7/21/14 Zoe and Jack Update

Wolf in Motion Camera Photo

ZOE UPDATE -  Zoe visited her living and study area a few days ago and was terribly disturbed by the devastation of burned down homes, buildings, and the forest.  Her house in Mazama was not touched and she was able to collect her belongings and move her equipment to the nearest Ranger Station for safekeeping until the study can resume.   Another storm went through the area with penny size hail and 50 miles an hour winds but also lots of rain which helped reduce the size of the fire which is still burning.  The fire is 60% contained but many roads are still closed so she can't get to her study area.  Still no electricity or gas.  She watched a plane skimming a lake picking up water to drop on the fire.  It went right over her head dripping water on her.  Good  news is that the wolves and cows with tracking collars are moving around so they are okay.  (She later finds out that one of the wolf pups was killed in the fire.) For the time being, she is enjoying working with another team in the southern Cascade mountain area where there is a lot more wolf activity.


JACK UPDATE - another big promotion and raise at work in less than 3 months!!  Environics Communications has lost several higher level people since Jack has been there which is good for him because he has taken over their duties and is performing them very well.  In less than two years, he is an Account Manager which usually takes 7 to 10 years.  He has been traveling to Florida to meet with clients and is working the 

Jack at Great Falls Virginia

 
long crazy DC hours on top of an almost 3 hour a day round trip commute.  He and a college buddy are looking for apartments in the downtown DC to be closer to the action and cut down the commute.  His men's league baseball team went into the finals in first place but was eliminated in the playoffs :(  Will be seeing lots of Nat's games in August until his baseball league resumes in September.  About a year ago, Jack totally surprised us when we got back from a 2 month RV trip with his decision to join the Navy.  NEVER having expressed any interest in the military, we were shocked; but very proud that he would be following the Naval tradition of his father, both grandfathers and a great-great grandfather on John's side.  The Navy's Surface Ship Warfare Board should be meeting in August which will determine if Jack will be attending Officer Training School in the Fall.  If not, at least he is well situated in his current career.