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| CKFD and Sun 3 |
After two months in Crown King, AZ, the time for saying goodbye finally came and went. For now… I never thought a town of 110 people could swallow me up the way it did. I really, really, really didn’t want to leave – I felt I was finally established, comfortable, immersed, cultured and valued in this little place. It would have been much harder to leave if I wasn’t coming back for the summer. It’s pretty tough to describe this place without crying all over my computer keyboard…ha are you kidding? I’m just kidding…but really.
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| The guys rockin' out at the decades party |
Miss that place. Miss all those awesome people I was privileged with getting to know. Miss the permanent smell of smoke, sweat and diesel stained to my body. Miss the saloon. Miss karaoke. Miss dancin’ Dan and Yogi. Miss the general store. Miss the fire station. Miss Engine 2. Miss the costume parties, dinners and gatherings with the locals. Miss the love baby…Missin’ that love.
Crown King, you got me. You make me love doing the work I do. I saw the real meaning behind what I was doing and learned the true value of fire mitigation. The small town breathes everyday because it rests on the shoulders of an amazing fire department, which I’m proud to be a part of. Everything I learned and experienced is irreplaceable. The relationships I’ve made are invaluable. Can’t wait to experience the summer in Crown King. Can’t wait to get back!
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| The ladies representing 20's, 90's, and 60's |
My next project will be with Habitat for Humanity in Denver. Pumped for this! I think this is an awesome organization that does some truly incredible things. We are here in Denver for a transition week with the entire Corps and then all the teams head back out next Monday. It looks like our team will be doing a combination of in-store warehouse work, construction/deconstruction and even some marketing. I was actually asked to help out on a small marketing team for the organization, which is totally radical because I can apply my marketing degree directly to the project. It should be an awesome opportunity for me to get my feet wet in a non-profit business setting.
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| Working on Engine 2 |
Our team will be living in two condos right across the street from Casa Bonita. Casa Bonita = Overly Americanized Mexican restaurant/tourist black hole - home to spray tan cliff divers, cement caves, dog food and mediocre mariachi music (Yeah I know good mariachi and it isn’t at Casa Bonita). But we have to go right? It’s the American way. See ya there team.
Chris O’Reilly, Squad Alpha
It’s hard to believe that just eight short weeks ago our team was heading up the dirt road into Crown King for the first time. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. My very first memory of Crown King is being scared half to death by an ATVer with no headlights on and a ski mask in the pitch dark on the side of the dirt road on our way in that first night. Later we came to realize that this really was the perfect introduction to Crown King.
This tiny town of only a few more than 100 people during the winter quickly stole a piece of my heart. The locals welcomed us with open arms and nothing but compliments and thanks for all of our work to help keep their town safe. It was an amazing feeling to be so appreciated and recognized for our efforts. I have to say that Crown King has certainly given back to us more than I ever could have asked for. The Crown King Fire Department spent so much of their precious time training our team and giving us incredible life skills that we will absolutely be able to use in the future. They are a small but mighty Fire Department that I am proud to say I have been a part of. I have had such a blast working with all of them, and look forward to going back in May for another round. Over the next 2 months I will be in Boulder, Colorado working mostly on fire restoration. I am looking forward to having different experiences with a new team, and super excited about our location, but again, I will be happy to return to Crown King in a few months. 
Carly Anderson, Squad Alpha
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| Squad Aplha! |
At times, I found myself struggling through this round. I started with Fire 2 in Colorado Springs for Wildland Fire Fighter training. From there I headed out to Tulsa, OK to join my team (Sun 7). After only two short weeks, I received the call to join the Fire Management Team up in Crown King, AZ. I found myself torn between comfort and the opportunity to do what I have come to love.
While I enjoyed the project (burning fuels, maintaining Engine 2, working along side the members of the Fire Dept. and experiencing the community of Crown King), it was difficult for me to come into a team that was already established, has its own personalities and ties that have been created over the first round of projects.
As I now prepare to depart to work with the Missouri Department of Conservation with Sun 6 (for shuffle round) I hope that by stepping back from this experience, I will be able to see more of the picture. Though I will be doing prescribed burns on the prairies and grasslands, I know that this experience will allow me to grow stronger as an individual, leader and as a Wildland Fire Fighter.
If there is a good piece of advice before going to Crown King, AZ, have no generalizations. This town is one of a kind in so many ways. The people of this town (population of 110) are so hospitable, fun, unique, and appreciative of our work for the Fire Department. Personally, I feel like a rock star walking through town and having the locals come up and thank our team for the hard work we put in. It feels great to have such a strong impact on this tight knit, deserving community.
Our trainings and work on the job site was always enjoyable. It’s mind-boggling to think that within two months our team became first responder certified, received our Red Cards for wildland firefighting, and cleared 8.97 acres of potential wildfire fuel. A busy two months for sure but our team feels like we have accomplished a lot and grown professionally. I enjoy the work, so much so I have strongly considered pursuing wildland firefighting in the future. 
Outside of work, despite living in a town of 110 people, I never found myself bored. Some off-hours activities included hiking and traveling to surrounding towns such as Sedona, Phoenix, and Prescott, all of which are very pretty. Also, I found myself nose deep in a book most nights after work. Due to our lack of TV I got into reading, which I enjoyed very much and I’m glad I had that opportunity this round.
Heading back to Crown King in mid-May will be an awesome feeling. Word has it Crown King becomes a hoppin’ place in the summer with tons of ATVers and dirt bikers coming in and out of the town week by week. Additionally, it will be great to reunite with our sponsor and friends within the community. The best part for when we head back this summer? Not knowing what Crown King has in store.
Nick Connolly, Squad Bravo
When I heard that Sun 3 was going to Crown King, AZ, town of 110 in the middle of nowhere, I cried, literally cried. I had no desire to be that far away from my home of Denver, or civilization for that matter. But as time has a habit of doing, the eight-week spike flew by and I find myself missing the diamond in the rough town of Crown King. Ironic isn’t it? I think so.
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| Stef and Lyns at the Black Canyon |
During our second round, Sun 3 received many certifications including first responder training, general recruitment class and wildland firefighting training. I can’t help but think how much of a ball-er I am. I can actually volunteer on a fire department. How many girls get to say that!? But what sticks out in my mind more than all of the classroom activities are the people of Crown King and how they welcomed our team into their family. I made some incredible friends during my two-month stay. I felt like I was able to live my life while serving this deserving community.
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| JPR's with Rachel |
During the next two-months I will be stationed in Boulder, Colorado continuing work with fire mitigation. I am super excited about this! I get to help out my home state, keep up with my firefighting, and to top it off Carly and Dustin are coming with me. Third round will be an adventure in itself, but I can’t wait for the reunion in Crown King!
Stefanie Bednar, Squad Bravo
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| Drills during the general recruit class |
Overall, I had a great experience with the fire mitigation project in Crown King. With Crown King residing in an area of isolation, drought, and with the town being nestled in an area with coniferous trees that allow for the spread of wildfire, it is essential that fire mitigation projects be completed. Thus I feel that our efforts of removing ladder fuels and trimming trees, to prevent wildfire spread, were essential and ultimately helped make the community a safer place to live. The project sponsor was excellent in that they were competent, professional, organized and hard working. They treated us with respect and ultimately made us feel that we were needed and were part of the team (Crown King Fire Department).
For my shuffle round I will be heading to Boulder, Colorado where I will be working on a fire mitigation project to alleviate the effects of the Fourmile Canyon Wildfire from last summer, along with other projects. I am looking forward to making definite progress in the restoration of public and protected land from this fire. Also with Boulder being a haven for outdoor enthusiasts I am hoping to have the opportunity to explore what this area has to offer.
Dustin Potter, Squad Charlie
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| CK ladies dressed up for the song title party |
I've said it before and I just can't say it enough: I love Crown King! We've had such an amazing time working with the CKFD. I had so much fun getting to know the fire crew and learning from them in the classroom and out in the field. I came into AmeriCorps not sure about what I wanted to do after the 10 months of service. A few weeks in CK and I feel so content and fulfilled. I know that it has to do with the love we're getting from the townspeople and the work we're doing. I can picture myself staying on in a full-time position with the fire department. It's weird to come back to my hometown and feel homesick for that beautiful and crazy Crown King. I just want to get back there! There's time enough for that this summer but before that happens, I'm gonna focus and enjoy this third round shuffle party.
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| The whole gang at Black Canyon |
I'm headed to Flagstaff, AZ for third round! Excited to stay in AZ and keep rolling forward with another physically intense project. Bobert and I will be working with North Central Arizona National Monuments to maintain trails, remove invasive plant species, and build fences. Excited to be out in the elements camping for the next 9 weeks! Also looking forward to getting to know new people and make some more great friends. The wildland fire season begins April 1st, so I'm gonna work hard to make sure I'm in shape and able to do my part during 4th round back in wonderful Crown King.
Lyndsay Whitehurst, Squad Charlie
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| Post 4x4 challenge |
When our team first arrived in a town with a population of 110 an hour and a half away from civilization, I was pretty upset. Accustomed to an urban or suburban setting, I mourned the death of culture and sophistication, and the basic modern comforts that had been the foundation of my day to day living, the fundamental tenets of my lifestyle. The name-brand stores I had come to depend on for my consumer needs had gone the way of the dodo. My entire life, I could always be comforted by the soft yellow glow of golden double arches when I looked up in the sky. No longer.
But my sense of incompatibility with my surroundings gradually wore off. I became comfortable enough in this foreign environment to see what the town had to offer. And I I came to discover the beauty of nature and the landscape, the peace and serenity of sunset in the mountains, and the rich history of a true-life, gold-rush western town.
The ecology of the Crown King area is rich and diverse in part because there are three distinct biomes present as you travel further up the mountain into town, gaining in altitude: a desert environment, barren of trees but full of cactus, burrowing reptiles, and low brush; a semi-arid area, with large, often prickly bush densely packed with occasional areas of high grass; shifting into an alpine biome populated almost solely by ponderosa pine forest at the highest altitudes. It is quite a thrill to hike from an area with heavy snowfall, dense woods, and chilly temperatures down into an area with 70 degree temperatures and cacti and back again in only a few short hours! It is also interesting to note that, in a region entirely devoid of leafy hardwoods, streams harbor dedacious trees along their banks (the so called riparian zone). In the wintertime one can trace the path of a river by following the line of shocking white against a backdrop of green in a valley.
I was surprised to hear that during the summer months, the town’ population increases fivefold. The local economy is almost solely driven by tourist dollars. In the summer, Crown King is cool oasis of pristine wilderness for nearby Phoenicians (residents of Phoenix), where temperatures average more than 15 degrees hotter than Crown King. But tourists do not seek crown king exclusively for a climatic getaway. The area features some of the West’s most thrilling and challenging off-road trails. Off roading culture permeates Crown King , and for good reason: the drive up to town is a challenge in itself.
The winding switchbacks up the mountain, often bordered by sheer cliffs with 200 foot drops, almost necessitate a vehicle with four wheel drive, and a high ground clearance to negotiate a rutted, washboard road. A sharp blind turn bordering a sheer cliff- face ¼ way down the mountain has earned it the nickname “dead man’s curve” by the locals for its history of swallowing up unwary drivers. Indeed, at the bottom of cliff lies a pile of five mangled and rusting vehicles, even the shattered remnants of a camper. On Main Street, one can observe an endless variety of 4x4 vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Convoys of dune buggies, trophy trucks, trucks outfitted with monster tires, rollbars and lift kits, and mud-covered jeeps bejeweled in exterior lighting hit the trails each weekend. Dirt bikes and atvs line the street outside of the saloon in a place where horses once stood, waiting patiently for their masters.
Bobby Kole, Squad Delta
This tiny town of only a few more than 100 people during the winter quickly stole a piece of my heart. The locals welcomed us with open arms and nothing but compliments and thanks for all of our work to help keep their town safe. It was an amazing feeling to be so appreciated and recognized for our efforts. I have to say that Crown King has certainly given back to us more than I ever could have asked for. The Crown King Fire Department spent so much of their precious time training our team and giving us incredible life skills that we will absolutely be able to use in the future. They are a small but mighty Fire Department that I am proud to say I have been a part of. I have had such a blast working with all of them, and look forward to going back in May for another round. Over the next 2 months I will be in Boulder, Colorado working mostly on fire restoration. I am looking forward to having different experiences with a new team, and super excited about our location, but again, I will be happy to return to Crown King in a few months. 
Carly Anderson, Squad Alpha
The ecology of the Crown King area is rich and diverse in part because there are three distinct biomes present as you travel further up the mountain into town, gaining in altitude: a desert environment, barren of trees but full of cactus, burrowing reptiles, and low brush; a semi-arid area, with large, often prickly bush densely packed with occasional areas of high grass; shifting into an alpine biome populated almost solely by ponderosa pine forest at the highest altitudes. It is quite a thrill to hike from an area with heavy snowfall, dense woods, and chilly temperatures down into an area with 70 degree temperatures and cacti and back again in only a few short hours! It is also interesting to note that, in a region entirely devoid of leafy hardwoods, streams harbor dedacious trees along their banks (the so called riparian zone). In the wintertime one can trace the path of a river by following the line of shocking white against a backdrop of green in a valley. 
I was surprised to hear that during the summer months, the town’ population increases fivefold. The local economy is almost solely driven by tourist dollars. In the summer, Crown King is cool oasis of pristine wilderness for nearby Phoenicians (residents of Phoenix), where temperatures average more than 15 degrees hotter than Crown King. But tourists do not seek crown king exclusively for a climatic getaway. 
