Czech Republic-April 2014
![pruhonice pruhonice](https://foxloft.com/files/2014/05/pruhonice_thumb.jpg) |
Pruhonice Gardens and Castle. |
We went to the Czech Republic to visit family, bringing my sister Anna with for her first experience of Europe.
It was a wonderful visit! We spent a few days in Prague, visited Cesky Krumlov, took a tour of the Budejovice beer factory (the original Budweiser beer, not to be confused with the inferior American version), and went to a bunch of smaller sites to give Anna a good flavor of the country with the time we had there. We also had the chance to visit a computer museum one of Roman’s friends is opening which had an amazing and extensive collection of old equipment.
The Czech Republic is a wonderful place which is feeling more and more like a bit of home every time I visit!
![st_nicholas st_nicholas](https://foxloft.com/files/2014/05/st_nicholas_thumb.jpg) | ![dragon dragon](https://foxloft.com/files/2014/05/dragon_thumb.jpg) | ![goat2 goat2](https://foxloft.com/files/2014/05/goat2_thumb.jpg) |
Church of St. Nicholas. | Tea shop. | Roman and I. |
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Caribbean Cruise–October 2013
![atlantic_carribean atlantic_carribean](https://foxloft.com/files/2015/01/atlantic_carribean_thumb.jpg) |
Atlantic coast, Caribbean (St. Maarten). |
Some friends asked me to help plan a Caribbean cruise – no need to twist my arm there! We went with a really fun group of people and visited Puerto Rico, Culebra, St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten. We spent a large amount of our time diving at different sites, as well as exploring all over PR. We had the chance to swim in the bioluminescent bay at Parguera, which was a treat, and we stayed with local folks (who knew where to find the best food, of course) in PR. If you ever go, check out the lechon (roast pork) in Guavate – it is a MUST for any trip to Puerto Rico! Definitely the best pork I’ve ever had anywhere. I’d fly out there for the weekend to just eat pork, it’s that good.
![fort fort](https://foxloft.com/files/2015/01/fort_thumb.jpg) | ![jupiter jupiter](https://foxloft.com/files/2015/01/jupiter_thumb.jpg) | ![mount_gay mount_gay](https://foxloft.com/files/2015/01/mount_gay_thumb.jpg) |
Fort in Guanica dry forest, Puerto Rico. | Neat detail in Arecibo. | Mount Gay rum tour, Barbados. |
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Shedd Aquarium Professional Animal Training Seminar – August 2013
![belugatouch belugatouch](https://foxloft.com/files/2013/08/belugatouch_thumb.jpg) |
Myself and a young beluga whale! |
I was thrilled to get the chance to attend Ken Ramirez’s week long animal training seminar at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, it was a class I’ve been wanting to attend for years. Ken is an amazing trainer and teacher, his class was engaging, informative, and inspiring. I’ve been lucky in my life to be involved in many facets of animal training, from police K-9 work, search and rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, companion parrot care and rescue, and working with my own animals. I am committed to giving them the best possible care and enrichment and, for me, this class was a part of that continuing education and effort. I also had the incredible opportunity to get in the water with beluga whales which was a really life-changing experience for me. Belugas are awesome!
![kenramirez kenramirez](https://foxloft.com/files/2013/08/kenramirez_thumb.jpg) | ![penguin penguin](https://foxloft.com/files/2013/08/penguin_thumb.jpg) | ![sealionkiss sealionkiss](https://foxloft.com/files/2013/08/sealionkiss_thumb.jpg) |
The belugas love Ken! | A penguin training for encounter programs. | A kiss from Ty the sea lion. |
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Prague and Budejovice, CZ – September 2012
![dancingbuildings dancingbuildings](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/6460fb23f4b6_A91D/dancingbuildings_thumb.jpg) |
The famous ‘Dancing House’ in Prague. |
After spending a few days in Paris, we made our way to the Czech Republic to visit family. It was my fourth trip out, and we spent most of our time just relaxing in great company, but we also caught Mucha’s Slav Epic exhibition, which was amazing, and wandered around Cesky Budejovice a bit. We spent some time at the old Water Mill that Roman’s parents are working to restore, and went on a wild mushroom hunt (a very traditional and typical Czech seasonal event). It was a memorable and rejuvenating trip!
![mushroomcapture mushroomcapture](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/6460fb23f4b6_A91D/mushroomcapture_thumb.jpg) | ![wanna_pigeon wanna_pigeon](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/6460fb23f4b6_A91D/wanna_pigeon_thumb.jpg) | ![nouveau nouveau](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/6460fb23f4b6_A91D/nouveau_thumb.jpg) |
Hunting for edible mushrooms in the forest. | I have a pigeon for you! | The size of Mucha’s pieces was incredible! |
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Joshua Tree National Park, California – May 2012
![joshuatree1 joshuatree1](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/0cf16b60bd71_11B7E/joshuatree1_thumb.jpg) |
Roman and I posing in front of a Joshua tree. |
Two of our closest friends were getting engaged, so we hightailed it out to California to be there for the special event (which was a surprise to one of the parties and so much fun!) which took place in the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park. It was a wonderful day of hiking, excitement, and wonderful company!
![rocks rocks](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/0cf16b60bd71_11B7E/rocks_thumb.jpg) | ![joshuatreepetroglyphs joshuatreepetroglyphs](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/0cf16b60bd71_11B7E/joshuatreepetroglyphs_thumb.jpg) | ![joshuatrees joshuatrees](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/0cf16b60bd71_11B7E/joshuatrees_thumb.jpg) |
Roman leans against the rocks. | Petroglyphs – not authentic but neat nonetheless! | Each tree was so unique! |
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IAATE Conference, Minnesota Zoo – February 2012
![kingvulture kingvulture](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/IAATE-Conference-Minnesota-ZooFebruary-2_11900/kingvulture_thumb.jpg) |
A beautiful king vulture. |
I had the enjoyment of being an artist vendor at the IAATE (International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators) conference when it was hosted locally by the folks at the Minnesota Zoo. I was able to get away from my table on zoo day to get a behind-the-scenes tour of their bird facilities, collection, and how they run their educational shows for the public. It was a wonderful experience with a great group of people!
![whiteredtail whiteredtail](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/IAATE-Conference-Minnesota-ZooFebruary-2_11900/whiteredtail_thumb.jpg) | ![harrishawk harrishawk](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/IAATE-Conference-Minnesota-ZooFebruary-2_11900/harrishawk_thumb.jpg) | ![spectacledowl spectacledowl](https://foxloft.com/files/2011/IAATE-Conference-Minnesota-ZooFebruary-2_11900/spectacledowl_thumb.jpg) |
One of the prettiest red-tail hawks I’ve ever seen. | An adult harris hawk. | Spectacled owl. |
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