Bear Release

Today we released four of six 10 month old black bears. I have some pictures of the release in my album HERE . In a week from today we will be releasing 5 juvenile bald eagles.

Its been relatively busy with closing winter projects, and I've been trying to write some articles for the quarterly newsletter here at the center. The autumn colors here in Minocqua have been absolutely amazing. I have missed a proper fall for the past five years since I moved to Fairbanks. I didn't realize how much I missed it. However, I do miss Fairbanks and everyone there. It won't be long and I'll be back home!

Releasing the animules

Yesterday I got to tag along on a release. We released two mink that had been brought in when they were just babies. Now they are full grown feisty carnivores! We also released a quail that had finally healed from a luxated wing. I do have pictures, but apparently my connection here at the center isn't good enough to upload them. I promise on my next day off I will find a place with better wi-fi so I can show you all the cool things.

Today I had a day off. I did laundry and mostly poked around the surrounding area. Minocqua is very beautiful and there are lakes everywhere you look. I am excited to take pictures in the fall since the majority of the trees around here are deciduous. I found a good trail nearby that will be absolutely beautiful once the leaves being to change.

Mid-day we got a bobcat kitten in. He is big enough to be mean, but still oh so cute! I'm not sure if I'll have an opportunity to take a picture of him, but if I do I will definitely share!

Almost there

I got a relatively decent night's sleep at my Milwaukee hotel. Thought I got up at 3am because I was so paranoid about over sleeping and missing my flight at 8:30am.

So, I signed up for a skype account so people can get a hold of me if they need to. My skype name is akmelissadale. Also I have a landline number through skype so those without the program can get a hold of me using their normal phones. I had to settle for an Oregon number since skype doesn't have numbers in Alaska. You can reach me at (503)766-4105. If I am not at my computer to answer the call, there is voice mail so leave me a message!

Love you all!

Not quite there yet

My flight to Rhinelander was delayed, and then eventually canceled. Luckily I don't have to stay the night at the airport, they gave me a hotel room across the street. I leave first thing in the morning and then it will be on to Minocqua.

I met two guys who were also supposed to be on my flight to Rhinelander. They just got done with basic training in Oklahoma. I found it quite interesting noticing people's reactions, as we waited for our shuttle, to these two guys in uniform. Most people just stared and gawked like they'd never seen a soldier before. I found it quite rude, honestly. Then there were people honking with encouragement, wich is nice I guess, but I could tell that the two soldiers were getting quite annoyed with it all.

All in all, my traveling is almost done for a while. It will be nice to settle in to someplace and stop living off of animal crackers and the cheapest airport food I can find.

PC Interview

I had my Peace Corps interview this morning and I think it went fairly well. Phone interviews are very difficult to get used to in my opinion, but being this was my second phone interview, I think it went well. Now I have to fill out a couple more questionnaires and have a follow up phone conversation with my recruiter. Sadly she is going to be up in Fairbanks recruiting for the Peace Corps in late September, but I will be in Wisconsin by then.

I leave tomorrow for a few days in Portland before I head on to Minocqua. I still need to pack, as well as go down town to do some absentee voting. I also need to clean up my sewing room before I leave, which will be a challenge unto itself!

The leaves are starting to fall. I think winter will come early this year.