A Swan Valley Summer

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Before arriving out West, I prepared for a lonely summer in rural Swan Valley, Idaho. But in reality, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Hi. My name is Ariana, a rising sophomore at St. Lawrence University majoring in Environmental Studies and Business, with a minor in Asian Studies. I grew up in Northern Maine—five minutes west of the Canadian border—so rural environments such as Swan Valley do not feel too far from home, despite the forty-hour drive.

This summer, I am working with my mentor, Devan Ence, with communication and outreach specific to the South Fork Initiative. It has been nothing short of fun! Meeting new people and forming connections has made this internship truly special—one that I will never forget. Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I will delve into a-day-in-the-life as a South Fork Initiative intern. But for now…

What does a South Fork Initiative intern do in their spare time? Swan Valley has a population of 204 people, according to the road sign you see when you’re driving through. And although I come from a small town, the size of Swan Valley is nothing like I am used to. Before arriving, I assumed Swan Valley and the surrounding area would be a bore, and if I wanted to have any fun, I’d have to head over to Idaho Falls, the nearest surrounding city. But the truth is, I’ve only been to Idaho Falls a handful of times. I’ve been too busy being outside—hiking, paddleboarding, swimming, and fishing—exploring the beauty that the West has to offer.

When I got settled in during the first week of June, I was in awe of my enchanting view of the mountains. Almost two months later, I wake up to the same mountains with the same (if not more) amazement. It’s a great reminder of how truly privileged I am to have this summer internship opportunity. Every day after work, I swim in the nearby pond. As I cool off, I watch the fish swim below me. There is said to be some pretty big fish in the pond that I have yet to see.

Speaking of fish, I love to get on the water when I have the chance! Fishing on the South Fork has been unreal. Learning to fly fish has definitely been a learning curve, but I’m beyond excited to bring the angling skills I’ve learned on the South Fork back to Maine! It is also great to see familiar faces on the river; one’s I have met from the SFI outreach program, Morning Bites!

Despite the small population, Swan Valley has so much to offer! One of my favorite hikes so far has been my trek to Upper Palisades Lake, a beautiful alpine lake sitting at about 6,700ft elevation wise. The hike is just short of 14 miles out-and-back, but it was well worth it when I saw the dazzling blue-green water once I reached the lake.

When I’m not in Swan Valley, you can find me exploring anywhere between Jackson, WY, and Glacier National Park. And even though the other interns live in Ashton, we all find ways to experience some adventures together, which has made my summer far from lonesome.

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