Budd has mentioned several times, but I never thought to include it here, that there is some archaeological excavation going on behind the Thunderbird Lodge cafeteria. Our temporary neighbor is here to help with that. Now I'm curious, because Budd says the dig is not even as large as our kitchen, and it's been going on for quite some time. Maybe I'll wander over on a sunny day and see if they will let me take pictures.
Talking about that made me think it might be interesting for people to know what goes on behind the scenes in the NPS. Not that I'm an expert, by any means. I can only talk about what I've observed and Budd has mentioned. I do know that there is a crew here that's called the 'watershed' crew. Their main function is to identify and uproot vegetation, especially large trees, within park boundaries that aren't native to the area. I don't know whether the cottonwoods that surround the housing and camping areas are native, but apparently they are exempt if not. It's in the floor of the canyon that the watershed crew works. Our neighbor Tess is part of this crew.
There are also at least two archaeologists that seem to be here on a permanent basis. I'm assuming that they don't excavate all the time, as this is an area that has been studied for quite some time. On the other hand, there are numerous 'unimportant' ruins, i.e., small, not in good condition, and remote. If I have occasion to talk with either of them, I'll ask.
Of course, there are the rangers, and these are essentially law enforcement personnel. This is an unusual site in that it is populated by Navajo, not set aside as wilderness like many of the other parks and monuments. There are dwellings and what is considered private land right up to the canyon rim, and even in the canyon floor. The area is also under the jurisdiction of the Navajo police, I assume. I guess the rangers' main duty is to keep the tourists under control.
Then there are maintenance personnel, who take care of the physical plant for the administrative and housing areas, and possibly garbage duty within the park. And finally administrative personnel, which is Budd's bailiwick. While I haven't observed the interps and others working at this site, I did get a chance to peek into the administrative office at Hubbell. The interps were working on a new brochure there.
Budd often has amusing anecdotes about his workday. The one I remember best is the day that he encountered Tom, the supervisor, and told him that he (Budd) was going to have to replace his beard-trimmer to keep looking like Tom. Tom laughed and said it was good that they looked alike, because now everyone thought he was everywhere and he thought they were working harder.
My first load of laundry should be ready for the dryer now, so I'm off. More about Hubbell Trading Post and the Hubbell home tomorrow.
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