ta da

finally I got RC back on the bike!

He has been on hiatus for about 3 months now!

However, this is only my 2nd ride in 2008!!!

We went to the 'new' trails near our house. They were built last winter, but this is the 1st time we've ridden them. RC (begrudgingly) admitted to having a good time.

preparing for Voyageurs

Randy and I continue to prepare for our trip to Voyageurs NP, where we'll face 'big water'. I took my camera out to practice dealing with it on a kayak (not easy!).

Jenn on borrowed sea kayak (dry bag w/ camera in front)






Randy in his new sea kayak










Double-crested Cormorant












Great Blue Heron












Hopefully I get many good pics and don't screw up my camera on this trip!

smithville lake kayaking

RC and I enjoyed some time together yesterday by taking our kayaks out to smithville lake. He bought another, longer kayak while I was away last week, so we now have 3, yes 3, kayaks. It was my 1st lake kayaking experience. We had a good time and luckily had no encounters with boats.
The best part was wading through the lily pads.

portland bird conference

I was in Portland, OR all week at a bird conference. I gave my 1st talk at a big meeting. I was super nervous, but it went OK - I wish I could say well, but it was just OK. Anyways, the conference was fun - I hung out with a bunch of folks I don't see much anymore, including my friend from Saipan who stayed with me a couple nights.

I stayed in the downtown district the entire time, so unfortunately the only birds I saw at the bird conference were house sparrows and pigeons, and a couple scrub-jays. And I only ended up taking 1 picture:( Portland is a big city, much bigger than I realized, and is pedestrian- and smoker-friendly (never thought I would put those 2 together). So while I enjoyed walking from my hotel to the conference, I did not enjoy walking through the smoky cloud at every corner or bus stop.

In line with this topic of birds, I got my 3 manuscripts accepted the Friday before the conference!!!!!!!!!! So after over 4 years, I have something to show for all my work (besides a degree!). And then I 'celebrated' year 29 for me and year 4 for me and rc last week.