Northern Lights and GTS Nights

The annual spring Guides Training Seminar (March 30–April 1, 2001; co-sponsored by gcrg, Grand Canyon National Park, and the Grand Canyon River Outfitters got off to a very bright start with a rare exhibit of Northern Lights (Aurora Vermilionalis) in Arizona, setting the tone for another in a long line of grand gts's!!!
Thanks to Patrick Sloan and the Fosters at Marble Canyon for allowing us to once again use the old Marble Canyon Lodge for a Coconino County Health Department “Food Handlers' Course” conducted by Marlene Gaither (thanks, Marlene) and the spring gcrg business meeting. If you're interested in full details of the meeting, see the gcrg website for meeting minutes.
Friday evening we moved down to the Hatch River Expeditions warehouse where Stevie, Sarah, and little Eva hosted the rest of the event. Special thanks to all the Hatches (including Ted); sure was fun to be back there and plenty of room to spread out, too. Wonderful food, once again, by Emily Couture and a few cold beers got everybody in the mood.
And then Bert Jones rushed in and said “You guys really ought to come outside to see this!!!!” After everybody stopped ooh-ing and aw-ing, debate as to the cause of the light show ranged from Northern Lights, Page, Page airport, Navajo Generating Station blow-up, to ufos. Most generally agreed that it was Northern Lights; we had confirmed previous sightings on Powell Reservoir of Northern Lights from Melville and Flamme, two unimpeachable witnesses if we ever heard 'em; that settled it then.

Saturday and Sunday 150 attendees had an incredible variety of multi-disciplinary presentations from speakers who were among the best who have appeared at a gts. Beginning with new gcnp Superintendent, Joe Alston, and ending with the cataract boat “Sandra,” and every imaginable topic in-between—good thing we didn't have any more as our brains were on overload. We want to thank all of them for being there; please check out the gts website http://www.gcrg.org/gts.htm, where Chris the Genius has posted the agenda. In addition, Brad Dimock's slide show on Glen and Bessie Hyde, John Blaustein's back-by-popular-demand “Glory, Gory Dory Days,” and Katie Lee's all-new “The Once and Future Glen Canyon” entertained the masses. We give a big thanks to you all (illustrious speakers, attendees, outfitters, and Park Service) for participating. Our sincere gratitude also extends to the Grand Canyon Conservation Fund, a non-profit grant making program established by the Grand Canyon River Outfitters, and to Teva Spport Sandals for their generous financial support of our program.
Planning has already begun for next year's gts, and it promises to be a dandy. Easter falls on the traditional weekend, so be prepared for either March 22–24 or April 5–7. Mark your calendars now and we'll keep you posted.