Ah... the fourth!

Gotta love holidays... the short work weeks, waking up in the morning and knowing that you are going to eat way too much that day, seeing old friends at holiday picnics and watching people (usually with a Y chromosome) blow things up (this activity is not always limited to the fourth!)
Hope all who are reading enjoyed the holiday!

I did have to work today, but I didn't mind; and there were plenty of visitors to talk with. I noticed more international folks today- makes sense- kind of like seeing a lot Jewish people at ski resorts on Christmas day. I think my roommate Taryn and I are going to watch the hometown fireworks in Luray (pronounced Loo-ray if you are a local) from the top of an overlooking peak in the park. I've never looked down on fireworks so that along with good company should make for a pretty memorable experience.


The AT goal...
Remember at the beginning of the summer I had the ambition to complete the 100 miles of Appalachian Trail in the park? Well, I got out my handy TI-85 (yeah, high school math!) and figured that I have only done 51.2 miles so far. So that’s more than half, but I still have a ways to go! I hope to put a small dent in that this weekend with my fantastic friends Emily and Mike coming to pack away some miles with me. I'm so excited! I'm resting my voice now because my mom says if we could fuel a car by talking, Emily and I would never have to pay for gas on our road trips! I think we will let Mike get a few words in if he doesn't totally tune us out.
Of course, those who would like to come with us chatterboxes are welcome! The trip will feature three waterfalls, the fabulous backpacking burritos, Christina's peanut sauce (C- I need you... mine is not nearly as good as your version!!), great people and of course lots of conversation.

Here's a cool pic that a visitor took of our Peregrines. He also has other pretty cool (I think) bird pics you can view by hitting 'previous' and 'next' . I like the shot of the black-necked stilt. Enjoy!