of me in my uniform but I'm not putting on the web until I have another job. Stay tuned!