SouthWest Research Station

Eds Adventures: Going on my second week here. I had Sun off and went to Douglas Az with stores and cell service and everything. It is kind of funny after being in the mtns. but sure do love the peace and serenity surrounded by the stream and mtns and birds.

We have entolomogist studying bugs at night here this week from Univ of Canada. It is so fun to have all kinds of scientist here studying diiferent plant and animal life here. It really is a unique and diverse ecosystem. When I came back yesterday it was so amazing to drive down this raod for about 10 miles leading nowhere and then you see this unbelievable canyon cut out fo the mtns with Douglas Fir Trees and old growth forest as yuo climb in elevation from 2500ft to 5500ft.

I drove up to Rustlars Park and barfoot Lookout on Sat. It is 10 miles straight up the mtn at 10-15 mph to 8200 ft. It is really something hiking up there. I went on the Crest Trail and Barfoot Lookout trails. I have pics of snow still up there. It was just me and the birds and bears. We sae a coatimudi, think cross between a racoon and a Lemur run across the road the otehr night. It seems most of the wildlife is seen close to or crossing the road. I think I will just walk the road at night to see my wildlife. No cars to speak of up here.

We had a fire start last week about 6 hr hike into the mtns. About 95 acres have been lost and they brought in the Hot-Shots from Tucson who have been battling it with the US Fire Service from around. The winds really picked up yesterday and I spoke with the Us Fire folks in Portal AZ and said it was out and they were going to moniter it for a few days. It can be really bad news around here when fire hits as the canyons trap you in when a fire starts.

I played golf at Douglas Golf Club on the windiest day I have ever played. About 40-45 mph and it was crazy. There were all the great birds there because of ponds and water along the course. It was quiet and just great to play 18 holes. Shot a 89 with 4 pars on the back nine.  Nice to get back to civilaztion a bit and shop and wash my car.

Sunday I will be ttraveling back to Tucson to stay with Fr. Richard for the week while I go through Haz Mat Training from 5-17-5-19. Then off to Louisiana and wil probably start near Port Charles and work my way east depending on what I here from the organzations I have been in contact with.

Hoping everyone had a nice Mothers Day weekend. I spent mine with MOM in mind knowing she loves the desert and the fact I was back here again seeing Pat and Sue and my nieces. Can not seem to get any more pics to download right now.

Take Care Ed