I’m still here! Hope everyone has been enjoying their holidays.

I’ve been a bit MIA on Lead to Roam, but I haven’t been doing anything quite as exciting as when I was in ‘Straya… until now!

In less than a week I’ll fly to Baja Mexico to start a 10 week internship researching whale sharks. Why whale sharks, you ask? Why not! I swam with these gentle giants in Western Australia in May and it was so amazing I decided I wanted to learn more about them. I found out about the opportunity thanks to one of the rangers at Monkey Mia while I was volunteering with dolphins.

I’ll be in La Paz, two hours from Cabo on the western peninsula on the Sea of Cortez. I’ll live in a volunteer house provided by the program with the other volunteer(s). I’ll be doing snorkeling/free diving for the program and in my free time I hope to get in some scuba diving. There’s a place not far from La Paz where you can dive with sea lions, which I definitely plan on doing.  And I intend on blogging more frequently from there so stay tuned!

What have I been doing these past couple months?

For the past 3 months I’ve been back in Virginia working as a teaching assistant in an early childhood program. I spent the majority of my time with the 1 year old class full of adorable toddlers. I loved working there and made some good friends, toddler and non-toddler.

Aside from working, I’ve taken a few side trips: I traveled to Savannah for my cousin’s wedding, visited with some girlfriends from college in Richmond, spent a long weekend at my aunt’s in New York and revisited my childhood by exploring Williamsburg again. This was my first fall home in FOUR years, so I was really excited to celebrate Halloween and return to Chincoteague for Thanksgiving.

I’ve also enjoyed kayaking, biking and hiking whilst home. I dragged my friend Kelly on a bike trip to National Harbor in 30 degree weather and high wind chill. I’ve hiked 4 or so times in Shenandoah, including yesterday in the rain and thick fog. I went twice to Old Rag because the first time I went with my mom was during peak fall foliage and when we reached the rock scramble bit there was a line to get to the top.

On to more scenic views….

Anyway, I’ve really enjoyed my time at home but I am ready for my next adventure!