"Go West (again), young man..."

So I'm still working out the final details, but it looks like I'm heading back to the West Coast for a few months. I've just accepted a temporary assignment at Fort Vancouver NHS in Vancouver, WA  starting in mid-February. I'm super excited and can't wait! 

For those who may not know, I was born and raised in the Los Angeles area and only moved to Washington, DC in 2013. After 8 years, it'll be super nice to at least be in the same time zone as the rest of my family. 

Given the relatively short turnaround time (just over two weeks) I'm understandably a little stressed. There are so many things to get sorted out! Thankfully, this is only going to be a for 3-4 months so I can pack relatively light. Really the biggest things I'm taking are my painting supplies (you know, the priorities), work clothes, and maybe a few books (I'm thinking maybe the A Song of Ice and Fire series). And cat supplies.

Because yes, you can bet that Jimmy is coming with me too. I'll be sad to be away from Teresa and Gizmo for so long, but it'll be nice to at least have my painting buddy with me. 

Why yes, Jimmy does have a little ranger hat.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

I too will be hiding in an air shaft until 2021.

This has been a heck of a year to say the least, so here’s hoping that today is a peaceful one filled with the spirit of the season!

Castillo de San Marcos

I hinted at something in my last post by saying that there was potentially something big coming down the road. Now it's happened and I can tell everyone what it is!

I've accepted a position at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in Saint Augustine, Florida! I've dreamed of working here for a long time and now I finally have the chance to do so. I don't have an official date yet, but I'll likely start there in early February.

I'm going to miss working my the awesome team we have at the National Mall, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so. I'm going to miss the DC area and all the friends we have in it too. 

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I'm absolutely terrified. But I think this will be good in the long run (for personal and professional reasons). Did I mention that I'll also get to fire cannons in Spanish? But I'm really not looking forward to packing everything up...especially my explosion of miniature stuff in the basement. 

“I shall call him...Mini Me.”

Finally got to finishing up my 28mm avatar last night! He’s a slightly converted Deputy Wayne Tisdale figure from Reaper Miniatures’ Bones collection. I cut off the holster, though, as I’m a “fun ranger” and not a “gun ranger.” ⁣

I was a little disappointed with the lack of definition on some parts of the figure (namely the face), but overall the sculpt was really good on this. I also wish I was still this skinny, but that’s another matter entirely.

The Ranger’s Miniatures

After several years of going by Whitlow’s Miniatures, I’ve decided to change my blog’s name! This page is now known as the Ranger’s Miniatures. I’ve always felt kind of weird using my name in the title but honestly couldn’t think of anything more clever.

Until today.

It hit me like a meteor! “Ranger” can have several connotations when it comes to this hobby, be it fantasy, historical, or whatever. And since I’m a park ranger in the real world (something that I’m fiercely proud of...ask anyone who knows me) I figured it was a pretty appropriate name. Also, if your blog is linked to this page please be sure to update the address as that's changed as well: www.ranger-miniatures.blogspot.com. 

So in light of the name change, please enjoy a few of my favorite photos that I've gotten during my time as a ranger in Washington, DC! 

At the Jefferson Memorial by the Tidal Basin.

At the Lincoln Memorial during a rare quiet moment.