Lummi Intertidal Inventory

Well, I had a lovely week back at work! If you missed the fact I got a super part-time job, read the previous blog for that update. The super part-time bit is that I don't have work for another 3 weeks and then we will start up the survey again. We basically work with the lowest tides and that only happens once a month. Working on the Lummi Reservation is a real treat because I get to spend time on lands that white folks are normally not permitted on. We were able to go over to Portage Island, which is actually an ancient burial ground, for some of the work. This afforded us fantastic views of Mt. Baker and the Chuckanut Range (just to the south of Bellingham). The weather was astounding all week. I even worked in shorts yesterday! Another bonus of the job, meeting people our age. Yesterday was the last day of sampling for the week and we all headed out to Bellingham for a beer or two afterward. It felt so grand to sit and sip a cool beer with people I enjoy spending time with. Although I have only known the other team leaders and our supervisors for a week, I really like them and I hope to spend more time with them outside of work.

We are off for a long weekend of camping with our friend Erik in OR. We are headed to Nehalem Bay State Park, on the northeast coast of the state. We were going to try and stay in one of the yurts the state parks have, but it looks like those are already booked. Bummer. I do love yurts. But, it will be wonderful to get back in our tent and curl up in my Nepalese down sleeping bag! And update on that trip will follow next week!

Oh - final tid-bit of exciting news! We finally decided on where to go for our honeymoon. This has been difficult because, as you know, we like to go FAR far far away from America whenever possible. But, we just spent all our money on that huge trip we took and can't really swing going back to Africa - which is what our original idea was for a honeymoon. So, we decided to stick a bit closer to home and explore some wild corner nearby... a place that is too far and too big for a weekend visit.....we are off to Jasper and Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada! Yipee! Camping, hiking, canoeing, and a bunch of nights in a nice room courtesy of my Mom and Dad's timeshare exchange. Wow!