a time for sleep

I spend a lot of time looking for pinteresting things and less time on school. I've figured out how to make my own self-irrigating pots, bake apple pie, tie a scarf, etc. Don't get me wrong, it's all very important and practical (if I might add) things to learn, but not school. I'm not too sure if I'm making excuses so I do not have to finish my paper but I think I'm sleep deprived and I need to play with my cat. 

fall is here?

The radio told me that today marks the first day of fall, which is ironic because it feels like the first days of summer have finally appeared through the fog. I've been told that September, October, and early November are the best months at Point Reyes. They were right. We've been able to enjoy endless sun and the nights are cool and clear enough to view the milky way from my bedroom balcony. I sleep with the blanket off and I haven't used the heater since July (which says alot!) It will be a sad day when fall finally comes along.

Going away

I'm always craving a change in time and space. A month ago, work sent me to the Grand Canyon for new employee training. Made a bunch of great friends, had the most expensive can of Tecate in my life and am returned home super psyched about working for the park. I think I need to just move into a position that requires a lot of travel and training. Now, time to figure out a way to convince Chase...

Oh so bad...

at this whole blogging thing.

after hours

Being 22 and living in a national park can sometimes be a bore. The night life in Inverness is not really happening for 22 year olds like me. Evenings are full of baking, cooking, hiking, crocheting, gardening, etc, honing those domestic skills (minus the hiking). On the bright side, this should mean that in two years I will be quite the chef and extremely fit, right?

But alas, thanks to the beauty of facebook, I see many old friends, hanging out in the big city, doing all of the things that is difficult to do in this 1421 population town. Realistically, I am just in a bit of a negative spot, San Francisco is only an hour away, and I probably will never get to live in such a beautiful place until I retire. "The glass is full" mentality makes all things better.

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting stuffed dolls. The word comes from the Japanese words "ami", which means crocheted and "nuigurumi," meaning stuffed doll. This is my first amigurumi, and he took forever for me to make. Alot of people have been telling me he looks like the character from "Little Big Planet," but I began making the doll with no intention for that as the outcome. I'll be making more soon! 

baking endeavors

Oh no, oh no, oh no...runs through my mind as baked treats come to their prime in the oven. The past couple baking endeavors have been disappointing and sub-par, and my baking confidence has yet to be redeemed. The snicker doodles were too cakey, the banana bread was not just right, and the zucchini brownies were non-chocolatey zucchini brownies.

Hope ran thin, as I grabbed the ingredients for 90 minute cinnamon rolls. My mind was full of doubt as I studied the recipe, freaking out as the recipe called for yeast and kneading, two things I had yet to work with in the kitchen. Thank God for the miracle of youtube, that I was able to find a how-to in seconds. The dough pulled together, and the filling tasted just fine. I followed the recipe exactly and here was my results.

Soft, rich, and delicious cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven. There will never be a need to buy Pillsbury rolls out of the can, or to stop at the Cinnabon at the mall ever again, these were just as good, if not even better, just the boost I needed for my baking confidence.

Recipe: 90 Minute Cinnamon Rolls from allrecipes.com

where to find the elk

Most of my day is spent telling visitors about all of the wonderful places in the park. "Wildflowers are growing here, Gray whales are passing north on their migration there, the waterfalls are rushing with water, absolutely amazing, etc. etc. etc." But since orientation, I haven't had much of a chance to explore. I was fed up with being chained to the visitor's desk, so I broke away from the monotony of desk work and headed to Tomales Point. The weather had taken a break from being extremely foggy and hasd made way for clear sunny skies and 70 degree temperatures. It screamed of a perfect morning for gallivanting around the park. 

Tomales Point has the Pacific Ocean to it's West and Tomales Bay to it's East. On the point, wildflowers are beginning to bloom and Tule Elk are preparing for calving. In 1978, 11 adult Tule Elk were reintroduced to Point Reyes. Their reintroduction is quite a fairytale story. After being extinct from Point Reyes for over a century, there are now over 400 elk that reside on the point.  Well about 400 + 1, I got to see the newest addition to the family! 

Wildflowers in bloom include: California Poppies, Douglas Iris, Blue Eyed Grass, Wild Radish, Cow Parsnip, California Buttercup, Cat's Ear, Cow Clover, Scarlet Pimpernel, and Sky Lupine.