Once again I got carried away here in Alaska!  My days off were great as always.  Thursday I had a relaxing day catching up on rest and wrote a paper for my class.  My cousins Amanda and Bethany also came to visit with Luther (Bethany's husband) and Lucian (they're almost one year old).  I was able to give them a behind the scenes tour.  It was great to get to bring them into Snicker's and the babies enclosure.  The babies were full and sleepy so they weren't too lively but they bought an annual membership so they'll have lots more times with the little ones : )  They even brought me halibut and cranberries!  Jeremy cooked some up tonight and it was absolutely delicious.  We also went into Anchorage for the day to run some errands pick up another intern Melissa.  I even had the chance to buy Luna (my bunny) a bunch of toys and treats.  I  may or may not be feeling a little guilty for leaving her behind haha but she's in GREAT hands and I'm sure she's being spoiled rotten.  

Sunday, father's day, was crazy busy.  You couldn't ask for better weather... it was the first day here this summer where I was actually sweating and getting hot.  I'm pretty sure it was only in the upper 60s though!  Can't say I'm missing the humidity they've been having in Michigan.  Anyways that day we had an event where the local non-profits had a thank you lunch and hayride for legislators responsible for helping us with grants.  Mike even took them straight through the wood bison enclosure.  Below is a picture of us moving the moose calves (Harvey, Teddy, and Sully) in the Yukon over to the BBQ.  I was the lucky one sitting in the way back with them.  Harvey decided to pee on me on the way over, just another day at the center haha.  With that and it being packed in general the day flew by.  I was bumming I couldn't be at home spoiling one of the best dad's out there (huff daddy!!) but I was able to send him a nice care package of Alaska goodies. 

*courtesy of Doug Lindstrand

Today was busy as well.  I started the day driving to Girdwood to pick up milk matrix for the babes.  It was the first time I got to drive the center's Yukon by myself down the Seward highway and it was beautiful as always.  When I got back I did a bus tour with Christina shadowing and they were an awesome audience asking questions and were super excited.  One woman looked like she was gonna cry she was so excited to see the brown bears.   I also did a bear shift today where one of us hangs out at the "big bears" with a snack and keeps them out in the open.  I got there and Hugo and J.B. were playing in the water... it was so sunny it was a great day for a swim.  Hugo even threw up a stick a few times.  Patron was being a brat and chased Hugo off and even started fighting with her and at one point J.B. went and broke it up and started fighting with Patron....it was pretty cool to see.  It was the first time I had seen them act aggressive and be vocal.  Hugo is definitely the most vocal and would make noise for more treats.  Doug went to the 4 pm bottle feeding with Claire and I and took pics.  With five babies it can get pretty crazy.  I can't tell you how many times the moose will be chewing on my hair while Walter's sucking my finger and nudging me while I feed Hamm.  I def have a new appreciation for parent's and multi-tasking!  After that Claire and I loaded Snickers up and took him to a field with dandelions and lupin for a photo shoot by Doug.  He was a little difficult to work with and Doug wanted me to pick him up.... I couldn't do it!  Hundreds of quills and irritated Snickers just wanting to feast on all the dandelions?!  No thanks...that will be my goal for the summer...get the nerve to pick up Snicks.  Finally I ended the day by hand feeding the black bears... don't worry dad!  Uli and Kuma are super gentle.  I never thought in my life I'd get to feed bears like that.  They're for sure my favorite animals here second to the musk oxen... so beautiful and fun to watch.  They show so much personality and their facial expressions remind me of humans. 

Time to relax and watch a movie before bed!  Goodnight all : )