SOMETIMES...

Sometimes I feel like screaming from the top of my lungs.

Sometimes I do it.

Salt Water

I have lived all over this great country of ours. I have lived in the deserts of New Mexico, the mountains of western Wyoming, the plains of South Dakota, the bayou of Louisiana, and many more I'm not even remembering.

I have lived in all these places and learned to love them for all their unique properties. Alas, I am never truly happy until I am home by the sea. I tried living on the west coast, but every time I drove north, the ocean was on the wrong side. The Texas Gulf coast was alright I guess, but the beaches covered in pick up trucks and RV's were no match for a beautiful rocky New England coast line..


Next on my agenda is the Pacific Northwest, and the Big Sky Country of Montana. Eventually I will find my way home to the Atlantic coast where I will be happy to be. In the mean time I have a lot more exploring to do...

I suppose I have no point in my rambling except to say that right now I miss the smell of the salt air ..

Finding my own motivation via Google

You know it's bad when you have to google motivational images

R.I.P. Curtis

At 4:30 this morning I came out to the kitchen and cheerfully greeted Curtis as I do every morning. He did not come out to the sound of my voice. I then turned on his light, as this usually draws him out of his little tent if my chipper greeting does not do the trick. Alas, he did not come out. Lastly, I sprinkled some food in the tank. It was then that I knew something was wrong. Curtis does NOT miss breakfast.

I am sad to report that sometime between 9:00 last night and 4:30 this morning, Curtis passed away. I feel like I lost a good friend. He has been with me every day since May of last year. We go every where together. My road trips will certainly be very lonely from now on. And who will eat breakfast with me?

Boats and Birds

Well folks, as you probably know I am spending yet another summer of my life chasing around good ol' Charadrius melodus, aka the Piping Plover.

My hand and the Piping Plover that just flew out of it

I am once again stationed in Vermillion, South Dakota for the summer. This year, however, the Mighty Mo is not flooded, and we are getting tons of work done on our stretch of river below the Gavin's Point Dam in Yankton, SD. Of course I have not forgotten about my beloved Niobrara River in Nebraska, and I visit her once a week (ish). I like driving our skiff, but I think paddling will always be my preferred mode of transportation.

Things started off slow this year; the birds seemed to take their sweet time returning from their wintering grounds in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Atlantic Coast. Once they got here they wasted no time getting eggs on the ground. We had our first chicks hatch last Saturday and they've been popping up all over the place since then. It is quite difficult to focus on work when you have adorable baby plover chicks all over the place...

This nest hatched today.. well, most of it did anyway

Other than all the birdy business.. things have been pretty quiet around here. I am missing the ocean quite a bit these days but trying to convince myself that the River is an acceptable alternative. I miss everyone back home, but I am surrounded by lots of good friends out here to keep me busy.

Sadness

Today we lost our friend and brother Matt. I don't have words to express what this feels like.

We will miss you more than you know.

Killingworth man dies in early morning crash

The End of an Era

Yesterday was a sad day.

Five years ago I was an unemployed freshly graduated college student. I had no job and no direction. Based on the recommendation of my old friend Alex, I decided to apply at North Cove Outfitters. It was perfect. I learned all about the wide world of outdoor gear. (How I wish I knew about synthetic baselayers and gore-tex membranes when I was freezing my butt off during field classes in college). Over the next 5 years I worked at North Cove between field jobs. I can't express how grateful I have been to have a job that will always take me back with welcome arms. Sometimes I am gone on my bird chasing adventures for a year at a time. Long story short, North Cove is my second home, and my coworkers are my second family.

Yesterday it was revealed to us that North Cove Outfitters will be closing its doors after 23.5 years in business. It was a sad day for those of us who work there. Now that the news is out it will be a sad day for all of the store's loyal customers. I started the day blissfully unaware of the closure, and ended the day hanging giant yellow and red "Store Closing" signs all over the store. That was certainly not how I had expected my day to go..