Meet Kirsten and Bobby Yokoi, Jackson District, Facilities/Landscaping (Bobby) and Visitor Information/Front Desk (Kirsten)
Kirsten and Bobby Yokoi have vacationed in Jackson Hole several times and, because they love the area, in 2022—right after Kirsten retired—volunteered at the Jackson National Fish Hatchery for six months. “We really had so much fun at the fish hatchery,” the couple says. “Two of our passions are hiking and fishing and Jackson Hole is great for both, so we have been looking for volunteer opportunities to come back.” They are volunteer Ambassadors on the BTNF for the first time starting in summer 2025.
Although not full-time RVers—they live in San Rafael, California—the couple does volunteer on public lands most winters and summer. “We’ve done two summers at Deception Pass State Park, on Whidbey Island, in Washington and two winters in Bryce Canyon,” they say. When we caught up with them early last spring, they were heading into their last week at Bryce. “Here we’ve spent half-a-day at the Visitor Center and half-a-day roving the trails,” it’s been great.
The couple is trained in Leave No Trace principles and, when they’re out on their own make sure to recreate responsibly. “Not only do we carry our own trash out of wherever we are, usually we have an extra poop bag with us that we’ll put other people’s litter in,” they say. “And we always check the weather before going out and carry extra layers, food, and water.”
Fun Facts: Kirsten: “I kissed Kenny Loggins,” Kirsten says. “When I was in high school back in the 1970s, my best friend worked at the local radio station. She got us backstage passes when Kenny Loggins came to town. He did this procession line of fans that he walked down and, to the girls, he offered a peck on the cheek. I claim that mine was more of a peck on the lips. I didn’t want to wash my lips for a week afterwards. I was in love.”
Bobby: “I pretty much worked at golf courses all of my life,” he says. “All of those things you see on ‘Caddyshack’—they happen. I have so many stories about stars and famous people, I wouldn’t even know where to start.” Bobby was also the coach of the Pepperdine University Golf Team. As far as favorite courses, “Pebble Beach on a really sunny day—it’s just beautiful,” he says.
