Friday, November 20, 2009

D.C. here we come

I went to Laurel, MD (a suberb between Baltimore and D.C.) the first week of Nov to attend a workshop. The objective was to teach me how to use software to create models I don't understand to analyze data! Couple that with Randy's dad living in Alexandria, VA (a beautiful and historic city across the Potomac from D.C.) and Randy and I were presented a grand opportunity to explore D.C. last week. We rode the Metro into the city each morning and landed at the national mall. Each day we explored a new Smithsonian museum, except for the natural history museum, which took 3 visits!

The first evening, his dad took us to the 'mall' and we toured the monuments at night. We went to the Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, reflecting pool, and WWII memorial.












The next day we visited the Holocaust Museum, which was as disturbing and fascinating as one might imagine. We followed that up with our 1st stop at the natural history museum. It was very crowded and we only made it through the dinosaurs section and other prehistoric creatures!













Monday, we started with the natural history museum. We progressed through Darwin's exhibit and the oceans, soils, and gems. Gems were suprising interesting - so many gorgeous rocks!








(my ring was just a little smaller than the Hope Diamond!)




We eventually made our way to the native american (or american indian) museum. We were starving so we ate in the cafe first. The cafe is themed native american food from different regions (I ate from south america - really good - and Randy ate from the northwest I think). The top floor was really interesting, and they had several walls of beautiful art and artifacts.













After milling about here for a few hours we went over to check out the gardens adjacent to the musuem, which ultimately led us to the botanical gardens. Beautiful!


And the neatest part was the models of monuments and federal buildings made entirely of plant material. Wouldn't you know our camera battery died at this point!








Tues was our last sure day of great weather so we headed for the Arlington Cemetery. We went to JFK (and other Kennedies) gravesites, the tomb of the unknown, witnessed the changing of the guard, and viewed the many memorials.










Glimpsing the Lincoln Memorial across the bridge, we decided against the metro and for a nice long walk (despite our aching feet and knees from the miles of walking already behind us each day). Along the bridge we saw the Roosevelt Islands (which we never made it to). Passing the Lincoln Memorial, we headed to the Vietnam Wall, where there were many tourists and veterans. From there, we bravely ventured off away from the mall and toward the great unknown. Becoming increasing weary and hungry though, we finally broke down and asked someone where we could find food (we were completely surrounded by federal buildings!). Luckily a 5-min walk led us to a quaint bar with good food. We soon discovered we were on the campus of George Washington University! We next headed to the White House. Unfortunately, we couldn't get very close, but still very cool!









We stopped at the natural history museum and finished up the mammals and birds. We then passed the capitol and continued on to the National Botanical Gardens to take pictures of the 'plant models'.


















After almost 8 hours and countless (>10) miles of walking, we headed toward the metro and the short ride home. Except we hit the rush hour madness, and had to stand for much of our ride...
Wed was Labor Day and the first day of non-stop drizzly cold dismal rain (thanks to a tropical storm that popped up). (And of course, Randy had not brought any rain gear) We set aside this day for the space museum, knowing it was huge and would take a long time. What we didn't anticipate was the large number of families and teenagers that would be there too! Even worse, the only place to eat was a giant McDonald's, which we hit just prior to the insane lunch rush (think hundreds of kids and teenagers), and endured a pretty horrible meal (which, yes, did cause some stomach upset later). Despite the madness, this was a very interesting museum (and clearly attractive for families) - space suits, shuttles, astronauts, planes, the Wright brothers, etc.













We decided to hop across the mall to the art museum for a brief visit. We were too tired to spend a lot of time here, so we basically saw what we could in an hour. We did find an exhibit with knight suits and swords and related stuff, which was awesome. We also saw a Da Vinci and some Rembrandts. Way too many artists doing the Madonna and child in my opinion. Anyways, we were pretty worn out so we headed home early that day, arriving home before the rush.


Da Vinci







Thursday, rainy day 2. We went straight to the American history museum. Obviously there was some overlap here with the other museums, so we spent more time in the early history exhibits through the Civil War and skimmed WWII and such. We sailed through the presidents a bit too quickly. Some really neat exhibits in this musuem. Since this was our last museum and last day - we skipped out early, being very tired from the week's adventures. That evening we met a couple of Randy's old college buddies for dinner. I didn't take too many pictures here.
Friday, rainy day 3! We rode the metro to the Reagan airport and picked up a rental car. We ate breakfast on King's Street and headed northeast to the Chesapeake bay bridge. Randy drove one way and I drove the other - it was fun! We stopped at the shore-side park and Randy got lifer Greater Black-backed Gulls in the 20+ mph wind.

(at the sandy park by Chesapeake Bay)

We continued on to Baltimore, checked in to our hotel, and dined at a local brew pub.



Next day flew home! Hope you enjoy the small selection of photos - we took ~500!!!












































































































































































































































Sunday, October 25, 2009

carving pumpkins part dos

Today it was Randy's turn, so today we did some couple's pumpkin carving. Randy decided to carve the bone collector (a skull/elk) and I did a cute spider because we have many on our deck! Our hands are pretty tired, but it was fun and we now have our pumpkin trio complete! We lit them up tonight on our little bale of hay on the front porch, protected from the rain!



carving pumpkins

Wes, Julia, and I carved pumpkins last night. Randy was present, but unanle to contribute much because he was otherwise engaged watching the Tigers get slaughtered by the Longhorns. We had a great time stuffing ourselves with yummy pizza from the take-and-bake shop and some easy breezy pumpkin cake before we settled in for the serious business.

hard at work:











the masterpieces (I made "in memoriam: Snowball", Wes made " in utero: Kippy", and Julia made "in memory of: Michael Jackson"):


OK Hogs

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PACnITFu3sk/SuRhZVvQPOI/AAAAAAAAAjY/drvJZwEEvpg/s1600-h/IMG_0817.JPG

Hunt #1 Fri night -- Had several hogs moving around my stand, they pretty much stayed in the woods chomping on acorns, around dusk I had a nice sow move in close to the stand but she never came into my shooting lane though she got within 25 yds away. I got out of the stand to meet my brother and as I walked down the dark path back to camp I came face to face with the large sow, I screamed at her and ran her off. I really didn't want a run in with her in the dark on the way back. Got back to camp and found that Brian shot a 75# boar out of a ground blind.

Hunt #2 Sat Morn -- Sat in the same stand convinced that the same hog would come back, no deal. Only saw one group of about 7 hogs and they never came within 75 yds. Got back to camp to find Brent shot a 100# sow & Jason shot a 80# boar.
Saturday we went to local bar and watched the TX & OK football game and BS'd with the locals.

Last Hunt Sat evening -- Since Alex and I were the only ones to not shoot anything we got to get 1st pick on where to hunt. I picked the ground blind that Brian used the day before so Brian and I could sit together and hopefully Brian could get some video of the hunt. He and I sat for about 30 mins when a large boar started slowly making his way into the clearing. After about 10 mins he gave me a 30-35 yard shot, I hit him a little foward in the shoulder but the arrow penetrated to his vitals, he only went 30-40 yards and went down. Got back to camp and BS'd with Jason and Brian while we waited for Brent and Alex, just at dusk we heard Alex shoot. My hog went 175# while Alex's was about 75#.

All in all a good hunt and we will likely go back again next year.

My arrow and what was left of my broad head after my shot.


Matt and Cheryl hoisting my hog out of the gator.

Brent and Jason with their hogs.



More dead hogs.


All of us minus Brian, he headed off into the woods before the pictures.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

welcome Gabrielle

We haven't posted in a while because not much was going on. I have resumed the life of a desk biologist and Randy was been getting busy with his project at work. Then last week we wento Texas to visit my family and await the arrival of my 4th niece. Gabrielle Skye was born Set 15! - her birthday is 1 day after her grandma's. All went fine and dandy and she is now closing in on 2 weeks old!

baby in belly







baby out of belly


I also met my new feline niece - a beautiful kitten only a few weeks ago who looks so much like Snowball that I almost took her home with me!






Precious Belle
Besides hanging with the fam, RC and I headed to the coast with our kayaks. We paddled the Lighthouse Lakes trails in the mangroves. It was pretty cool being up close and personal with all the wading birds - great blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, tri-colored herons, reddish egrets, and 1 roseate spoonbill! We spent ~4 hours paddling, by the end we were heading into a strong headwind and we pooped by the time we came ashore.














We also paddled down a 6-mile stretch of the Colorado River through Bastrop, which was really fun and neat to finally really experience the river that was in my childhood backyard. And we hiked around some of my study sites in Austin one day.
All in all a fun and much needed vacation.
Jack and Tiger were extremely happy to see us when we got home and have been rather needy and attached to us, but it is really sweet:)


Saturday, August 15, 2009

BIG NEWS











We're getting married! I know this may suprise some of you that probably assumed we were already, but no, we are not! Randy proposed on June 30 at my field site at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Yes, I was hot, tired, and covered in sweat and dirt after a long field day, my hair was a mess, and I was in my field clothes, but hey, that's me, so it only seemed fitting. We were on the boardwalk overlooking the spring looking at two great horned owl fledglings.
We are planning a destination wedding, originally intended for our immediate family, but too many of them were unable to make it, so we have decided to make it just us. The wedding will likely be this winter in Belize, a country we have wanted to visit for the past couple years.

That was the same weekend as our annual float trip down the Jack's Fork River. We had a great time this year.











entrance to a cool cave we found on the water






That was followed by my 30th birthday and then our 5 year anniversary!!!!!!!!! So a lot has happened in the past 2 weeks.

ummm- yummy homemade strawberry cake

Sunday, July 12, 2009

yeehaw cowgirl


RC got me a Cowtown (his cycling team) outfit. So we suited up today in our matching outfits! and went biking on the paved trails at Smithville Lake. RC also put skinny wheels on my bike - I felt like I was flying today. We rode 2 hrs and ~30 miles - my longest ride ever!!!!!!! I felt great. RC has made a big return to cycling this week, after taking 2 months off he biked several times this week. So I'm patting us both on the back:)


Along the way we had the usual assortment of birds: chickadees, cardinals, indigo buntings, dickcissels, field sparrows, summer tanagers, brown thrashers, eastern kingbirds, meadowlarks, blackbirds and grackles...