Julie

I am new to the desert proper though I've worked in arid places in Southern California and portions of Hawaii. I do however have an odd history with deserts in that the first night I camp in one, it always precipitates even if it is not the proper time of year. Consider yourself forewarned.

I started my botany career as a SCA intern at Channel Islands National Park which lucky for me translated into a NPS job at Santa Monica Mountains NRA (mtns behind Malibu). After a brief stint back home in Wisconsin at UW-Madison for a Masters, I was back botanizing on islands, this time in Hawaii.

While I love the flora of HI, I have to admit I was most excited about outrigger canoeing, which I started doing back in CA. The highlight of the year in HI was paddling in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai race from Molokai Island to Oahu Island (I'm 3rd from the front).

A motorized boat containing 4 additional paddlers escorts each canoe, making switches on the go every 20 minutes or so. Despite being a boat of novices, the 42 miles took us just under 7 hours, earning us 35th place out of 82 boats.

Leaving one love for another, I moved to Las Cruces, NM, in Oct where I've been painting our house and getting settled into desert live. I can't wait to meet you all and explore the Sonoran Desert! And don't forget your rain gear this week.