So Val and I have been throwing around the idea of going to the Galapagos Islands for a few years but between work, school and other vacations for me and Val's job and new condo, it has been on a back burner. But now I have no classes next winter, Val has a break at work in Feb/March and we both have a bit more money/credit. But the real impetuous is that Paul went to Ecuador last year and saw a bazillion birds. Well, I can't let that challenge go by without meeting it by going too.
Val and I went camping last weekend and read the whole Ecuador and Galapagos section out loud (which, I'm sure thrilled our neighbours) and highlighted anything that sounded even remotely interesting (everything!).
Val reading before dinner
Val still reading after dinner
So today I quasi-booked my vacation time at work and picked out my Ecuador bird book. Val has checked out flights and they aren't as expensive as we thought (if we fly out of Seattle and spend a night in Miami cough). So now, Val has to convince her work to give her the few vacation days she will need. And we have to bribe Paul with free beer to spill on his insider knowledge of Ecuador.
Cross your fingers.
