to see the world in a grain of sand

Hi Will, 

It is getting even hotter and oh so dry. It will be tough, hard, and somewhat dangerous work. Please be prepared for hard, full days of labor in the forest. There will be 2 Danish strong, smart, fit, and friendly teenagers (Chris and Mette) joining you on June 27. Each team will be assigned 10 acres. I have you booked to run the Green River, Desolation and Grey Canyons. 

As private contracters, you and Tyler will be paid (cash) by the acre completed. If you work efficiently, you can make $10-15/hour. If not, the system is semi linear downward. You are your own bosses. No one will wake you up in the morning but the very hot sun. You will SAFELY and CAREFULLY cut, lop, sort, pile, haul, and chip TONS of small diameter pinon and juniper trees. You will use adjacent previously worked areas as your obvious model.  I will work with you a couple of days to get you started. It would be good for you to read up on chain saw use, maintanance, and safety. Also, read about thinning small diameter pinon - juniper forest and how it improves land productivity. You will help the grass to grow and improve forest health. 

You will set up a camp, live in tents and sleeping bags (provided) in the forest, control your own hours and schedule, buy your own food, do your own cooking (BIG fire danger-be careful) and cleaning, and bath occasionally in a windmill tank. There are 2 good riding horses for a Sunday ride. Maintenance is very important. If your tools fail, you must fix them. No tools- no income- simple. 

You will have access to a truck to go to town (Estancia NM, 13 miles away) for supplies, laundry and a cold beer and good burger (served by a pretty, hard working Hispanic girl at Blue Ribbon Bar) once a week.  Life will be very simple and focused. You will wish daily for a cloud and cool rain. 

I will be in touch and pick you up Tuesday. 

Cheers, DG

Hopefully I'll be able to find a computer in Albuquerque and write some more on here. See you all in five weeks.