Another summer is passing, full of awesome places, old and new friends. After last year's summer when I moved from NZ through Oz to Germany, with visits in Sweden and the UK before finally getting to Canada, I was happy to have a proper home base this time.
After Canada Day Ted invited to come up to Summerland, BC, and I spent a few days recharging. A great area, and an even better time with ze boyz, thanks Ted et al.! I had a months to get some research done, before heading to the motherland for the second time this year. 10 days worth of good summer time, and of course, happy 90th birthday, Grosspapa! Back in Van I only had a few days to get ready for the next big trip: Hawai`i. So many good things happened, I don't even know where to start. A week on the west side of the Big Island enjoying sun, sand, snorkeling and science at the AGU Chapman. Great to see all the faces again. The next two weeks were finally where the action happens: Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Everybody up at HVO was amazing, including Madame Pelee herself, of course. While the lava flows were at an epic low, Rich and I took a sneak peak into the crater lake... BEST SECRET MISSION EVER IN THE MULTIVERSE. I've never experienced anything cooler in my life. Pics here. Thanks here to the gasmask manufacturer for helping us avert potentially lethal doses of SO2 :) A helicopter flight over the lava lake at Pu`u O`o, some snorkeling, dining, drinking, yoga-ing, working, Mauna Kea-ing later it was time to drive back down to sealevel to soak up some last rays of tropical sun. Thanks to Cyndi, Jess & Ben, Michelle & Rich & Master John, Allan and everybody else for an epic time!
During all this time, whenever I wasn't traveling there was a ton of visitors hanging out with us in Vancouver: Starting in June with Erik, followed by Susi's parents and Miri in July, Sanne just over the past few days and Melli and Grosse Kathi on their way here on Saturday we've pretty much always had a full house. I'm not even sure Susi and I will know what to do with ourselves over the winter. Guess there's only one option: Skiing! With Cypress season passes secured and the Whistler one in the works we're pretty much ready for the snow to arrive. Since most likely won't arrive for several weeks we might have to find a new hobby. Suggestions, anybody? I personally think I might actually be doing some research for a change. My creative output has been shockingly low over the past few months, another thing that should be changed. Will also keep myself busy with a few classes, some more grad council action, museum tours and workshops, and maybe some more hanging out with the Elementary School kids to get them excited about Volcanoes, Life, Universe and all the Rest. After all, what's not to like?
