Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 08/29/2010 - 06:39
Forums
International Continental Shelf Survey

Hi Bill, I am writing to thank you for your excellent series of journal entries and wonderful photographs! I have learned so much about the "mission", Arctic weather phenomena, and geography—it's been like taking a specially-focused science class. I plan to recommend that our small K-8 school district in NE Washington (Onion Creek) used some of the posts as part of a "polar unit". It's also helped me feel more a part of my seafaring daughter's latest adventure—thanks again, Elissa Dyson (Sarah Ashworth's mom)

Sun, 08/29/2010 - 07:49

Bill Schmoker

Hi Elissa- thanks for the note and for the encouragement!It has been amazing to be a part of the expedition. One of the things I find so compelling is the variety of talents and knowledge represented throughout the team. Sarah and the other MMOs are so sharp-eyed and patient! Their stories of experiences on other ships are always fascinating and their understanding of the wildlife up here is great. I rely heavily on them to spot interesting things from the bridge- not just marine mammals but birds, interesting ice, etc. Plus they always have a feel for what's going on around the ship. That lets me buckle down and write or work on photos with my head buried in my laptop without worrying as much that I'll miss something. And Sarah always has a smile whether its 2 pm or 2 am. That can mean a lot when people are feeling tired and loaded with responsibility.