Journal Entry

Classic drive to JFK Airport!

Well, it began as a calm drive with my husband Gary at the wheel. We were heading to JFK for my flight with plenty of time to spare. And THEN we hit the traffic! Yikes! Suddenly it was a classic are-we-going-to-make-it? white knuckled drive trying every short cut and re-route we could think of. With two heavy bags to check and and long lines at security we were concerned but trying not to show it. However when we both got very quiet it was a dead giveaway that we weren't sure we were going to make it!

GPS Road Traffic on way to JFK flight to AlaskaGPS Road Traffic on way to JFK flight to Alaska. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 20, 2017.

Luckily the traffic cleared out a few miles away from the airport and I made it into the airport a little after 3pm and finished checking my bags at 3:40pm. Knowing my flight gate was on the other side of the airport, I started to sweat. But then Francois appeared with his magical high-speed, golf-cart like vehicle.

Driving with Francois through JFK.Driving Ms. Seff! Francois captains the JFK golf cart through the crowds to my gate. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 20, 2017.

He must have seen the look in my eyes, and sweat on my brow because he swept me into his speedy mobile and we were off! Flying through the crowds and past all of the gates at what seemed like the speed of light! Want to join the ride? Click on the video below.

During the flight I took advantage of the time to finish placing stamps on the last of 900 postcards to mail back to Springs School students and East Hampton Senior Center community members. When everyone receives their postcard in the mail it means the Arctic Research has begun!

Stamps on postcards on the plane1Stamps On Postcards! Finishing placing stamps on the 900 postcards from students and East Hampton Senior Center community members. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 20, 2017.

The internet connection was terrific so I also continued the long process of downloading information related to the Arctic and our research. Internet connections in Nome and onboard the Sikuliaq will not likely be as straightforward so I really need to plan ahead and have pertinent files already loaded onto my computer.

Lisa Seff and moose at Anchorage Airport.Lisa and the Moose. Made it to Anchorage! Photo my someone passing by. August 20, 2017.

Through the Porthole: Arctic Artwork!

Each journal I will include some of the awesome artwork completed by Springs School students, Anvil Science Academy students from Nome AK and East Hampton Senior Center community members! Enjoy!

Arctic organism artwork!Arctic organism artwork from East Hampton Senior Center community members! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017. Arctic organism artwork!Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Ashley L.! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017. Arctic organism artwork.Arctic organism artwork from Springs School students! 4th Grade 2016/17 Mrs. Knight/Mrs. Reiner classroom. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017. Arctic organism artwork.Arctic organism artwork from Springs School Students! 4th Grade 2016/17 Ms. McGrath's classroom. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017 Arctic organism artwork.Arctic organism artwork from community members at the East Hampton Senior Center!! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017 Arctic organism artwork.Arctic organism artwork from Springs School Students! 4th Grade 2016/17 Mrs. Scammell's classroom. Photo by Lisa Seff August 2017

Comments

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 12:12

Michael M

After you fly to Anchorage, do you take a connecting flight to Nome directly, or first to Fairbanks? I wonder since I know that Nome is pretty remote and don't know if Anchorage services flight to there.

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 12:23

Daniel P

Dear Mrs. Seff, I was wondering how long it took you to get from JFK Airport to get to the Arctic.

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 13:39

JDF

If you guys were to be late to your flight what would have happened and what would have you done?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 14:07

Lisa Seff

Hi Michael! You're correct.  There is no road to Nome so it's either traveling by flight or ship.  And, the Nome airport landing strips don't service the size of plane that flew me cross country. So, I flew into Anchorage on Delta around 11:30pm and as there are no late night flights to Nome, I spent the night at the airport hotel (actually surprisingly quiet!) and then jumped on the morning Alaska Airlines flight (10:30am)to Nome. The flight was about an hour and a half from gate to gate.  The airport building is tiny, so check-in, ticketing, baggage claim, customer service and security is all in the same space that's about a quarter of the size of our science classroom. 

I was able to score an amazing flight in a small 1947 Cessna while in Nome and there's a video of the flight in one of the journals.  You'll get a good birds eye view of the landscape!
take care and thanks for writing! I look forward to seeing you all in a few weeks!
(:
Mrs. Seff

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 12:12 PM
Subject: Re: Michael M commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

((( R

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 14:07

Lisa Seff

HI Daniel! I hope you enjoyed your summer!  So let's see, my flight left JFK at 4:30pm EST and I arrived in Anchorage Alaska (with one stop in Seattle) at 11:30pm (Pacific Time Zone).So that's about 3:30am the following day which is pretty good.  My flight was actually delayed a bit leaving NY and I was worried about my Seattle connection (scheduled for about 60 minutes after my original arrival time) however even thought we left the ground an hour late, we made up time in the air.  AND, so lucky! The Alaska Airline flight I was ready to run to was only two gates away from the Delta flight I arrived on! Awesome! I boarded the connection about a minute after getting off of the first plane.  
(:
When I arrived in Anchorage at 11:30pm I spent the night in the hotel and then boarded the plane for Nome at 10:30am and reached Nome by noon!
take care and I'll see you in a few weeks!
Mrs. Seff

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: Daniel P commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

(((

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 14:32

Trinity Hydeman

How was your flight? What did it feel like when you opened the door to the arctic! Was it cold? Did you pack all the right things? Could you even imagine that it was really happening or did it just feel like a dream?~xoxo Trinity

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 14:37

Jake.K

How long was the flight from JFK airport to Alaska?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:27

David P.

Dear Mrs. Self,I was wondering, how exhausted were you when you finally reached your destination?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:46

Tifany Gomez

Dear Mrs.Seff, If you don't mind I would like to ask you a question. How did you feel after making your flight on time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:46

Tifany Gomez

Dear Mrs.Seff, If you don't mind I would like to ask you a question. How did you feel after making your flight on time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:46

Tifany Gomez

Dear Mrs.Seff, If you don't mind I would like to ask you a question. How did you feel after making your flight on time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:46

Tifany Gomez

Dear Mrs.Seff, If you don't mind I would like to ask you a question. How did you feel after making your flight on time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:46

Tifany Gomez

Dear Mrs.Seff, If you don't mind I would like to ask you a question. How did you feel after making your flight on time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:46

Tifany Gomez

Dear Mrs.Seff, If you don't mind I would like to ask you a question. How did you feel after making your flight on time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:46

Tifany Gomez

Dear Mrs.Seff, If you don't mind I would like to ask you a question. How did you feel after making your flight on time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:47

Tifany Gomez

Dear Mrs.Seff, If you don't mind I would like to ask you a question. How did you feel after making your flight on time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 15:58

James B.

What's the diistance and travel time between JFK airport and Nome Alaska and was there a difference in time zones.

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 16:36

Nora C

How bad is the internet connection in Nome and onboard the Sikuliaq. Was it crucial that you download all that important information when you had good connection or could you have downloaded it in the Arctic?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 16:43

Corrina

How long is the flight from New York to Alaska

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 16:53

Corrina C

How long is the flight from New York to Alaska? Is there a time difference? If so what is the time difference?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 17:08

Lisa Seff

Hi JDF! Good question but luckily we'll never know!Actually the ship didn't leave for Nome until the morning of the 25th so I could have rebooked onto another flight.  It would have made the next day more hectic so I was really, really, really happy that we made it there on time!
(:
Thanks for checking in! 
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: JDF commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

((

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 18:03

Kaylynn C.

I was wondering when you got to Alaska was it cold? Did you go on the Research Vessel right away? Did you have all the right things packed?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 18:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Trinity! Good questions.  I'm going to start with the last one first! Yes, this is often feeling like a dream!!I think the biggest moment was when I happened to be at the end of the pier as the Research Vessel Sikuliaq entered the Nome harbor.  It was returning from another research cruise (funny how they call them a research"cruise"...when it doesn't quite have all of the regular cruise ship luxury's!).  I love everything about sailboats and ships, so seeing it come to the dock, and knowing that I'd be on it in just a few days was exactly like a dream!

As far as the cold and packing, I did pack everything I needed, however I told Dr. Asjian that I would give her $1,000,000 if she could ship home my steel-toed boots and heavy rain gear!  Although...now that I've mailed out the postcards....and eaten or given away most of my postcards, and gifted several presents (including a bacon game and funny bacon t-shirt to Dr. Steve Okkonen's birthday)....I think I might be ok carrying them home myself!

take care Trinity!
safe seas,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 2:32 PM
Subject: Re: Trinity Hydeman commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

(((

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 18:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Jake! About 11 hours with one stopover in Seattle!I wrote a few more details earlier as a response to the same question (Daniel asked it earlier)
if you're interested.
(:
thanks for checking in!
safe seas,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: Jake.K commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 18:54

Gregory C

Dear Mrs.Seff, how long did it take to finish putting the stamps on 900 of those postcards? Since it is very cold in Alaska, how much degrees was it in Nome, Alaska?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 19:03

Nidia Bravo

Did you ever get sea sick while you were on the boat?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 19:03

Nidia Bravo

Did you ever get sea sick while you were on the boat?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 19:03

Nidia Bravo

Did you ever get sea sick while you were on the boat?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 19:20

Sarah morgan

What was it like stepping off of the plane? Was it cold? What did the airport look like? was the airport similar to JFK?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 19:20

Sarah morgan

What was it like stepping off of the plane? Was it cold? What did the airport look like? was the airport similar to JFK?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 19:34

Rosa P.

Where was the rest of the research team while you were flying to Anchorage? Where did they come from, and how long did it take them to get to Anchorage?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 19:41

Sandy Ortiz

How bad is the internet connection in Nome? Did you at least get some internet connection in some places?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 19:55

Sandy O

How bad was your internet connection? Did you get some internet connection in some places at Nome?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 20:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Tiffany, I was very, very happy...and slightly amazed that I actually got on the plane in time!(:
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: Tifany Gomez commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 20:30

Sarah morgan

What was it like stepping off of the plane? Was it cold? What did the airport look like? was the airport similar to JFK?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 21:09

Anthony G

Dear Mrs. Seff, seeing how different Alaska is from Springs, what did you miss most about being home? Were you homesick at any point of your trip?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Hi James! It's about 3450 miles from NY to the Beaufort Sea.  And yes, we're in a different time zone.Here's a link so you can investigate the difference in time zones between Alaska and NY!
Let me know if you can figure out how many hours difference there are between us!
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/graphics/timezones4.pdf
(:
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 3:58 PM
Subject: Re: James B. commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

(

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Nora! Nice to hear from you.  I am sooooo happy that I took the time to download a lot of information before the trip!Especially various papers published by several of the researchers.  Internet is....interesting and always a guessing game
when you're in a far away place, and even more so on a ship in the Beaufort Sea!  Nome internet was slow, but pretty reliable in the hotel.
On the ship, we all know when we're headed North because our connections fail.  Unfortunately at this point in the trip, we go North quite a lot!
Fortunately I have about 6 different ways to contact people I need to and 50% of the time at least one of those works.  It is frustrating at times, but then again...I'm on a ship, in the Arctic...and
the fact that I still can get internet at all is pretty amazing!
take care and thanks for joining us!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: Nora C commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

((( R

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Corrina! The flight was 11 hours with one stop in Seattle.(:
take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 4:43 PM
Subject: Re: Corrina commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Hi again! Yes there is a time difference, but i want you to figure it out!Here's a good link to help:
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/graphics/timezones4.pdf

Let me know what you think the time difference is.  And if it's 9am there in Springs, what time would it be here?
(:
safe seas!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 4:53 PM
Subject: Re: Corrina C commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

(

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Kaylynn!When I arrived it was actually really nice weather.  In the 50's and sunny!  I did not go on the research vessel right away.  
I actually got to Nome a few days early so I could meet and talk with students at the Anvil City Science Academy in Nome.
They were very nice and it was fun to meet them!  As I was driving from the school to the hotel, I decided to stop at the pier (this is on August 22nd) Fortunately for me, that was the moment that 
the R/V Sikuliaq arrived, so I was able to watch it come into the dock! I was blown away, such a majestic ship! And, I would soon be on it!

Finally, yes, I did have all of the right things packed for the trip, so I'm very comfortable!
(:
Thanks so much for joining us!
safe seas,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/6/2017 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: Kaylynn C. commented on 20 August 2017 Getting to the Arctic In Time?

((( R

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Nidia! Funny you should ask tonight!  All along I haven't had any issues, although a few others have felt pretty crummy off and on.  I think many are on seasick medication, but since I don't normally get sea sick, while I did bring meds, I haven't had to take them.....However! Tonight, due to the rough seas, we couldn't put in nets so the Captain scheduled a 7pm movie in the recreation/meeting room.  It's near the front of the ship, so on a good day it can get a little swingy-and I wanted to answer all of your questions...so I decided to try watching the movie, while answering questions, while having the feeling that I was riding a carnival ride and couldn't get off!  After about 30 minutes of that....I felt a little green (sea sick!)  So, I got out of there, went to the galley where a wonderful crew member, Annie, quickly pointed me to the ginger ale and crackers.  I had 3-Townhouse crackers and a few sips of ginger ale...but still not feeling 100%.  So, I climbed into my bunk and started rolling around.  Still a bit off, I actually did an audio tape at that moment...About 10 minutes of lying down and I was good as new!!  Phew! Glad I didn't actually get sick!  So now I'm back in the lab portion of the ship, feeling fine-other than a little tired, and rescuing various small items falling to the floor as the ship rolls and pitches!
(:
safe seas!
Lisa

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Gregory! It took about 4 hours to put on all of the postage stamps, and another 2-3 hours to add the postmarks while I was at the Nome Post Office!And, it's not always cold in Alaska, it's a really big state and many of the inland areas get temperatures almost as warm as us.  However, it was in the 50's F in Nome, but once we arrived further North in the Beaufort Sea temperatures dropped into the 30'sF.  We had several days with snow!  In August?  Pretty wild!
(:
thanks for the question!
safe seas,
Lisa

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 23:08

Lisa Seff

Hi Rosa! So, let me think....(it's late here and the boat is rocking and rolling like crazy!)Carin, Kristina, Kate L., Chrissy, Justin, Phil, Jennifer and Joel all work at the Woods Hole Oceanographic institution and live nearby there.  That's in Massachusetts, in an area called Cape Cod.  Actually a place
I grew up in!  Steve, Britt and Diana are from Alaska.  Bob and Celia are from Rhode Island.  Mike is from Louisiana.  Kate S. and Jenny are from Washington State.  Everyone from the East Coast probably took about the same time it took me to get to Anchorage and then to Nome.
thanks for the question Rosa, getting late and we're rolling so much that chairs and loose items are starting to slide around.
...I'm using the ships computer and thinking that I should go check that my computer is ok in my room!
safe seas!
Lisa

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 03:51

Mark D

How long did it take you to get to the airport from home with the traffic

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 04:44

Kimberly Bermeo

When going to the Arctic does the time zone effect the time you get there? and if so how and why?

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 04:44

Kimberly Bermeo

When going to the Arctic does the time zone effect the time you get there? and if so how and why?

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 05:05

C.Campoverde

How did you discover PolarTREC?

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 14:58

Corrina C

Think that Springs is 4 hours ahead of Alaska. If it was 9 AM in springs in would be 5 Amin Alaska.

Thu, 09/07/2017 - 14:58

Corrina C

Think that Springs is 4 hours ahead of Alaska. If it was 9 AM in springs in would be 5 Amin Alaska.

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