Hi Chantelle, I'm following your expedition via a PolarTrec class and I loved seeing the pictures and reading your journals. Having lived in Alaska, I'm completely aware of the strange feeling to see the sun never break the horizon! Not to mention, isn't it amazing how the ice on the sea looks? I loved looking at it when I was flying to Anchorage!
The USCGC Healy would always come into Dutch Harbor (where I lived) and I once took a tour of the ship and it is amazingly huge! I could relate to exactly how you felt trying to dash up to see the animals and not getting there in time! I often experience the same situation as a NOAA Teacher At Sea, except that the R/V Oscar Dyson was much smaller than the Healy! Your posts have been great! Keep up the good work and stay warm! -Story Miller