We have officially begun our second round in Green River, Utah.
On Monday we left Sacramento for our 2 day drive. We travelled with Green 2 and stopped in West Wendover which is half in Nevada and half in Utah. We stayed there for the night and then made the second half of the trip to Green River. We stopped outside of Salt Lake City to gather all our cargo from Green 2’s cargo truck and stuffed it in our van. I should have taken a picture of our van stuffed all the way to the top with red bags, sleeping bags and tools. We had to take the back seat out to fit all our stuff inside, so we all sat squished into 3 seats. Northern California was beautiful, Nevada was kind of dull and then Utah was beautiful to drive through. So at least half of it was very impressive scenery.
On Monday we left Sacramento for our 2 day drive. We travelled with Green 2 and stopped in West Wendover which is half in Nevada and half in Utah. We stayed there for the night and then made the second half of the trip to Green River. We stopped outside of Salt Lake City to gather all our cargo from Green 2’s cargo truck and stuffed it in our van. I should have taken a picture of our van stuffed all the way to the top with red bags, sleeping bags and tools. We had to take the back seat out to fit all our stuff inside, so we all sat squished into 3 seats. Northern California was beautiful, Nevada was kind of dull and then Utah was beautiful to drive through. So at least half of it was very impressive scenery.
When we arrived in Green River the VISTAs (another branch of AmeriCorps) were waiting at a nearby rest stop. They pulled out in front and behind us and started honking their horns and waving flags out the windows. They escorted us to the community center and then took us on a walking tour of the town.
They put us right to work. We went to the elementary school to pick up the children that attend the after school program. Then the team read with the kids and helped out at the after school program. We finally went to our housing in the evening and unloaded all of our stuff. We have a two bedroom apartment with one bathroom. The kitchen is pretty nice and big and there is a great big couch in the living room from the thrift store. The girls all squished in one bedroom with mattresses on the floor and I’m sleeping in a closet. It’s the closest thing I will have to having my own room for a long time though, so I kind of like it. After we unloaded all our stuff we went to a community meeting and were introduced to attendees. We also saw a former VISTA, now Community Center staff, help get the plans for a skate park in Green River passed. Some local kids were involved in the presentation which made it sort of irresistible.
While here we will be taking turns at a few work sites.
Head Start preschool located at Green River Community Center
thrift store operated by GRCC
local elementary school in classrooms and the library
Baxter Building – an old building that is being renovated
at the community center assisting with after school programs
The director of GRCC promised we’d stay busy and after just 2 days here I definitely believe her. Busy is good.
This is the side of the Baxter building. They showed movies on the side of the building here over the summer. Pews were set up for seating.
PS here's some links to look at:
PS here's some links to look at:
