5th Week and my half-way point

I have had people tell me that they can't comment on my blog. I believe that you have to get a Gmail account in order to participate. I am able to comment on my niece Leslie's blog using my Gmail login. Betty is off for a few days and I'm on my own. Just spent some time talking to a man who is on the trail crew and is 60 years old. A wirery little guy who appears to have had way too much fun in the 60's. Very enjoyable to talk to and shared a great snake story with me. Although I am not fond of snakes he saw a green rattle snake in the canyon that is usually found in the western part of Utah and California. Is this another sign of Global Warming? Tonight is a big get together for all the NPS employees. Good food and a preview of Ken Burns new film on National Parks. Should be a good evening. I did a hike from Hermit Rest to Mohave Point yesterday afternoon; about 5 miles. It was hot but a great breeze and very quiet. I passed people on the trail but not too many. It was a quiet weekend otherwise. I discover the local library and rented 3 movies and 2 books. Read Netherland and really enjoyed it. A definite must read....hey, Obama is reading it! I received a call today from a Trib report who is doing a piece on school teachers and summer employment so he wanted my story. Check out the Trib on Thursday for the article. Not sure if it will make the Westmoreland edition but check on line to see if its there. He wants a picture of me telling stories to the kids on the rim!!! We had another Thelma and Louise type episode early this morning. Some guy drove over the rim near the Thunderbird Lodge and 600 feet down into the canyon. Needless to say he didn't survive. Can you imagine the trouble the park service has to go through to get that car out let alone the suicide victum? Also, when the alarm went off it alerted all the guests in the lodges on the rim so they had to call out many rangers just for crowd control!!!! I have to say I'm sorry that I missed it.