Pics of Roosevelt & other Bits

So here is what Roosevelt B. looks like from the end of my camera lens view. It was an absolutely gorgious day to survey and I got really lucky last Saturday. I'm hoping that when I go back in February that I will luck out with nice weather too. I spent part of today uploading my data to COASST.

It's been a busy week. I had the opportunity to work a few hours this week but for whatever reason the assignment didn't last. That's ok I have some leads for some other opportunities I am looking into that some of the regulars here in town gave me a tip to look into.

This next week I will finally get my long awaited for Red Cross badges. Three months is a long time to wait. I have also submitted an application to try to do some online freelance writing.

Survey Seabird Adventures

Recently I took some training to become a survey volunteer for COASST (Coastal Observation And Seabird Survey Team) an organization through University of WA to assist with surveying beached seabirds. I'm going to be surveying all of Roosevelt Beach in Grays Harbor county one weekend (possibly 2) a month collecting data about each bird species (identifying, photographing, tagging, etc.) and also all the other impact factors (e.g. dogs, people, etc.).

I went to Roosevelt Beach (that is a picture of it that I found googling but not when I was there) this weekend and it took me three hours to find it. I am glad I went this last weekend though so that I know where I will be going and it will only take me two hours the next time I go since I wont be spending an hour wandering around trying to find my way and having to stop for directions. The beach itself size wise isn't too bad but I'm thinking it may look different in the sunshine and earlier in the day instead of the pouring rain and almost dark.

Spent time this weekend trying out some different recipes and practicing my cooking skills making dinners for C as he had to work a 48 hour shift at Mason 6. Nice to have gotten to spend each evening with him for a few hours though. It was really slow with hardly any calls. Nice to be able to cook and feel inspired to for a partner who likes what you cook/do and is actually around and also helps with clean up. Totally opposite from what I have had in the past.

Been quilting like a crazy lady too lol. I think it must be something in the air ;-).

Oh oh so good news to share. Recently I learned what my final grade was on my last incomplete that I finished in December. I got an "A-"!!!! So happy you can only imagine. Now comes the task of getting the degree posted. Hopefully that will be soon.

Still training for my race this late spring/early summer. Haven't been as diligent as I have wanted but trying to get back to being diligent. C and I are going to be working out together and that will be nice too.

Mountain Sunset Over Paradise

I went exploring this past weekend. I hadn't planned on it. I had only just planned to drive along the Canal to Btown and explore the rest of it. Then I happened upon this road that said go this way to Tahuya. I was like hmmm Ta what? lol ok I'm game and off I went down that road. I found the state park in Btown and it was closed for the season. After lots of twists and turns I came across the area called Tahuya. Cute little place. Then I saw the water and the view. Oh wow! So this is what it looks like from the other side of the Canal :-). Kind of the same feeling I had once several years ago when I experienced sitting on the other side of the Pacific on a beach in Australia. Hehe...pretty cool. Y'all should try it sometime.

I digress though..so I just went moseying along enjoying the view and periodically stopping to take snapshots of things. I kept driving thinking eventually this road will hook back up with the 101. Well not exactly. It went 20 miles on pavement and then 6 on no pavement through the woods and up hills and then 1 mile on pavement before it ended at a "T". That was North Shore Rd. ended. I looked up and wow there were the Olympics with snow hovering just above the clouds and the trees. I went left and down the road for another 7 miles or so past district 2 station 8 where I came to another "T" and decided to go right back toward Btown. After another 10 miles or so I came to another "T" lol and went right again on the old Btown highway. During that last 10 mile stretch though I went up over some hill tops and this was the sunset I saw. Absolutely breathtaking! Came home and was glad I had decided to go exploring that day.

Holiday Lights in Union

My attempt to capture the holiday lights around town here didn't exactly turn out well. The best one is of this tree in the parking lot of the resort near my house. I still think it captures the beauty of the season though. The droplets? Yeah those are rain drops on the front lens as it is pouring out while I am trying to quickly take the picture from the car with the window down.

Santa, next year I'd like a cover thing for my camera please so I don't get those water specs :-).