good-bye, Castle

I checked the thermometer tonight as I headed out: 38 degrees F. All wet from the rain, and cold. My breath curled out to blend with the white fog. One more night zoop (zooplankton) sampling for me. The boat didn't squeak this time as I rowed across the still lake surface. Overhead, thick clouds spread the light from a full moon that shone somewhere behind them. (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, by the way.) I really didn't even need a headlamp, and it was so quiet that I could hear the buzzing of my ears. I had glided into a black and white photograph.

This is my last week at Castle Lake and Reno, and whether you were saying it out of duty or conviction, I thank you, Matt, for reminding me to savor it. I have a few more stops, but it's time to head on home now.