Hit & Run

I officially have my first year of school down the hatch! That means there are less prerequisites waiting for me in my second and final year, and more challenging, interesting courses to look forward to.

Though it’s been a full-on semester but I’ve managed a distraction or two. I’ve been hiking, biking, hunting for snakes/salamanders/frogs, wine tasting, road tripping, and rooting around for temperature loggers on Texas horned lizards. I learned how to rock climb, and fish for blue gill and crappie; had a date with a fiddler and a Scottish folk singer in St. Louis, and discovered the fine pleasures of bourbon.

On finding morel-looking mushrooms in the yard, I invited some friends over for an impromptu potluck, and checked in with everyone the next morn to make sure we all made it through the night. I hit two new states – Oklahoma and Arkansas – (twice!) and experienced waking up to an all-too-perky bugle playing Reverie…I don’t recommend it.

I’ve skinned, stuffed and pinned almost a dozen rodents, and warmed up my bike and sneakers. And just like that, it’s time. Summer’s here and I’m once again in my midyear playground in the foothills of the Rockies for three months of romping with rodents. Bliss…