Been a while!

I got a little behind for a while there, sorry about that! So....hmmm...my internship is going well, can't believe I'm over halfway through already! I've been busy working on my management plan which is going pretty well, but the days in the office are kind of long. I got to visit the property for the first time the other day, which was great...I got to see some coyotes! And some bear and coyote footprints and scat. I also fell in the stream during one of the stream crossings in the property, so all my papers and digital camera got wet, but the camera seems to be still working so that's good!

I've been getting to explore the area a lot, which has been really cool. There's so many great hikes and outdoor activities! And restaurants as well. I went backpacking in Shining Rock Wilderness/Cold Mountain last weekend which was great! It kicked my butt since I was so out of shape, and I ended up doing an 8 mile hike all by myself in very remote wilderness which was a little scary, but overall a great trip! It was my very first backpacking trip, and I learned a lot about outdoor survival, hehe.

A couple things that I'm proud of are: I've been reading a lot more, which is something I've been wanting to do for a while and so glad I'm finally doing it! I've been realizing how much I don't know about environmental issues and just the world in general, so reading definitely helps to improve that! I recently read:
Suburban Nation: by Andres Duany et al, about New Urbanism and sustainable development
Song for the Blue Ocean by Carl Safina: about the state of various fish species and factors affecting their decline worldwide...a great book!
Audacity of Hope by Obama: I'm about halfway through this. Very readable and I'm learning a lot!

Also...I've been cooking a lot more, which is great not only because its healthier, but also cheaper and I feel so accomplished when I'm done! I'm making a lentil and rice dish right now that smells deeeelish!

Here's some pics from the past few weeks (I took a week long trip back home to Michigan as well):

Pictured Rocks in the Upper Penninsula, Michigan

Tahquamenon Falls in U.P.

Spot, the guide dog at Catawba Falls!

Catawba Falls.