I got a job!

Well this is hard for even me to believe, but I got an offer to guide a local TV show crew to locations in nearby (Ozark) National Forest and wilderness areas. I don't even have to carry their gear, they have a Mule for that. All I have to do is show them how to get places.

My wife is really excited. She said "Someone is actually going to pay you for that? You better say yes!"

Of course, we haven't went anywhere yet, and so it's still all talk, but it does look like I'll get at least a few days in forest with them and maybe more. If so, it will be the best job I've ever had

Bill

You dirty, rotten son of a.........

That's AWESOME, Bill!! You just landed everyone on the Forums dream job Let me know when you are on Youtube

BF

"I got an offer to guide a local TV show crew to locations..."

Are you going to charge them extra to guide them back?

You know, I hadn't thought of that. I guess I should wait til the last trip and then spring it on them; "I'm sorry but I'm gonna need to up my rate for the way out of here, I noticed a lot of razorback scat on the way in and I think I'll be takin' a different path on the way out."

Thanks for the tip!

Bill

We'll see... I think there are 26 episodes a year for two years scheduled. Could go another four years. I have no idea how many I'd be needed for, but certainly not all of them.

We do have a lot of great places to hike and pack around here, so I hope that becomes a major focus of the show. It will also cover a variety of other subjects like fishing, hunting, and local history.

I'm not doing much right now and I have some other skills that are required for production so I might have a chance to wiggle my way into that end as well. That's not as much fun as romping around in the forests but it beats digging ditches to pay the taxes.

I'm almost sure there will be video on Youtube, and probably National Geographic's "TOPO! Explorer" site. I'll ask the producer about that.

I'll let you know if this actually happens. As far as I know we are waiting for a permit from the local NF office to get started. As soon as they get it we're heading out.

You know, I guess I sound a little skeptical, and I probably shouldn't be. Must be those years I lived in Hollywood

Bill

Glad to help. Think of it as my own personal little Stimulus Act.

It's even worse than I thought.

I got a draft of the Media Kit today and apparently the show has a "Host" that I'll have to work with.

I can tell you, I wasn't expecting that!

The media kit tells where (networks, stations and channels) the show will air. I'm not sure when the first episode will be on yet, but I'll let you all know when I find out.

We're starting on the first episode on Sunday. I'm worried that all these youngsters are going to wear me out. I'm old and slow on the trails.

Bill

Liz Valentine.....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Reminds me of Sarah Palin (the GUNS)...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


And you're COMPLAINING about her???

BF

Life is tough. Don't let your wife know about the "host"

Yeah, that looks like a great choice for a host! I guess I'll meet her tomorrow morning.

My wife read her bio and acted like she was completely unconcerned. All she said was "So do I still have to cook dinner or are you all spending the night out there?" and then she feigned complete disappointment when I said I'd be back before dark.

I'll bring my camera and take some shots of the mule loaded with gear and the crew in action (if you can call it that) and post them here.

Well, Sunday was a blowout but I went and did the hike myself anyway and that turned out to be pretty good. I found a bunch of Coral Mushrooms and the creek was really flowing strong so the little waterfall was rushing good.

I did meet up today with the producer and we both went back to where I found the mushrooms and did a little segment on that. I may actually be on camera in some of these segments. Or I could end up on the cutting room floor. We'll see.

The problem has been lighting. We've had a long string of gray, rainy days here and everyone is tired of it. We all need some sun!

On the plus side, these were the biggest Coral mushrooms I've ever seen and we gathered about 8-10 pounds of them today, plus I found a nice Bearded Tooth mushroom too.

We'll be heading back there to the Falls this weekend if the sun bust through. If we do, I'll have done 18 Ozark trail miles before the weeks end. Not too bad for an old man

You can view the first drafts of the opening of the TV show here. I think it looks pretty good.

I'll post a few pics of the shrooms and "The Falls" later...

Bill