Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Very Scenic


The above pics are from our Sunday adventure.  Starting at the top left going right and drop to the left and go right and so on....

1) View by the Vistor's Center as you first enter Estes Park (Rocky Moutain National Park)
2) Bear Lake (buried under all the snow)
3) Another view from Estes Park
4) A little cabin by the shopping area we stopped at on our way back to hotel
5) Waterfall at the Alluvial Fan
6) Baby Elk eating less than 10 feet from our vehicle
7) The Stanley Hotel...Boooo!  You may want to have the Ghostbusters on speed dieal if you stay here
8) The view downstream of the waterfalll.

they are everywhere...they are HUGE...they are Elk


On our adventure to the Rocky Mountain National Park we saw countless elk.  They stood so close to the road.  I guess I would if I knew that a car could hit me and I would be the one left standing.  Unfortunately, I did not bring either of our cameras on this trip.  I was anticipating spending the majority of my time at the hotel...only making it back to Red Rocks.  I came very close to making a trip to a best buy and dropping a wad of cash on the new Canon SLR we have our eye on...then I remembered...we haven't saved the moolah for it.  Dang that D. R.  

Probably the most amazing thing a couple of us saw was two HUGE elk with massive racks standing on their hind legs having what I like to classify as a typical prissy girl fight...take a second...at that moment we saw they were near a a road and had the brilliant idea to go to find that road and get close.  

Don't worry, by the time we got there they had made up.  And we were just surrounded by the "smaller" elks.  

It baffles me to see an animal up close who is bigger than a freaking car....but it was AWESOME!!!!!!  

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Colorado Bound - Again!

I am once again on another trip to Denver.  Upside - it's a conference.  Downside - 1) I have to present a poster 2) Wezul is home working like a mad man to get a project done ahead of time (translation - I miss my travel buddy) 3) Outgoing (although direct flight) left RDU at 6:50 am - meaning we had to get up at 3:30 am.  4) Return flight the time is even earlier...but I will get home around 1:30pm on Friday...yeah!  

However, such an early flight gave us (my NC co-workers) ample time to go sight seeing today.  We headed North up to Estes Park.  OMG!  I do not know where to begin.  Therefore, I think I will break today's adventures up into different blogs to come later.

Right now, it is 9 pm in Denver...however, my body and mind thinks it is 11pm.  We didn't get much sleep last night because we decided to watch Avatar...hmmmm...probably not the most brilliant idea knowing one has to get up at 3:30am...So...I promise to update with some cool pics and video...even though it isn't the greatest quality as soon as I can...which may not be until Tuesday evening after my poster presentation reception at the hotel.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Happy Earth Day!

This is a small part of why I do what I do for a living and it isn't for the boat rides....

Downstream view


Upstream view


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Another day ... another ride



Enjoy the float!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Peace and Quiet!

Between March 27th and April 3rd, Wezul and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend some time with friends we haven't seen in awhile.  One of these little adventures took us to Carolina Beach for a quick overnight trip.  As you can see, we got up before dawn and we were able to see a beautiful sunrise.  Unfortunately, we didn't bring the good camera, because if we had, you will be able to see a couple of the dolphins we spotted...and we aren't talking about mahi mahi.





Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Just another day...on my way to collect another sample


What you don't see...the "yellow" clouds of pollen...the heat of the 90+ weather...in April mind you...a newly decked out pontoon boat...new carpet...new seats...new motor...new console...almost a new boat...but yet...this is me on my way to "work".  


Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Enjoy some pre-dawn views and sounds



This was taken with the blackberry from our hotel room at Carolina Beach. Stay tuned for more pics!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

My Least Favorite Site!


The insanity of my main sampling project is underway.  Every other month for the next six months...I will be visiting four streams and 16 lake sites.  This doesn't include the storm run-off sampling we do.  We sampled the four stream sites today.  This is my least favorite.  No shade, smelly, gunky, mosquito central, must I go on.  The other three sites were splendid...I know I suck for not putting pictures up, but then you guys might think my job is a piece of cake.  Today was beautiful, but by the time we got here, it was freaking HOT!  We are going to roast in the sun this summer.  I can already tell, and I don't need to be a meteorologist either...hey wait...I am that too...Heehee!!

Not to only mention my work...Wezul has some exciting news on his end.  He is about to put two websites online in the coming week.  He is very excited, and I am very excited for him.  Wezul has been working very hard at his website biz.  He is beginning to develop a pretty nice portfolio.  Each website is as diverse as you can get for the companies he is working with.

That is pretty rocking if I do say so myself...not biased a bit!