Nomad Life - Day 85

My morning began early (0430) when I awoke before my alarm.  I began teleworking immediately and spent the entire day in my room at the Navy Inn at Point Mugu.  As a result, I made breakfast, lunch and dinner in my little kitchen.  The air operations continued outside - mostly, I could see E-2 Hawkeyes in the landing pattern but there were a few instances of what I think were power tests of large jet engines (P-8?).  I had a few work calls (e.g., Talia D and Daren) to break up the monotony but the day was mostly filled with document review and administrative tasks.  Finished with teleworking at 1440, I used some time to repack and reload the car - rain was forecasted for the following day and I didn't want to be checking out with wet bags...  To ensure I had the least amount of belongings still in the room, I went through every bag, cabinet and closet.  By then, it was about 1525 and I decided to return to the Beach and do some more bird watching at the Point Mugu Estuary.  This was my third visit to the area and I had a good feeling about identifying additional species due to the different conditions: today, the tide was rising, rather than receding.  My good luck was evident when I saw two new bird species (raptors) before I even parked (1530) - after that, I quickly located the many sea birds and shore birds (I'd seen where they liked to roost) that I'd seen each previous time and was well into the 30s of bird IDs within about 30 minutes.  After that, I walked back and forth on the beach road (a total of about 2.5 miles).  Along the way, I got to watch some new Pacific Harbor Seal behavior; while some were still sleeping on the beach like big stones, the rest were swimming around in the water, poking their heads out in curiosity from time to time.  I also met the Campground/RV-Park caretaker (retired Seabee) and we had a good conversation about bird behavior, the approaching "atmospheric river" (i.e., rain).  While talking to him, I started to think that I should have made a better effort to stay down at the beach, maybe in a tent (like another person was doing).  Maybe next time...  All told, I identified 43 bird species!  As the sun set behind another rising marine layer, it was clear that the temperatures were cooling down significantly in anticipation of the approaching storm.  By 1650, I was on my way back to Building 26 and, as I parked, got to hear "Retreat" one more time.  In my room again (1700), I heard raindrops falling on the roof.  I spent time working on blog and eBird entries before departing for the nearby NEX Autoport (1800).  Paying the high prices ($4.49) in California will never get easy...  Next, I went (by car, because it was raining) to the Fitness Center - I've actually been wanting to stop in there every day this week but something always came up to "prevent" it.  The building had a lot of options, including a large crowd of stationary bikes, but almost no one else was there (I guess they use other time periods during the 24/7 hours).  I completed my workout, 20 minutes on the bike for a total of 4.15 miles and then went next door to the NEX to buy some snacks (1840).  Just after paying, I realized I'd left my room keys in my other pants.  This required me to return to the Navy Inn Front Desk and wait for about 20 minutes to get a replacement key because the desk clerk was on break.  It was kind of funny to be sitting in the waiting area with the heat on full blast - Californians aren't used to "cold" weather, I guess... I was finally back in my CBQ building by 1915 finished my 10K steps for the day by walking in the halls.  For the rest of the evening, I watched movies in my room and did some more reading.  Bedtime was at 2330 - I need to do better in turning out the light...  This has been a great week of birding - I've encountered over 300 birds this year and there is still time to find some more!