10 February 2012 What's been fun to do around town!

We've been working our brains pretty hard this week at orientation. Some of the things we've worked on are the protocols for these journals, learning about the Polar Regions from visiting scientists and PolarTREC alumni, taking photos and videos, learning about using satellite phones, learning how to troubleshoot various issues in the field, and generally becoming immersed in the PolarTREC program.

We've also had time for some fun, though! We've eaten great food, gone to an ice museum, visited a tunnel into the permafrost, and seen the Alaska Pipeline. I thought you might like to see a few photos from around town here in Fairbanks.

Here are all of us 2012-2013 PolarTREC teachers at the Alaska Pipeline outside of Fairbanks That's me outside of the Permafrost Tunnel near Fairbanks. The tunnel travels underground for a very close-up look at permafrost and its' many artifacts including 30,000 year old grass and even mammoth bones. This leopard carved from ice is one of the many amazing creatures and items on display in the Chena Hot Springs Ice Museum. The museum is freezing cold year round, but powered from the on site geothermal power plant Smoked salmon served at the delicious pot luck lunch provided by the staff of the office of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS). ARCUS administers the PolarTREC program and is funded by the National Science Foundation. I have a weakness for gift shop and this one had a little something for everyone. Sealskin thimbles, fragments of mammoth bone, and t-shirts galore were all a part of this packed full little shop.