trial run, trail run

Today was a day of driving all around the Andrews visiting 6 of my 8 study sites (2 of them are still covered in snow!). I got to drive a truck (!), which was difficult because my legs were too short to reach the gas pedal (I couldn't move the chair). And there are a lot of potholes and sharp curves, and steep cliffs... The day started out rainy and wet, but the sun came out in the end. Some highlights:

• a deer!
• monster slugs curled up like cats curled up in the sun
• newts
• driving around and seeing new stuff
• independence
• sun and blue sky

But the best part is the fact that now I am actually seeing the progression of the phenophases of the plants! I know, n3rdy!

So, when I go to the sites, I locate each study plant, and I identify the stage of development (phenophase) of the plant--in terms of vegetation and reproduction. A lot of the plants I saw today had buds that were just breaking open! I also examine the plant for insects--there is a specific protocol for this so that I don't have to look at the entire plant. I saw 2 caterpillars (on separate plants), a cicada (?), spiders, aphids, beetles, etc. Supposedly, the bugs will really be out in a week or so...can't wait!

When I got back to HQ, I had lots of mail!! Cherries and tea from home, a letter from Leah, and photo prints! I also had a lot of emails from the study abroad office (I am studying in Ecuador in the fall). And lots of emails from Mami, who is doing a lot for me (LOVE YA!) because I need shots and stuff to go abroad blah blah blah.

I made bread. The dough was a bit runnier than usual, but the bread turned out just great. I'm getting good at this! Anna (new apartment-mate) boiled her rice while it was still in a plastic bag! I'm not sure I understand her ways...

Ari got back from her day, and we went on a lovely run on the other side of the reservoir. There are a bunch of campsites over there, which will get busy in the next few weeks. It was a good, fast run.

Ari and I also talked a little about whether or not the Pulse is a good way to get a snapshot of the forest, especially the Andrews. Even with my high-frequency sampling, weather is a huge variable, not just over 3 days, but within one day (for example, today there was rain, drizzle, sun, and wind at different points over the day). The Pulse is on Wednesday this week, so I'll see then how it works in action, but right now it seems pointless. And I don't really see how my method (high-frequency) is anymore efficient or feasible. We shall see my friends, we shall see.