Can't believe they pay me to do this

[Ranger44]

I get to spend a lot of time in boats for work as some of you know. As with any job there are good points and bad. Here is some evidence of that.

The pics were taken on Lake Pepin which is a wide section of the Mississippi River where it is the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The videos were taken today upstream of Lake Pepin in some backwaters.

First pic is WI on the right and MN on the left. The view is looking to the west. The river although it runs north to south in general often runs other directions. The town of Lake City, MN is in the distance but a few miles away.

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=158&pictureid=11157

Next is Pepin WI
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?pictureid=11158&albumid=158&dl=1242778056&thumb=1

Lastly I turned around facing downstream and got the sun behind me for a shot of the foot of the lake and where the Chippewa River comes into the Mississippi from WI.
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=158&pictureid=11159

This video is in some shallow water on the WI side of the river upstream of the lake. At the beginning when I point up into the sky the little black dot is a bald eagle. lol Not that you could tell from the view. On the bottom right near the end of the video I almost got bombed by a dragon fly.
YouTube - Air boat 5-19-09

The second video is leaving the backwaters and heading back into the main channel of the river.
YouTube - Airboat II 5-19-09 Mississippi River ride

I got a little "stick time" with the airboat today. This was to put time on the boat and for training which doesn't happen often enough. These days make up for the bad ones.

After I got done with the boats I went to the state forest campground and checked some turkey hunters and people riding horses on the trails.

This July I will start my 30th year doing this.

OK, somehow the second pic got shrunk.

[JackieB]

Cool job! Thanks for sharing.

[mare]

Somebody's gotta do it, right?

You probably need a few days like that to make up for some of the others.

[Ranger44]

It would be a huge change to have to "go to work" for a living. Every day is a little different. When I get whiny about work I have to remind myself about all the people that hate their jobs and are always looking for something new.

As long as "someone has to do it" good thing it is me. :)

[Miracle Whip]

I am not a fan of boats or water, so good thing you are the lucky one! Wonderful to be outdoors I bet. What do you do in the winter?

[vicklynn]

Looks like a fun job!!!

[Gypsy Rose]

Your video from the boat made me homesick for being out on a lake. I absolutely love it, and it's been a few years since I've had the opportunity.

I guess I can blame my Dad for that. I can remember being out on a lake in a boat by the time I was 6, if not before. Of course that in turn can be blamed on the fact that he minored in Forestry in college- North Dakota- can't remember which one, lol! I was taught respect for wildlife and nature at an early age.

[Remali]

I love that area, I'm about an hour and a half from there and it is always one of my favorites places for a roadtrip!

I seriously got into the wrong career!! I would love to do that.

[Country Girl 43]

great pics and video.
OK... we know you work outside, but WHAT do you do? Are you a Game & Fish Wardon?

You have most peoples dream job being in th great outdoors. :)

[Ranger44]

I am not a fan of boats or water, so good thing you are the lucky one! Wonderful to be outdoors I bet. What do you do in the winter?

In the winter time I patrol the snowmobile trails and like most of the year work revolves around fishing and water. So in the winter I check ice fishermen. We have a multitude of other duties all relating to natural resources law enforcement.

Yes, CG, I am a game warden. In MN the technical title is Conservation Officer but most of us still prefer "game warden."

Thanks for the comments everyone. Along with my job I love to promote Minnesota's great natural resources and what a great place it can be to live.

[Miracle Whip]

Isn't Minnesota the land of 200 lakes or is that Wisconsin?

[Ranger44]

Isn't Minnesota the land of 200 lakes or is that Wisconsin?


LOL MW, Close! Minnesota has the slogan "Land of 10,000 Lakes." There are actually over 12,000 documented lakes in the state.

[Country Girl 43]

Yes, CG, I am a game warden. In MN the technical title is Conservation Officer but most of us still prefer "game warden."


I want your job!! :)

[Ranger44]

I want your job!! :)

If you want a taste of the real thing I'm allowed to have ride-a-longs. But, the commute might be tough. lol

If it makes you feel any better many of the times I am in a boat checking fishermen and boaters that are dressed for the warm weather I am in pants, boots and wearing a full duty belt with gun, handcuffs etc. It's pretty darn glamorous. :) That being said, I'll keep it though.

[Remali]

Dang......I want a job like that. I was thinking about this thread yesterday while I was sitting at work....at a desk, indoors, having to stare and a computer and a telephone.... :doh:

[oursarge]

My sister in law's father was a game warden for years. He always loved the job but it could get scary at times with some of the rednecks around here poaching deer etc.

The pictures are beautiful.

[Ranger44]

Dang......I want a job like that. I was thinking about this thread yesterday while I was sitting at work....at a desk, indoors, having to stare and a computer and a telephone.... :doh:

I'll let you drive the boat if you fix the piles of paperwork on my desk. It's so easy to leave the office and go outside. I try to do just enough paperwork to keep my supervisor off my back. :) I'm not always successful though.

[cheval]

WOW!!!

How fun!! I agree those days make the bad days mostly worth it!

[Remali]

It's a deal!!! :)