Toppin's a Bird

Last Saturday, I ventured up to the Skagit River Estuary with Debbie for a bird spottin' float trip! When Debbie originally proposed the idea of a "rafting trip" I immediately got pumped for some white water. But she soon broke it to me gently that it was more of a lazy river float to spot eagles. Although white water would have been fun, seeing over 16 bald eagles was equally as awesome!


Washington winters aren't all that cold, but they're definitely rainy. Luckily, I came prepared (thanks to REI who had waterproof pants on sale the night before...BOO yea!).


The area was beautiful....and in true Pacific NW fashion, cloudy, rainy, and foggy. The lighting was great for picture taking...haha, the only thing I needed was a telephoto lens.


We saw TONS of eagles. Whoever put them on the endangered species list had apparently never been to Alaska or Washington. I know, I know....they're not on the list anymore...and I have proof, in digital form. The picture above was actually a baby bald eagle...haha...their feathers don't turn black and white until they're mature.



Apparently the adults don't really hang with the juveniles very often. So the mature eagle above must be a co-dependent mother....or one of those mom's who tries to hang out with her kids, and dress like she's 16.

Visitors from the South Pacific

At the end of January, I had some wonderful visitors direct from Hawaii. Okay, so technically, they weren't direct. They started in Massachusetts, and then went to San Francisco, and then Hawaii, and then Seattle! Kathy, Julie, Patty, and Carol graced Seattle with their presence for one night, and one night only.


I know Kathy & Julie from waaaaaay back when I was little. I think we probably all met when I was like 6ish years old? Does that sound right? Either way, we all met in North Conway, NH at Mt. Cranmore. Bunch of ski bums. ...and they still haven't managed to escape the Bourne family...yet.

Julie and I used to pig out on Starbursts during lift rides every weekend. Mmm, Starbursts. And now we're all grown up and living on separate coasts, so as you can imagine, I was pumped to see them!


We all went out for dinner and drinks in downtown Seattle, which was nice, because I could walk to their hotel. It was a really fun night, and it definitely made me miss home (more so than I already do). Thanks for visiting ladies!!

où les montagnes rencontrent la mer

There are a few isolated days in a Washington winter where the sun pokes its head out from behind the clouds...and those days are welcomed with open arms...and a fully charged camera battery.


I'm going to go ahead and say that the mountain in the picture above is Mt. Baker...but honestly, I could be wrong. Either way, there's something completely fascinating about a lone mountain covered in snow...which is why I have about 387 pictures of Denali, Mt. Washington (in New Hampshire), Mt. Rainier, and more. It makes me want to ski....REALLY badly....and you know, take lots of pictures.


In addition to the mountains...there's also the ocean. I have to admit, living by the ocean is pretty cool. I think if I had to choose, I'm a mountain girl over a beach girl....but being around the ocean and seeing seals and whales and ferry boats (yes, I included ferry boats amongst all the wild life) is pretty stinkin' awesome.


When I was little, I told my mom & dad that I wanted to be a toll booth lady. I think the Seattle-equivalent of that would be a ferry boat employee. Look out Washington State Ferries....here I come!

Certifiable

Last week, I went through a turbine climbing & rescue training safety course. Initially, my company was going to ship a bunch of us down to Oregon for on-site training at an operating wind farm...but at the last minute, the developer canceled on us (the jerks). So instead, we ventured to a local facility.

(Image courtesy of Gravitec Systems, Inc.)

The training facility consisted of lattice-type towers, platforms and a turbine nacelle. I learned how to use climb & rescue....and more importantly, I learned how to do it safely. Apparently, they frown upon horseplay at 80m above the ground...not sure why.

(Image courtesy of Gravitec Systems, Inc.)

For my job, I don't do a lot of turbine/tower climbing...but being certified is useful in case we need to do it while we're on site. The rescue stuff was pretty physically exerting...but I have T-Rex arms....so anything that involves upper body strength seems physically exerting to me.

(Image courtesy of Gravitec Systems, Inc.)

We had to rescue a dummy from hanging over the side of a nacelle....which is the box at the top of a turbine (see the picture above)...and let me tell you...it was not easy. Luckily, the climbing equipment does most of the work...hah.

It was really awesome experience...and I hope I never have to rescue someone off a tower or a turbine...but if I do...I'm now certified to do so....no big deal.

Livin' the European Dream...sans moi...dammit!

Colin recently departed for Germany once again to finish up his first season as a professional basketball player with the BBC Cottbus in eastern Germany. Ever since meeting the three musketeers (Franzi, Steffie & Matthias), I've wanted to move to Germany, drink beer, yodel and ski...so now, I have a pretty good excuse! Needless to say, I'm proud...let's just say a have a shrine on my fridge, and I'll be the number one trader of Colin Matteson trading cards....I know, lamest girlfriend ever. You don't need to say it, because I just did.


But I'm proud of him...just like he's proud of me for workin' a 9 to 5 and analyzing wind data....they're one in the same, really. This is the ultimate story of the nerdy chick scoring the jock....which is in Colin's little jocky face. Point, Nerds.


His team dominated this season. They've won every single game except for one! But I think I can still show Colin a thing or two when it comes to basketball....like how to dribble the ball on your foot and make it roll away.

Check out the website we made for him: www.colinmatteson.com !! Woop!

Christmas 2009: fam, food, and frivolity

Like many others, I have very fond memories of Christmas and the holiday season from when I was little. And when I really think about it, I think I like the season more than the actual day. But this year, I was really looking forward to Christmas Day because I got to be home with the fam.


The picture above is my Dad before the holiday madness ensued. The calm before the storm.
The Bourne domicile was packed full of people on Christmas....as per usual. But that's how we like it...lots of people, lots of presents, and enough food to feed a small army.


Here's my older sister Jenna with my niece and nephew. The big smiles are because they hadn't opened any presents yet....they were still ripe with anticipation.


Christmas morning is my favorite part of the day. In our family, we have Christmas Eve next door at my cousins house, but we open our own presents and stockings Christmas morning. I don't care how old you are....presents are awesome....whether you're giving or receiving.


And as quickly as Christmas came this year, it went. Having a full-time job really makes time go by fast....which is scary. Maybe I should reconsider being a ski bum for the rest of my life.

Christmas sweaters, food, booze and of course, a snuggie

I don't know if I can express how excited I was to go home to Easton and see my family. I was stinkin' pumped. Every Christmas Eve, we walk next door to my cousins house (yes, they live next door....and no, there are no banjos playing)...pig out, open presents, enjoy adult beverages and perhaps play a game that involves yelling or pantomiming.


My Aunt Jane dubbed the theme: Christmas sweaters....which we all pretty much wear anyway. And although the tacky Christmas sweater thing is a little played out....it still gave me quite the chuckle....I mean honestly....look at the Scottie dogs on Chris' sweater....epic.


Here's the crew looking festive and fabulous. And we've got a new member inducted into our crazy family....Nate (see the handsome drink of water in the extra special white Christmas sweater). Nate and Sam are now engaged to be married....haha...poor guy had to meet all of us in one night.....overwhelming is an understatement.


We all had a great time, and I already can't wait till next year! Hoooray! The picture above is my cousin Chris, my sister Jenna and Rudolph.


Every year, we do a yankee swap...and this year, my mom scored a snuggie. Hahaha...which I think she strategically left at the Kelley's house. Smooth Mom! Haha.