Home sweet new home 29 August 2002 Well, I'm back in San Diego. We packed up camp and headed to Silver City, NM to clean up the data for a few days. It was so nice to be able to sleep in a real bed and take showers. The hotel had a pool and hot tub so we were able to relax in the evenings. We borrowed a conference room from the Silver City Ranger Station and worked and worked to get all of our stuff checked and re-checked before heading home. We were in Silver until the 3rd of August. On the 4th, we headed to Phoenix, AZ. Chris' dad lives there and crashed at his place for the night. The morning of the 5th we went to Luke Air Force Base just outside of Phoenix, which is where Chris' dad works. We were able to get a tour of the simulator stations where the pilots learn to fly all sorts of jets. We also got to go on the flightline to take a look at an F-16 up close. It was a lot of fun. Ann was so excited. :) We even got to climb up to take a look in the cockpit - but no pictures were allowed (in case we're spies). After the tour Chris and I took off out of Phoenix and headed home. We made it back in pretty good time. I was exhausted and just ready to sit and relax. I (unluckily) got exactly what I wanted. Not two minutes after I got home, I fell down the stairs in the garage and sprained my ankle. If four months in the forest won't damage me, three stairs certainly will. :) Needless to say, I was on the couch for the next day or so letting the swelling go down. I spent the next two weeks unpacking, cleaning, beach bumming, and packing. Yes, packing. About two weeks ago, I moved in with my boyfriend, Clarke. We'd been talking about it for a while and had planned on moving me in once I got back from the field this year. There are still a few boxes in the kitchen, but I'm mostly moved in. It's in Ocean Beach and has a great view. Two skips from the beach and two miles from my work - I certainly can't complain. I ride my bike to work everyday now and spend lots of time at the beach. At work right now I'm cleaning up, re-checking and organizing the owl data. We've got lots to do right now and we'll soon have more once the manatee project gets going (probably mid-October). I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the rest of their summer. Have a great long weekend! Love and sunshine, Stefanie ;) top of page letters from camp