Intern Life Update

Friday night all five residents of Bullfrog Camp went over to our local intern’s house. It was AMAZING… I’ve never seen anything like it. The first thing I noticed was the huge array of solar panels, then the landscape (gorgeous mountain vistas), then the sheer size of the place. I’d never been in a (new) house that big that I actually found attractive. And it was totally eco-friendly… the wood was recycled, the rooms were kept warm with radiant heat, a large portion of the water used in the house was rainwater collected on the roof… it was just so cool! And dinner was really tasty (as well as mostly vegan). I’m going to have to try making salt potatoes myself sometime soon.

Met some cool people on Saturday- a guy who’s going to RISD to be an Environmentalist Artist, some elderly Bryn Mawr alums, and other generally awesome folk. Also went on the Herp walk with the research coordinator… unfortunately forgot my camera, or I would have gotten some amazing shots. At one point I was holding a Bufo americanis in my hand and the little toad was just staring at me… in utter terror, I fully realize, but it was so darn cute. I continue to be captivated by the salamanders, of course, and got my first sight of one of the larger yellow spotted salamanders today. Still haven’t spotted any reptiles, though I’m sure I’ll get a glimpse of our enormous snapping turtle (Old Scarneck) soon, and hopefully one of the snakes (other than the blind garter snake we keep in the education room).

The wildflowers are also really beautiful… I’m going to try to get some pictures, though I’ve not had much luck doing that with my camera (which is beginning to show signs of age already. Oh dear). Also daydreaming of getting a new camera… Canon has a really awesome waterproof outdoorsy camera out now that looks wonderful. I’d like to have something I didn’t have to worry about so much, given my propensity for putting cameras into intense situations they aren’t designed for. And with a waterproof camera I could take pictures while boating without so much worry. If I get refunded any of this month’s rent from my DC landlord that’s where the money will go, I think. Well, and maybe into some more photo storage space… my computer’s memory is full. Uh oh.