March 13, 2004

  • I'm looking at a web site called Passport In Time. It's a listing of volunteer positions available in the National Forest Service, all dealing with archeology, anthropology, and historical site restoration.

    Naturally I'm looking at Washington state and Oregon, and there are some cool ones. Like, for instance, spending a week or two in Okanagan helping a historian sort through and digitize old photos. Or the one I'm seriously considering applying for: an archeological site near Hell's Canyon NRA, where you get ferried to the site every day by jetboat.

    The most unexpected one is this (located right about where Oregon touches both California and Utah, mind you):

    Basque and Irish Arborglyph History VI OR-5

    July 12–16

    Must commit to full session

    We are entering our sixth year of historical research into the what, why, when, where, and how of Basque and Irish sheepherding on the forest. We will continue recording the arborglyphs found on the high-elevation aspen trees. Volunteers will record the glyphs, draw maps showing the location of the carved trees, and capture the unique drawings and the history they represent with photographs and written descriptions. The sheepherders left their art and inscriptions on the bark of the aspen trees. We will try to capture what was in their hearts and minds.Special skills: Photography and drawing skills helpful but not required

    This is the sixth project related to the site. Here's a previous one, with pictures.

    Who's with me? Wanna go camping and work, too?

Comments (5)

  • Won't be there in time this year...maybe next summer.

  • What great fun.  I wish...

  • Wow, what a neat program.  I like the last one under Washington --> archiving old photos in Okanogan!  I might just do it!

  • I knew that there was a lot of government money that went to purely masturbatory projects, but this "arborglyph" one takes the cake.

    Let me get this straight... some shepherd 50 years ago defaces a tree in a moment of boredom, and now it's valuable cultural patrimony? In the context of all that is crucially fucked in the world, I'd say that's a rampant digression from any realistic priorities.

    Mind you I'm not flaming you, just the project. Might as well go alphabetize tulips.

    It's a great paid vacation though, and I hope you have a fun time if you get in it. But remember Yellowstone!

  • Maybe I should take up fire dancing instead.

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