Have You Hugged Your Coyote Today?

I’m saying it again.  You never know what interesting and fun things you’ll get to do while workamping at J. Strom Thurmond COE.

Most of what we’ve been working hard on is getting the Water Safety Program ready that will be presented in the nearby schools over the next couple of months.  Sadly for us, we will have departed before we get to actually teach the program (yep, using that incoming grandchild excuse again), but other volunteers that will be here are fine tuning the program.  Practice makes perfect, and boy are we ever practicing!

Terri and Mike will be some of the presenters,

as will be Jim and Linda.

We’ve had many rehearsals demonstrating how to put on life jackets,

as well as how not to put them on.

Plus we’ve “drowned” quite a few oranges.

Doing all this under the watchful eye of Ranger Dave, who has given us lots of valuable suggestions and encouragement.

We did get a break and went to a safety meeting where a member from the local ecology research labs gave us a talk on wildlife in the area in which we work.

Snakes (Why does is always have to be snakes?),

snapping turtles,

gators,

even a full grown, two year old male coyote which he rescued as an orphaned newborn laying on a highway.

Here’s a picture of his eyes, especially for blogland’s greatest nature lover, Sherry.  :c)  Truly a beautiful animal.

Another reason we enjoy being here in South Carolina is often getting to see our grandsons Andrew and Owen.  It’s wonderful to be a part of their lives and see their accomplishments. 

Owen has been taking Ju Jitsu for over a year now and excelling in it.  Last night he received a new belt representing the next level he has earned.  We got to watch his instructor tie it on him.  We don’t know who is prouder, Owie, or us!

 

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