Tenth Day: Horseback Riding!

Today was both a short and a long day. We got up early ready to go, but ended up spending the whole morning with almost everyone hanging out in my room working with data (or waiting for data to copy and be reduced in my case). My computer appears to be better, so I can really start working now. Nick and Zack left for the biosphere earlier than everyone else, and Melissa and I got a ride (with the group going hiking in Saguaro National Park east of town) to a local horse stable to go on a 2 hour trail ride. We had a good ride, with a nice guide and good horses, but I thought the scenery could have been better. Our ride went along in a wash for the most part, so we could see the mountains in the distance but not much else other than sand and rocks with the occasional bush or cactus.

Everyone picked us up and we got back in time to order take out wings for dinner with our movie. We watched a really interesting movie about the history of modern astronomy that told about George Hale and how he was the person who initiated the construction of Yerkes and the 200 inch telescope in California. We're going to Mt. Hopkins and Kitt Peak the next two days and need food for lunches, so Ian, Coty and I made a late-night grocery run and now we're gathered in Ian and Eric's room to do some work before heading to bed. We're leaving at 7:30 tomorrow morning, so I, at least, will probably call it a night once I'm finished with my blog. I have a couple pictures from today but I don't have my camera with me and haven't downloaded them yet, so I'll update this with them sometime tonight or tomorrow.

Jenny

Here is a picture of Melissa and I on our horses and one of the area we rode in.