July 24th

It was very hard to see Erik go. Not only did the time fly by way to fast but this also marked my half way point of my stay in Sitka. I really wish you could have stayed longer Erik, there is so much we could do together here. I believe when the Disneyland plane decorated with Aladdin's Genie character pulled up to the air port, it helped to ease the sadness of Erik's departure just a little. It was torcher watching Erik file into line, slowly but surly leaving my sight and Sitka's never ending beauty.

Work was alright but I was a bit quite today, simply deep in my own thoughts. A two year old bear had been shoot that morning by Fish and Wildlife and the body was lying under a tarp in our back parking lot. I guess it ate someones dog in the owners own back yard. I was very curious looking and touching the bear from head to tail, the body was still very warm. Later two men came to cut up the bear for a donation to the Raptor Center. The combination of helping my Dad and family harvest white-tailed deer and preparing diets for the birds has toughened me up to the gutting, cutting and smell of blood that filled my senses.


-Bear and I.



That evening the centers staff and volunteers gathered at the Rec. for the annual Raptor Center B.B.Q. I'm proud to say that I created the poster for this event that hung all around the center advertising the evening of fun. I ate way to much again, talked with everyone and pick up worry stones on the beach with Ronda. As I suspected earlier, the day Erik headed home the weather was gorgeous with clear sky's and sunshine, unlike the previous cloudy, rainy week.


-The B.B.Q. poster I made.


-Everyone having a good time at the Rec.


-A perfect sky.