HSSP volunteers enjoyed their summer

Hot Springs State Park (HSSP) Volunteers Kathy and Cliff Vellinga and Warren Wolf spent the past year enjoying their work in the park.

The Vellingas volunteered in the park last year and due to the Covid pandemic; they ended up staying longer. Their family's home base is in Las Vegas but the Covid situation was not good there. So, they decided to spend the winter and work through 2021. The Vellingas skirted their trailer and winterized it. Cliff said they got to shovel snow, haul trash and do winter things, "and we quite enjoyed it! We did not mind being here in the wintertime." Kathy explained they were born and raised in Utah and lived in Montana, "we know cold and how to drive in the snow." They plan to return to Las Vegas at the end of October. 

Warren Wolf said their experience has been "pretty good. We've really enjoyed Thermopolis." They are originally from New Mexico. Wolf has lived in Alaska and Hawaii as well.

Wolf said, "We decided to sell the house, live in an RV, and travel around. Wyoming is on our bucket list. We've wanted to see Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Devil's Tower, a few other places."

Wolf's wife works remotely for the past five years for United Healthcare. Wolf targeted Wyoming by putting in his resume on the volunteering website.

Wolf said Stacy Sprengler from the State of Wyoming Volunteer Coordinator's Office was instrumental in getting them to Thermopolis. Not only was Sprengler helpful, but Wolf also attributes HSSP Supervisor Kevin Skates. "We are hear because of him." 

When it comes to naming something memorable or special about their experiences Kathy said, "One of our favorite things to do is to ride our gator up to the Buffalo Pasture and just look out at the town, look at the buffalo, contemplate how lucky we are to be here, how fortunate, how blessed we are to be here."

Cliff joked that he "got to know the sprinkler systems really well."

Kathy continued and said she likes to pass out the park brochures to tourists so they know what they can do and see in the park.

"So many of them have commented on what a lovely place the Hot Springs State Park is compared to other parks they've been to across the nation, across the state. They say Hot Springs is one of the best that they have visited. It looks well taken care of. It's just a really nice place to come and visit."

Wolf said in a similar story, "a lot of times fishermen, one of their highlights is when they get to the boat ramp in the Hot Springs State Park, you have the travertine, you have the bridge. It's an absolutely beautiful place. They're in awe. It's a great fishing day and then they show up and say, 'Oh my, God.' I get to give them knowledge of what I've learned here. And when they leave the park, 'Oh my gosh' it's absolutely gorgeous."

Wolf's plan is not to stay the winter as they have unfinished needs to take care of in New Mexico and leave at the end of October. However, they will return next year in spring.

HSSP Superintendent Kevin Skates commented that with the difficulty of finding staff as a nationwide issue, their volunteers have "saved them. These three people right here have saved us." 

When it comes to finding satisfaction in their hard work, Cliff said, "It's the best thing I could be doing. It makes me feel good. It makes me feel rewarded. There's something about doing service, it just gives you a sense of well-being that you wouldn't get just sitting there thinking only about yourself." 

Kathy and Wolf agreed. Wolf added, "The satisfaction that comes with the volunteer time, the comments that come from the general public it really feels good when you've been a part of that."