Gearing up...

I got my boat, I got two Masters students, I have an undergrad, and stuff is finally starting to roll! I've even recruited a few researchers across the state to join in collecting data for me! I have a week of school left, and then have to deal with grading term papers and finals- but then I'm preparing to jump in full bore with a summer of active research. Lot's of planning to do, and lots to manage, but it should be fun! I'll be incredibly busy this summer trying to get as much data as possible to prepare for my first major grant submission next summer. Lots of work will be done out on the Missouri River- catching frogs. I took the boat out for the first time last week. I was a little concerned, it being the first time out- but the thing handled like a dream. Having handled my dad's ocean boat for so long- it took a bit to adjust to how little and light my boat is. So easy to pull off and put on the trailer! Engine purrs. Even a random guy on the dock commented on how quiet it was! I hope to take it out on the river for a trial run ASAP. Weather and availability of an experienced river captain are the limiting factors. Once I get comfortable running on the river, it'll be off to the races!

I have it parked in the garage right now. The boys love it! Climbing up here and there running around. Hopefully the weather will be nice for a trip up to the lake next weekend!

Staring at the tombs...

So yesterday I thought I would try out my new 2-way radios with Lucas. As I was outside waiting for him to put his shoes on, I started off the head up the bluff that we live next to. He was taking forever so I just kept on going up the bluff until I got to the top. What was up there? The Vermillion cemetary. I think that I knew it was up there somewhere, but it is like right above us. So I started touring around the graves and then came upon 4 or 5 like full fledged tombs. (Quite suitable for Easter). These things were built into a small hill on top of the bluff and the entrance to them look out over the landscape below with the Vermillion and Missouri rivers off in the distance. Quite a spectacular view. Unfortunately, now as I sit on my front room sofa- I can sit out and stare at the 15th green on the nearby golf course, but more directly I can see these tombs through the trees. Not sure how I never really noticed them before, but now that I know they are there... that is all I can see. I keep thinking about Return of Living Dead movies with zombies piling out and chanting- "Brains.... BRAAAINNSSS!" Perhaps some day 10 years from now my pair of bolt cutters will go missing and an hour later Lucas will come back saying... "Dad, I accidentally locked Ben in the Brookman tomb."