I didn't stop much on the road to Bozeman either. If it really was the electrical system in my car then I had better drive and drive and hope that nothing else failed. I arrived in the afternoon and hung out in my hotel. I had to write up the visit to Missoula so it worked out fine. As I said earlier, most of my fun was watching scenery as I drove. I definitely missed my stereo though.
The interview went well and I had a great time with the librarians there. I spotted a ring necked pheasant walking by the side of the freeway exit (perhaps he was hitchhiking?). Originally I had planned to drive through Yellowstone on the way home, but between the incoming storm and the wacky car I decided to stick to I15 and just get out.
The ride home was uneventful, though cloudy and beautiful. I made an appointment for my car to see my stereo people when I got home. The stereo people had installed the cruise control also. I cannot say enough good things about them. They called me a couple hours after receipt of my vehicle to tell me that there was a bit of metal floating about in the cigarette lighter which kept shorting out the stereo fuse. Nothing else was wrong... They didn't even charge me.
Photos
To Bozeman: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604600201409/
Montana State University: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604682822509/
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Missoula Montana: third stop on northern sabbatical circuit
I left Moscow and discovered that not only was the stereo and clock out of commission, but now my cruise control was out too. ARRRRGH. This was a tad scary, so I drove without much stopping to Missoula. My luck held out and this time my hotel was next door to the Toyota dealer. This dealer seemed much more above-board, and I made an appointment for them to check out my car the next day. I had scheduled two days in Missoula just to have a break.
Dropped my car off in the morning and went back to the hotel to read and watch tv. It was kinda nice to NOT be able to go do anything. They got my car done in record time. Apparently the people who "fixed" the fuse in Moscow had actually put a fuse in the wrong spot. Everything was functioning fine. Whooo hooo! I drove off and went birding at McCauley Flats and then Greenough Park. McCauley Flats was near/in the forest and I became brave and actually did the 1 mile loop walk even though there were few people. There were signs that people used the trail a lot and I'd be fine. I was. There were pygmy nuthatches and osprey. At Greenough Park there were more osprey.
The next day I stopped at both the public library and the University of Montana library. Both were excellent visits. I began to crave Chinese food so I braved the Internet till I found enough positive reviews for a little place called China Gardens. It has AMAZING food. I highly recommend the potstickers. Before calling it an evening I went back to Greenough Park. There is a big sign talking about the Pileated Woodpeckers that live there and I was hoping to see one. No such luck. :( Still, I got to see more osprey.
I did try to get the car back in to the dealer, but they didn't have time for me. They too tried to pin the blame for the electrical failure on the aftermarket cruise control or stereo.
Photos
To Missoula: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604595179026/
Birding Missoula: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599394393/
Missoula Public Library: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599551319/
University of Montana: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604595964060/
Dropped my car off in the morning and went back to the hotel to read and watch tv. It was kinda nice to NOT be able to go do anything. They got my car done in record time. Apparently the people who "fixed" the fuse in Moscow had actually put a fuse in the wrong spot. Everything was functioning fine. Whooo hooo! I drove off and went birding at McCauley Flats and then Greenough Park. McCauley Flats was near/in the forest and I became brave and actually did the 1 mile loop walk even though there were few people. There were signs that people used the trail a lot and I'd be fine. I was. There were pygmy nuthatches and osprey. At Greenough Park there were more osprey.
The next day I stopped at both the public library and the University of Montana library. Both were excellent visits. I began to crave Chinese food so I braved the Internet till I found enough positive reviews for a little place called China Gardens. It has AMAZING food. I highly recommend the potstickers. Before calling it an evening I went back to Greenough Park. There is a big sign talking about the Pileated Woodpeckers that live there and I was hoping to see one. No such luck. :( Still, I got to see more osprey.
I did try to get the car back in to the dealer, but they didn't have time for me. They too tried to pin the blame for the electrical failure on the aftermarket cruise control or stereo.
Photos
To Missoula: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604595179026/
Birding Missoula: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599394393/
Missoula Public Library: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599551319/
University of Montana: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604595964060/
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Moscow Idaho: second stop on northern sabbatical circuit
Another early morning with lots of driving ahead. I had hoped to go to a nearby wildlife refuge before leaving the Seattle area, but with snow expected in the passes I just headed out. A fuse had blown in my car making the stereo and the clock inoperable. Twas very frustrating. The scenery is stunning on the way out of Washington, the passes, misted over and snow would occasionally fall. It didn't stick to the roads so I was fine. While driving through the mountains I came to a snow covered, partly frozen lake. One of those concrete barriers was on my left, as was the lake. So I'm looking at the lake and driving and suddenly I spot a Canada goose. The goose was standing on the other side of the concrete barrier watching the traffic. I have no idea why. Just another one of those wacky bird moments I guess.
Once out of the mountains I came to the rolling farm country of Eastern Washington. Here I did find the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. It was remote and reminded me of Idaho, sagebrush, wetlands and small reservoirs. There were a LOT of blackbirds here. I got to Moscow and checked into my hotel and then drove around the corner to the Toyota dealer. There, they said they fixed the burned out fuse, but stuff still didn't work. They wanted me to leave my car, but I said no. It was drivable and I just had a bad feeling about it.
I had an early Tuesday morning meeting with librarians at University of Idaho and then had to hit the road for Missoula.
Photos
To Moscow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599089859/
University of Idaho: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599260001/
Once out of the mountains I came to the rolling farm country of Eastern Washington. Here I did find the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. It was remote and reminded me of Idaho, sagebrush, wetlands and small reservoirs. There were a LOT of blackbirds here. I got to Moscow and checked into my hotel and then drove around the corner to the Toyota dealer. There, they said they fixed the burned out fuse, but stuff still didn't work. They wanted me to leave my car, but I said no. It was drivable and I just had a bad feeling about it.
I had an early Tuesday morning meeting with librarians at University of Idaho and then had to hit the road for Missoula.
Photos
To Moscow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599089859/
University of Idaho: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604599260001/
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Seattle and Environs
Raven and I left Seattle early in the morning on Saturday and headed out on a drive. A really long drive, we drove down past Olympia, and up to the beaches by Queets and Kalaloch. It was 70 degrees and gorgeous, the rainforest was thick and lush and green and the ocean was stunning. I got to see a few amazing birds: chestnut backed chickadee, northern fulmar, marbled godwit, and pacific crows. We drove around and into Olympic National Forest. I loved it. We continued on up and around to Port Angeles we stopped at a little restaurant called Cafe Garden. It was posh but not pretentious and the food was AMAZING. The road continued South to Bremerton and back to the hotel. We got in late but it was sooooo worth it.
Sunday morning started late and we decided to go to a great restaurant for breakfast. It's called Salty's and what we didn't know is that on Sundays they do an all you can eat buffet. Let me just say it was more than worth the 30 dollars per person. They served exquisite food, lots of variety and I may never try another eggs benedict in my life cause it just wouldn't compare. They also had all kinds of fresh sea food, fish, pastries, and anything you could possibly want.
After brunch we went into Seattle proper to visit the public library. Seattle public library is a marvel with a spiral walk between the upper floors. Very industrial in feel it is Definitely worth a visit. Gene joined us later for dinner, which was great cause it has been years since I've seen him.
I must go back and visit again soon.
Photos
Seattle Public Library: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604598950899/
Scenic Washington: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604525287458/
Sunday morning started late and we decided to go to a great restaurant for breakfast. It's called Salty's and what we didn't know is that on Sundays they do an all you can eat buffet. Let me just say it was more than worth the 30 dollars per person. They served exquisite food, lots of variety and I may never try another eggs benedict in my life cause it just wouldn't compare. They also had all kinds of fresh sea food, fish, pastries, and anything you could possibly want.
After brunch we went into Seattle proper to visit the public library. Seattle public library is a marvel with a spiral walk between the upper floors. Very industrial in feel it is Definitely worth a visit. Gene joined us later for dinner, which was great cause it has been years since I've seen him.
I must go back and visit again soon.
Photos
Seattle Public Library: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604598950899/
Scenic Washington: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604525287458/
Friday, April 11, 2008
Stonehenge and The Road to Seattle
I had heard about the Maryhill Stonehenge years ago. The British scholar Christopher Chippindale spoke at ISU and Nick, Jeff and I attended. He was fascinating and triggered a spate of reading. I was still reading Stonehenge books a year after he visited. Seahenge was uncovered in 1998, just a short time after Chippindale's visit. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/for more on Seahenge. There was no way I wasn't going to get to see this American version of Stonehenge so I plotted my route from Boise to Seattle via Maryhill.
The drive through the Columbia Gorge was stunning. I had recently read a book on the Glacial Lake Missoula Floods and could see the evidence left by it, just as the author had described. I had to take a detour because the bridge crossing the Columbia River by Maryhill was being repaired, but I persisted. I finally got to my destination and it was well worth it. The replica is to scale and you can get a sense of the grandeur if not the age in this place.
My next slight detour was to Mt Rainier National Park. Unfortunately, I was unable to go through the park - closed on account of snow - and had to circle around it. Still, I got to see a lot of it from the edges. I put on my mp3 player over the radio transmitter and listened to Loreena McKinnet and other new ageish music while driving through the mountains and snow. It was very surreal.
I got to Seattle later in the evening, checked into my hotel and called Raven. She came over and we hung out and plotted our next activities.
To Maryhill photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604520187555/
Maryhill Stonehenge photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604517410434/
Road to Seattle photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604526816157/
The drive through the Columbia Gorge was stunning. I had recently read a book on the Glacial Lake Missoula Floods and could see the evidence left by it, just as the author had described. I had to take a detour because the bridge crossing the Columbia River by Maryhill was being repaired, but I persisted. I finally got to my destination and it was well worth it. The replica is to scale and you can get a sense of the grandeur if not the age in this place.
My next slight detour was to Mt Rainier National Park. Unfortunately, I was unable to go through the park - closed on account of snow - and had to circle around it. Still, I got to see a lot of it from the edges. I put on my mp3 player over the radio transmitter and listened to Loreena McKinnet and other new ageish music while driving through the mountains and snow. It was very surreal.
I got to Seattle later in the evening, checked into my hotel and called Raven. She came over and we hung out and plotted our next activities.
To Maryhill photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604520187555/
Maryhill Stonehenge photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604517410434/
Road to Seattle photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604526816157/
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Boise: first stop on the northern sabbatical circuit
I left on the morning of April 8th and headed for Boise. What a way to celebrate my anniversary. I stopped at Boise Public Library on my way to Nampa (location of my hotel). Boise Public is a great library, I took pictures and gave myself a tour. Jim, my former boss, now works here, so guess who was working on the reference desk... It was interesting to talk to him, he's always been ahead of the curve where innovation is concerned. I now wish I had spent more time asking him to forcast the future of academic libraries.
The next day was the SWILA (Southwest Idaho Library Association) conference. I really enjoyed the keynote speaker from White Cloud Coffee, the presentation on the history of libraries and the lunch speaker Azam Houle “Dare to Read!” Brochure: http://www.idaholibraries.org/node/108
Flickr set (not mine): http://www.flickr.com/photos/m3mo/sets/72157604550007420/
I was able to present about my sabbatical. It was really useful to have to do an assessment of what I had learned before and the presentation was well received.
Thursday April 10th I got up at 6:00 a.m. and drove back to Boise through a lot of traffic. Thank heavens I left early enough to have time to regroup before going in for the interview process. Boise has some of my favorite librarians working there. They recently hired a couple of new ones and they are FUN! I think we'll be able to do some great collaborations. When I finished I got back in my car and headed for Pendleton WA.
After all, Boise is close enough to Seattle that I certainly needed to drop in and visit my friend Raven...
Idaho State University photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519171935/
Boise Public Library photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519309911/
Boise State University photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519583547/
The next day was the SWILA (Southwest Idaho Library Association) conference. I really enjoyed the keynote speaker from White Cloud Coffee, the presentation on the history of libraries and the lunch speaker Azam Houle “Dare to Read!” Brochure: http://www.idaholibraries.org/node/108
Flickr set (not mine): http://www.flickr.com/photos/m3mo/sets/72157604550007420/
I was able to present about my sabbatical. It was really useful to have to do an assessment of what I had learned before and the presentation was well received.
Thursday April 10th I got up at 6:00 a.m. and drove back to Boise through a lot of traffic. Thank heavens I left early enough to have time to regroup before going in for the interview process. Boise has some of my favorite librarians working there. They recently hired a couple of new ones and they are FUN! I think we'll be able to do some great collaborations. When I finished I got back in my car and headed for Pendleton WA.
After all, Boise is close enough to Seattle that I certainly needed to drop in and visit my friend Raven...
Idaho State University photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519171935/
Boise Public Library photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519309911/
Boise State University photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604519583547/
Friday, April 04, 2008
Birding with Susan
I finished up the southern sabbatical circuit and was home for about 10 days. I repacked, replanned, plotted and prepared for the next circuit. I also went birdwatching one day with Susan Crandall. We had the best time. We went to Market Lake and Camas Wildlife refuge. At Camas we walked along a trail and met a couple of other birders. These birders told us about a Saw Whet Owl just up the trail. We wouldn't miss it because still another birder had a telescope pointed at it.
This picture shows the teeny tiny Saw Whet owl clutching a mouse in its claws. Personally, I think he was napping before lunch. We also saw Canada geese on Market Lake stuck in the ice. Poor goosies couldn't move. On our way out, the ponds had thawed and the geese were gone.
We munched on apples, cheese and applesauce spice cake. It was a very fun day and I hope I get to go out with her again soon.
4 photos from this trip at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604514291394/
We saw:
american white pelicans
brewers blackbirds
buffleheads
california gulls
canada geese
canvasback
chipping sparrow
common goldeneye
coots
crows
dark eyed juncos
great blue heron
great horned owl
house sparrows
lesser scaup
lincoln sparrow
magpies
mourning doves
northern harriers
northern pintails
northern shoveler
prairie falcon
red breasted merganser
red headed ducks
red tailed hawks
red winged blackbirds
ring necked duck
robins
rockc doves
ruddy ducks
sandhill cranes
saw whet owl
snow geese
starlings
stellars jays
swainson's hawk
trumpter swans
tundra swans
western meadowlarks
yellow headed blackbirds
Not Birds:
antelope
ground squirrels
This picture shows the teeny tiny Saw Whet owl clutching a mouse in its claws. Personally, I think he was napping before lunch. We also saw Canada geese on Market Lake stuck in the ice. Poor goosies couldn't move. On our way out, the ponds had thawed and the geese were gone.
We munched on apples, cheese and applesauce spice cake. It was a very fun day and I hope I get to go out with her again soon.
4 photos from this trip at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157604514291394/
We saw:
american white pelicans
brewers blackbirds
buffleheads
california gulls
canada geese
canvasback
chipping sparrow
common goldeneye
coots
crows
dark eyed juncos
great blue heron
great horned owl
house sparrows
lesser scaup
lincoln sparrow
magpies
mourning doves
northern harriers
northern pintails
northern shoveler
prairie falcon
red breasted merganser
red headed ducks
red tailed hawks
red winged blackbirds
ring necked duck
robins
rockc doves
ruddy ducks
sandhill cranes
saw whet owl
snow geese
starlings
stellars jays
swainson's hawk
trumpter swans
tundra swans
western meadowlarks
yellow headed blackbirds
Not Birds:
antelope
ground squirrels
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