A Little Blue

It was bound to happen.  Our Junior Ranger has been feeling under the weather lately.  Late last week Gertie had a running nose and was running a fever.  Yep, you guess it. Our Junior Ranger has a leaky radiator.

So, until Ranger Justin can get a new one, our Junior Ranger is homebound.  For right now, that means time under the shed, taking it easy, watching the deer in the field, and all the Scouts coming in and out of camp.  Hopefully, our Junior Ranger will be back to it soon, but if you don’t see a post for a bit, this is why.

Get well soon, Gertie!

Gertie taking some needed rest in her shed at the Ranger’s residence

Luggage Run

Gertie loves being useful.  One of the great things about being a junior ranger is that Gertie gets to help with luggage runs again.  Luggage and trash were common tasks in the 1990s, so it is good to get back in the game.  Our Junior Ranger has been helping move Cubs and families into CubWorld.  It’s been grand!

What’s even more exciting is this temporary cape Gertie gets to wear.  Of course, it’s just a tarp to help keep gear dry, but it feels like a stylish new accessory.  It’s fun to drive around camp with a cape flopping behind!

Gertie at the CubWorld Check-in, June 2026

Gertie moving luggage in her stylish cape, June 2026

Retirement?

They say it is never too early to think about retirement.  True, Gertie did just land this Junior Ranger gig a few months ago, but it is important to plan ahead. Unfortunately, the Junior Ranger position does not come with a pension plan or a 401(k).

So, our Junior Ranger is looking at what might come next and honestly, the museum might be a good option.  Gertie could be like that train or airplane at Centennial Park in Nashville by the Parthenon–a tribute to a by-gone era that kids aren’t supposed to climb all over, but do anyway.  Maybe the Museum folks could put up a nice awning or a well-done plaque?  It’s hard to say what the future might hold, but this is a possibility.

In the meantime, there’s more summer camp to go and more work to do!

Gertie parks at the Ray Capp Museum, the former Pump House, 2026.

Hiding from the Heat

How did it get so hot already?  Our Junior Ranger has had _a week_.  There was Staff Week last week.  Then she helped out during the Staff Reunion this last weekend.  Then National Inspections happened Tuesday.  And then, it got hot. Very hot.

So, right now, our Junior Ranger is trying to catch a little break and enjoy some shade out the heat.  It is a well deserved rest after pushing so hard lately.  Fortunately, Gertie’s camp inspections have turned up some good quiet places to just hang out for few minutes.  But only for a few.  A Junior Ranger’s work is never done!  It will soon be time to get back to it!

Gertie takes a breather under a shade tree

Staff Week!

Our Junior Ranger has not worked a staff week in about thirty years.  Ranger life is great when no one is around. Leisurely mornings, watch the deer, catch up with visitors, and watch people mow.  Gertie tries to stay busy and helpful, but she has forgotten what a staff week is like!  Late nights, busy days, and early mornings.

But our Junior Ranger loves it!  This is what being part of the Boxwell Staff is all about!  Getting the job done for the good of the program.  After several long days, Gertie stops by Reservation Director Jason Flannery’s cabin for a new work assignment.  Scouts will be here soon and there is much still to do!

Gertie at Flannery’s Cabin, 2026