Summer fun

Well my explorations will take me far and wide this summer. First up is the search for fountain grass! I will be down to San Diego and up to Santa Monica. Not bad places to go to get out of the 90-degree temps of the inland empire, if I do say so myself. I hope to establish a field site on a nice hillside, with ocean breezes, views to the mountains and oceans, and perhaps with a Starbucks nearby... I know of PhD who studied coral reefs partially due to the location. You can't blame her!

You have to remember here that most of us have paid our dues as interns or technicians in wind, rain, black flies, and toxic dust! I think after about 2 years of service to the feds and various states, I've earned the right to pick a nice field site! Actually most all of us like getting completely dirty-- there's something very satisfying when your exterior reflects the amount of work you've done and how hard it was!

This picture is actually my friend's legs on a field job a couple summers ago. We would roll out of the kayak and slog through mud up to our knees. When we got back we would use a hose to clean our pants, let them dry and then wear them the next day! (you can only bring so many changes of clothes for a 10-day shift)

I guess I do miss it, and I'm sure I'm in store for all sorts of heat, sunburn, ticks, and dust. But I will LOVE IT!

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