Newbie to Glacier, please share info. First step of second half of life.

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Permalink Reply by Britt on April 21, 2008 at 12:39pm

Hi Nellie,

I worked at Lake McDonald Lodge last year, and must say that you are in for a wonderful experience! I wouldn’t worry too much about your front desk job - the folks who worked there last year were great. Besides, the first few weeks are a bit slow so you will have time to get comfortable in your position before things get too crazy.

As far as packing goes, I drove my car from Ohio last year and didn’t use half of what I brought. You will basically have a small dresser and one large drawer to lock up valuables, so there isn’t really room for non-essentials. Besides uniform requirements, I would bring clothing items that can be mixed, matched and layered. A pair of jeans, a casual sundress, a pair of hiking pants, several tops, a fleece or sweatshirt and a jacket should be sufficient. There are free washing machines on site so you just need to pack enough clothing for a week or so. If you find yourself without a wardrobe essential, the camp store sells t-shirts, hats, and jackets at a discount for employees. Bring hiking boots and a pair of sandals, a couple of bath towels, shower shoes, a shower caddy, a pillow and a light blanket. The outdoor gear you bring will depend on your interests, but a small backpack and water bottle, or a hydration bladder are must haves.

Be sure to bring a few good books to read beside the fireplace in the lodge, a journal, camera, phone cards, and few items to keep you entertained. If you like the water, bring a swimsuit and maybe an inflatable raft. A sleep mask and ear plugs are lifesavers for light sleepers.

My best advice is to overlook the small inconveniences, and enjoy every minute of your time in Montana! I regret not doing as much as I would have liked, so make it a point to get away from the lodge on your days off and see the wonderful things that the park has to offer. If you want to see pictures of the actual dorm rooms, let me know and I can email you some pics. Also, here is a list of what to bring, although it doesn't seem too helpful:

http://www.gpihr.com/bring.asp?CO=USAis

Happy packing!

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Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 22, 2008 at 9:46pm

Thank you for the info. Do you remember if there is cell phone serve at the lodge? What do you think about bringing my laptop?

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Permalink Reply by Karen on April 21, 2008 at 5:19pm

I don't know if you got this reply from Debby, but it is helpful. I was thinking about you today being from Louisiana. It reminded me of a time when my oldest daughter moved from Northern Wisconsin to Biloxi, MS for a couple years. The first fall she was there, she called me to say she was looking for gloves because it got in the 40's. Dang, that is shorts and sandal wearing weather up here and she knew it, so we both laughed. Seems to me that you will get colder than others that are used to this climate. I may be wrong, but it doesn't hurt to be ready. So things like light gloves, jacket and hat are not a bad thing to have. Maybe even a light pair of thermal underwear for cold nights or fall, if you are working that late in the year.

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Permalink Reply by Ann Carr on April 21, 2008 at 8:32pm

What every you do - have fun! Lake McDonald is a beautiful place and is on my bucket places to work before I die.. lol... If I had known about it before I worked at East Glacier, I would have gone there for sure...

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Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 21, 2008 at 9:37pm

Thank you all for the suggestions of what to pack. It is very helpful to hear from all of you. I’ll definitely see what I can do about the earplugs and mask. The thermal’s and gloves are going in the bag tonight! I wondered about shipping the bedding and heavy stuff so that I would not have to check it on the plane. And I’m relieved to hear it is slow at first, hope that will give me time to adjust. Thank you for the info about the thrift shops, I’m on a tight budget so being able to reach a thrift shop will be helpful.

As for curly hair, do you mean I’m not going to have to drown my hair with anti-frizz stuff! Great! For that alone I may never leave Montana ;).

Should I leave my laptop here? What size are the beds in the dorms? Is there cell phone serves at McDonald?

Thank you again for all your help and support. I’m looking so forward to this summer and hope we get the chance to meet.

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Permalink Reply by Britt on April 22, 2008 at 6:50pm

Nellie:

I brought my laptop last year and used it quite often. However, I also had a car and lounged at the coffee shop in Columbia Falls at least twice a week. You can purchase wi-fi at the gift shop in West Glacier but it is quite expensive. There are 3 computers in the employee lounge, but they are quite slow and often occupied, so I recommend getting up early in the morning to use them.

The beds are bunked and quite cramped. You can probably get by with a fleece blanket. Although my roommates brought comforters, I didn't bring one and didn't miss it since the weather was very hot most of the summer. I used my sleeping bag on really cold nights and that was sufficient.

Since you will be arriving in mid May, you will be proabably have first choice when it comes to housing. The main dorm building is close to the lodge and a bit noisy. There are two people to a room, but the bathrooms are small (your knees hit the curtain when you sit on the toilet) and you have to share them with a lot of people. I lived in the smaller dorms closer to the campstore. There are two of them, and each has a bathroom in the middle with two showers, two toilets and three sinks. There are two rooms on each side of the bathroom, and each room has one set of bunk beds. The only bad thing about it is, you either have to walk through someone's room to get to yours, or someone has to walk through your room to get to the bathroom. I recommend requesting these dorms and asking the manager or assistant manager to place similarly aged employees in the them, unless of course you don't mind the noise and constant partying of 19 year olds. There are similar dorms on the other side of the lodge.

There is no cell phone service at Lake McDonald, but some people get service in West Glacier. I would bring phone cards since they are expensive at the camp store. Since you are flying, I would pack light. If you find yourself without something need, just have someone ship it to you. I had a car full of stuff last year, and am bringing only a backpack with camping gear and a duffel bag of clothes to Alaska this summer. Obviously you want to bring enough stuff to be comfortable, but sometimes less is more!

Britt

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Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 24, 2008 at 6:46pm

Britt, thank you so much for the info. I would love to hear about your summer in Alaska. Have you heard of anyone working the winter months in Nevada?

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Permalink Reply by CJ on April 22, 2008 at 3:01pm

Hi Nellie,

I think I can help with the list mentioned of things to bring. It's not my list. I found it on the forum sometime back and have squirreled it away for next summer when I start out to do the national parks. I'm 58 and am excited but also a bit "scared" about taking this big step starting early retirement and seasonal work. But can't wait to do it!! So here is the list. It's a pretty long list, but at least gives an idea of what you might want to consider. CJ

• Ear plugs
• Eye black out mask
• Sheets and blanket that you like
• Clothes hamper
• Pillow speaker
• DVD player
• Snacks
• Fan
• Battery operated alarm clock
• Extra batteries
• Travel mug
• Prescriptions (find large pharmacy network like walmart etc)
• Bank account at large bank like Citicorp or Wells Fargo or Bank of America
• Reading material
• Stadium chare
• Rain ponchos
• Sleeping bag
• Pillows
• Stick and click light source
• Extension cord
• Radio
• Heating bag
• Mosquito spray
• Camera
• Sd card
• Small cooler
• Flashlight
• Binoculars
• Packpack
• Thermos
• Kleenex
• Paper towels
• Can mail your packages to where you are working or send your self a package “general delivery” to the nearest PO and pick it up when someone else goes to PO

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Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 22, 2008 at 9:43pm

Thank you CJ for the list. I had not thought of the battery operated alarm clock. I’ve gotten so use to using the alarm on my cell phone that I didn’t think of need one that uses batteries. Had not thought of the flashlight either. What is a stick and click light source, Sd card. I do like the idea of shipping as much as possible instead of lugging it through the airport.
Where are you hoping to work when you start next summer?

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Permalink Reply by Ann Carr on April 22, 2008 at 5:51pm

Lake McDonald will have twin beds and more than likely bunked (one on top of the other)... go for the top bunk. You can customize your room somewhat, just make sure what you put up can come down at the end of the season. I was lucky in my seasonal job as I had a car and also brought a trailer.. lol.. way too much stuff actually. Lake McDonald will provide you with bedding, I'm just particular about what I sleep on so I brought a down comforter with me and that worked out really well. I also brought my own sheet set, but as I said, you will be provided with bedding. Everything is real close to the lodge so you won't have far to walk, I do agree with having a poncho or other type rain jacket. Closet space is almost non-existent or was at East Glacier. Earplugs and eye mask are always a good idea.. flashlight very necessary as there are power outs and it may be several hours before the power comes back on. Just take everything with a grain of salt, ignore those that are ignorant and enjoy yourself. Be sure to get out ever chance you can. It is an experience to be savored and probably a new career choice on your horizon. One thing not mentioned, is that there will be a hiring fair sometimes in August so you can choose where you go for the next adventure in your life.

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Permalink Reply by Carolann on April 22, 2008 at 10:04pm

Thank you for letting me know about the power outages I’ll be sure to pack the flashlight and batteries. As well as some kind of rain jacket. Down here in Louisiana, we don’t use rain jackets much. Usually when it rains, it’s such a nice relief from the heat we welcome getting wet.

Thank you also for the information about the job fair. I am binging to think this is the new career choice I’ve been looking for. After forty plus years of Louisiana I’m so ready to see this beautiful country we call home. My babies are grown, the husband has moved on, it’s time for me to spread my wings. I am so ready that the thought of a bottom bunk doesn’t scare me, (well maybe a little).

I hope I get the chance to meet you and every else here.

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Permalink Reply by akscootr on April 23, 2008 at 8:06pm

I'm in my 40's also and got rid of my business in '99, then started coolworking. I have never looked back and I actually feel sorry for the friends who didn't jump. They are still stuck.... Montana is not small and Kalispell will have everything you need. it is growing like every place else and so is Whitefish nearby. Montana has plenty of everything you will need... and you won't need as much as you think. I don't remember who quoted this saying "You will regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did"...but he was right so go and no regrets.
Cheers and good luck... Akscootr

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