As I mentioned in the previous entry, one of my many jobs is to organize volunteers for various Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper events. I have also been working to implement a volunteer tour guide training program for Riverkeeper's summer EcoTour series. Basically, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper offers educational tours on various local waterways throughout the summer. Tour goers have the opportunity to bike, hike, or paddle next to or on the Buffalo River, the Niagara River and Gorge, Scajaquada Creek, and Tonawanda Creek while learning about various ecological issues.
Because of recent increases in my organization's responsibilities and commitments, staff members no longer have time to give tours to the public. Therefore, it was my job to recruit volunteers who were willing to lead Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper EcoTours along the waterways previously mentioned. It was also my responsibility to write comprehensive scripts for the tour guides to study. Despite the difficulties associated with this task, I'm grateful for all the information I learned. I was amazed by the connections and facts I uncovered. The history of Buffalo and Niagara Falls should not be taken for granted!
In order to verify my scripts, I was asked to attend the EcoTour field trainings. Today staff member Larry Brooks lead volunteer tour guides on a bike tour of the Niagara River and Falls as well as on a hike of the Niagara Gorge. It was eventful day and was able to add quite a bit more information to my scripts.
All the volunteer tour guides met early in the morning at the New York Power Authority (NYPA) intakes on the Robert Moses Parkway to start their field training of the Niagara River, Falls, and Gorge. Except for a strong wind, the weather was beautiful.
The Rapids Just Before the American Falls
View From the Entrance to Goat Island
Larry stopped to teach the group about Goat Island and Niagara Falls.4.26.09
Recently, my friends and I have rekindled our long lost love for four square. Four square is easy and fun to play. All you need is a piece of chalk and a playground ball. The object of the game is to move up to the fourth, and final, square. You do this by volleying the ball back and forth between the four squares. If a ball bounces twice in your square before you hit it into another person's square, you are out. Once you are out, you have to start over at the first square.
Each of my friends has their own unique way of hitting the playground ball. It is very fun to play, even if it is competitve at times.
While waiting to return to the first square, it is common to create chalk doodles like these. This one was born from something I said by accident. I meant to ask "Where do you go?" but instead it came out as "Where do you grow?". We all thought it was an interesting and silly question.
Alyssa is getting ready to return to the game. This time she has my hat for back up.
Bill
Here is an action shot of Nate, Andy, and Shelley. Nate is famous for his "spin of death" which is very difficult to return after he serves it.
Shelley and Alyssa
Nate, Bill, Amanda, and Shelley
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