Learning about Raptors

As a sporadic birdwatcher, I was drawn to two stops during my vacation:

• http://www.peregrinefund.org/world_center.asp If you right-click on the picture or caption below, you will see pictures I took at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. This seems to be a well-run, well funded facility. Volunteers, most of whom seemed to be retirees, ran the gift shop and gave guided tours through the exhibits. The tour did not include visits to breeding or rehabilitation facilities or the library.

Raptor Education

• http://www.rmrp.org/ If you right-click on the picture or caption below, you can see pictures I took at a Rocky Mountain Raptor Program facility in Fort Collins, Colorado. Because of road construction, I was not able to visit the main facility. I was rerouted to another facility by someone who answered the office phone. I arrived shortly after the volunteers. I really enjoyed the casual early morning routine and discussions with the volunteers.

Raptor Rehabilitation

The World Center for Birds of Prey is very involved in breeding and release to try to prevent extinction and has the backing of the Peregrine Fund for funding research and library facilities. What I saw of the Rocky Mountain program emphasized the rehabilitation and release of injured birds. Both programs are concerned with educating the public about dangers to raptors. As I was leaving the Rocky Mountain facility, a local TV station was preparing to interview the program director about bald eagles being removed from the Endangered Species list.

I learned that raptors live much longer than songbirds-- up to twenty years in the wild, and almost twice as long in captivity. What a tremendous organizational and financial commitment it is for these organizations to maintain the resident birds! Many of the birds that I saw at Rocky Mountain Raptor Program had only been one-to-two years old when first injured. The advantage of rehabilitating and releasing a young bird is that many offspring may be born over the next two decades.

At the Birds of Prey, I heard that birds that are bred in captivity, then released, seem more adaptive to non-traditional habitat and food than birds that have been relocated. Apparently, one of the largest populations for peregrine falcons is now in New York City. These birds seems to have substituted skyscrapers for high cliffs as a habitat.

A few weeks later, I watched a nature show about the red wolves of Ethiopia. These animals live in a small habitat with a limited diet. I wonder if mammals could benefit from a similar breed-release program to new locations...

Wyoming wanderings

This is my first trip through southwestern Wyoming. I had not expected to encounter this harsh desert with its petroglyphs, fossils, dunes, and one-of-a-kind rock formations. Until I approached Laramie, the countryside outside of the towns was dry and without trees. I wonder where towns get their water- Green River? Snow melt? I crossed the Continental Divide twice today. The highest crossing was over 7000 feet.

The weather must be harsh in summer and winter. There are frequent road signs to check weather conditions on radio stations, signs to warn that there may be a road closure x feet ahead, and signs to warn motorists that the next five miles might be very windy. On entering the state, there was a sign about a Wyoming law that motorists on Wyoming interstate must move to the lane farthest from a parked emergency vehicle. I noticed that most truckers moved to the left lane when passing any vehicle on the shoulder. (When I was driving in Washington, I noticed big trucks in new colors-- fuschia and pastel-like. I didn't see any of those today.)

The Sweetwater County Museum charges no admission and packs many interesting displays into a relatively small space. I learned a new word: trona. Doing some surfing later, I read that this area of Wyoming provides about 90% of the US supply and 30% of the world supply. The Native American exhibits include quotations from a speech by Chief Washakie. He very eloquently chided the white man's goverment for breaking promises. The law and order exhibit talked about Butch Cassidy. The Great Auto Race went through Wyoming in 1908. I wonder if there will be centennial events along the route next year.

There are lots of snow fences alongside I-80. I was surprised to see miles and miles of them, so I did some research. When the highway was built, there were no snow fences. Over the years, many have been constructed. There have also been studies on the effects and benefits of the fences. They prevent snow from blowing onto the highway, minimizing snow removal cost. Visibility on the road is improved. The road stays warmer and less icy. All of which leads to fewer days of closed roads, fewer accidents, and less loss of life.

Wagon ruts

I was the last of our group to leave Seattle on Saturday AM. Jason Friesen, our webmaster, Lori Bakken and Tina Castellarin who have been involved in our Content Management System, Charla Beaulieu and Jason Taylor, School Chair of Digital Media and Music and I have gotten to know each other better. One of our chats was about the need to balance the college's centralization of branding and image with the independence of the eight major schools that need to promote a variety of programs. There are common functions that each school needs, like tracking school applicants, student progress, and alumni. I think the new Content Management System will help to address the school independence issue, but I don't know about plans to address the common functions needed.



Before leaving Seattle, I had to check out the local Fry's Electronics store. I persuaded myself to put back the laptop video camera and the picture printer. Of course I don't need them, but I found them very tempting. I revisited the factory outlets at North Bend to visit stores I had missed a few days earlier. Maybe I was already in the mood for travel, but I looked, tried on, and didn't buy. In Yakima, I waited for an hour-- here, I did buy-- in a local shopping mall for new sunglasses at the local Lenscrafters. I really like that my prescription is on file, and I can get glasses when travelling in either US or Canada.



From Yakima to an overnight in Pendleton, Oregon. Hubby & I have been there before. As I drove through downtown, three preteen boys crossed the street. I noticed all were wearing the big western belt buckles. I guess rodeo fever starts young here.



I was really impressed with the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. In all my planning, I had overlooked that my travels this summer would follow so much of the Trail. This building is perched on stilts and overlooks a set of trails that go down to a rebuilt stamping mill and the wagon ruts in the valley below. I always thought that the Conestoga wagons were used on the trail, but discovered that they were too heavy and awkward. An even smaller wagon was used. Some of the video clips in the center showed such wagons crossing rivers. Interesting to see the water draining from the bottom of the wagons on the other side. Made me think the other side must have gotten terribly muddy and difficult to navigate for the wagons that were at the end.



As I drive long stretches of interstate, I find my satellite radio helps to keep me going. I used to listen to Discovery Channel, but it's not there anymore. Instead, I listen to Family Classics: Green Hornet, Superman, Have Gun Will Travel, Gunsmoke and others. Some of the Superman episodes sound as though they originally aired during WWII. Some of the old commercials sound strange now. The Inkspots sing about the wonders of LSMFT (Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco). Brands and products have disappeared or transformed in the last 60 years. I think these recorded radio waves are a lot like the wagon ruts that came 100 years before...

Feasting on sunshine and ideas

After a brief drizzle in the morning as we waited for a cab, the day unfolded with clear blue skies. Seattle has rolled out the welcome mat for us. The view from the Bell Harbor Conference Center at Pier 66 reminded me of Vancouver, BC. There were tug boats and ferries, but I saw more motor boats and sail boats here. I can only think of having seen three piers in Vancouver: the cruise ship terminal, the grain storage by Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, and one in between where the container ships go. What a variety here in Seattle!

The conference facilities are superb, and the food is excellent. The coffee, of course, is Starbucks. Note to self: remember that the bananas go fast at break time. I have learned something from each of the six speakers so far. Eric Meyer taught me things I didn't know that I needed to know about CSS and how it interacts with browsers. Jeffrey Zeldman focussed on the importance of words and tone in a website. Jason Santa Maria's opening Powerpoint slide flourished a paper bag for those of us who can't design our way out of one. I have lots to think about, and there are six more presentations today-- I can hardly wait! I'll write more on the conference later.

There are six of us from Selkirk College attending An Event Apart. We are sharing rooms to stretch the expense money. I haven't done that very often as an adult-- brings college days to mind. Last night, in a "good night" tone of voice, Charla said "let's talk about updating the professional development webpages tomorrow". Right... I was feeling drowsy until then. Who could wait till tomorrow? So off we go for another hour.

On the way to Pier 66, Seattle, and An Event Apart

I picked up my registration package at the Bell Conference Center this evening.  I plan to look over the package when I sign off tonight.  I had fun, tongue-in-cheek, getting around in Seattle.  I was trying to find parking for the pier, but missed the turn.  I tried a course correction, but wound up at Safeco field on an event night-- lots of people thronging the streets.  Back to Alaskan Way, at last, and this time I found the parking!  Registration was a snap, then on to the Quality Inn.  The driving instructions said to turn right from Broad onto Thomas.  Couldn't find it-- up and down Broad, past the Space Needle.  Finally, I tried to run parallel to Broad in case Thomas ran through.  All of a sudden I saw a sign to Aurora which is where I meant to go in the first place.  I parked the car and intend to leave it here during the conference.  Today's traffic jams should last me for a while.  And I thought coming in to Seattle at 4PM sounded like a good idea.

The conference starts with breakfast and a full day till 5:30PM.  There is a "party" at 6:30, so I assume that includes food.  I'm looking forward to two packed days of high energy, good ideas, and lots of enthusiasm. 

While in Spokane, my Verizon salesrep, Carrie at River Park Square, got my laptop set up for tethering.  I'm hoping that I will be able to use the cell phone to get on the Internet when I am in remote areas without wi-fi.  Yes, there are such places...

Departure Day - 1

Which is worse: the last day at work before a trip or the first day on your return? One of today's tasks was to download instructor files for my fall classes from the text publisher websites, then copy them to my USB flash drive. All so I can work on them at night during my travels. Of course, I forgot it when I left work. Fortunately, I hadn't gone far from work.

I got the MS Streets & Trips working with the GPS Locator today. The first time I tried the install I got an error about an incompatibility with Window Media Player 10. I cancelled the rest of the install until I could ponder the problem. I upgraded to WMP 11. Same thing. After a quick check on the web to find out this is a known problem, I decided to proceed with the install and had no other problems.

I'm thinking the text-to-voice feature might be nice to have when I am driving-- "turn left in .1 mile". Hubby and I played with it when we went out for Chinese food tonight. When the computer said to turn left and we turned right, the next message told us were off the route. Speed and compass direction seem pretty accurate. I wonder what it will be like in the city.

Itineraries and hotel/conference confirmations are printed. There are little piles of stuff I don't want to forget. Wonder if I can get to sleep now...

Preparing for summer travels

Tuesday is departure day for my big trip of the year-- so close and so much to do! Preparations include

• planning trip with MS Roads and Streets 2007 on home computer-- Probably takes more time than going to BC Auto Association, but it's way more fun! I found out that I can turn on voice instructions when I am driving. Hmmm. My equally geeky husband gifted me with a new Roads and Streets with GPS for my laptop-- hurray!
• laundry-- Is it stained, does it still fit, how much room will it take in the suitcase? On the other hand, I don't want to take too much, because then, what can I buy at all the factory outlets at North Bend, Washington?
  
• restocking the small medicine box-- ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, allergy, aspirin, norflex (I think it's still cheaper in Canada than in the States), echinacea. Nothing worse than feeling lousy when I'm traveling.
• condition of the car-- Hubby checked the air filters, especially the one for the cabin because I will be using the air conditioner a lot. We bought some new tires for the Vue in May. He has checked the fluids, rotors, who knows what else-- glad I don't have to worry about this.
• blog-- I have been thinking about this for some time, so here is the excuse I need to get started. I used one a few years ago for my project management class, but this is the first one for me. Family & friends can follow my travels this summer. The blog gives me a chance to practice with Google analytics and try Google AdSense for the first time. I will be able to tell my business management students-- "It's soooo easy...":-)