As If It Weren't Crazy Enough!

Me as Smokey Bear on the 4th of July

Hello family and friends!

I am still here in Georgia, working at Brasstown Bald Visitor Center! After my trip to Vermont and Minnesota I got back in the swing of things here in Georgia and have been busy working on a lot of projects!

I had a good 4th of July, even though I worked on the 4th and the following weekend....SO BUSY!! We had about 2,500 visitors in the span of three days, which for us is a lot! I dressed up as Smokey Bear throughout the weekend. Even though the costume is hot it is a lot of fun! I spent the evening of the 4th with Claire and her boyfriend Miles. We grilled out and then watched fireworks from the observation deck with about 100 other people. We could fireworks displays from about six or seven surrounding towns. Pretty neat!






During the past few weeks I have been planning a CRAZY trip! Yes, you thought my trip to Vermont and Minnesota earlier this summer was crazy, wait 'til you hear this :)


So I will have my last day of work here at Brasstown Bald on Sunday July 27th. My Mom is then flying down to Atlanta on that Monday (7/28) and we are road-tripping up the east coast so that I can tour the graduate schools at Yale University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst. We will be briefly stopping back at Brasstown Bald so Mom can see where I have been working and working our way up to Connecticut and Massachusetts. We will be going through 16 states all together, 6 of which we are going to go to the highest point in that state! We will be stopping in NC to see our friends, the Maas' and in KY to see my friend Katy.
 There may be a few other visits along the way...stay tuned! Also, we are camping along the way! Lastly, on the way from the east coast to MN we will be stopping to tour the graduate school at Indiana University. I am really looking forward to this trip and I am excited to spend 9 days with my mom!!

Dukes Creek Falls

A few thing from my life back here in Georgia.....
As the summer progresses it has been nice to be able to purchase fruits and veggies from the local farmers market. Always good to know where your food comes from!

Last weekend we had a birthday party for Smokey Bear here at Brasstown Bald. He turns 70 this year! I got to dress as Smokey Bear for the party! It felt like it was a party for me with everyone wishing Smokey (me) a happy birthday! Look for a photo of me with my (Smokey Bear's) cake!

Also, this past Monday Claire, Claire's Dad, and I hiked to Dukes Creek Falls, which is a nice hike and a great waterfall. Check out some of my photos!

Life here on the mountain has been busy as Claire and I prepare to leave in only 11 days....11 days! Time here sure has flown. We are working to "button things up" and preparing to leave. I have already begun to think of this upcoming academic year (Online RA training, buying books, etc.).

Two random thing I would also like to mention:
1. It is always nice to catch up with a friends! Thanks to those who have called to chat...I appreciate it :)
2. If you weren't sure from my photos, sunrises and sunsets here are GORGEOUS!

Stay tuned to the blog, as Mom and I will be blogging our road trip! Thanks for reading! I hope your day is filled with sunshine!

PS - Please keep the St. Jude of the Lake Habitat for Humanity Mission Trip participants in your thoughts this week as they travel from MN to AR to build homes for those in need. My parent's have been leading this trip for 23 years! I am so proud of them! Keep up the good work Mom and Dad :)