On the Trail, Part II: Sunscreen, Goats, and Goodbyes

I apologize for being a bit late with this post. In my defense, I was busy wrapping up the summer and my internship with the Henry’s Fork Foundation and Friends of Harriman. Part I of this blog was about rejection. Part II is about everything else: small lessons, strange encounters, and the bittersweet feeling of closing a chapter.

This internship was educational in unexpected ways, and I learned a few things:

• Wear sunscreen. Always. Even if it’s freezing in the morning.
• Always offer an incentive.
• Don’t let goats on the table. No further explanation.

Not Just Work

Of course, it wasn’t all data collection and sending emails. I got to do some exploring- Sawtelle Peak, Mesa Falls, swimming at Cliff and Wade Lake, and road-tripping to the Tetons. I even managed to see Lord Huron in concert.

And then there were the people. I had Dara (another W&L student) plus plenty of catch-ups with old friends I hadn’t seen in over a year. Being back in Island Park reminded me of how weird and wonderful small-town connections can be. You can leave, but somehow, everyone still knows exactly where you’ve been.

This summer wasn’t about dramatic breakthroughs; it was about showing up every day, asking questions, and listening when people let me. It was about remembering what Harriman means to people and the reasons they visit year after year, generation after generation. And it was about realizing that even when the goats are on the table (literally or metaphorically), the mess is still worth it.

So, that’s it, my second and final blog post of the summer. I’m walking away with a bit of sunburn, a lot of stories, and the reminder that sometimes the best work is the kind nobody sees, but everybody benefits from.

Until next time,

Ella Paini