Yes, gas prices curtailed my birding and other activities this year. Besides the summer going by very fast, I found that I was reluctant to venture about much because it was just too costly. I went out to Westport only two times, Rainier 0, Olympic 1, Pt Townsend 2, and Canada (Vancouver) 0. This was at least 50% fewer trips than in 2004. I did carpool to Westport and Sequim and found those to be good experiences. The carpooling connections were gotten through Tweeters and I urge more birders to post intentions. I saw several others posting for carpoolers, but don't know if they had any success. I also carpooled on a Black Hills trip to Mt. St. Helens that was a lot of fun.

Valerie Elliott
Olympia, WA
VElliott at msn.com