Can You Make A Knot Without A Rope?
Today marks one week before my departure for Anchorage and then the Arctic. Because I will be on a ship for six weeks, I have been learning about ship terms. I…
Change of Scenery
In just over two weeks I will trade scenes of coastal Virginia for southern Alaska and then the Arctic. As I share details of my upcoming PolarTREC expedition, I am often asked…
Why Biodiversity?
As I sit on my back deck on the outskirts of our rural seaside community, I hear a rich variety of birdsong. Squirrels find remnants of last year's black walnuts and pecans and…
Preparations Continue
The preparations for July's departure continue, and I am amazed at the level of planning that goes into this type of science mission. Plans must be made and coordinated to get…
Polar Bears and the Chesapeake Bay
The best part of being a teacher is getting to share exciting new things with students, and PolarTREC has given me a new avenue through which to share my love of…
Evacuation Insurance, Boots, and Base Layers
In about six weeks I will be on the USCGC Healy headed to the Chukchi Sea, and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all that must be accomplished between…
How does one prepare for research in the Arctic? Sessions on "logistics" have included topics such as safety, gear, clothing, what to do in case of a bear encounter, and using a satellite phone to…
If one travels to Fairbanks, the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a must see. Reality, however, has shown the aurora to be an elusive treat. The University of Alaska at Fairbanks has an aurora…
I sat in the Norfolk airport awaiting my early morning flight. Warm boots, backpack stuffed with snow pants, heavy socks, and an assortment of turtlenecks to keep me warm in Fairbanks, Alaska. As I…
