So many things are happening in my life right now, I don't even know where to begin!
First, we'll start with my rescue story of the week. Our poor volunteer Sam (23 yrs old) got lost this weekend! And I don't just mean sortof lost - he had to stay overnight without any gear in 30-40 degree weather and had 6 dog teams, a helicopter and a ton of people looking for him. Fortunately, he was not hurt and did the right thing - once he realized he lost his hiking partner (they were tracking bighorn), he stayed in one place. He said the only thing he had was a space blanket (one of those heat-insulating aluminum tarps). Needless to say we are AGAIN changing some backcountry protocols - for example, there will be random checks of backcountry traveling employees' bags, and if they are missing a radio or map, they could be FIRED. They take this very seriously. I don't think he'll be doing any more sheep surveys though!
The weekend was great - we went to the Hi Drive House for Bill's Going Away party... and Bill wasn't there! I guess he had to leave for family stuff?? (Bill, I know you read this - what happened?!) But that's ok, we had a great time in his honor anyway and eventually made it downtown to party some more. I just might have a new motorcycle riding buddy too! We'll see how that turns out.
My family will be here Thursday! I am so excited. I planned an exciting itinerary for us - flyfishing, camping in the best campsite in the entire campground (it pays to know campground rangers, ha ha!), golf for the boys, maybe a surprise for my Mom, downhill bike riding, fireworks, hiking - I am going to keep them busy! It is going to be so good to see them. Then I am riding back to MI with them so I can see everybody! Here's what I want to do: 5th Ave in Novi on Thurs (for Killer Flamingos!) if I am home/awake still, or on Friday night; Friday afternoon I'm hopefully going out with my Novi cityworker friends if they remember (they're getting old! Don't party like they used to! ha ha) and then Saturday Jess is throwing a Hawaiian BBQ!! Whip your grass skirts and coconuts out of the closet, we're roasting us a wild boar! ;) Maybe not, but I'll make sure there are Mai Tais! At some point between all my social activites, I have to pack... Details, details!
Guess my dad is driving back to CO with me. Should be fun, he's never been out here before! I wonder how many times he will lecture me about hitting an elk or a deer, or getting bitten by snakes? ;) I can't wait to see his face when we drive up Trail Ridge Road, with cliffs dropping off on both sides! Hee hee.
And somewhere in all this fun and excitement, I will move from Estes Park to my sweet apartment in the foothills and maybe get a dog! So much going on!
On top of all that, I've been daydreaming about what I am going to do this winter. I don't NEED a full time job with benefits - I am happy and live well making as much money as I do now, so hey why not work for a ski resort? Or maybe go on that trip to Hawaii with Doug and Sandy after all? Heck, I could volunteer at Haleakala and get free housing and a small stipend while doing turtle surveys! Mark wants to visit haunted places in Ireland, and Bronson is in Alaska for a little while longer... The possibilities are endless! In any case, I'll at least make it to Flagstaff to visit Maria, Seattle to see Brian and Melissa, and Montana to visit my wildlife refuge family! Plus, my new motorcycle buddy bought property in Wrangell - St. Elias National Park in Alaska and is in the middle of building his own log cabin in McCarthy. Maybe I'll just have to stop up there and help cut down some trees or something. :)
I'm sure my mom is reading this and just thinking "Medical benefits! You NEED medical benefits!"
Anyway that's all for now, obviously lots going on and I'm super happy and excited for the next couple weeks! I'm so excited, I even managed to force myself to go on a trail run... and eat a slice of cheesecake when I finished. ;)
Hope to see everybody at the Hawaiian BBQ or 5th Ave or something! If you don't know what/when it is, just drop me an email!
These photos are from last week - the clouds settled in the valleys and we drove through and then ABOVE them. I wish I had my good camera, because they would have made for amazing pictures!
Well I dont think I will be able to partake in any events when you return. But give me a call if your home and I can at least bring Lucy over for a few minutes to say hi! I cant wait for your family to get out there and visit you, your going to have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWell I dont think I will be able to partake in any events when you return. But give me a call if your home and I can at least bring Lucy over for a few minutes to say hi! I cant wait for your family to get out there and visit you, your going to have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWell I dont think I will be able to partake in any events when you return. But give me a call if your home and I can at least bring Lucy over for a few minutes to say hi! I cant wait for your family to get out there and visit you, your going to have so much fun!
ReplyDelete