Your Very Next Step newsletter for September – October 2025
By Ned Lundquist
www.yourverynextstep.com
“We do not make a journey, the journey makes us.”
– Nicolas Bouvier
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
– Lao Tzu
This edition of YVNS comes to you from Tournon-sur-Rhône, Ardèche, France
http://www.yourverynextstep.com/2025/09/19/your-very-next-step-newsletter-for-september-october-2025
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*** Send us your comments, questions, and contributions to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** In this issue travel and adventure news; volunteer conservation and wilderness opportunities; travel, adventure and conservation jobs.
*** L’invitation au Voyage
By Charles Baudelaire
Mon enfant, ma sœur,
Songe à la douceur
D’aller là-bas vivre ensemble !
Aimer à loisir,
Aimer et mourir
Au pays qui te ressemble !
Les soleils mouillés
De ces ciels brouillés
Pour mon esprit ont les charmes
Si mystérieux
De tes traîtres yeux,
Brillant à travers leurs larmes.
Là, tout n’est qu’ordre et beauté,
Luxe, calme et volupté.
Des meubles luisants,
Polis par les ans,
Décoreraient notre chambre ;
Les plus rares fleurs
Mêlant leurs odeurs
Aux vagues senteurs de l’ambre,
Les riches plafonds,
Les miroirs profonds,
La splendeur orientale,
Tout y parlerait
A l’âme en secret
Sa douce langue natale.
Là, tout n’est qu’ordre et beauté,
Luxe, calme et volupté.
Vois sur ces canaux
Dormir ces vaisseaux
Dont l’humeur est vagabonde ;
C’est pour assouvir
Ton moindre désir
Qu’ils viennent du bout du monde.
Les soleils couchants
Revêtent les champs,
Les canaux, la ville entière,
D’hyacinthe et d’or ;
Le monde s’endort
Dans une chaude lumière.
Là, tout n’est qu’ordre et beauté,
Luxe, calme et volupté.
Invitation to a Journey
Charles Baudelaire
My child and sister,
Think of the pleasure
Of living together.
To love at leisure
To love and to die
In the land that your like can measure.
The hazy suns
In misty skies
Bring charms to my mind
As mysterious
As your beguiling eyes
That shine through the tears I find.
There, all is peace and beauty,
Luxury and sensuality.
Furniture glistening,
Polished by years,
Would fill our chamber;
The rarest flowers
Releasing perfume
On waves of scented amber,
Ceilings rich
And mirrors steeped
In oriental splendour,
All would whisper
To your soul in secret
In their speech of native languor.
There, all is peace and beauty,
Luxury and sensuality.
Look at those canals
Where sleeping vessels
In their wandering life
From the ends of the world have come
To satisfy
Your least desire.
The setting suns
Clothe the fields,
Canals, the whole town,
With hyacinth and gold;
In that warm light, the world
Falls asleep at sundown.
There, all is peace and beauty,
Luxury and sensuality.
*** Where am I?
Tournon-sur-Rhône, Ardèche, France
*** Ned’s upcoming travel, maybe, perhaps
12-26 September 2025 Paris/Lyon/Vienne/ Tournon-sur-Rhône/Avignon/Arles/Aix-en-Provence, France
12-19-24 October, 2025 Jacksonville, Florida
3-11 November, 2025 Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia
*** 10 European National Parks You Have to See
By Julia Hammond
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/10-european-national-parks-you-have-to-see/XvHyVpKgiwAG5akP
*** The Elusive World of Million-Mile Fliers
By Katherine Fan
https://www.afar.com/magazine/what-it-means-to-earn-million-miler-status-with-airlines
*** 10 Underrated Caribbean Gems
By Digna Joseph
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/underrated-caribbean-gems/YCMUCEa2nQAHLHnP
*** Charming Small Towns, National Parks, and Road Trips: 18 Beautiful Places to Travel for Fall Foliage
By Chloe Arrojado
https://www.afar.com/magazine/best-places-in-united-states-to-see-fall-foliage
*** 10 Haunted Towns in the U.S.
By Jim Stewart
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/10-haunted-towns-in-the-us/XvHyVpKgiwAG5av0
*** Our Favorite Caribbean Island Isn’t in the Caribbean
By Rachael Levitt
*** This Airport Was Just Named the Worst in the U.S. for Flight Delays
By Michael Cappetta
https://www.aol.com/airport-just-named-worst-u-153100382.html
*** These European countries feel the most ‘joy and connection’, apparently
Scandinavia is once again the happiest place to be, while Brits are ‘desperately lacking’ satisfaction in their lives
By Annie McNamee
*** 10 Bookstores Worth Traveling For
By Jessica A. Scott
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/10-bookstores-worth-traveling-for/XvHyVpKgiwAG5anA
*** Airport Lounge Access for Basically Free? This Is How.
By Paul Rubio
https://www.afar.com/magazine/priority-pass-lounge-membership-what-is-it-how-to-get-it
*** The bucket list Canadian adventure you didn’t know you could do
By Saphia Khambalia
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/bucket-list-canadian-adventure-didn-165108178.html
*** 5 Destinations That Don’t Meet Expectations, and 5 That Do
By Luke Charny
*** This Is the Quietest Trail in the U.S.—and It Follows a Stunning 76-mile Scenic River
For peace and quiet, head to Nebraska’s Niobrara National Scenic River.
By Evie Carrick
https://www.travelandleisure.com/quiet-trail-niobrara-national-scenic-river-nebraska-11695532
*** 25 Rules for Flying in 2025 Every Traveler Should Follow
https://dailypassport.com/expert-tips-rules-for-flying/
*** 7 Countries You Didn’t Know Use the US Dollar
From Aruba to Ecuador, these are the countries where you can save yourself the hassle of currency exchange.
By Kat Chen
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/countries-that-use-the-us-dollar
*** 6 Underrated Beach Towns Perfect For Your Next Vacation
By Vivian Chung
*** 7 Countries You Didn’t Know Use the US Dollar
From Aruba to Ecuador, these are the countries where you can save yourself the hassle of currency exchange.
By Kat Chen
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/countries-that-use-the-us-dollar
*** Can Hawaii’s Iconic Lei Tradition Survive On Imported Flowers?
https://beatofhawaii.com/can-hawaiis-iconic-lei-tradition-survive-on-imported-flowers/
*** 7 Best Places to Retire Around the World
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/7-best-places-to-retire-in-the-world/XvHyVpKgiwAG5aik
*** What Not To Do if There’s an Open Middle Seat Next to You on a Flight
By Peter Vanden Bos
*** 10 Short But Amazing Road Trips
By Vivian Chung
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/10-short-but-amazing-road-trips/XvHyVpKgiwAG5arP
*** These Are the Most Popular Destinations for a Romantic Getaway
By Stacey Leasca
https://www.travelandleisure.com/most-popular-destinations-for-romantic-getaway-analysis-8784752
*** 5 of the Most Common Flight-Booking Myths
By Julia Hammond
https://dailypassport.com/most-common-flight-booking-myths/
*** Rail Tail of the Month
Meet the 2025 Hall of Fame Trail Nominees
By Rails to Trails Conservancy
July 31, 2025
https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/meet-the-2025-hall-of-fame-trail-nominees/
September 2025 Trail of the Month
Kansas’ Flint Hills Trail State Park: September 2025 Trail of the Month
By Agueda Pacheco Flores
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities:
!.) Duck Watch, City Wildlife, Washington, DC
During nesting season, Duck Watch volunteers monitor Mallard nests across the city. Volunteers may provide information to residents and building managers, keep a count of the number of eggs in a nest, and discourage citizens from disturbing a Mallard nest or feeding the mother. Ideally, as soon as the ducklings hatch, mom will begin leading them to water. If, for some reason, she cannot or ducklings will not be able to make the journey, volunteers work with City Wildlife staff members to help relocate the mother and ducklings.
Emails are sent out to Duck Watch volunteers throughout the season, requesting that someone confirm a nest location that has been reported by a concerned citizen. We typically ask volunteers to commit to monitoring at least 1 nest per season and checking on it at least twice a week until the eggs hatch. The location and the success of each nest is cataloged by City Wildlife and the Washington Humane Society at the end of the season.
Volunteer Requirements:
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
Volunteers must be willing to be on call to help monitor nests. Generally, a Duck Watch volunteer will be assigned nests close to their home or work.
Once assigned, a volunteer will check on their nest every one to two days depending on the age of the nest. Volunteers may be asked to help the mother Mallard lead her ducklings to water.
If you are interested in volunteering for Duck Watch, please contact April Linton at april.linton@citywildlife.org.
https://citywildlife.org/volunteer/volunteer-program/
2.) Transport / Rescue Volunteers, Wildlife Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, VA
https://wildlifecenter.org/support/volunteer
3.) Conservation Marketing & Social Media, International Volunteer HQ, Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
4.) Lionfish spearing marine conservation, Responsible Travel, Placencia, Belize
https://www.responsiblevacation.com/vacation/12740/lionfish-spearing-marine-conservation-in-belize
5.) Homestay Service Projects, Aveze, France
Stay in the beautiful Cevennes mountains, South of France. Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.
Building & Repairing
Help with a wide range of repairs or building.
Gardening
Help grow plants and cultivate gardens
https://www.worldpackers.com/positions/91565
6.) Docents, Historic Monteverde Store, Foothill Conservancy, Sutter Creek, CA
Foothill Conservancy is helping to make the Monteverde Store Museum more accessible to the Public. Conservancy staff open the store on Thursdays and Fridays and Conservancy volunteers help staff the store on weekends. The Monteverde Store has a fascinating collection of artifacts and we are proud that the conservancy can help the Museum reach its full potential. If you are interested in helping out with the Monteverde Store on behalf of the Conservancy (hours are credited to FC), please contact at 209-223-3508 or fhc@foothillconservancy.org.
*** Travel/Outdoor/Conservation job opportunities:
1.) Bushcraft & Wilderness Survival Instructor, Trackers Earth, Portland, OR
https://trackerspdx.com/jobs/bushcraft-and-wilderness-survival-instructor
2.) Trail Construction Specialist (Various Locations), Black Diamond Designs, Landis, NC
https://outdoorindustryjobs.com/JobDetail/GetJobDetail?jobID=15892
3.) After School Outdoor Educator, Nature Linc, Lincoln, MA
https://jobs.naaee.org/job/after-school-outdoor-educator-0
4.) Yellowstone National Park Field Educator (seasonal), Yellowstone Forever, Gardiner, MT
https://yellowstone.bamboohr.com/careers/79
5.) Outdoor / Environmental Educator, Deep Portage Learning Center , Hackensack, Minnesota
6.) Tour Leader (UK & Europe) (Contractor)( Recruitment Opens September 2025 for the 2026 Europe and UK Season), Expat Explore / TourAxis, Greater London (Hybrid), UK
https://touraxis.bamboohr.com/careers/111
7.) Watershed Stewardship Coordinator Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, Americorps/Sierra Nevada Alliance, Anderson, California
https://sierranevadaalliance.org/join-snap/
8.) Restoration, Invasive Species, and Forestry Technician, Redstart, Bradford, Vermont
https://redstartconsulting.com/services/
9.) Assistant Ranger, National Trust place, Marsden Moor, The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Huddersfield, UK
https://careers.nationaltrust.org.uk/OA_HTML/a/#/vacancies/165738
10.) Field Mentor, Elements Programs, Huntington, UT
https://outdoorindustryjobs.com/JobDetail/GetJobDetail?jobID=16991
11.) Full-time, Year-round Lodge & Kitchen Manager Couple needed in Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, Wyoming High Country Lodge, Lovell, WY
12.) Field Instructor – Mountains, Muddy Sneakers, Brevard, NC
13.) Outdoor Skills & Adventure Director, Appalachian Headwaters, Lewisburg, WV
https://jobs.naaee.org/job/outdoor-skills-adventure-director
14.) Ambassador Program Manager, WildCare, San Rafael, CA
https://discoverwildcare.org/about/join-our-team/
15.) Interpretive Specialist – Natural Resource Specialist 1, Organization Tillamook Forest Center, Oregon Department of Forestry, Tillamook, OR
https://jobs.naaee.org/job/interpretive-specialist-natural-resource-specialist-1
16.) Education Coordinator, Wildlife In Need Center, Oconomowoc, WI
*** Send your job opportunities to share with the YVNS network to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** Your Very Next Step is a service of the Job of the Week Network LLC
© 2025 The Job of the Week Network LLC
Edward Lundquist, ABC –
Editor and Publisher
Your Very Next Step
7813 Richfield Road
Springfield, VA 22153
Home office phone: (703) 455-7661
lundquist989@cs.com
www.nedsjotw.com
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Ha’ina ‘ia mai ana ka’puana
(And So The Story Is Told)
-Traditional ending to Hawaiian songs
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