Month: July 2013
The long awaited turtle manuscript is published!
The undergraduate project that I started four years ago at UC Davis has finally been published in a scientific journal. After many long months of collecting data at the arboretum that runs through campus, countless hours inputting and analyzing numbers, dozens of draft revisions and re-submissions, our manuscript is published. It appears in the journal Chelonian Conservation and Biology and is titled “Habitat Features Determine the Basking Distribution of Introduced Red-Eared Sliders and Native Western Pond Turtles.” Go read it here: Awesome turtle paper!
A Day of Adventure with Jake & Steffany
This last weekend we got together with our friends Jake and Steffany and went out to Buellton, Santa Ynez, and all over the mountains in the valley. Their dog Banyan got to come along for the ride. He loved playing fetch at the top of the mountains. After exploring the mountain range behind Jake’s family’s ranch, we all headed out to get Mexican food for lunch. Jake then drove us to a farm that is open to the public to visit. It is beautifully maintained and has a ton of horses to pet. Steffany and I were in heaven giving all the horses some love.
Afterwards we hopped back in the jeep and headed back into the mountains for some more 4 wheeling. We made it to the top and could see Lake Cachuma on one side and toward the ocean on the other side. We stopped at the Winchester Gun Club on the way down to watch some guys do skeet shooting. We were all exhausted from packing so much into one day and from laughing. What a fun day!
Casey’s 2nd Love.
Well, well, well. The day has finally come. He got a motorcycle. He got a great deal on a 2004 Kawasaki KLR that is in excellent condition. I would be lying if I said he doesn’t tell it good night. A cover, motorcycle pants, and boots are on the way.
Weekend Getaway, Destination: Big Sur
Casey and I wanted to take a special trip together to celebrate our 7 year anniversary, so we decided to go backpacking in Big Sur.
We stopped to see the elephant seals. A bunch of them were fighting in the ocean.
Sleepy heads.
We made it to the Silver Peak Wilderness! Our destination was Upper Cruickshank Trail, about 3 windy, uphill miles in.
We were lucky to have some fog over our heads.
Casey used this awesome redwood stick to hike with.
We set up our camp in an open meadow, just past a redwood tree grove. We were hungry and this hit the spot!
The most peaceful sunset.
Good morning world.
Someone had to get his knife in the picture 🙂
One last look on the way down, then it was time to go sightseeing.
We hit up a vista point and marveled at the rocky coastline.
Then we headed to the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park where we hiked around near some a creek surrounded by giant redwoods.
The grand finale was McWay Falls, an 80-foot, year-round waterfall that empties directly into the ocean. It is surrounded by a secluded beach with the most amazing sparkling blue water.
What a fun trip!
Happy Anniversary To My Love
I love you more than crumb donuts.
I love you more than the color turquoise.
I love you more than lizards!
Happy 7 years together ♥
Baby You’re A Firework!
Last night Casey and I headed down to the beach to watch the fireworks with Kori and Robby. We were super close to the launch station! There were thousands of people camped out on the pier and on in the sand. It was fun to walk down to the beach in the middle of the street since roads were closed to cars. Cheers to Casey and I’s first date on the fourth of July 7 years ago! ♥
Happy 4th of July!
Double Date
Casey and I went out to dinner with our newly married friends Jake and Steffany. We headed to iGrill Korrean BBQ where you cook your own food at your table. It was a very fun night and I would recommend the restaurant if you want to spice up your average dinner out!
The Trigger Has Been Pulled!
Yes, Casey has hit the big SUBMIT button and applied to medical school. Over 30 schools in fact. All across the country. He has spent many, many hours perfecting his primary application and rewriting sentences over and over until they convey just the right meaning. I no longer have to look over and see him deep in thought or typing away on his personal statement, at least not for a little while. Once the secondary applications are sent to him to complete, it will all begin again. But now it is time for a well deserved break. We look forward to celebrating our 7 year anniversary in the coming weeks. I am so proud of you Casey for completing this first big step! ♥