"From the Scrubs of Idaho" November 1995
So, here I am in Almo, Idaho, beginning my AmeriCorps experience. My name is Eric Foemmel. Three years ago, after I dropped out of college, I started a life of service. In those three years, I've served in the California Conservation Corps. I have worked overseas as an exchange conservationist for the Australian Trust. And I have worked for the California Dept. of Parks and Recreation. In all three of these jobs, I was able to work in environments that sent my soul on a spiral of rapture and taught me the reason behind service. Now as my path leads me into Idaho, I am opening up to an experience filled with profound surroundings that give me sense of belonging. Coming from Sacramento, all I knew about the City of Rocks National Reserve was that Almo is a small town of 100 people, and that the paved road ended in the center of town, made up of the general store, housing the U.S. Post Office, and the gas station. I arrived at 4 a.m.—four hours before my AmeriCorps experience began. Exhausted from driving, I decided to bed down next to my car in the parking lot of the park's office. I woke up as the sun rose over the high desert mountains. It seemed the clouds were packed with napalm because their beauty burned a permanent image on my brain.
After a brief introduction to the park staff, and to the beauty of the park, I was sent off to Boise for my AmeriCorps orientation. I was not prepared for the curious questions that awaited me. "Why did you want to go to Almo?" "What are you going to do for fun?" But my favorite was, "Why are you there?" Well, I am an urban transplant, so I guess these questions deserve an answer. So, here it is. I moved to Almo because I belong here, and because I am on a constant search for experiences that make my life worth living.
In my ten days on site thus far, I have just been able to see the girth of this little town. The townsfolk are artists, philosophers, teachers, doctors of geology, farmers, ranchers, religious leaders, and lots of other people with interesting lives. Underneath the surface of this small, sleepy town, is a rich history. At one time, the City of Rocks was the hub of the western expansion movement. All of us on the west coast are linked to this place in some way. This is why I am here. I am here to remind people how huge small towns are. This year, I will bring the local school kids, the 4-H groups, the Scouts, and different service clubs into the park. I want to show them why the community is so important to the park, and why the park is so important to the community.
After seeing the potential in the City of Rocks, I am glad to be here. The vast expanse of scrubby land, and the people who live here, have really made an impression on me. Even though I haven't lived here for 150 years like most of the families, I feel a sense of belonging. So, for the next year, I will call this place home. I have already put a lot of thought into how I can be of service. Regardless of how many of my plans come to fruition, I know that my year of service in Almo will be the experience of a lifetime.
 | |
|
This document's URL is: Home | Up & Coming | Programs & Projects: Volunteer Leadership Center | People | Products & Publications | Topics © 2001 Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
|
