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Walks with a friend

April 4, 2022 by Sam Jones

Today’s blog and video is all about my walks with Jamie (and others) over my time as a caregiver here. Walking around Young’s Hill with the chimpanzees has been one of my favorite parts and will always hold a special place in my heart. When I first started Jamie would ask me to walk around Young’s Hill multiple times a day. No matter how hot it was outside. Some days she would rest in the shade of a structure and I would wait it out in the sun. I loved every minute of it even if my skin said otherwise. I started to catch on and would sit behind the gator while I waited for Jamie to start walking again. There could be so many different combinations of ways Jamie requested to walk around the hill. It could be me running, driving the gator, or someone driving the gator and me running in front of it. Sometimes others would join us on our walks, but for the most part my time was spent with Jamie on the hill. Every so often if Chad was busy Burrito would want me to race him around the hill and remind me how out of shape I truly am. Recently, Jamie left during one of our walks to go back inside and Foxie joined me for the rest of the way! I’m glad we are finally past winter (although it’s snowing outside right now) so we can spend time on Young’s Hill with the chimpanzees again.

I’m sharing all of these good memories because sadly this will be my last blog post. It has been an honor to work here and be a part of this family and I know in my heart I will always be a part of it. The chimpanzees, cattle, and humans here will always be a part of me now. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I am staying in the field, just moving to a different opportunity. I wanted to thank all of you for being so supportive and providing such nice feedback over my time here! I really enjoy reading your comments on the blog and getting to know you all.

A bonus photo!

Jamie and her amazing nest yesterday.

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Tara McKenney says

    April 4, 2022 at 3:34 pm

    Good luck, Sam! Thanks for taking good care of the chimps during your time at CSNW.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:37 pm

      Thank you! It was a joy to be here 🙂

  2. tom austin says

    April 4, 2022 at 3:44 pm

    the future is over the crest of the next hill…….just keep going until you find it……………..

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:38 pm

      yes it is!

  3. Maureen says

    April 4, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    Well, best wishes to you, Sam! I’ve enjoyed your posts, and I can only surmise you’re leaving for something fabulous, as you’ve been in Heaven at CSNW, right?

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:39 pm

      Thank you so much! Yes, it has been amazing to be here 🙂

  4. Linda C says

    April 4, 2022 at 3:55 pm

    Oh, Sam, I knew from the first sentence what was coming!
    How will we make it through the integration without your notes from the sidelines!?

    Thanks for sharing those REALLY lit gator races! She wanted the gator chasing you!? That woman does indeed have a twisted sense of humor!

    Who do you think will miss you the most? And who will you miss the most?

    I hope you’ll be happy with the new place, and that if you come back for a visit, you can guest blog…another walk with James….
    (PS, I see the bear gets to live another day!:laughing:)
    We’ll miss you! Good luck!

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:45 pm

      haha she does have a very twisted sense of humor! That’s what makes us all love her even more.

      Hmmm it’s so hard to say who I will miss the most. I go to talk about someone and then another one pops in my head! I think Jamie will miss having to keep me in line all the time 🙂

      I will definitely be back for visits and walks around the hill! I’m hoping to attend as many HOOTs as I can too.

      • Linda C says

        April 6, 2022 at 9:47 pm

        That’s great news, Sam! we’ll look forward to seeing you again!

        • Sam Jones says

          April 6, 2022 at 9:51 pm

          I always enjoyed reading your blog comments! I will still be reading them from afar.

  5. Jeffrey Jones says

    April 4, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    Wow, what a beautiful “goodby” blog. Seems as though that while these chimps have left thier footprints on your heart, you have also left your footprint on CSNW. Keep traveling the world, exploring, promoting conservation, and being a good steward of the planet and a voice for those that cannot speak. Best of luck as your climb over the next hill into the sunset. May you find another valley full of adventure to explore.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:45 pm

      Thank you for such wonderful words! They mean a lot. The chimpanzees have definitely left footprints on my heart.

  6. Carrie Lynn Miller says

    April 4, 2022 at 4:06 pm

    Thanks for all the walks, Sam! 😀
    Best of luck in your new adventure and don’t be too sad about moving on – you’ve likely made friends for life with the human, cattle, and chimpanzee folks at CSNW!

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:47 pm

      Thank you so much!

  7. Kathleen says

    April 4, 2022 at 4:07 pm

    Oh Sam, I can only imagine how vey much you will be missed by your friends at CSNW. How do you say goodbye to Jamie and the gang?! That moment will be a bittersweet moment.

    This video is beautiful, thanks for sharing snippets from your personal walks.

    We will miss you too. I’ve enjoyed your stories, your voice, on the blog. I wish you much success on your new path. Tackle it with all the gusto of Jamie gearing up to chase the Gator down the last lap of Young’s Hill towards the chimp house!

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:50 pm

      It will definitely be a bittersweet moment. Yes! I will hold that memory of Jamie and the Gator in my heart forever. Thank you for always having such nice things to say on the blog. It was a joy reading your comments.

  8. Ken & Gracie the beagle says

    April 4, 2022 at 4:11 pm

    thank you so much for all you have done for those who call Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest their home.

    what a beautiful video and last blog.

    whishing you the best in all you endeavors.

    :slight_smile:?

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:52 pm

      Thank you so much!

  9. Marya says

    April 4, 2022 at 4:21 pm

    Thanks, Sam, for all your investment of body, mind, soul and spirit while you were at the sanctuary. It’s been great getting to know you through your posts and experiences. I loved today’s video especially since I’ve never seen the bounce-spring-forward-run movement that Jamie did in a few of these videos. Looks like she bounces 3 times before taking off. So charming. All the best to you in your new challenges and changes!

    • Linda C says

      April 4, 2022 at 4:23 pm

      I’ve seen “clap, clap, stomp, stomp, spring!” before, but never like that! That was epic!

      • Kathleen says

        April 4, 2022 at 7:12 pm

        Yes, Jamie’s prep for the Gator zoom-run was epic! I just loved it. Wow!!

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:53 pm

      Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

  10. CeeCee says

    April 4, 2022 at 4:22 pm

    Oh Sam, Everyone is going to miss you so much.
    I have really enjoyed (through this blog) getting to know you too, And it sounds like you have a real special connection with Jamie?
    Thank you so much for your amazing work with Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, And good luck to you, Wherever you go, They will be lucky to have you !
    And by the way….Best Video Ever ! I just love it when Jamie Jumps and claps her hands on take-off.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:54 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your kind words! I definitely got attached to Jamie in my time here.

  11. Patricia K says

    April 4, 2022 at 4:29 pm

    Good Luck and Best Wishes in your next chapter.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:54 pm

      Thank you!

  12. CarolR says

    April 4, 2022 at 4:30 pm

    Sam, thank you so much for this wonderful compilation…..so sad you’re moving on but wish you all the best for your new venture. Loved Jamie’s bouncy bits and the shine on her coat shows us how happy and healthy she is. Also great to see the friends out together and the ‘grab a foot’ escapades. And after all that fun, a lovely cosy nest to sleep in….sheer bliss!

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:55 pm

      Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, her nests always make me jealous!

  13. Tobin says

    April 4, 2022 at 5:14 pm

    Sam,

    If it is possible, I hope that you can stop by and visit the new friends of the CSNW whose lives who have done so much to enrich. I wish you well in the path your life will take.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:56 pm

      Thank you! Yes, I plan on visiting often!

  14. Betsy says

    April 4, 2022 at 5:27 pm

    You were lucky to be at CSNW during such an exciting time. Very few people on this planet have gotten to welcome chimpanzees to a new sanctuary, but you did! Isn’t life an amazing journey. Best of luck in the future.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:03 pm

      Thank you! Yes, I loved being a part of The Lucky Six arriving! It was such an experience.

  15. Magda Ashtok says

    April 4, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    Sam, this is a beautiful snippet of the joy you have made me feel since I began following the blog. Whatever next venture is calling you has got to be really good! I wish you great success, more joy, and more opportunities to bring your dreams to fruition!!! Take good care! Magda Ashtok

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:04 pm

      Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoy reading the blog!

  16. Maureen says

    April 4, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    Best wishes to you, Sam! I’m sure this job was Heaven in many ways so it can be used as a standard by which anything else can be measured. I’ve enjoyed your blogs.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:07 pm

      Yes! This place brought me so much joy.

  17. Nancy Duryea says

    April 4, 2022 at 6:31 pm

    I’m sad to hear that you are leaving but happy that you have an opportunity to stay in the same field and hope it brings you joy. I know you will be missed by everyone at CSNW, including the chimps! Thank you for your blog posts and good luck in all of your endeavors.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:06 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

  18. Cara says

    April 4, 2022 at 6:48 pm

    Thank you, Sam, for your caring and skill providing a home for the chimp people! I know they’ll miss you, and we’ll miss your blog posts. Good luck at your next position :pray:

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:06 pm

      Thank you so much!

  19. Paulette says

    April 4, 2022 at 7:31 pm

    Oh to be young again! with untold adventures ahead. I’m happy for you! Be happy and fulfilled Sam.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:01 pm

      Thank you so much!

  20. Linda Jovanovich says

    April 4, 2022 at 8:10 pm

    Thank you, Sam, for showing us life at the Sanctuary through your eyes. Best of luck and all good things in the journeys ahead!

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:01 pm

      Thank you so much!

  21. Judy J says

    April 4, 2022 at 8:20 pm

    What a beautiful video & blog. I’m sure you will be greatly missed at CSNW. I will definitely miss your blogs. Good luck with the next chapter of your life.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:01 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words!

  22. marianne says

    April 5, 2022 at 1:39 am

    Wishing you good luck and a lot of love in your new endeavours Sam;
    I hope you will spread a bit of CSNW-magic as you will visit other places
    and so the world will become more “hope-love-home-sanctuary”.

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 10:01 pm

      Yes! I will definitely take the magic of CSNW with me 🙂

  23. Carol Ann Sceniak says

    April 5, 2022 at 2:37 am

    Thank you Sam for caring and loving these wounderful cousins.Good luck in your new work.God bless you.
    Carol Sceniak

    • Sam Jones says

      April 6, 2022 at 9:59 pm

      Thank you!

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