July 4th kinda bummed me out a little but at least I got to wake up to a phone call from Dad.  I'm so used to sparklers, fireworks, s'mores, hot weather, the lake, etc.  I even miss Racquet Club's annual 4th of July party!  It was a gloomy and rainy day here in Portage Valley but we did end up having a staff party Mike and Kelly put on and it was really fun.  We had BBQ in the barn and watched old videos and clips of T.V. shows and commercials with the center.  We also watched the news clip where Steve Mendes got charged by one of the wood bison here.  I can't believe he played it so cool when he got back up!  That thing literally tossed him up into the air..it must've been shock or something.  Mike also had us sing the star spangled banner.  His and Kelly's cute kiddies held little flags up during. 

Yesterday was my one day off this week since I'm covering for Scott so I can have him cover for me when I go home to visit (so soon now!)  I spent the whole rainy day relaxing and watching t.v. episodes online with Christina, Marcie, and Melissa. 

Today was also really rainy.  I met the coolest guy in the ticket booth.  We got to talking and he has a family farm in Maui where I'll be headed in August and he knew the surfing goat dairy.  He told me to look him up and I can become a "woofer" which I guess is some world organic organization.  I've been thinking working on an organic farm would be a cool experience.  You definitely meet a lot of interesting cats out here.  I really gotta make up some business cards!  After work a few of us headed to Girdwood for their Forest Fair.  It reminded me a lot of art fair in Ann Arbor but much smaller.  They had live music and we went to eat after.  I bought a headband at one of the vendors from Talkeetna.  I definitely feel like Girdwood is the Ann Arbor of Alaska but much more rustic and of course outdoorsy (I mean your surrounded by mountains!)  I also got a picture with Howie Peterson, one of the Alaska State Troopers (on the show).  I myself have never seen it but I went up and talked to him and got a pic just for Jill back at MSU HR : ) AND one of my co-workers is a huge fan as well.  I asked him for some advice for Jonathan, another intern here who just got accepted into the state troopers academy (CONGRATS RON!), and he just said "get ready to get your butt kicked" haha.  On the way home we saw a great horned owl outside our bunkhouse...I tried to take a pic. 

                                                

Off to feed Solo!  I've been assigned to only feed him now since the moose calves aren't feeling so great these days.  We've been giving them more fireweed for their tummy and increasing the biosecurity so hopefully they feel better soon.  I'll miss my musk ox feedings though : (