Orientation was last night...

....this makes it real...right?  Last night was the NLC HFS 2014 orientation for students, family, and friends.  It was fun to be back with the "crew" and reminiscence about the previous year's trip.  Geologists vs. Biologists...Botanist vs. Zoologist. My goal this year is to learn more about the botany and the geology of Hawaii...a little more seeps into my brain every year.  But the critters will always be my favorite.

86 more days!

NLC Hawaiian Field Studies 2014 - 97 days to go...

...Not that I am counting.  I was giving information to a friend about Kauai, so I gave her the address to this blog.  So, I thought that I should write something. I think that I am more excited to go this year then the years past.  Maybe I just forget how excited I get.  I am not sure.  I just know that I am so fortunate to work with this program and get to spend a couple of weeks in Hawaii working.  I know that NO ONE feels sorry for me, but it is a lot of hard work...and I am really not complaining.  The gym and I are getting very serious right now.

I have two of my fantastic Aquatic Science students coming and one former Aquatic Science student coming this year.  I am so happy they are taking the course.  I really think they will love it as much as I do.

There are a few changes to the schedule that sound great because there is going to be more snorkeling/tide-pool time.  So, I'll leave you (for now) with one of the most breathtaking views that I have ever seen.

My favorite shot of the trip:

And a fun picture that a student took of me at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - the moon was extra large and the glow of the lava in the back.