“It is difficult to express to you the impact this past summer has had on my decisions to continue with science and perhaps focus on forest ecology. RMBL is filled with inspiring people whom I feel privileged to have met.”

— Sarah Baguskas
RMBL ‘03

My RMBL

My RMBL experience is different than most. I was fortunate to manage the Gothic General Store in summer 2010. I had passed through Gothic a few times and witnessed the 4th of July parade, but I had no idea what I was getting myself into!

From my first day of checking in at Weese, meeting billy, and then scrubbing and organizing the store, I was hooked. There is something about the people who choose to spend their summers at RMBL, all of you, that makes the place so welcoming. I enjoyed talking to my “regulars” everyday and learning about ongoing research projects. The wonderful thing about RMBL is that, even though I was from a different academic background everyone made an effort to teach me about their research. Science was accessible. I got to learn about whirligig beetles, marmots, and red-naped sapsuckers. At the end of the summer, I resisted turning in my keys because I didn’t want the season to end. Admittedly, I was tired of telling people that they couldn’t get to Aspen by driving their minivan over Schofield pass.

When my position was added, I could not believe that my first project would be searching through alumni records trying to find all of you. I didn’t view it as data entry; I saw it as a way to learn more about the people who have spent time at this place we all love so much. It also gave us an opportunity to define RMBL Alumni. We’re not just the people who have taken classes in Gothic or worked as research assistants. Gothic changes people and we wanted to make sure we recognize every individual’s unique RMBL experience. RMBL Alumni are the people who have studied, researched, worked, or lived in Gothic. It may be a little different than how universities typically define alumni, but RMBL has never tried to be a typical institution.

I am looking forward to meeting more of you and welcoming you back to RMBL for reunions and events.
Thank you for getting back in touch,

Laurel Runcie