SUNDAY::

Guess what? ITS RAINING again.. We took that opportunity to work out for 2 hours at 8am this morning. Michelle is now lounging around watching the Steelers (yay!) walk all over the 49ers.. Coki went to a picnic their board was invited to - an indigenous council of some sort we will know more about later.

At 2, we all go out to this marshland to check it out. They are working on the fish and wildlife preservation and want to show the board what plants and animals are native to the area and what they are doing so far. I am tagging along so I get to see some interesting areas. More later!

Well, finally I am able have some input in this narrative.... today started out pretty hectic for me. Coordinating 20+ people to do anything is not only difficult, but TIRING!! Fortunately, the trip to the marsh was amazing and well worth my efforts (as you can see)! We actually travelled to various points around the marsh (which was 800-900 acres in this valley) to look at the many restoration sites that our guides were working on....

Not only were we finally out of the city, but we went to areas that real Hawaiians, especially Native Hawaiians, live. (Of course, as you all know, this was right up my alley; ultimately Mimi (Michelle, her childhood nickname) and I are both such geeks!) This trip was like a hiking course in Native Hawaiian ancient religion, culture, botany, science and economy. Doc Burrows was our guide and we saw the most beautiful sights...........

We are such photo sluts......

Can we say photo op?!?!

It's hard to believe this is my BOSS!!!

(Again along with another of our BOD members, Cully on their rented Harleys following us to the site....)

And finally, one last view of the marsh from up on the side of what essentially is a dead volcano......they are removing California Grass by pulling it up, digging the root system from under the water surface. The goal is to clear a large area to try to reintroduce native birds and build a sanctuary. The amount of work involved in this project is mind blowing!

After this trip we were both feeling anything but social (I know, it seems impossible, but it's true!!) so it was a girls night out! Erik suggested this incredible Thai restaraunt (Keo's) down the road where just us girlies went and pigged out and gawked at the beautiful and sadly unattainable waitstaff. (We weren't their "type", so to speak) It was fun and relaxing and filling so we went home and went to bed

By the way: We forgot most addresses, so if you want a postcard,email (cliffm@colorado.edu) and give us your address!