July 11, 2008 Goodbye Vermont, Hello Alaska!!
Wow, things have moved along very quickly these last few weeks. Finishing school, cleaning a classroom, chores around the house, lots of wonderful family time, packing up, and then the big, long, plane ride to Barrow, Alaska. The efforts of so many people are very much appreciated, I could not make this happen without the huge amount of help and support people have provided. Thanks to all!!
My journal entries will be showing different aspects of the work I am doing up here, while also making connections to life down in the lower 48. Today’s focus is on being a tourist. With that in mind, I look back on recent events in Vermont, and then shift my focus here to Barrow, AK.
Goodbye Vermont!!
It is always a challenge to leave behind the people, places, and events that make up "home”. Across the country, families and friends recently celebrated the Fourth of July. The PolarTREC journals from the other teachers all discuss the events they experienced in their far-flung lands. I was fortunate to be in the small, northern Vermont, town of Cabot for their annual parade and celebration. Musicians, jugglers, horses, kids on bikes, huge puppets, and of course, Cabot cheese, were all part of this great experience.
I will miss all aspects of life at home. I did not want to abandon my summer chores so I decided to help out by leaving a reminder of me, "at work” in the garden. Notice all the incredible shades of green in the picture!!
I wanted everyone to know that I was still hard at work in Vermont. I will be in the garden for the next few weeks. Swing by to see how I look and how the garden is growing.
Hello Alaska!!
4,111 miles away from Vermont, I reached Barrow, AK. The airport is small, yet efficient, 2 flights in and out, on a good day, is all that are available.
The Barrow Alaska Airport is rather small, very crowded, and very primitve. Yet, it manages to move lots of people, gear, and goodies back and forth from Barrow.
The Arctic Ocean was one of the first places I wanted to visit. The sea ice had recently floated back in, here is the view from the outside of Brower’s Restaurant. The bones are from bowhead whales. More about the whale bones later.
The bowhead whale bones are very well preserved in this polar desert climate. Very impressive jawbones!! The sea ice is right behind the whale bones, and a few adventurous folks have ventured out onto the ice!! Not me though!!
I connected with one of the other scientists, Dave, from San Jose, CA coming out of the airport. He gave me a fine overview of the project, the general way things work, and showed me to Quonset Hut #268 where we are staying. It looks pretty rough from the outside, the interior is rustic but nice!! Beach front property!!
Quonset Hut #268 is shared by three of the people on the team. The inside looks rather rustic, but we hear rumors that it is in better shape than some of the other huts.
Overall, things are going quite smoothly. The journal entries for the next few days will be a general overview of the archaeological work we are doing. Stay in touch, and don’t forget to look at the stars!!