WORK SPACE

Ah, yes. My desk. I did a little sprucing up of the office today and hung a Charley Harper poster on migratory birds over my bulletin board. Do you love it?


There, now that you can see it, do you love it?

EARTH

Had my best Earth Day to date today! Probably because it's the first time I celebrated it the proper way--teaching about the importance of protecting the environment. We had a field trip of 60 3rd graders at the Discovery Center this morning. I wish we would have had a special program that was all about Earth Day and it's history, but then again, taking the kids on a hike through the forest was a pretty perfect way to commemorate the day.

So, happy April 22nd everyone! Let's remember Gaylord Nelson, the U.S. Senator who got the whole thing started 40 years ago.

More great facts about Earth Day can be found here: http://nelsonearthday.net/

Mountain Trivia

Cold Mountain, the mountain that inspired the book (which in turn inspired the movie) is located right here in Pisgah National Forest. On my day off today, I went and explored the Blue Ridge Parkway and came upon a very hazy view of the famous mountain. I didn't think it was anything to write home about (or base a book on) but Charles Frazier (author ALERT) obviously disagrees.

E SQUARED

I'm officially an environmental educator! I took my first group out on the trail today (an awesome group of 3rd graders). I think I probably got a little spoiled because I had such a good group and they won't (so I'm told) all be that way. The kids had great questions and it was just so much fun to point out habitats and walk through the woods with them. I actually had a girl come up to me and say "it's so great you have all this here for us to come and look at". I mean, 3rd grade! So cool. And of course it makes it even cuter when they all have little southern accents.

Pictured above: The Discovery Center in Pisgah National Forest.

In A Pickle

Today I was issued my very own FOREST SERVICE UNIFORM. It's affectionately termed, "the pickle suit" and is, not surprisingly, very hideous. If you're waiting to see a photo of me in said suit...you'll be waiting a long time. I WILL say that the pants are somewhere between mom jeans and American Apparel high-waisted denim. I can't decide whether to love it or hate it, but I'm leaning toward hate at this point.

Waterfall Trivia

Looking Glass Falls is the most popular and most photographed waterfall in Western North Carolina (probably because it is so easily accessible--located right off the main road winding through the Pisgah National Forest). The waterfall is 60 feet tall and named because of its resemblance to a "looking glass". During the winter months the water freezes and when the sun glistens off of it, it looks just like a mirror (supposedly). I took this picture on my way back up the mountain tonight after running some errands in Brevard.

No, this isn't an appliance store...

...it's my kitchen.

Hello, Welcome! I moved to the forest...let's catch up!

Yesterday I stuck the (surprisingly small) amount of possessions I have in my Camry and drove from Ohio to North Carolina. After 528 miles, plus a VERY curvy 11 mile drive up the mountain, I arrived at my new home for the next 4 months--Pisgah National Forest.