Meet Kristen Jurica and Nathan Dickey

Aspect recently welcomed two new staff members: GIS Professional Kristen Jurica in our Wenatchee office and geologist Nathan Dickey in Seattle. Here are five questions we asked to get to know them better. 

Kristen Jurica - Senior Staff GIS Professional

  1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

    I grew up in rural south Texas along the Gulf Coast. After I finished my undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin, I moved to California for a 12-week internship at Lassen Volcanic National Park and stayed west. I hopped around to a few California national parks before moving to Washington with my partner in 2022 for a change of scenery and new job opportunities.

  2. What inspired you to pursue GIS? What made you curious about it?

    I thought I ended up in GIS by chance, but I remembered that in 5th grade I participated in an academic competition called “Maps, Graphs, and Charts” where we completed tests using world atlases, so I think that there has been a map nerd in me all along. I studied Geography in college and took a GIS course because it was part of my degree plan. I ended up loving it and changed my track to GIS and remote sensing, and have been doing GIS since.

  3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

    I’m a big fan of puzzles, and GIS involves a lot of puzzling together data sources, tools, and visual communication. Working within the confines of the software to answer a question, or working with limited data to create a refined product keeps things interesting and it's rewarding when it all comes together. Bonus points for when there is a pretty map involved!

  4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

    I love to ride my bike, play outside, and collect hobbies. Gardening, stamp carving, collage, canning, birding, reading, playing video games, hanging out with my cat…the list goes on!

  5. If you had to choose a superpower, what would it be?

    After some recent travel woes, I choose teleportation! No delayed flights, and I could see family and friends thousands of miles away in seconds. 😊

Nathan Dickey, LG - Professional Geologist

  1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

    I grew up in Southern California, near Newport Beach (if you’ve seen The OC, I went to that high school). I went to college at UC Santa Barbara and grad school at Cal State Northridge in Los Angeles and after my third or fourth hot summer in LA, I realized that I needed to move to a cooler climate. In 2019, I jumped at an opportunity to move to Seattle and now I’m starting to appreciate the sun when it shows up!

  2. What inspired you to pursue environmental geology? What made you curious about it?

    I was originally drawn to geology in college when I discovered that there was more to geoscience than the simple plate tectonics and basic rock types I learned about in elementary school. When it came time to start my career, I found that environmental geology offered the opportunity to use many of my well-honed geoscience skills to contribute to making the world a healthier place.

  3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

    From a broad point of view, I’ve found applying my expertise to cleaning up our environment and supporting sustainable development helps motivate me to get to work in the morning. The most exciting part about my area of expertise is knowing that I’ll never be bored with the work – I’ve learned something new with every project! However, what’s most satisfying and motivating to me is when I can point at the site of a finished project and say, “I helped make that building happen” or “I contributed to cleaning up that industrial mess.” It makes me feel like I’m contributing positively to my community with the work I do every day.

  4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

    When it’s nice out, I enjoy exploring the city by bike or bus, or just walking around the neighborhood. When it’s better to be inside, I enjoy playing board games, reading, and catching up on movies or TV. On the rare weekend I can get its five players together, I’m Game Master of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign on its fourth year running.

  5. Where in the world would you like to travel next?

    New Zealand and Chile (especially Torres del Paine National Park) are practically tied for dream destinations for a long vacation. However, they’ll have to wait until after my wife and I have our 1-year-delayed honeymoon in Scotland this May, for which we are both very excited!

Dave Cook Delves into Ecology’s Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant Program at MTCA Law Seminar

Senior Principal Geologist Dave Cook, LG, CPG, will be a part of a seminar on Thursday, December 7 focused on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). First adopted by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) in 1991, MTCA is now in its 33rd year regulating cleanup of contaminated sites in our state.

The site of the future Maddux North building being readied for redevelopment in 2020. The property formerly housed a dry cleaner, which left contamination in the surrounding soils. Cleanup of the site followed regulations per MTCA.

Dave and Ali Furmall, LHG, Brownfield Program Lead at Ecology, will present “Community Investment: Overview of Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant Program and Other Brownfield Program Resources.” Their talk will give an overview of Ecology’s Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant Program, which helps organizations purchase and remediate sites across Washington to build affordable housing.

Since the program’s start in 2016, Dave and Aspect have actively collaborated with Ecology, real estate developers, legal teams, and nonprofit housing groups to get projects funded and properties ready for cleanup. Our work now spans Bellingham, Ellensburg, and several sites in Seattle, including the launch pilot-project Mt. Baker Housing Association’s Maddux development. The project built two buildings with 203 total units on the site of a former dry cleaner and gas station/auto repair shop.

Maddux North, funded in part by the Affordable Housing Cleanup Grant program, welcomed residents in March 2023.

The day-long seminar hosted by Law Seminars International will spotlight other aspects of MTCA, including an overview of the recent updates—the first major updates in over 20 years—covering new decision-making criteria and other requirements that will impact future cleanup projects.

For the full seminar agenda and information how to register, visit the Law Seminars International website.

Dave Cook Honored as Volunteer of the Year at Northern Arizona University

Senior Principal Geologist Dave Cook returned to his alma mater, Northern Arizona University (NAU), in Flagstaff on Friday, October 27, to attend the 2023 Honored Alumni & Hall of Fame Ceremony. He was honored with their 2023 Jeff Ferris Volunteer of the Year Award, which “is presented to an NAU alumna or alumnus who has demonstrated sustained interest and loyalty to the NAU Alumni Association or the University as a whole.” The ceremony and Dave’s acceptance speech are available on the NAU Advancement | Foundation YouTube page.

“I was given an incredible opportunity at NAU to learn from world-class geologists while completing a dream research project in the Grand Canyon. The place, people, and environment were game changers for my development. It’s important to me to mentor and give back to the place and people that helped put me in a position for an amazing career – hoping that they’ll have similar successes.”
— Dave Cook on what drives him to give back to NAU.

Dave outside the NAU Geology building

Dave’s service to the university started shortly after he graduated with a master’s degree in geology in 1991. Over the years, he has spoken at various lectures and seminars and acted as a reviewer and commenter for NAU’s Annual Science Symposium. He has contributed to alumni-funded scholarships and was one of the launch funders for the Parnell Water Research fund, named after Dave’s master’s advisor Rod Parnell, in 2019. In 2022, he co-led a geology department alumni committee to envision new curricula. He is currently an affiliate professor for the School of Earth and Sustainability and serves on its Board of Advisors. Dave has also had three student mentors through NAU’s Thrive Externship program, two of which have traveled to Seattle to shadow Dave and meet Aspect staff to learn more about environmental consulting.

Dave on campus with past NAU mentees (left to right) Karen Vera, Natalie Pierson, and Caitlin Brogan in May 2023

Congratulations to Dave on his award and for his years of contributions to NAU.

Aspect’s Geologists Converge in Portland for AEG 2023

Aspect’s Infrastructure Practice will be well represented at the annual meeting of Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG), taking place September 20-22 in Portland. Here’s a roundup of our staff who will present over the course of the meeting.

Technical Sessions

Site Explorations on the Swinomish Bluffs

Chip Barnett, LEG, and Aaron Fitts, LEG’s presentation Application of Sea Level Rise Estimates to Slope Stability Evaluation of Marine Bluffs, Swinomish Indian Reservation, La Conner Washington covers Aspect’s collaboration with Blue Coast Engineering and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community to assess and understand geologic and slope conditions on over 100 residential lots on tribal land impacted by localized landslide failures. The project focuses on identifying the cause and mode of the failures, assessing coastal erosion, determining how those hazards will be worsened by rising sea levels, and prioritizing areas for monitoring and mitigation to protect the slopes and homes.

Aerial view of Swift Creek area

Aaron will also present on Managing Naturally Occurring Asbestos in Landslide Sediments and Debris Flows – Swift Creek, Whatcom County, Washington. Aaron is the lead geologist on this project for Whatcom County Public Works to address chronic sedimentation issues from landslide material containing naturally occurring asbestos within Swift Creek in rural Whatcom County.

Rock & Gravel quarry in the Wenatchee Mountains

Alec Melone, GIT, will also discuss naturally occurring asbestos in his presentation, Preliminary Naturally Occurring Asbestos Screening for Quarry Expansion: Field and Structural Studies in the Ingalls Ophiolite Complex, Central Cascades, Washington. Alec will share Aspect’s approach for assessing the contaminant and structural hazards within the Ingalls Tectonic Complex to support a 50-acre quarry expansion in the central Cascades’ Wenatchee Mountains.

Poster Presentations

Studying trees at Rialto Beach

Chelsea Bush, LG, and Monica Hill, GIT, are part of a group presenting a poster on the Landslides, Tectonic Uplift, and Coastal Erosion of the Past Several Hundred Years at Rialto Beach, Washington: Geologic Evidence and Implications for Geohazards along the Northwest Coast. The poster delves into some of the mysteries the group is trying to solve on this stretch of beach. When the project began in 2017, the main focus was the origin of a rapidly eroding terrace on the back beach, several feet above the modern beach surface, and whether it may have been formed during the 1700 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Part of that work centered on determining the age of Sitka spruces on the terrace. When they learned the trees were much younger than they expected, things got interesting. Their ongoing work will help geologists determine how shoreline forests react to and recover from large-scale storms and seismic events.

Chelsea and Monica both got involved with the project as part of their master’s studies at the University of Washington. Chelsea started in 2017, focusing on landslide mapping and carbon dating of wood in the beach and landslide deposits. Later, Monica joined the group to conduct shoreline change assessment as they studied the effect that a nearby jetty/dike system at the mouth of the Quillayute River has on the rapidly eroding terrace. The poster will present an overview of the work they and many other UW Ph.D. and masters’ students have contributed to the study.

Stabilization measures in place at Washington Boulevard

Chelsea also has a poster on Aspect’s Washington Boulevard Landslide Stabilization Project with Kitsap County Public Works. Aspect worked with the County for over a decade to assess, monitor, and ultimately stabilize a roadway—and sole access to services for over 22 homes— traversing a dead-seated landslide complex along a steep coastal bluff in Kingston, Washington. The project won the American Public Works Association’s 2022 Project of the Year Award in the Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair (less than $5 million) category.

Associate Engineering Geologist Mark Swank, CEG, LEG, is the AEG Secretary, a member of their Executive Council, and a co-chair of this year’s meeting. Chip Barnett was recently elected to the AEG Board of Directors for the Pacific region and coordinated the poster sessions as part of the meeting’s planning committee. Aspect is proud to sponsor technical sessions on Collecting Geologic Data for Assessment of Potential Hazards Using Multiple Surface and Subsurface Methods Symposium, the Young at Heart Student/Young Professional Event, and the all-important All Day Coffee on Tuesday.

Aspect’s Dan Haller Weighs in on Water for Washington’s French-Fry Boomtown

Aspect’s Dan Haller was recently quoted in a Washington Post story about Othello, central Washington’s self-proclaimed french-fry “boomtown.” As climate change has impacted the potato business in other parts of the country, Othello has become an industry leader, but the key to sustaining this success going forward will be water.

Groundwater supply concerns have been in the news this summer (notably in this comprehensive New York Times article). Only a few years ago, Othello’s water future seemed in doubt, as the city faced decreasing yields from its wells. Aspect was brought in to evaluate the City’s well yield and determine the causes of declining groundwater supplies. Working with the City, the Washington State Department of Ecology, Office of Columbia River, and the US Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Aspect helped develop an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) program that would support long-term growth and provide stable water supplies. The ASR program, which was first tested in 2021, operates by diverting and treating canal water to drinking water standards, then introducing (recharging) that water to the declining aquifer using existing wells. This artificially recharged and stored water combats the declining groundwater issues and can be later recovered by the City for municipal supply.

This work has been vital to Othello’s success, but as Dan points out in the Post article, the well system that farmers rely on was only ever supposed to be a temporary solution. Othello’s use of BOR canal supplies is a step towards the original vision for primary water use in the region: transitioning away from groundwater and connecting to the Columbia Basin Project, a government-funded program that stores Snake and Columbia river supplies. As Othello’s wells begin to run dry, this water will be critical to the town’s survival. The good news is there’s plenty of supply to be had; according to the Post article, the Columbia has only been tapped for 3 percent of its available water flow. Building out this infrastructure will be essential for Othello’s continued reign at the top of the french-fry world.

Physical Challenges and Reflections on Allyship on the AIDS Lifecyle Bike Ride

Aspect has a rich biking culture – from epic Bike to Work Month challenges complete with branded bike jerseys to impromptu meetups to cruise the neighborhoods and trails around our offices. Principal Geotechnical Engineer Henry H. Haselton, a longtime bike commuter himself, took that enthusiasm to new lengths on AIDS Lifecycle Ride (ALC; www.aidslifecycle.org) a 545-mile cycling journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The ride raises money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center and their mission to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. Over seven hard-fought days in June, Henry rode with nearly 2,000 participants, largely from the LGBTQ+ community, who collectively raised $12M for the cause. Here, Henry shares the physical challenges and social realizations he experienced on the journey.

A candlelight vigil held on Ventura Beach for friends, family, and neighbors lost to AIDS

Gearing Up

After several years of slowly declining fitness, I decided in December 2022 to kickstart my way back into shape. In the spring of 2022, I traveled to Berkeley, California, to celebrate my old college roommate’s 60th birthday, and he told me he was doing the ALC ride that summer and encouraged me to do it this year for my 60th birthday. That planted the seed, and I decided that would be my motivation.

I developed a training program that included shorter mid-week rides and longer weekend rides. I largely used my bike commute to Aspect in Seattle as my mid-week rides (these could range from about 16 miles to 40 miles round trip depending on my chosen route). Weekend rides started at about 40 miles and peaked at 90 miles when I rode from my home on Vashon Island to Seattle and made a loop all the way around Lake Washington. The long Saturday ride was always followed by a shorter ride on Sunday to get my body used to daily cycling, which I needed to do for 7 straight days on the actual ALC ride.

I expected this to be a grueling physical challenge and I took my training seriously, which paid off because I finished strong! The physical challenge was real, but I didn’t anticipate the opportunity I would have for some learning moments along the way.

On the Road

With my riding buddies just before departing from the Cow Palace in San Francisco. John (on right) was my college roommate and inspired me to take on this challenge. Maryan (left) is a mutual friend who sadly crashed-out on Day 2.

The ride immersed me in a largely LGBTQ+ community 24/7 for a solid week, which is something I hadn’t experienced before. As someone who identifies as a white heterosexual male—with all the privileges that come with that—it was notably unusual for me to be a minority for this trip, and I got a small taste of what that feels like.

My riding partners both left on the second day (one crashed and the other one hadn’t fully prepared, so he didn’t finish), so I was left solo and positioned to go out and meet all sorts of folks. I had my meals, biked, snacked, partied (in a social way… it is a dry event!) and tented with the community every day and night.

Each night, the ALC staff and volunteers presented a program that summarized the day and got us ready for the next while mixing in testimonials of people’s experiences with AIDS that were inspirational and educational. Their talks described how the funds we had raised provide resources for prevention, care to those affected, and efforts to destigmatize the disease. They also celebrated the queer community through storytelling, sharing successes in overcoming stigmas, dealing with AIDS in a positive way, and performing hilarious and heartwarming accounts of their personal experiences on the ALC ride.

Typical scene at one of the rest stops, that were spaced roughly every 20 miles along the way

Our gear was moved from campsite to campsite in moving vans, and a new “tent city” created every day. There was a huge meal tent with nourishing food, a medical tent, a massage/chiro/acupuncture tent, a technology/charging tent and full-service bike mechanics at every stop and campsite. This tent city sunset is in Santa Maria.

“Outed”

Me (center) sporting one of many Aspect bike jerseys during a stop in Santa Barbara, where the LGBTQ+ community treated us to excellent ice cream, coffee, and treats as a thanks for the support that the ALC ride provides. These are a couple riders from Seattle--there were about 40 of us from this area.

On the fourth night, there was a talent show. The context of one of the performances led to the emcee asking “the straight guys” in the audience to raise their hand. I raised my hand and I was joined by only 2 or 3 others—out of almost 2,000 participants. This was surprising, and in the moment made me feel very much like an outsider. This gave me a small glimpse of what it’s like to be different from the “norm”—not a feeling that a straight white guy has very often.

Some of my tablemates reassured me—they said there were probably more of “my kind” in the crowd, and I was one of the few who had the courage to identify myself. Maybe so… but it really got me thinking, and I seized the opportunity to reflect on the experience.

Sure, it was a little uncomfortable to out myself as a straight guy in this mostly queer crowd, but what I came to realize is that even under those circumstances, my privilege still allowed me to feel safe. That and the incredibly warm and supportive people I was with. That’s a far cry from what it was like for my contemporaries to come out as queer when I was young (that was a long time ago…) and it is still so today.

I’ve honestly thought of this moment just about every day since—this eye-dropper full of discomfort has given me a much broader perspective. It also helped me understand my privilege more clearly, knowing that even with that temporary feeling of being an outsider, I’m not having to worry about potentially negative biases toward me on a regular basis.

Reflections at the Finish Line

I was honored to get an “ussie” with the executive director, Tracy Evans (a truly remarkable person!), at the finish line in Santa Monica.

As I rolled into the finish area in Santa Monica, I was greeted by a crowd of supportive people cheering me on. I came out of the experience proud of my physical accomplishment, but more so energized by the experience I had with this community, the things I learned, the vulnerability I embraced, the good times we shared, and the better understanding  of my privilege. I am more physically fit than I was before I started training, and – I hope – a stronger ally to my queer family members, friends, and neighbors. I will bring this strengthened allyship into my work at Aspect as we continue our efforts to build a more inclusive workplace.

Meet Stephen Bartlett

Aspect recently welcomed Stephen Bartlett to our Yakima office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know him better.

Stephen Bartlett, GIT, Staff Geologist

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I am from Pierce County, Washington. I have lived in Florida, Hawaii, Colorado, and am now back here. I was brought back to Washington to be close to family and interesting opportunities.

2. What inspired you to pursue hydrogeology? What made you curious about it?

I was inspired to pursue working with groundwater and surface water after taking a hydrogeology course. I then attended a meeting in Colorado about the water issues in the Rio Grande and the San Luis Valley aquifer. I was curious about the availability of water in the areas and the water rights involved in the situations, and how the changing climate and increasing population will affect the way things work out in the future.

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

I would say I do not yet have an area of expertise. However, what excites me and keeps me motivated is the opportunity to learn.

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I have many hobbies. Some of them are season dependent. I like to travel, garden, grow plants, read, and ski. I design and build things, such as reptile cages, bed frames, tables, or anything else that is needed or just pops into my head as a fun project. I also enjoy fermenting anything that is fermentable, mainly drinks (beer, wine, kombucha) and bread but also other foods. I am also looking for new, low-cost hobbies.

5. Where in the world would you like to travel next?

The next place I would like to travel to is Australia.

Meet Emily Rusen and Kevin Ross

Aspect recently welcomed Emily Rusen to our Seattle office and Kevin Ross to our Bellingham office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know them better.

Emily on the Skyline Loop trail at Mt. Rainier.

Emily Rusen, EIT, Staff Environmental Scientist

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I’m originally from Morristown, New Jersey, and spent a couple years in Troy, New York, while I was doing my bachelor’s degree. After I graduated, I moved out to Seattle for a job and have been slowly falling in love with the Pacific Northwest ever since.

2. What inspired you to pursue environmental engineering? What made you curious about it?

I think I’ve always been interested in learning more about how humans impact the environment. Hearing about the looming implications of climate change while growing up drove me towards the environmental field. I knew I made the right decision when I got to college and saw how passionate the professors in the environmental engineering department were about their research, plus they seemed a lot cooler than the other engineering professors (no offense, other engineers!). I think I was drawn to consulting because it provides exposure to a wide variety of projects and lets me feel like I’m positively contributing to communities around me.

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

There’s so much change going on with emerging contaminants and remediation technologies, which keeps work interesting. I’m motivated by getting the chance to problem solve in the field and seeing sites slowly get cleaned up. It’s been pretty cool to have a job where you are consistently challenged and encouraged to learn with each new project.

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

Most of my afterwork hours during the summertime are spent running or paddleboarding. I’m currently training for the Chicago Marathon coming up this October! I love alpine skiing during the winter, and I am hoping to get more into backcountry skiing as I spend more time in Washington.

5. If you had to choose a superpower, what would it be?

I would hands down choose teleportation as my superpower. I think it would be super beneficial for traveling long distances: avoiding time spent in the TSA line during holidays, cutting out time spent getting to the airport, increasing efficiency getting across the globe, and eliminating the carbon footprint I would have by traveling via planes. I can’t see a need for me to be able to lift super heavy things unless I suddenly transitioned to a life of crime fighting, so I’ll stick with teleportation.

Kevin Ross, Staff Engineer

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I grew up in southeast Pennsylvania, then moved to the front range of Colorado for school and fun; that was where I spent my adulthood until Aspect brought me here to Bellingham. Bellingham is a place I’ve visited in the past and always found enjoyable.

2. What inspired you to pursue engineering geology? What made you curious about it?

My sister and I spent loads of time outside exploring the woods of Pennsylvania, climbing rocks and trees, building rafts for our backyard creek, forts, and snowbank tunnels. I recall being particularly curious about these large boulders at one of our favorite local spots, Ringing Rocks Park, which led to an interest in geology. That interest expanded in high school, taking a geology class, and finding out that rock climbing was a real activity. I then pursued an undergraduate degree in Geology at the University of Colorado, switching to Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, because engineering fulfilled my practical and analytical brain.

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

The best part of engineering geology is that no two projects are the same. Geology is forever evolving, and each project brings its own unique challenges. What excites me is seeing geologists with 20 years of experience be just as thrilled to explore a new site as someone with 5 years. The drive to apply a wealth of knowledge to a new geologic and geomorphic setting—it’s fascinating!

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

Generally, any outdoor recreational activity, but top of the list is mountain biking, (it was no accident that I pursued Bellingham as a place to call home) tennis, eating substantial amounts of food, making my swanky pour over coffee (and talking grind settings and brew ratios), and apparently collecting dogs as my partner and I have 3.

5. Where in the world would you like to travel next?

Finale Ligure, Italy, to satisfy most of the things discussed in Question 4.

The Path to Professional License: Chelsea Bush, LG

In the science and engineering industry, seeing a “PE”, “LG”, “PMP”, or other initials behind someone’s name shows that person went through years of work experience that culminated in a substantial test to confirm the right to practice their area of technical expertise. Many go through this licensing journey but few outside that group know what the process is really like.

We’re telling those stories here. Aspect’s professionals are writing a series of articles that capture the trials and successes of studying for and receiving these career-defining milestones.

Chelsea Bush, Licensed Geologist (LG)

Date you took the test: March 17, 2023

Date Awarded: May 4, 2023

Chelsea working at Rialto Beach.

Where did you start with your test prep?

I find that studying with a good friend is the best way to learn and retain information. I chose my bestie Mary Alice, who was taking the test at the same time, and we met up at a restaurant/bar every weekend for 3 months. Good food and a beer helped us relax and enjoy our study time, instead of dreading it.

Together, we went over the practice tests and graded each other, and we taught each other all of the different sections outlined in the Reg Review study materials. We decided that we should prepare our “lessons” on the material we are least familiar with, then go over our findings together.

What should a person gearing up to do this know about the mental, physical, and social challenges of test prep?

Studying for the test is stressful—at first it is very overwhelming and it seems like you will never get through all the study materials. But if you break down the sections and consider your comfort level with each subject, it helps put the test in perspective.

I focused heavily on hydrogeology and engineering geology review, and spent a day on each of the subjects (like economic geology, which I have no background in) reading through all of the material and attempting study questions. I suggest learning basic hydro equations, how to calculate weighted averages, and review your three-point problems (applicable to both structural and hydro questions). Don’t freak out if you don’t know some things! You only need a 70 percent grade to pass.

Chelsea with her cat, Elvira.

Walk us through the Big Test Day…

I was really nervous! To prepare for the exam I ate a solid breakfast, drank a lot of water, and took a few deep breaths.

When I got to the testing center in Mountlake Terrace, I ran into Bodie McCosby from Aspect and recognized a few other people, which made me feel less stressed out.

It is important to follow the instructions given by ASBOG (the National Association of State Boards of Geology) and make sure you have all required documentation and identification before entering the testing center. It is a little odd, but they use a metal detector and pat you down before you enter the testing area to ensure you aren’t cheating, so be prepared to feel like you are going to board an airplane.

How did you feel when you got the results?

Because this was the first year that the test was given online, we had a lot of questions about how the results would come out, and when. I know all of us were obsessively checking our emails. It took about 45 days to receive our test results, a slightly longer wait than previous years with the written test. When I got the email that I passed, I was at home after work—I was really excited and relieved! The first thing I did was call my mom and dad to share the news, and that evening my husband took me out to dinner to celebrate.

What lessons did you learn that you’d want others to know?

I think the best thing to do is study in a way that helps you—not everyone studies well with a friend and a cheeseburger like me. I reflected on the best methods I used during grad school, and relied on those. Reaching out to others who have taken the test and experienced it is also very helpful for understanding the level of effort you should take.

Groundbreaking Celebrates the Start of Affordable Housing Along the Bellingham Waterfront

May 7-13 is Affordable Housing Week, championed by the Housing Development Consortium to highlight the role affordable housing plays in stabilizing our communities. See a recent affordable housing story below and more of Aspect’s Affordable Housing work here.

Staff from Aspect’s Bellingham and Seattle offices were on hand for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the first phase of the Millworks development, which will bring affordable housing to the Bellingham waterfront.

Banners at the construction site announcing both Phases of the Millworks redevelopment

Millworks is a partnership between the Port of Bellingham, Whatcom Community Foundation, and Mercy Housing Northwest (Mercy). Phase 1 of Mercy’s development includes 83 units of workforce and family rental housing plus a YMCA early learning center. The development should be ready to welcome residents next year.

Mercy Housing Northwest’s project manager Ellen Lohe (left) emceed the groundbreaking event, and Port Commissioner Michael Shepard (right) delivered remarks.

The Millworks development sits on 2.3 acres at the corner of the larger 67-acre Georgia-Pacific West cleanup site. Once home to a pulp and tissue mill, the site has undergone massive cleanup and redevelopment over the last decade, including the City of Bellingham’s popular Waypoint Park. Aspect’s environmental, geotechnical, and stormwater teams have worked extensively within the former mill’s footprint.

The building’s foundation is in place with framing starting, only 4 months after cleanup completion. Photo courtesy of Mercy Housing NW.

For the Millworks project, Aspect completed a pre-design investigation, developed a cleanup action plan, oversaw a formal public comment period, authored the engineering design report, executed an excavation compliance monitoring plan, reviewed construction plans/specs, and provided bid support. We provided oversight on the soil removal project, which also accomplished the substantial grading and site prep needed to start work on the new building. All of this occurred within a highly expedited 12-month schedule to meet Mercy’s funding requirements.

Principal Hydrogeologist Steve Germiat, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, managed Aspect’s project team, which includes Adam Griffin, Jane Gregg, Matt Eddy, Nikolai Carroll, and Baxter Call. They worked in close coordination with the Port, RMC Architects, and the rest of the Mercy team, as well as the Washington State Department of Ecology, to reach this key milestone.

Whatcom Community Foundation’s planned Phase 2 development will include more affordable housing units and a local food campus featuring a commercial kitchen for use by food trucks and nonprofits like Meals on Wheels. Phase 2 construction is expected to begin in 2025.

Meet Shelby Cutter

Aspect recently welcomed Shelby Cutter to our Seattle office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know her better.

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I was born and raised in Bend, Oregon, and have spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest, other than a short stint in Santa Cruz, California. I’ve lived in Walla Walla and Longmire, but came up to Seattle to get my master’s degree from University of Washington in Geotechnical Engineering.

2. What inspired you to pursue Geotechnical Engineering? What made you curious about it?

I started out getting my bachelor's degree in geology from Whitman College. After that, I was lucky enough to work at Mt. Rainier National Park as a geomorphology intern and completed a risk assessment of the Nisqually River but my work didn’t include any actual mitigation work, nor did I have the background to do any such thing—that left me unsatisfied. After working at a geotechnical engineering firm in the Bay Area, I knew I wanted to pursue a master's degree in geotech. I love identifying possible geological risks but I want to also find ways to fix/mitigate them as well.

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

Geotechnical engineering is always changing. New technologies and techniques are being put into practice all the time, and while it might be hard to keep up with, it keeps things interesting.

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

In the months from December to May, you can find me alpine skiing at Stevens, Crystal, Whistler, Mt. Bachelor, or in the backcountry. Outside of skiing, I also love to powerlift and find new/wild flavors of beer, and I just recently got into downhill mountain biking.

5. Where in the world would you like to travel next?

I would love to visit Norway, specifically the Lyngen Alps and Tromsø. I would go backcountry skiing and to the floating saunas on the water, and I would love to see both the midnight sun in the summer and the Northern Lights/eternal night in the winter.

 

Kitsap County’s Washington Boulevard Landslide Stabilization Project Honored at AWPA’s Spring Conference

Aspect joined staff from Kitsap County Public Works (County) at the American Public Works Association (APWA) Spring Conference in Tacoma to celebrate the County’s Washington Boulevard Landslide Stabilization project, which earned the APWA’s 2022 Public Works Project of the Year award in the Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair (less than $5 million) category.

Members of the Washington Boulevard Stabilization team accepting their award (from left to right): Andrew Nelson, Kitsap Public Works Director; Tina Nelson, Kitsap Senior Program Manager; Joe Rutan, Kitsap County Engineer; Tim Beachy, Kitsap Project Manager; David Dinkuhn, Parametrix Civil Engineer; Andrew Holmson, Aspect Consulting; Steve Nichols, Kitsap Construction Manager; Tom Abplanalp, Sound Pacific Construction; Phil Struck, Struck Environmental; Paije Abplanalp, Sound Pacific Construction.

Washington Boulevard traverses a steep coastal bluff along the eastern Puget Sound shoreline in Kingston, Washington, leading into the town center and regional ferry terminal. Part of the road crosses a large deep-seated landslide complex that for decades suffered failures after heavy rains, frequently cutting off the sole access to the town and emergency services for 22 homes along the road. The Washington Boulevard Landslide Stabilization project constructed a horizontal drain system, stormwater improvements, and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) slope to stabilize the roadway and provide a reliable path to the town and services for residents.

Roadway damaged after slope movement in 2011.

Temporary roadway protection measures in place.

In the winter of 2006, a period of extreme rainfall triggered significant landslide movement and damage to the roadway. Kitsap County engaged Aspect to complete detailed geologic investigations to characterize the nature of the landslide, conduct emergency monitoring, help the County decision-makers understand the risks the landslide posed to the roadway, and to develop viable stabilization alternatives. After over a decade of active monitoring and management, the increasingly frequent road closures and need for repairs due to landslide movement prompted County decision-makers to start design and construction of the preferred stabilization alternative.

Horizontal Drain Drilling (HDD) near the steep bluff.

Aspect led design of the horizontal drain system to dewater the body of the landslide, roadway stormwater improvements to enhance collection and conveyance of stormwater on/near the roadway, and a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) slope to achieve grade transitions at the landslide headscarp and support the roadway embankment. This solution struck an elegant balance between effective stabilization targeting the root cause of instability (elevated groundwater), an environmentally permittable, sustainable, and beneficial design, and cost.

Roadside Drainage Improvements and Roadway Base Preparation.

Final paving of road reconstruction with guardrail.

Aspect and the County worked in close collaboration with Parametrix for civil design and Struck Environmental for environmental permitting to deliver a pragmatic design meeting the project objectives, schedule, and budget. The project was successfully constructed by Sound Pacific Construction with key support from Jensen Drilling, Inc.

Senior Associate Geotechnical Engineer Andrew Holmson, PE, who has worked on the project since 2008 alongside over a dozen Aspect geologists and engineers, joined Tim Beachy, Tina Nelson, Andrew Nelson, and Joe Rutan from Kitsap County; David Dinkuhn from Parametrix; Phil Struck from Struck Environmental; and Tom and Paije Abplanalp from Sound Pacific Construction for the awards ceremony.

The full list of this year’s APWA Washington Project of the Year winners and project photos are available on their website.

The Path to Professional License: Hannah Cohen, LG

In the science and engineering industry, seeing a “PE”, “LG”, “PMP”, or other initials behind someone’s name shows that person went through years of work experience that culminated in a substantial test to confirm the right to practice their area of technical expertise. Many go through this licensing journey but few outside that group know what the process is really like.

We’re telling those stories here. Aspect’s professionals are writing a series of articles that capture the trials and successes of studying for and receiving these career-defining milestones.

Hannah Cohen, Licensed Geologist (LG)

Date of Test: October 2022

Date Awarded: November 2022

Hannah sailing a wooden boat (sloop-rigged Blanchard Junior) on Lake Union.

Where did you start with your test prep?

I had kept my study manual from my Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam (the exam one takes to gain Geologist-in-Training [GIT] status) that I took back in 2017 as well as many of my course readers and notebooks from school. Going over all the basics was a good start, but I found the LG exam required more specific knowledge in each of the topics, which can often be found in textbooks and regulatory publications.

One of the next things I did was take the Reg Review weekend online course in August. It was a good way to figure out exactly how the test was structured, what topics were emphasized, and which subjects I knew the least about (it was Economic Geology for me). I would recommend people take the course more like 6 months before their test instead of when I did…which was only 2 months before. Oops.

What should a person gearing up to do this know about the mental, physical, and social challenges of test prep?

You’re going to feel stressed about it and you will probably have to decline or cancel many of your weekend plans (sorry). I noticed the stress of the exam bleeding into all the other parts of my life, no matter how hard I tried to prevent it. It happens! When I felt myself getting tense and anxious, I would try to go for a walk or watch some terrible reality TV (Love Island always gets me to laugh and relax).

Test prep is going to occupy all your time for a few months, but if you give yourself some grace and find ways to positively motivate yourself to study, you can—and will!— make it through.

Walk us through the Big Test Day…

I took the test at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. I tried to sleep in as much as possible (I couldn’t) and made sure to have coffee and eat some breakfast. I remembered packing a few snack bars for me to have just before or during the test, but I was way too nervous to eat them.

The test was scheduled for 1 pm, after the FG test was administered. I arrived at the test center around noon, planning to go over some flash cards before heading into the test (I didn’t; I was too jittery). When I found the right floor in the convention center, I checked in with some very nice middle-aged ladies, got my sealed test booklet, and went into a large, brightly lit conference room. It’s notable that I took the last paper test that ASBOG is offering for the LG; it will be a computer exam starting in March 2023.

It’s a four-hour exam and it took me (and many of the other candidates in the room) about three and a half hours to complete. I remembered feeling pretty confident for the first 5 to 10 questions, but by the time I reached the halfway point, all of that was confidence gone. When I finished the exam and left the convention center, I felt almost certain I didn’t pass.

I drove home in complete silence, wondering desperately what had happened to me and how in the world they thought up some of those questions (try not to do this). When I got home, my partner was very supportive and encouraged me to have some wine, pat myself on the back for being done, and then think about literally anything other than the test (I would recommend doing this).

How did you feel when you got the results?

Forty-one days later, I was shocked, surprised, delighted, and relieved. I received two back-to-back emails informing me that I had “successfully completed the ASBOG exam(s) and all requirements for [my] Washington State geologist license” with the PDF license attached. I was so stunned that at first, I couldn’t quite parse if I had passed the exam because neither email say so explicitly. I was also in the middle of the 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher course with a dozen or so of my fellow Aspect folks, so it felt very surreal. I turned to my right, showed the email to (Aspect Senior Geologist) Ali Cochrane, and asked her, “Does this mean I passed?” She said yes, obviously. Thanks, Ali! 

What lessons did you learn that you’d want others to know?

  • Don’t spend time fretting over your practice test scores or trying to calculate the final score of your real exam. I remember pacing around my house trying to figure out if my scores on the practice tests I took would be considered passing scores—don’t do this -it doesn’t matter!! The exam review process is complicated and a little mysterious, and every exam is completely different from the one before. I’m a big overthinker, so I struggled with this. Feeling nervous and stressed is totally normal, but try not to let it eat you up. Use your stress to motivate you to get a few more hours of studying in.

  • I found the Reg Review practice tests to be much different (and less difficult) than the real exam, so if I hadn’t passed the first time, I would have used what I could remember of the exam to study for the next one.

  • Study with at least one other person. It’ll keep you focused during study sessions, and you won’t feel as alone. I usually studied along, but when my partner could help with the flashcards, it felt better. And when you feel your mind wandering or you get stuck on a practice question, you’ll have someone to turn to for help and support.

The Path to Professional License: Henry N. Haselton, PE

In the science and engineering industry, seeing a “PE”, “LG”, “PMP”, or other initials behind someone’s name shows that person went through years of work experience that culminated in a substantial test to confirm the right to practice their area of technical expertise. Many go through this licensing journey but few outside that group know what the process is really like.

We’re telling those stories here. Aspect’s professionals are writing a series of articles that capture the trials and successes of studying for and receiving these career-defining milestones.

Henry N. Haselton, Professional Engineering (PE) License

Date of Test:  October 2021

Date Awarded: December 2021

Henry at a residential reconnaissance site.

When did you start with your test prep?

I think around July, but I didn’t hit it too hard until August.

What were your study tactics? How did you get started?

Lots and lots of practice exams was my study tactic. I started by talking with Aspect folks and other friends that had just taken the exam to see what worked for them in terms of studying techniques and planning. A big first step I did in July was to outline on a calendar what days I would study and the number of hours I would spend each day to get myself up to 100 hours of study time. I don’t think I hit my exact goals, but this gave me a good outline and schedule to hold myself to.

What should a person gearing up to do this know about the mental, physical, and social challenges of test prep?

Just try to not get stressed out about the test prep and studying. At first it is intimidating because a lot of the material you review is on topics you haven’t seen since college, but in reality most of the material in the general civil category involves very simple calculations.

Walk us through the Big Test Day…

I don’t have any unique tips for the big test day, just the classics of get a good night sleep, try to stay relaxed and not stressed, and trust your studying and intuition. Test day for me was pretty funny as I showed up in a dark parking lot to see people with wheelbarrow-sized carts full of books walking across the street like zombies while I just had a little bag of books. Once I got signed into the test center and placed at my desk, I went to the bathroom while we were waiting for them to pass out tests and got scorned for doing that without permission. So overall not the best start, but it still worked out.

How did you feel when you got the results?

New PE Henry in Mexico.

It was a huge relief for sure, because you take the test and afterwards it is hard to gauge how you did or what the passing grade will be, then a couple months go by before you know anything. It’s worth mentioning though that there is no shame in not passing it on your first go; it’s just a reminder to study a little more next time around and come in more prepared and relaxed. My great friend from college who is an excellent engineer ended up failing the same test I took but passed it the next time around and is better for it. 

What lessons did you learn that you’d want others to know?

For many of us, academic life was a huge series of tests that determined your grades and continuation in school. This is just one more test in a long series, and possible the last major one you ever take. So enjoy that feeling of walking out of a big exam that you were well-prepared for. That amount of closure can be hard to find in the professional world.

Aspect's Bodie McCosby Presenting at AEG's Chapter Meeting

Staff Geologist J. Bodie McCosby, GIT, will give a technical presentation at the Puget Sound Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG) Chapter meeting in Seattle on Thursday, October 27.

Looking across Eightmile Lake as the drilling crew sets up for geotechnical explorations.

Bodie’s talk, “Eightmile Lake Restoration Project - Characterization of a Landslide Dam,” chronicles his and Aspect’s ongoing geologic and seismic studies to modernize the dam infrastructure at the remote Eightmile Lake dam, which was built on an ancient landslide in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area of the Cascades.

The meeting is at 6pm at Art Marble 21 in South Lake Union, with an online attendance option available.

Meet Jackie Reinhardt

Aspect recently welcomed Jackie Reinhardt to our Seattle office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know her better.

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I am from Seattle! I went to college in Portland, OR and then returned here so I’ve never really set foot outside the PNW.

2. What inspired you to pursue drafting and design? What made you curious about it?

I studied civil engineering for my Bachelor’s degree, but since college I’ve wandered from copy editing and engineering consulting to boat building and harp building. Landing on drafting and design was an exercise in finding the common thread through all those roles, and I’m so happy with the conclusion!

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

I like problem-solving, drawing, and organizing. Keeping details crisp, sheets clean, and xrefs orderly can be very exciting but also very Zen. I like having lots in front of me and patiently working my way out of the chaos!

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I like to run, rock climb, play music, draw, read, write, sew, collect records, work with wood, tinker with electronics (Gameboys and iPods are my current obsession), and also sometimes sleep.

5. Where would your dream house be located?

I would love to live in an out-of-service lighthouse—not one of the creepy ones where you’re out on a rock in the middle of the ocean and waiting for Willem Defoe to turn into Poseidon, but one of the cozy ones on a cape in Maine or Norway or somewhere, near a town. I want to be high up looking out at the ocean from my warm little house. Maybe I’ll have a studio up where the bulb used to be so I can play music super loud and spook the birds.

A New Perspective for Conservation Districts in Washington State

On a recent Sunday near Moses Lake, drones soared over Rocky Fork Creek, one of the few riparian habitats in the Columbia Basin area and home to a variety of native animal and fish species. The drones, taking pictures of the meandering waters below, were being guided by members of conservation districts around the state. The districts are seeking to add drones to their data collection tool kit for a variety of uses—from collecting eye-catching footage to share with project stakeholders and the community, to collecting multispectral and thermal imagery over farms to support irrigation efficiency efforts. Aspect Project Geologist Kelsey Mach, LG, is teaching them how to do it.

Kelsey is a licensed FAA Part 107 drone pilot and an adjunct professor at Big Bend Community College (BBCC) in Moses Lake for their Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Certification Program. BBCC recently partnered with the Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) to put on a week-long hybrid virtual/in-person class to help conservation district employees get prepared to take their Part 107 drone license exam, learn some drone basics, and get resources for starting and maintaining a drone program.

Representatives from several Washington State conservation districts took part in the class, including employees from the Grays Harbor, Pacific, Klickitat, Pend Oreille, Snohomish, Columbia Basin, and Cascadia conservation districts, the Executive Director of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts, and the North Central and Northeast regional manager for the Washington State Conservation Commission.

Meet Megan Wanlass

Aspect recently welcomed Megan Wanlass to our Seattle office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know her better.

Megan Wanlass, Staff Water Rights Specialist

Megan and husband Chris.

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I am from Utah, specifically Tooele Utah, which is about an hour west of Salt Lake City. I met my husband, Chris, in 2016. Chris was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and had always hoped to come back. We came to Washington after he was offered a promotion at work, and we jumped at the opportunity!

2. What inspired you to pursue water rights? What made you curious about it?

I received my BS in Mining Engineering and initially applied to many job opportunities, including with Utah Division of Water Rights (The Utah equivalent to Ecology). I eventually started working with the Utah Division of Water Rights in the Adjudication section without really knowing anything about water rights.

I continued to pursue water rights in my career because I felt a sense of accomplishment in bringing clarity to water use and water availability, particularly in the west. I was most intrigued by the interpretations of water law and how that effects the decisions we made at work and how that might make a difference to the water users.

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

What I like about water rights is that even though there are similar situations with each project, all of them are different and deserve different approaches. I am excited to see water rights from the consultant perspective and learn how the water law differs in Washington.

Bandit.

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I have always enjoyed painting, drawing, and other artistic hobbies. Recently I have been loving baking, cooking, and gardening. I also like to go hiking and site seeing with my husband and dog, Bandit.

5. Where would your dream house be located?

Now that Chris and I have moved to the state we ultimately wanted to live in, we would love to live on Whidbey Island. Chris grew up there and we often visit during the weekends. Ultimately, I would love to have a yard and be able to garden more!

Meet Hanna Winter and Alec Melone

Aspect recently welcomed Hanna Winter to our Bellingham office and Alec Melone to our Seattle office. Here are Five Questions we asked to get to know them better.

Hanna Winter, Project Environmental Data Scientist

Hanna and son on the Oregon coast in Seaside.

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I was born in Finland and grew up in Bellevue. I’ve been in Bellingham pretty much since moving here to attend Western Washington University.

2. What inspired you to pursue Environmental (Data) Science? What made you curious about it?

As a kid, I was an avid recycler and organizer of litter-cleanups. I dreamed of being a scientist who helped solve environmental challenges. Now, I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in environmental science and have worked in water quality, wetlands, NEPA, soil carbon cycling, and sustainable agriculture. So I’ve covered a lot of topics!

My favorite part of each of these specialties was working with the data: analysis, visualization, and reporting. I’m a stickler for details and am always striving to learn new skills. That’s what inspired me to join Aspect’s Data Team.

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

I enjoy nothing more than working with data to answer questions, tease out trends, and find the best way to present the results. I love working in R – especially for data wrangling, data visualization, and automating routine analysis tasks. I’m passionate about streamlining workflows, ensuring process transparency, and providing clear documentation, reporting, and communication.

Since I’m just starting on my environmental data science adventure with Aspect, I’m excited about the variety of work and projects, continuing to learn and grow my data management and analysis skills, and working in a team to solve complex data puzzles.

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

Gardening and yard projects, cooking and preserving, hanging out with family and friends, taking walks, reading, watching movies, and camping or just having a campfire in the yard.

5. Where would your dream house be located?

In Bellingham with a secret 5-acre yard in the back, a sauna, and a portal in a closet so I can get to Finland quickly. Of course, I would also have an apartment in Helsinki to house the other end of the portal.

Alec Melone, Staff Geologist, GIT

Alec at Tuck Lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Note the geologically appropriate shirt - ‘Wait, I See a Rock’

1. Where are you from? If you’re not from the Pacific Northwest, what brought you here?

I grew up in Farmington, Connecticut where I went to Hamilton College thinking to study biology or history and took an introductory geology class to gain a better understanding of the rocks I’d been collecting as a hobby since childhood. After the intro course succeeded in hooking me and I’d finished my degree, I went to Central Washington University in Ellensburg to continue studying igneous petrology in a master’s program.

2. What inspired you to pursue engineering geology? What made you curious about it?

I fell in love with geology for the greater understanding of the world around me that could be gained and working in the geotechnical field allows me to better understand that natural and man-made world. With Aspect, I get to do field explorations where I am discovering the geology of places that may never have been studied in detail, as well as seeing everything that sits below the roads and buildings around us.

3. What do you like best about your area of expertise? What excites you and keeps you motivated?

It’s always satisfying to me to visit a site at the end of a project and think back to how it looked at the start, to compare the before and after and see the improvement. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment, and it’s good to know that the work I do gives clients peace of mind going forward.

4. What do you like to do when you aren’t working?

I love reading/listening to audiobooks, hiking in the woods, and playing board games with friends! Always looking for new book/game recommendations or cool places to check out! Also love trivia competitions and would love to talk your ears off about Tolkien lore!

5. Where in the world would you like to travel next?

I’d love to go to Italy someday to see the old Roman ruins, visit Pompeii, see Vesuvius and Etna. I’d also love to see the southwest US and hike the Grand Canyon, visit Petrified Wood National Park.