![\"IMG_0141\"](\"https:\/\/dev-clm-blog.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/IMG_0141.jpg\")
<\/a>Shedd Aquarium<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The Field Museum<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Owl exhibit at the Field Museum<\/p><\/div>\n
The next morning we got our first look at the Chicago Botanic Garden and it was fantastic. \u00a0We attended a symposium which covered native seed restoration. \u00a0I was fascinated about the private business side of things, something that I had never really considered about native plant restoration. \u00a0Then throughout the rest of the days we had the opportunity to meet other interns and chat about out placements over lunch. \u00a0The several days of training seemed to pass by really quickly, but it was great to have the Botanic Garden as a backstop to slow things down again. \u00a0We learned about the history of SOS and took time to learn field survey methods, and brush up on plant identification and keying out plants. \u00a0However, one of my favorite activities was when I snuck out of lunch and headed over to the butterfly exhibit. \u00a0I managed to talk my way into a free ticket and then headed inside the building to gaze at the butterflies (the birds of the insect world). \u00a0I immediately recognized some of the species from my May Term in Borneo through Earlham College. \u00a0During that trip I even got to do a mini-project on butterflies. \u00a0Needless to say I was really excited. \u00a0It was great to see old friends such as the Clipper as well as new species like the incredible moth. \u00a0I had such a great time photographing the butterflies and trying to see them all I even snuck out a second time during lunch. \u00a0I also had some great chats with some of the employees at the butterfly exhibit.<\/p>\n
Eventually Saturday rolled around and it was time to leave the hotel and the garden and head back to the airport. \u00a0I took the 10am shuttle and got into the airport around 10:45 and managed to get through security in 5 minutes (so much for the crazy long line at O’hair). \u00a0I spent the next 10 hours at the airport hanging out watching a DVD that I brought and reading. \u00a0I could have spent another day downtown, but I had already done that and I didn’t really want to worry about taking public transportation again and the though of missing my flight somehow was unacceptable). \u00a0Eventually I took my late night flight and got back to Portland where I was picked up by another friend and spent the night. \u00a0Then I took the Amtrak to Salem and then drove back to Prineville. \u00a0Phew, after all that travel I was ready to sit back and relax at home. \u00a0I managed to sit back on the couch and watch some golf before watching Lebron and the Cavs finally win their championship. \u00a0It was a fitting end to the week and all in all it was a wonderful week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Well we just wrapped up out week long training in Chicago and I have gotten back to Prineville, OR and got back into the routine of fieldwork. \u00a0My journey to Chicago was quite exciting as well as stressful. \u00a0I first … Continue reading <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n