Monday, October 31, 2011

Pros and cons: Airport edition

I travel on planes pretty often, so you would assume that I am pro at airports and catching flights. You would be very wrong in this assumption. I seem to be incapable of having a smooth airport/plane experience. Either I get picked for extra screening, or I sprint around the airport with my frame backpack and act frazzled. Or there was that one time that I got on the wrong flight. Turns out I was waiting at the wrong gate, and there were two flights to Bangor at 9 pm that night. Why I so stupid??

This weekend I was traveling back to Prescott from DC and stupidly had a half an hour layover in ATL (never do this!!). The airport is huge and I had to sprint through two terminals only to easily get on my flight and wait around while other late people just strolled in. Then I almost missed my shuttle and got stranded in Phoenix.


But I still love flying because you get views like this:

And you get to be places that you love:

With the gimps that you've been missing:

It was a wonderful weekend with camp friends in DC, and we even squeezed in a trip to the Cove. Now it's back to school. I'll put on my teenage mutant ninja turtle hat and go to class now.
Happy Halloweeeen!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Mepps

My housemate Noah bought some stylin' hats at the D.A.V. a while ago. And for some background, the D.A.V. is this magical thrift store where you can find whatever you are looking for for under a dollar, depending on the mood of the lady who rings you up. I've figured out the trick though. When I wear my hair down I get major discounts (Major Discounts!), so I guess she's a curly hair fan. Anyway, the point is that Noah and I have matching hats and this has spawned a couple of fantastic twin days! The first one happened by accident, except for the hats.

The second one was planned out way in advance.


We don't know what 'Mepps' means. It is the great mystery.

And now a word from our sponsors!
General Studies
General Response
Major Beetle Kill
Major Impact

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Ruth Fire

I finally found it! It being 'My Spot', and 'found' meaning I had to go there for my Fire Ecology class anyway. I hadn't been actively looking for a spot, but now that I have found It, my spot it shall be! I'm envisioning it as my place to draw, daydream, reflect, learn, and relax in the sunshine. Oh! I haven't even shown you what it looks like. Here:




















Just a barren hillside, I know what you're thinking.


Look a little closer:

Nothing like mullein to make me feel at home.


Juniper sap!





















It's quite beautiful and calm. The hill sort of reminds me of the Bald, which is maybe why I like it so much. Ponderosa pines are surrounding the fire site which is a bonus because I think they are my favorite tree species. And there are signs that a possible hobo has been camping at the top of the hill... so that's exciting.
Next time I'll bring my binocs to do some birding.
Stay tuned for the actual latin names of the species pictured-- I'll learn them in class tomorrow!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

General Management Plan!

Sometimes I get bored in class. Especially classes that are four hours long, like my block course in Park and Wilderness Management. I occupied myself by writing down all of the "Major" and "General"-isms that were said by people in my class. This is an entertaining game that I learned from How I Met Your Mother. Of course, it was picked up at camp and we couldn't get through a staff meeting without endless salutes. And once you start something, it is hard to stop! We created a monster!



So here is a summary of what I learned over block:
General Feeling
General Land Office
General Idea
General Trend
General Question
General Plans
General Stuff To Bring
General Yahoo Behavior
General Public
Major Conservation Group
Major Barn Was Burning
Major Form
Major Points
Major Concentration
Major Battle
Major Thoroughfare
Major Hike
Major Undertaking
Major Management Thing
Major Lookout Point
Major Conclusions

Imagine saluting to all these higher-ups! I will obviously continue writing these down in class. And post the best ones.