February 23, 2009 Journal EntryThe beginning is a good place to start.
When one begins a project it is best to include the foundations that support the final structure. For this journal entry, the base rock is learning how to use the system. As always, navigating someone else's vision and dream requires education, perseverance, and attention to detail.
I have been included in the seabird research project on St. George Island, Alaska during the summer of 2009. What an opportunity! I have experienced the many faces of this Misty Isle of the Sea, as I have been teaching elementary school there for 3 years, but have never seen it's summer face. I leave soon after the 2.5 million sea birds arrive, and return shortly before they complete their breeding cycle and return to other climes. How envious I have been of the researchers who share and compare their summer experiences.
All excursions begin with training. I am fortunate to learn in the luxury of warm, indoor, symposiums, instead of baptism-by-fire on St. George. We have had the benefit of experts in their field, and veteran teachers, who willingly share their own PolarTrec experiences.
As always, travel to and from the Pribilofs is hit-and-miss. We were supposed to fly the 700 miles to Anchorage on Saturday, but weather, in the form of wind, fog and rain put the kibosh on that plan. We tried again on Sunday, and our 50/50 chance of being successful was in our favor this time....now we have to worry about getting back after the training....but that is another blog.
After being on the Island for many months, being in a larger city takes some adjustment. We don't have to advance plan what to have for dinner, we could just walk out the door and eat what someone else has made - something we are not accustomed to. St. George Village is small enough that we can walk to any destination. How easily we adjust to walking and find having to warm up the vehicle, and ride to our destination is novel.
I will become so much better at this blogging, and hope to have a wonderful memoir of my summer on St. George.