A few weeks ago Jessica and I woke up early and headed south to Mt St Helens with a 10 mile trail in our sights. She promptly fell asleep in the car as I drove south. We knew that the skies were cloudy and the forecast didn’t look that great but we were hoping that the skies were clear. They didn’t.
We drove through the clouds to visitors center and got a few photos through breaks in the fog. When we reached the visitors center we parked the car and walked over to the park map. We looked into the distance and saw a herd of elk - nobody was around for miles so we spent 10 minutes watching them and listening to them call back and forth to each other. It was pretty damn cool - the pictures really don’t it justice because they were a good quarter mile away and the camera had problems picking up the light.
Jessica recorded a few videos which you can see below. Make sure you turn the volume up so you can hear them calling.
Hopefully, when we return the clouds will be gone and I’ll actually be able to see the mountain. If you want to check out the rest of the pictures you can find them in the
gallery
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Jessica and I have been trying to study this past week but distractions are slowing down our efforts. She has got a few days left of school and she is cramming to get it done. She pulled her first late night session of trying to get it all done - I told her that that almost made her a real college student. If we had cans of natty ice sitting around the house she would could complete the college experience.
I’m studying for a test that I take Thursday morning. If I do well enough I get promoted. If I don’t, I take the test again next year. Its my first time testing so I’ve got to make most of the points from the test - the bar is set at 69.5% on each test - a fact that I know simply because I’m testing out of cycle. You would think that I should be able to attain my goal - but - these tests are hard and they cover a large range of material. I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Friday I’m going to “volunteer” to help out for the airshow that I won’t be watching. Someone above me either mandated or volunteered six people from my flight to help. There are really only six of us. I knew that I was going to be on leave at the time but I feel obligated to help out. This situation highlights what we’re facing at work - we are always short manned while constantly being farmed out to additional duties. We’re behind at work but the additional extra-curricular taskers never seem to slow.
When my “volunteer” work is complete on base we’re off to the ocean for two days of camping. Jeff and Leanne (Jessica’s sister and brother-in-law) will be joining us. It should be a fun and hopefully relaxing time. I want to wear a custom screen printed shirt with “Voluntold” simply written on the back - most would look and think volunteer - I want them to know the real story. I don’t think it would be appropriate but it would be comical.
I’ve got projects around the house that I need to do - I’m not quite sure when I’m going to work them in. Maybe next week? Only time will tell.
Tags:
air force,
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