Introducing Della!

Once again a dog is bringing joy to our home. Della came to us only 8 weeks old and has already joined us on our winter adventures.  She reminds us of Koa, with a similar loving and calm demeanor, but she has a personality all her own that we look forward to seeing more of, day by day as she grows.  She will no doubt make many regular appearances in this blog in the years to come.

South. Way South.

Pursuing a PhD is an odd and utterly consuming task, but it often affords unique experiences. The students in my program joined students in Concepcion, Chile to learn about global water issues. We evaluated the environmental effects of new dams and their vulnerability to volcanic activity (Chile has over ninety active), as well as the social and ecological welfare of indigenous Chileans in an otherwise unfettered and explosive capitalistic economy.

No point in traveling twenty-two air miles and not exploring, so Danielle endured unspeakable delays and sundry frustrations to join me for two weeks.  We made it worthwhile, though, poking about in northern Patagonia with a travel van, finding campsites as they long summer days waned. We spent most of our time on Chiloe -- a large, culturally distinct island offshore. We were enraptured by unusual birds and wildlife in three national parks -- think penguins and miniature deer -- and rarely did we have a chance to set the binoculars down. By far the highlight though, was our trip (on yet another small ferry) to the small island of Lemuy. Only recently roaded, its people still live in quiet and prideful partnership with each other -- drawing sustenance from lush gardens, sheep, and salmon pens offshore. Lemuy is also home to some of the oldest churches in the southern hemisphere, Spanish-era and Catholic of course, all built in a endemic style uniquely reminiscent of sailing ships.  It was a pleasure to stay with welcoming people who make everything by hand, and are keen to share their craft, their food and -- come evening -- their hand-pressed cider.  The natural setting of southern Chile is impressive, no doubt, but the warmth of its people will linger in our memories most of all.

This Side of the Divide

Aside from a Kansas tornado and engine trouble crossing the Continental Divide, the drive west was uneventful -- certainly not a hardship compared to the covered wagon journeys of my not-so-distant ancestors.  We reconnected with our people in Baton Rouge and Grand Junction and Reno and Truckee. One benefit of a traveling life is that every reunion is made more sweet, too short to verge on mundane.

The remainder of the summer was a challenge, in that I worked in southern Idaho and Danielle worked in northern Idaho, six hours distant.  But the central mountains proved an ideal weekend rendezvous and we began our love affair with the state's hot springs, flower strewn meadows and alpine lakes.

Come August, I finally joined Danielle in Moscow.  We were quickly charmed by campus life, the vibrant farmers market, the profundity of untended heirloom apple trees scattered about town, and a maze of trails in the nearby hills.  Danielle had to slow down long enough for surgical repair of an injured knee, but was back in hiking and cross country ski boots by the time winter arrived.  A busy, but fruitful start.  

Enjoying the high country near Truckee, as well as the languid waters of Lake Tahoe.

 A sampling of the many splendored landscapes of summer in Idaho, a feast for nature lovers.

 Finally at home in Moscow. The verdant green of the wheat fields in spring aged to brilliant August gold, the apples made ready as the blueberries slowed. Students, myself included, once again made their rounds on campus as fall came on.