Back in the Lower 48!

Wow what a busy end of the year it has been.  I haven't blogged in a while for a few reasons.  First, I could not find my camera charger for almost a month back in November.

The snow arrived shortly after that.
                                    This is Rick, one of our handy men, feeding the Bison herd.

In order to get ready for the holiday season some of the animals were also preparing for the big day in December....particularly Bert the reindeer.  Tom, Sarah, and I were walking Bert around so he could get used to walking around kids again.  He did very well when we took him to Girdwood Elementary for their annual Holiday Bazaar.  We also took him to a few holiday parties as the greeter at the door.

Soon it was time for my vacation!  I decided to make a pit stop in Hawaii to visit a few old friends from the summer.
  I needed to thaw out a bit!

 

 First stop....Maui!  Kate, who was an intern at the center, is now doing an apprenticeship on Maui at the Surfin Goat Dairy Farm.  She picked me up from the airport and wanted to show me where she worked.  Just as we arrived it was time to milk some of the goats.  They just walk right up to ramp and get their feed as they are being milked.

 Then, Kate let me hold some newborn baby goats!

 Ahhhhhhhhhh...more babies!!!!!

  

 Next on my agenda, snorkeling! As a thank you gift for house sitting; my co-worker Ethan and his family bought me a day trip to Molokini Island!  Wow!!!! What an awesome form of payment!  I also rented an underwater canon camera to make things even more interesting. 

I was having a blast!

Just before we were taken back to the harbor the boat crew stopped at a popular site to see sea turtles.  Sea Turtle populations are very protected.  They are finally back on the rise!  They can lay up to 200 hundred eggs at a time.  Unfortunately, only 2 or 3 hatchlings will survive to adult hood!

On my last day in Maui I just layed around and soaked up the sun, let the sand get between my toes, and take a few last minute splashes in the ocean.  

 and also enjoyed a sunset view...

 But that wasn't the end of my Hawaii visit.  I jumped on a small 10 passenger plane and went to visit another friend on the Big Island Hawaii.

Claire took me to Waipio Valley.  It was beautiful!  We hiked from the road down into the valley to enjoy the black sand beach.  Claire taught me a few interesting facts about the islands of Hawaii.  The black sand beaches are so young that there hasn't been enough time for the wearing away of the coral and rocks to have whiter sand.

 Just before Claire and her family took me to the airport to fly back to Texas; we stopped and had lunch on a beach close to the airport.  I love the tidal pool that is behind us.  I love exploring them and finding things hidden in crevices and under rocks.

I had a blast on the islands and am so glad that I was blessed to have such wonderful friends take care of me during my visit.  I hope to return the favor one day.



I know it's late but I wish all my viewers a Happy Christmas and New Year.  Goodnight Lower 48, or I guess I should say Goodnight upper 2!

-Erin