Daily Journal

Last week the IRE footprint was large. With a few at our home location assisting in preparations for Camp Rankine and carrying on our typical daily work, another group located at Camp Rankine in Bigfork leading activities and supervising, and the remaining at the North Shore volunteering at state parks, our week was anything but ordinary. I was included in the group that explored the more costal like region of this great state. With a deficient supply of red rock, the North Shore proved to be quite a different landscape. Though most of us have been there before, the scenery is always a pleasant reminder of what is right out our back door. Our main focus of the week was building a board walk, trimming trails, and excavating steps into the steeper parts of the trails. Our ability to work together in a business like setting reflected into the woods. Everyone knew what needed to be done and had no problem helping out anywhere needed. Mid way through the week our DNR supervisors left us, realizing that we lacked the need of someone watching over our shoulder. For myself one of the best parts of this trip was being with my classmates in a different setting. I feel that it strengthened the bond between us. We also got a chance to explore some of the natural attractions of the area, but by the end of the week I believe that we were all ready to leave the cliffs, waterfalls, and occasional hy-brid to be home on the range