tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25336736986095870402024-03-12T16:25:50.077-07:00prancing fawnprancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-80634112731093337602007-07-09T00:24:00.001-07:002007-07-28T18:15:51.417-07:00cache of blogs: Volume 1; Perpetual Vacations<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I have been very busy lately, and just returned from Nome today, the 28th of July. I was not able to publish another post pre-Nome, so here it is now. More will be comming:</div><div> </div><div>It is interesting how the entire town of Barrow seems to always be on a perpetual vacation. The whales come, they must go, then nalukataqs up the yin yang. Then the seals are out on the ice, so they must go. Then the geese come in, so they must go. In the defense of the locals, however, I must say that they live off subsistence hunting. </div><br /><br /><div>The entire week of the 4th of July was like one big holiday. The 2nd was Founder's Day for the North Slope Borough (and Perry's Birthday :) ), which is the seat of government for this area (by the way, the North Slope of Alaska refers to the area of land above the Brooks Mountain Range and includes Barrow, Prudhoe Bay, Point Hope, Point Lay, Atqasuk, Ivotuk and several other small towns). The 4th of July celebrations begin on the 3rd, and include games, dancing and races....boat races, foot races and so on. </div><br /><br /><div>The 5th of July----HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM</div><div> </div><div>Sandra, Dave and I headed out to the ITEX site to do some reflectance measurements. I love the ITEX site, I find it peaceful and it is really pretty out there. I also like that there aren't as many people or edifices. All of the flowers were blooming, the pink columnar <em>Pedicularis lanata</em> (wooly lousewort) is beautiful and is one of the first flowers I saw after the thaw. They are bright pink and fuzzy with leaves that are fern-like. and bright yellow <em>Ranunculus nivalus </em>(snow buttercups), the even brighter yellow <em>Papaver Macounii</em> (the Arctic poppy). I really like the Tundra rose, which is yellow with separated petals. There are several buckwheats here too that are blooming and are a hue of red.</div><br /><div>Sandra came with us to check out the site, it was her first time out there and she relished the beauty as well. I have been trying to keep up with my insect collecting, but I am finding it difficult to massacre pretty little bugs. I tried to catch a huge bee with its pollen sacs full, but I didn't have a large enough vial. Anyway....<br /></div><br /><div>After our fieldwork, we went back to eat and go catch Chico's talk at the Heritage Center. Chico is from El Paso, and works with a logistics company called VECO Polar. They support research in Antarctica, Greenland, Russia, Alaska and all over the Arctic. This guy is quite inspiring and has traveled all around the world. He didn't go to college, but he is always educating himself, is very motivated and a hard worker. I'm really happy I got to know him. BASC holds what are called "schoolyard talks" in which the public and anyone who wants to go is invited to hear a speaker. The talks are on scientific research and other interesting topics. Chico's was on his some 16 years of working and living at both poles while supporting research. His resume includes a culmination of 14 years in the Antarctic and 4 in the Arctic. It made me even more excited to go to Antarctica than I thought possible after hearing his talk. Here are a few highlights that stuck in my mind after the talk:</div><br /><div>About 98% of Antarctica is covered in ice and snow at a low average of 1.6 km thick. It is the coldest, driest and windiest contenet on the planet. What I thought was really interesting is that the precipitation is very very low, and the the interior is actually considered a desert. The little bit of precipitation packs and packs year after year. It is the coldest place on Earth, with temperatures reaching between -130 and 59 degrees Farenheight. Chico told us he was once caught in a reallybed storm that chilled everything. They had to run into an emergency hut (they are located all over) for shelter, and the temperature dropped so low that anything made of glass just shattered; this was during winter. </div></div><br /><div>There are three stations on the continent; the Palmer Station on the Arctic Peninsula, McMurdo Station by the Ice Shelf, and the South Pole Station in the interior. Palmer station is accessed by way of South America, and then traveling via boat. McMurdo is accessed by traveling from New Zealand, and South Pole Station can be reached via McMurdo.<br /></div><br /><div>The Antarctic is also home to several bizarre phenomena, including the "sun dog" or parhelion, which is a halo or atmospheric optical phemonenon that looks like a bright spot next to the sun.</div><br /><div>There are also the southern lights:<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085116068939369922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnfrKbh5yqaTLlKCKb_RaK4FnXhIAzs-xImXlGfZlyIh2siVpJPwGA_m2du45tnE_bA0E4pQIIFJYIhzPDWJ0LhfHNe5QUL8RQS64aFPws_WW2G0M6tQTfyk9gE18D-xnHjnx1ZwiXm0/s400/aurora_dome%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I was captivated after hearing about nacreous clouds, also called polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). The image on the screen was eery; a feathery ghost-like cloud hovered over a research base reflecting several wavelengths of color. Even the name had an ominous undertone...nacreous. PSCs are clouds that form at very low temperatures (-176 degrees Farenheight) and at high altitudes (50,000-80,000 ft.) They form in the winter in the stratosphere and are composed of a mix of ice, nitric acid and sulfuric acid. They are basically ice with a liquid coating of nitric acid tri-hydrate. The toxic mix is responsible for ozone depletion, and a study by NASA and Naval Research Institute found that exhaust from the space shuttle can create them. They are also caused by aerosols.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085111606468349346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJHPtVLe7dHD_ZbcfIhZSRV0LQTeV4O5z1vAMJv0KCMT31LfybOvTgq_58WFciZwCqX2sKcLdruRGh-hK7gBN_k27nfIIG52G4aUfDx0ja082y__GEza6aPVaUBvGuDfFGFXbsJI2QoY/s400/DSC07278.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085113320160300466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu70Is62P8kcveGVZ425Lw3RvxPE7LCMuxWxoTnAjfrBOsu0Lsq3l-_F6a2tgQzM3WyhfpRrEkAStJF0NOwwmX4F9NlE-KyZOuq-p-H6UuLY2oHYUPMv7WOo96Tu-jFaeihbl4xQ2pNLY/s400/deaton_1nacreous_cloud.JPG%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The interior is dangerous; there are huge crevaces below the surface that you can't even see. The researchers and workers are clipped to each other by rope wherever they go. Chico fell into a crevace and said it was analagous to being blindfolded and walking off the edge of a building when you don't know where the edge is. He said he was scrambling and fumbling in the darkness as fell trying to get a grip with his ice axe. The people in front of him didn't notice for a while, but they came and pulled him out (they were all tied in). As he was emerging from the darkness, another guy fell into another crevasse, and they fell in again later on that day! He said any day could be your last, but you would go out with a bang. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085117576472890834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IcBqcigGYKPw0zB0CeFpdDoKtnvx-hpGlxM2DDmbRvaUkDXuzke66p_DVxRv19UjO1M7-0VMivgjXpd2SpjQgfo3aQPJxQfXOIHmFeNiEHvQ6K1NA2bBcBlm-a05vW5ML0ddbPLN1qg/s400/DSC07283.JPG" border="0" /><em> Chico and his team members tied together</em><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085117580767858146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIUL2NekfSpmAhkiCbYjWEvrWGOepLYQ7JAFUnkBsV1QRou-qijqgxts13YJsnZ_JxhO3hQBdw-6GXqYpTQVShKRKOfsYGCOJttn9Aytzy6g5BU3bfUGBpH9BnWxH79Z-834L_zc4Htc/s400/DSC07284.JPG" border="0" /> <em>A pic of Chico and some researchers exploring a huge crevasse</em></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>There is also another intersting phenomenon: crazy people doing a polar plunge! You are tied onto a rope for the plunge in Antarctica.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085118379631775218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfL77dCw7nIeQEOauvH-boFzfMaXKZm6j5CPUojDqLW8ypEfCTsIj7MgmGrjdMdm3eZGP04-z449WkNf0Fiw0Bl9-NYUlWzL54act56rNVRaneaArI54aYKoa728MqSTHI_I8AmS2M47U/s400/DSC07287.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I also enjoyed hearing about the various fauna of Antarctica, especially the leopard seal. They are small and stealthy and agressive. Chico said that one of them tried to bite through the rubber zodiac, and that they had to hit it with an ore. There are stories of them biting at people's feet, and one incident of a marine biologist who was snorkeling being dragged down to her death by a leopard seal.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085119479143403010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtytnfAMtUUhWF7UTFSsU8QAezfV5dfC8ExBVkm0C5bFr4ksi8eHSxgIQY4RDR5SSdWJxGAw3X__hvrjlxlITqMejY6fBEnMxLmM4wSdSqTePYHeYMng3HJOsahRINm65hmcemqnwzOPQ/s400/DSC07321.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>There are also better tempered fur seals, which used to be hunted down for, well, their fur. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085120071848889874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yuHXAL-7ioK0S-hn31sKvXJrHpTqAuwdRZsLZE8BX3gKd10o_JfYUh-41oST2jvTjTE4H1sV8B_834BnpxrqzSGya-ttdDzPzO6sl_gv35PNhLRR2FVQmmXuMHosNC5OsQhVal-qG_M/s400/Rod_Planck_Antarctic_Fur_Seal_0003%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>And elephant seals, and penguins, penguins, penguins. There are large colonies of them in a few spots. I particularly like the regal emperor penguin. Oh yeah, there is an area where a glacier rose up and broke off, trapping a small population of seals. They have inbreed, and over time have become fat and big mutant seals!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085121467713261138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhNDYNXWDjqfA3vAPhoOv7CIE5YBEkiGn40cV5tdifdpzQICh8Jxn1B77GHypIa3Pmsyp1zqryyokR2wDq_LOLJWVctDLtoygZ5bDZZ_0QB2Iyx2UaVBGq7f1a8uMLUKjx-bN-be1MxI/s200/mp_Southern_Elephant_Seal%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><em>An elephant seal yawning or yelling<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085121463418293794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtAbcpTliQL0ZnU3f0xXlb3Z05P90SlS1HrnFBEwH-N73cUUl3ExguEnWSsxJnktXJPjOp1wtol55wcBi5AAGLNvkzRoEF_X8B6gau0UuzvaMM8fTJ-mGMglwheDAh4nInU_Egq7vxdg/s200/_1711536_ap150%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085121463418293826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYoljlj-7sl9HhQFwKmOVh75Ay2QqDFLFnvugA9AypRbJ39JVi83erQOYqJEhFFhsv385v9y9zdRK3pWHdN-ebq6jNghiW2upx8H-ouZot8MLSR6d18Sw-nkAJK6D_wQhfNn4R2VZ8CE/s200/morepenguins_popup%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" />The overylying message behind Chico's talk: Live life to the fullest. Take advantage of the opportunities you are presented with because you never know when you are going to get a chance to experience something again, or where fate will take you next.</p><br /><br /><p>After the talk we headed out to eat at the Aurora cafe, and then went to a dance. It was a lot of fun, they called people out based on age group. I think the elders were the best dancers of all.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCn4x9m2uMmzVupE-8Vqn9Xoxpc7SLLM0IcGrAI7w9GaY7GZVtH2mtKAFBQVkT9ZCmfX4tUNxZwbYMlZXEt3hsVsA-hbZpjqjy0pNO151aCLExw6HLtITlCtZYfT3C_fjTLnz3q0RqIk/s1600-h/DSC07391.JPG"></a><br />Comming very very soon....My adventures preparing for component fluxes and Nome, and my trip to Nome. (After a short recovery)<br /><p></p></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-85262387708474210852007-07-07T00:59:00.000-07:002007-07-09T00:22:27.768-07:00Polar Plunge and 4th of July CelebrationWell, it seems that no one really got pics of me or the rest of the BAS C crew dancing, and, well I was dancing so I couldn’t take any myself. I was so engrossed in the on goings that I didn’t even think to take a lot more. Sorry folks; but there are some things that you should know. (The following information was completely ripped off from Sandra's blog...evil laugh laugh laugh): The drums used in the ceremony were made from whale liver and a drum was made for each whale caught...pretty interesting. Now on with the adventure:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKF81PaLSWIJBNcZ13yTc-FVjFrUBTlru-6iEDrROKbhLFT32fi2XrJ0oKQjSwmO_giwBHuYDCmRWrX0ro8KhvZLcpW2G1ooYg-BgNtEgb3_aMNuk_niC8yk8TdNhRxi_g8yZ0KYjo4I/s1600-h/IMG_0851%255B1%255D%5B2%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084390477164383634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKF81PaLSWIJBNcZ13yTc-FVjFrUBTlru-6iEDrROKbhLFT32fi2XrJ0oKQjSwmO_giwBHuYDCmRWrX0ro8KhvZLcpW2G1ooYg-BgNtEgb3_aMNuk_niC8yk8TdNhRxi_g8yZ0KYjo4I/s400/IMG_0851%255B1%255D%5B2%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Dave after a long day of dealing with Sandra and I bugging him</span></em><br /><br /><div><br />So, what do you get when you have many many stressed out scientists working long days and going insane?<br /><br />Well, I'll tell you: You get a group of 20 freaks ready to go jump in the Arctic Ocean on a cold, windy, foggy day! That's right folks, we chose to take the plunge on one of the worst weather days here in Barrow (by the way, today was sunny with a temp of about 65 degrees Fareinheight, nice!). </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sandra, Perry and I returned from Brower's Cafe only to hear that there was a polar plunge planned for the evening, 8:00 sharp. We had a few people in the field still, and they hadn’t heard the news. Sandra and I looked at each other in disbelief. All day the sound of wind was howling at the windows, and the fog covering the town of Barrow thwarted several photons of light that tried to travel to the surface. In other words, the weather was bad; it was foggy, cold and windy. to find that the GVSU (Grand Valley State University...Michigan crew...work on plants with ITEX) wanted to go jump in the ocean that very day since one of their crew members was going to leave that weekend. Word went around, and a group of about 17-20 people were rallied. All were ready to take a much needed break from computer screens, data, data, more data and field work. Rob and Santonu were the first to prepare; Rob entered the lab with a sun hat, sunglasses, a towel and sunscreen ready for a day at the beach. All seemed well, spirits were high and Santonu claimed to be "Champion of the Polar Bear Swim," and I quote "Last year I made it all the way to Russia!" We'll see.....<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084383755540565234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUUHIJhywdpJFScOYKe-MM5L0zEoZ5oTHUuzzNQkUzG2ssHtuuF_i-a2aoMJCxIQwbf7VXpm6pfT22l9MXv6ht8mXkRnQ5AJLNwMRz-9GRBd38RnK5qdbUUzMNFdL39Si_V156c0-x_Q/s320/plunge+and+parade+004.JPG" border="0" /><br />We all congregated in the cafeteria at 8:00pm ready and willing to take the plunge. I decided to go ahead and sport my shorts since it was the beach. It may have been foggy, damp and windy, but what difference would that make if I was just going to jump into some freezing cold water anyway. So after psyching myself out the ambient temperature wasn't that bad to me, it felt warm in my head. Hiroke (SDSU group, and probably mispelled) decided to bring a "surf board" that was constructed of a rectangular piece of plywood. The philosophy of the lemming was set in strong the day of the polar plunge; we were all going to jump in the ice-cold liquid together!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084386100592708882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwmMzq99qHi_R3-2oO6qiiLrMT3ER9mapqprphlMfay6oplPEdqd9D8SOT97snUhCPQ_0H9ON0fmAneGhdrBi2k9c6vCG3aH9Dc7NVmGkIGEDrnq2a8BdLHTdeUw2eExUi8_nbAHpQ_A/s320/IMGP2208.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084386096297741570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlTw0mEb5x6QEVdYxvZaz0B8puoWJdgtx6YUQanEAH9iTe0dJBnqcMCTKq4LaWEOyQ_y4Xz7-h6WmAA3qPCmEzDFXt1u2wKnup-XRVYQFoDexRX69nvthyphenhyphenTUcZRlCCTe4Vf6kcv-4v1U/s320/100_0740.jpg" border="0" /><br />We were stuck waiting for P<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBXTA876pcjSjzbqhms50cNxkNo9rf6srJfLgoTnDYvdO-k6pfeKS16ODO92ZkmW_uUA1xrZIGKcGd6BbNPYpBATLAjgy8h4kf65rfOhAnEyPiVgWKNLI5-BfQ-BwqGRIehSexauaIsg/s1600-h/rob+and+lotion.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084369616508226434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBXTA876pcjSjzbqhms50cNxkNo9rf6srJfLgoTnDYvdO-k6pfeKS16ODO92ZkmW_uUA1xrZIGKcGd6BbNPYpBATLAjgy8h4kf65rfOhAnEyPiVgWKNLI5-BfQ-BwqGRIehSexauaIsg/s320/rob+and+lotion.jpg" border="0" /></a>erry for a while; he was in his room preparing for his big performance. I drew his "fox logo" on his back, and "polar bear club" on his bum. Once we were all gathered we piled into three trucks and headed out towards the point. We decided to go north since the sanitation plant's settling pond is right near town and the current washes it south (ewww). We stopped at an area just before "Duck Camp" and took off to the grey shoreline. I had to sit and psyche myself a little more; everyone delt with the reality of the cold in their own way. Rob laid his towel out and decided to treat the event as if it were Myrtle Beach in June.</div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We were all shocked when saw Adrian already in his trunks sprinting toward the sea. He dove right in, flipped and got out, got dressed and ran to the truck in no time. Santonu was second to sub<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzcxQWr10KwKHj-kkTbnGf0csx8jlYkeCsdt-eg3nX6r5dmE8etXtZ6bjTn_uba4C0PfCaPMafTs0vudbNrqf6IFGo8PfJ7aPDpeqJ7_qTN-bK-tT1Wb1lgFmGA7xf6zNjH5djW-q3Ks/s1600-h/perry+and+john+polar+plunge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084368860593982290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzcxQWr10KwKHj-kkTbnGf0csx8jlYkeCsdt-eg3nX6r5dmE8etXtZ6bjTn_uba4C0PfCaPMafTs0vudbNrqf6IFGo8PfJ7aPDpeqJ7_qTN-bK-tT1Wb1lgFmGA7xf6zNjH5djW-q3Ks/s320/perry+and+john+polar+plunge.jpg" border="0" /></a>merge, and was in and out just a speedily as Adrian. After that, everyone kind of jumped in at different times in a fashion that would parallel the sinusoidal motions of the waves; a few here, a few minutes later another few and so on. A group of three nudes ended up in the salty waters cheering in victory. Perry jumped in wearing only his bunny boots (military grade white snow boots). We all laughed. The other two nudies: Mai and John from SDSU.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084364054525577842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkPuhJ1ggN6fVib-OH9Ff6ckKFY8VPFV0ftvG95S5Bvhr-wrCkJ8sMxFsRqMyZ55Qt2llkyx2lDr_WP-EnAuCC9ExbXeP18oM22b0OBFlz81TjTSe-B_zemEV8P9z8vRqD9nATLnc2Gw/s320/adrian+polar+plunge.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"> Adrian "The Shark" smiling and drying off after his speedy plunge</span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084387814284660050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4tYReP_x4DbnVkGjvoCOlPHiRJuBJb-telChMhlBbIdIbUp37Sn6XH_EjPkmfjTHOItL8Klbhr7DJLa8WdrBRkJ2o0etSW-f6YtW8vXkZXmMA7VoBfNkaa6N0j-OICF8X8do_GR2uVY/s320/IMG_1445.jpg" border="0" /> <em><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084386122067545410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafwtfXPamVDxdYx1LdxQRAOSKAUqqOCobe88yk_r75Il4iajCwWod_payBDxe0cOfCuNKoewN_QxDbaCezT0k87vUUJs8uv7WOttWICEKwTMGuAg7yopZVPM0DEUUCRvpjiwByNjBYMk/s320/IMG_1446.jpg" border="0" /> Santonu, #2 in the polar plunge, in and out in 1 minute...so much for the "Champion"....Russia?!</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084386113477610802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzly_QjyfIOMbPrZLsKuXVVWQfTcTtNY_ATobXk1theh3Hoqg7KjHfzsVGqc8ObZNGGe-wsVG4udMXBS2sohxM3TaAHmg85oUrLDD9Td1n5yXGWFh6aWv372XkCi3dRX4c4PrFq_hXNg/s320/IMG_1456.jpg" border="0" /> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">All of the nudists are to the left, it's odd how they all massed in one area.</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084387822874594658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHcY5A28j2Z88wcjIIBgI3mVcnbrMLhUqClKtdpE30cFRywUzBYjPHY-vtOh_hFj4sJvJiyey1mAGb4lmHGhiaNJRvIuPZgpNndnI2DTZvMF1IVzBRp-m68NlC6ThKXj3JVpjrcB78FA/s320/IMG_1459.jpg" border="0" /> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Hiroki running out of the icy cold water</span></em><br /><br /></div><br /><div>I jumped in a while after several people went in; I was laughing taking pictures and enjoying the reactions to the arctic cold water. Sandra and I decided to go in together (misery loves company). I had my swimsuit with me luckily (which was a little snug after a month of cafeteria food...too snug) and unrobed. We both sprinted to the sea, my feet felt the frosty cold water first, and then I decided "oh well" and dove right on in. I freestyled out a way, flipped, and swam back. I could feel the shock of the cold water immediately, you kind of take a short breath in. I wanted to stay in the water longer, but even my ironclad mind was no match for my physiological responses; I had to get out. I kept thinking "4 minutes, 4 minutes." It takes 4 minutes before your body's muscles will contract and remain imobile in the given conditions. Anyway, I swam to the shore with gusto and sprinted onto the beach. My toes were stinging from the cold and pebbles on the shore. I looked down and saw that they were still nicely colored, so I didn't worry too much. I got to my three towels and dried off, threw on my hat first, then my socks, then my sweater and pants. The air felt warm after being in the water. My legs stung a little when I was pulling my pants on. Rob was running around with his state flag (South Carolina) and even jumped back in, as did Hiroki. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sandra was standing there for a while shivering, so I threw the big puffy goose down jacket I brought on her. I told her to cover up and get in the truck (we left it running with the heater on), but she said she couldn't move. Everyone moved quick to get her warm and got her into the truck, Santonu especially. The next day she was sick again (she was ill the previous two weeks). :( Since then, we have refered to her as a chihuhua.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, after everyone took the plunge and was dressed we all headed for the warmth of our trucks and headed back to BASC. What a day! I wasn't over though, we didn't have enough so we put on a slide show of the whole event, then called it a day. I was dead tired after the jump. I guess the Nalukataq, lack of sleep and cold took it out of me and I knocked out. The next day I was still tired, but was happy. I survived the POLAR PLUNGE!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084386109182643490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFNcQidura1BNgX_E5K82SS2NcAnOrmxwnfpoeKo11OEfypUkckmtAq_xWm7sUkLVX7eT6-dVsDTNSPqXxRGJ1-fdKXjPc8AO5x8VgpLl8wbQ5PXHN2ujcH2LwoWumhO4ZUN_92YiTtU/s320/IMG_1477.jpg" border="0" /> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Mai doing well after the plunge</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084387835759496578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonOfUUyZE7ucLgh7b8OF5XR0BqnPQ-tKIwydiZIQbagExtOituD03NnHHsoxtw5GQ80tn1-dzJhv9L2P6vDT9Mj-jPBcmjMzXkygm9tzx-s3bjbN4SSpPI3FelyUdWaishirZYc7UIA8/s320/IMGP2219.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084387827169561970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkKmSaoMfYifdqqD6TJsN3SOcMA7L-M6j2_rIMdfIeDJcEM999xaI8luSOq7P92E-eZUQgPg04x_30B9VxrFp-XMAtqVYii_F920wdIlv6OWfsjlPNa3cWe3oYeJKYZVQTG2d9yL-bxc/s320/IMG_1462.jpg" border="0" /> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Rob on his 1st, 2nd or 3rd swim, we don't know which.</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpQRnxEEyg3hcvN-0NIJeLvkn9KzgU2k5t2jVt1RYmUN38mgkoPxv-7w0w_IU1AiW91VsEdqAWiSS9mb__x2psa-1uhFfONO8nwaOHOk-NrExIFgE0SyUOagJciyUDpMLXtR4VmdcmJU/s1600-h/Dave+polar+plunge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084366116109880002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpQRnxEEyg3hcvN-0NIJeLvkn9KzgU2k5t2jVt1RYmUN38mgkoPxv-7w0w_IU1AiW91VsEdqAWiSS9mb__x2psa-1uhFfONO8nwaOHOk-NrExIFgE0SyUOagJciyUDpMLXtR4VmdcmJU/s320/Dave+polar+plunge.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Dave running for his towel...Run Dave Run!</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084364273568909954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXErojaZNFHbuS5AI0lpKisWSn3cZN27oIDMrVISemh6rJwiFOtEdq5EfbcocMwktn75apBflRJ2miwGyCxhCHUMumh2NEbk8OFyB-685z4CrcZEf9MKOpfhO9p8yKsbCp1Qd4lAuprQ/s320/am,+sand+and+rob.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Just after our plunge, Rob wants a pic with the ladies for a complete day at the beach.</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wkeUxHNKdZgaB0YjWhKRusexPY5ZeoB3n288EcDs_Omj395auOE9s2DuCr8B7fOUG_lBzQlMN269vrtam0G2yKdOJTOwcFiM3lPeFLkE0xw5do7KbdFctsp95e1-y1CACIrW-KQnvVU/s1600-h/Santonu+cooking.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084370286523124642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wkeUxHNKdZgaB0YjWhKRusexPY5ZeoB3n288EcDs_Omj395auOE9s2DuCr8B7fOUG_lBzQlMN269vrtam0G2yKdOJTOwcFiM3lPeFLkE0xw5do7KbdFctsp95e1-y1CACIrW-KQnvVU/s320/Santonu+cooking.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>I don't remember exactly when, but sometime between the polar plunge and Perry's b-day, Santonu cooked some awesome curry. He and Adrian added a few jalepenos to add a little spice and flavor...mmmmm. We went to one of the SDSU huts to eat and share the food, and Mai made a good dish too. Jason brought some wine that I enjoyed as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084366472592165602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaXpTBp-pj7aoEN9tt4u8AZX-GPdPArdBeJmW2OXp-FCDGHUiz2frOZkf13ea_4Ioxp8spDLkPazyCHJfgqY0zWyBSBvjAdTeoWvxkxJw6U7ONqSxGC6q9UnLM_v8wDQeumTMZql-o4Q/s320/group+at+osaka.jpg" border="0" /> July 2nd was Perr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiyxAMhBhs8HSdUGxf4Eaw80HRokboZ2bMntVnpT-rh0udUoStgoyPdkogED9bV92HDw_YmQSrSJD0GCAlMm_UqCVKyNCV4h_QCwVSNbSjv3wicw2CACFr4m8Ck-SECn5HMl1EzCT-BE/s1600-h/shrine+to+shiba.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084370909293382578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiyxAMhBhs8HSdUGxf4Eaw80HRokboZ2bMntVnpT-rh0udUoStgoyPdkogED9bV92HDw_YmQSrSJD0GCAlMm_UqCVKyNCV4h_QCwVSNbSjv3wicw2CACFr4m8Ck-SECn5HMl1EzCT-BE/s200/shrine+to+shiba.jpg" border="0" /></a>y's birthday, so we went out to eat that evening at Osaka's. We are al<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZiJ94K0kkcuJtxV2JUNagZiBxwtFowLYWq0llyAP1akEg-HGUVshgGCJvy11ztAiXSfMWKLuUOtlqP1x2wEq1NS8GUx-d-LGjBqvOC49swlQhlqw9PAAkwHUUVa_0V-hl-kfKCHq8bg/s1600-h/Perry+and+shiba.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084369217076267890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZiJ94K0kkcuJtxV2JUNagZiBxwtFowLYWq0llyAP1akEg-HGUVshgGCJvy11ztAiXSfMWKLuUOtlqP1x2wEq1NS8GUx-d-LGjBqvOC49swlQhlqw9PAAkwHUUVa_0V-hl-kfKCHq8bg/s200/Perry+and+shiba.jpg" border="0" /></a>l aware of Perry's obsession for Japanese culture, and especially his beloved Shiba Inu. I made him a really cool birthday card that consisted of a cardboard cutout of Japanese icons and a shiba that said "Happy Birthday." I was surprised at how it came out. I began just making the sun and playing around, but it turned out pretty good. I think he liked it :) Dinner was awesome; I have really come to enjoy eating at Osakas as a break from the usual cafeteria fo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUek2HgDLzBLj3_dATfbddh8dF-W9qFlhSOFWdJuQMMJpqtWj8AGWgMLt0p4_M9xTrhE27ErbBUKRMwcoE25Bi5n0ZAl06pRjlIkUM_6Ts_Ks_WIxKuCVEWFXfUrbevqArM0lLGJ7qO30/s1600-h/shrine+to+shiba+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084371128336714690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUek2HgDLzBLj3_dATfbddh8dF-W9qFlhSOFWdJuQMMJpqtWj8AGWgMLt0p4_M9xTrhE27ErbBUKRMwcoE25Bi5n0ZAl06pRjlIkUM_6Ts_Ks_WIxKuCVEWFXfUrbevqArM0lLGJ7qO30/s200/shrine+to+shiba+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>od and Pepe's we have stuffed ourselves with. I'm sure we will be eating there more often since we learned you get reimbursed if you eat out. Yay!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!!! Well, it's that time of year again when we remember our "indep<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie41N8fjQrfYl370fvURvl4VlzCFJklFKQyFpLkMyZOphKsUZHf9m3V6TK6aOOPg8fqKdDeFv0XMTIgoO35SK1uA9ddJ_YJcHA3ol-B_PA7wORkifYI37Tj4MRKFraPrq8rYEe1I9CM0k/s1600-h/parade+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084367808326994722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie41N8fjQrfYl370fvURvl4VlzCFJklFKQyFpLkMyZOphKsUZHf9m3V6TK6aOOPg8fqKdDeFv0XMTIgoO35SK1uA9ddJ_YJcHA3ol-B_PA7wORkifYI37Tj4MRKFraPrq8rYEe1I9CM0k/s200/parade+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>endence". Anyway, Barrow is crazy around this time; the whole town seems to b<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sy44ZPtdboZYHK8j5Nbk034Ru6sBgNV95WONMm-dGjaxGpQNSAcboS1ScumATtmIVeeSdOke_hXT1QbvaS7i9ujoJinWarakSka8dglRWuhRF_TGYkZsPrpsGzW1lgXcW3g9ISjtDiM/s1600-h/Perry+and+flag.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084368053140130610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sy44ZPtdboZYHK8j5Nbk034Ru6sBgNV95WONMm-dGjaxGpQNSAcboS1ScumATtmIVeeSdOke_hXT1QbvaS7i9ujoJinWarakSka8dglRWuhRF_TGYkZsPrpsGzW1lgXcW3g9ISjtDiM/s200/Perry+and+flag.jpg" border="0" /></a>e on a continuous holiday with the Nalukataqs, seal hunting and so on. The 2nd was "Founder's Day" in which the North Slope Borough was established (the seat of government). All public offices were closed, there were lots of cookouts, and we got some free stuff. (Duffle bag, gloves, patches, stickers...) It made it very difficult to get the permit for Atqasuk filed. The 3rd everyone was off too (by everyone I mean the townspeople and natives at BASC, not us); the 4th of July games begin. Every year they have races, games and a parade that lasts for three whole days! A few of us decided to make a float for the parade, Jason from FIU put the most effort and time int<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7eshiuftQw9JDCe7rOTMq5GJ1JZ7Tz2mb1TvsNWALO1md-mazJ1lOX2azTqgTzTND21T8ub8HuZ_YZJ-SvZYei2pMFd6bhhdDdWdTGZEkSWqTzU7vIBIGIOa0LPhaaBuJl2WfRHgB0Q/s1600-h/saint+bernard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084369977285479314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7eshiuftQw9JDCe7rOTMq5GJ1JZ7Tz2mb1TvsNWALO1md-mazJ1lOX2azTqgTzTND21T8ub8HuZ_YZJ-SvZYei2pMFd6bhhdDdWdTGZEkSWqTzU7vIBIGIOa0LPhaaBuJl2WfRHgB0Q/s200/saint+bernard.jpg" border="0" /></a>o it (many couldn't help...work). The theme: a play on BASC "Barrow Arctic Surf Club", catchy. I designed a polar bear surfing and Chico helped me out. We worked the next day drawing, sawing, painting, and hammering the darn thing. Jason and John made a very nice wave with a sun on it, and a palm tree. Jason and Santonu cut out lettering for the "Barrow Arctic Surf CLub" sign. I didn't like the way all the huge blocks of wood showed, so I thought it would be a good idea to add a bowhead wale tail on the back; it turned out pretty good.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The next day our float was unveiled and I decieded to wear my shorts and sandals for the occasion. It was cold, but I braved it out after seeing Rob wearing only his swim trunks. The parade progressed through the town and we threw out candy to all the people. The elder women were nuts for the candy and were yelling at us to throw it to them. I think we had the only float really; all the other people in the parade were on cars and boats with signs on them. The locals really liked our work and said they never had anything like it before. Some people rode on 4-wheelers in our group, and the shorebird group taped bird pictures onto the machines. I hope we raised their parade standards :) After the parade we all went to Pepe's for lunch. Rob and Hiroki ran in a little race; 9 miles. Rob took first, Hiroki 3rd (Hiroki ran in his socks!). </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xxLRzLoOSOJ18a37e-3dmgJy7yRig2GJaFTyZtVxZ_Pz2r0pKbusDX_DJZ6ZBa_WAlg8nkhsGYU108UkZQC3rseXx_iVrKE1LcmmH6vJGTod73BTlVpLes2SzAC-FzBPGMdx_VgBVoQ/s1600-h/BASC+truck.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084365965786024626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xxLRzLoOSOJ18a37e-3dmgJy7yRig2GJaFTyZtVxZ_Pz2r0pKbusDX_DJZ6ZBa_WAlg8nkhsGYU108UkZQC3rseXx_iVrKE1LcmmH6vJGTod73BTlVpLes2SzAC-FzBPGMdx_VgBVoQ/s320/BASC+truck.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IzOQG-Tp0i_ce22IHi-8fK_3-Ie1KrLWd5eJsut7rcqacmOTCBJtXO713d8XGGorvC08Mt2d28uhyWgyzWZYLAlRAuXHWR8wL3logsaHC2_U60LLhyEAHlqIBGHhrtcYc1TPeEbLC44/s1600-h/back+of+float.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084365454684916386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IzOQG-Tp0i_ce22IHi-8fK_3-Ie1KrLWd5eJsut7rcqacmOTCBJtXO713d8XGGorvC08Mt2d28uhyWgyzWZYLAlRAuXHWR8wL3logsaHC2_U60LLhyEAHlqIBGHhrtcYc1TPeEbLC44/s320/back+of+float.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084381371833715938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivva26oxY-ymuLJ4VBqnOZQR__CpWUE_clLyEjz5f76ByVS-hKEmxTqgmWZAO4RtYdVDCD-ucU4ODkNKYBz6IPP7Q46VRW3fVsciqGBXZtdcWG7_RQh2zXFJOYgN7ImSKPEs67MvQe2OY/s400/P1020964.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084367211326540546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJyjgQXcblF2mC0gXd7uZAKbG6SDLF_ks4TyhtVvtEvc9sErV7VAJzFd0eEb-vAYBfr09fVew75xpUV05Wj2nso2MYxuE1oYzWBkDLTLfATDH-TpkT6RXARwmPsZ13R3LOm_OBfaJ70s/s320/inupiat+girl+and+flag.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084367524859153170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmecNMz8iD3K185-5hcx2_olQilqAd3Y2TNZRpSE6b-a2K-8KgaJ71bAAvdDqgIe_ecLJQlURmNeIwING_GdqA4RKO2VW5oMUFfPrLlWb14Oj1iCLU6Wg7kp0nK0eTA_h1SwU0JEEPAw/s320/inupiat+lady+for+candy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8c9FjAcdt_ZNLLM3jsfhr1ahYnAWiIwwewL-3OoM8og0ufNgiRCZUA0VU0gdNN_b-7RN4xpHSkJlo6ekVRF4YoXSynU_uFI_N_g7e9qhQT4dWQCWZCOWeK4hYyX7fOJkd9Dr-AIAOFo/s1600-h/the+birders.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084371682387495890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8c9FjAcdt_ZNLLM3jsfhr1ahYnAWiIwwewL-3OoM8og0ufNgiRCZUA0VU0gdNN_b-7RN4xpHSkJlo6ekVRF4YoXSynU_uFI_N_g7e9qhQT4dWQCWZCOWeK4hYyX7fOJkd9Dr-AIAOFo/s320/the+birders.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084364415302830738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvM7eU3H2U_KKwx1XpebmUl_B1F9j64eYSrgRqg3glxbzJpbV0tTMVb2Xr7Q2t16FqiQbxQUYJDWzspd4OSuNKRQ4fn8mYsHAODJ8Wt2ERHlB_tz7KmHJTycqlOT77WaEZEkVP406V1Ak/s320/beach.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084371995920108514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZNNMqnmNFRH0iY191oIyRIUKpHfWE33VOMfOnecL0Ua3SBT8FzjU3V2aW1Ht3KXqwMlDqullRtCNEVq9l7oi6vUo_hRDFUsbS748pXCpdI4Xz2v4whkIFN5vuNv3LVUVoHhMcE95nNA/s320/truck+with+wheels.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084366622916020978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBw259As-9ZjYYFXo5B_lKA6FkJt30sGRaJ-sU4rumVtVSPmOGxtIGpetmxEYEmXJClOqZBnOfrUR_jouvNMF2fMxS7kKr1KbJCfUJGT5IQ220QqaVVMfboztV8ADGJgrZSfVXo8b9HQ/s320/group+photo+on+float.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084366313678375634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mKwm2okn4aPTMskg6qMm4K3G85397nNVGmdIk_2Ll5MtfWECfude1x1ZH1l1zjd78h-qu3SfAf-vj_3hKhUOEvU9j5pZJv0HkGiwhqwA_LyKinqnITdenR2hOgmb8yZBv4IcIf_gNIo/s320/float+crazy.jpg" border="0" /><br />We all headed back to work at the lab with our belly's full and minds completely useless. I tried to get some work done, but I was not very successful. I decided to shower and do some laundry until the BASC barbeque began. There were lots of burgers and really good deserts. We were at the "theater" right next to the beach. After stuffing our faces yet again, a few people headed out to the point and took another polar plunge; I decided to stay at the party and play some hackey sac.<br /><br />Later that evening (9 or 10 pm) Sandra, Perry, Chico (VECO Polar), Marina (archeology group), Erin (SDSU), Jason, John and I headed to the beach for a good ol' fashioned bonfire. We took the 4-wheelers on the beach, and Sandra was joyous! We saw a jellyfish and some other kind of invertebrate in the arctic waters. It was a beautiful evening, and it almost looked like sunset (but the sun never set). The reflections of the light off the sea was quite picturesque. <br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084372773309189106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoctEjrxaTg8UkTyHUeE8HsEkt6zzD9kHAdL-SDLuErpozFuzyGogm18Xcct3Lb8VXj4_cxUiq3WTIkTYt6TA-4VgeAfti_Pd9N0pCWBxQU0PW-vHGtvV8jgcWQt2YFSxtlazRWy00zk/s200/4th+of+july+night+002.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084373026712259586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx5LjJ47Esd7TNJ3gwrMyZybPqizTzEFLfu7hZwXnwDRmAZJeoCqcKDlwAxQGttozt1Wc-W352LO4clAQPpiWy52ZWM4-Vcm38npCH7e3M8tWnGi1nPLj1busmt8Cvnl1hiuZ7R1Nfk0/s200/4th+of+july+night+003.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084373280115330066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_bmYo8Ki_1xaOUc1-y4DrxaQy3_3PCEZKX48diTRElNLK-kKd9RyZEHJqsBVqU_UxrZ6D3RilsUamHEOiZFqUxmPWlbf5VXi1NGOhVHK8jiazJWVeTL1fPTMeClrUjn2hNgn-lmhMTY/s200/4th+of+july+night+019.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084373610827811874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bZmjd5hFfr7uUrGEQT6li8aV2OC3RtSv2wFV92Yd28D2yS-mAyKeE5UrxorPfV_mII0PQLPShtBYow6lHdC-WoHVv87R02R_Ddq8fLADOmmKW7oiXNl5oqg_EnYR75LJAy1QMKP3l-E/s320/4th+of+july+night+007.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084373851345980466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIRuT_uKXhAqPtBI2JEw0EcCQDFR-w8S6N3eujoSRqNf8gV32Y6HNxjbGiqVQ30YVeCIcs-oZo2bxm9cSYvYVmNAvtd_x7DafboKnscvsHz7axneQT2mY67o1R4XzrW06ipSAfXjdVb8/s320/4th+of+july+night+011.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084374701749505090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OdqWJwqzR9cZtxeEypPQBvzUYR4ccnmkHFk0dz9Ba8LQq0O99HJCaPXz4az6ldN2xb3xVEKnJ8ISHCSO3lUY8U5tmiqph7l5Cf0XBmzFdiX7-6qpXXj0Krc2Qg69GQBaU9JUF_tX_8Q/s320/4th+of+july+night+015.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084375646642310274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE0ekD5ztY4WUFDox8nNcLpmMVvdkNvyVIlJbAPT_2X03wMOs0f44pCRKy6kPRGA-H5JfgKI6p3eLo_Rqb0hlLrZ_ohYPagPVRv1NMCsciLXAvlQavSPba-6NP1BdU-FLJiEkaLcrXvQ/s320/4th+of+july+night+025.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084375642347342962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3qS5fXa4Anqf6Nwe0iPA0-0op4uGueaUAKawetKl_S8CuCDdoSew2qmD21URtR_vhPp84qjdroEkIcderXPSk__LZGa3jkrv876dr4WiSqJR0aWP6NFNgGtrOiJ0lF1kM5C6afHfGQs/s320/4th+of+july+night+022.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084375638052375650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1jqUWTiQTpXfL-Lf-Ofn1DXZQlMRtYxkUPLbBlGMYckz_bK-EW8MUBFtH-_vGSvDL4GLx-kpy3cJY-NQatR-69JJJvoQsPlXJCgFdRxMRDFOLcLUZo_-1gXY_sm-y-aXM52mhDLuDD8/s320/4th+of+july+night+018.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9f7fLlYN8AApUGmBdMMSDzRGEewlZ96zefTTc28ACsh8Aw59R4TxodkqNFvExlfX9MCZa2kEKqKv7Z6kwVR2iYbQKJLH8qMdBLgJOWU2X-Z3bMyfE8AQNQ_5xC0FlG8W6VYyVYXkCps/s1600-h/4th+of+july+night+029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084377167060733106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9f7fLlYN8AApUGmBdMMSDzRGEewlZ96zefTTc28ACsh8Aw59R4TxodkqNFvExlfX9MCZa2kEKqKv7Z6kwVR2iYbQKJLH8qMdBLgJOWU2X-Z3bMyfE8AQNQ_5xC0FlG8W6VYyVYXkCps/s320/4th+of+july+night+029.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLbD24ru5-mLO-VeMTFrI84ObanEaXu9shkfqx4DvlfDQSh36h3WskVlN5vSVhfG1oe5JQog0_9j_-Id9FK1IEGyulxCQ6rxcJ_nWmLPhXKTS4y6LHLEiLk4jOAgkniKvXklTXhUke6o/s1600-h/4th+of+july+night+026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084377162765765778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLbD24ru5-mLO-VeMTFrI84ObanEaXu9shkfqx4DvlfDQSh36h3WskVlN5vSVhfG1oe5JQog0_9j_-Id9FK1IEGyulxCQ6rxcJ_nWmLPhXKTS4y6LHLEiLk4jOAgkniKvXklTXhUke6o/s320/4th+of+july+night+026.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVXEbzln2yxb5m4S76J5TWLIWuu9huI3ABD_NyFxhMEIGqItlRiu-RXy2HgymjPFVu-v0D_GqnNLtJQNVzOxcQb_uKCEtavlHVHiLED056AWXBUEXfgyYlFecWCmMw3fZ6_n4jpOffZs/s1600-h/4th+of+july+night+028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084377167060733090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVXEbzln2yxb5m4S76J5TWLIWuu9huI3ABD_NyFxhMEIGqItlRiu-RXy2HgymjPFVu-v0D_GqnNLtJQNVzOxcQb_uKCEtavlHVHiLED056AWXBUEXfgyYlFecWCmMw3fZ6_n4jpOffZs/s320/4th+of+july+night+028.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084378867867782354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMjjaeew-JdPzkHkuxYa0GYtkB-jwfCSiVOFk2uZA1vm2q9VzYijv-OvKiNO9jY3RCE-c-kkPSVMU6ZsZxapp0dz6YwhxwviCy4fRQPHnBcjAJfjMU5g77rgLClzEjyr15x3A_fslw0Y/s400/4th+of+july+night+041.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-13884464273418474092007-06-30T21:21:00.000-07:002007-07-01T02:20:53.854-07:00Nalukataq!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6tFXIVLBLqHa0ZYAtxR5Ww8KUxHVo_VKa-i1XmvUDhFGFjrWdlGUsP75GNKnPA1VAAJ7kAEORrw-3Af551GkhYTB5bbXzNcVRAJdAKRjX9yRcMu4pLMehqvdB2HuNX2Vnkp7-INlN0E/s1600-h/inupiat+jumper+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082132436763216226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6tFXIVLBLqHa0ZYAtxR5Ww8KUxHVo_VKa-i1XmvUDhFGFjrWdlGUsP75GNKnPA1VAAJ7kAEORrw-3Af551GkhYTB5bbXzNcVRAJdAKRjX9yRcMu4pLMehqvdB2HuNX2Vnkp7-INlN0E/s320/inupiat+jumper+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7MBEiHGiQbT0pn5370QnUKJjOPXWCdmTVqtUH5kdjDWqLtaLN-da1COHeVy-nary3LH28L469dNI2hPtHYxR7SfPB9UIhzfGuwC-ZRceSCAyZqy6D694QXmbOfcNwHFjT_wrYHqTibg/s1600-h/inupiat+jumper.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082132204834982226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7MBEiHGiQbT0pn5370QnUKJjOPXWCdmTVqtUH5kdjDWqLtaLN-da1COHeVy-nary3LH28L469dNI2hPtHYxR7SfPB9UIhzfGuwC-ZRceSCAyZqy6D694QXmbOfcNwHFjT_wrYHqTibg/s400/inupiat+jumper.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Wednesday everyone prepared for the NSF representatives who would be visiting. Sandra and I went out to the field to check up on our beloved wier and straighten things up. We also cleaned up the messy and chaotic control shed, well, at least as much as we could. That night, the UTEP lab had a teleconference with Craig to discuss our progress.</div><br /><br /><div>Thursday the NSF reps arrived to asses BASC and see how taxpayers' money is being utilized. Each project that is undertaken here is the culmination of time, energy and I'm sure endless nights of sitting in fetal position crying, and stress to produce a grant that will be accepted. In our case, the NSF funds several grants under which we operate. The projects funded by NSF are paid for through tax dollars, so it was relieving to hear people actually check on the work being done. Sandra, Santonu, Perry and Adrian headed out to the field to give the low down on their projects. </div><br /><br /><div>Thursday was a very special day aside from our visit, it was Lewis's Nalukataq. It's an all day event, and can last until 2 am. I headed out with Rob, Jason (FIU) , Mai and Ana (SDSU) to the early festivities. We were there when they were handing out goose soup and donughts. We saved some for everyone back at the lab. The kids were running around playing and we saw the NSF reps and Lewis hanging out. Lewis Brower, as I mentioned beforehand, is a whaling captain and BASC employee. He's a very interesting guy, and I have a lot of respect for him. Lewis was all decked out in his special outfit. We hung around for about 30 minutes and received some whale tongue in a bag, yes I said whale tongue.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9d79xgAVCz0BQ7Zhtb7fnrNFgXuxPsx5ogb4WEx5RsauNnkLCjnVQob5iqT1jkaz0YcNkb6kPHDHPnt61PmhO63YF4U5zK4aHTMaebUz-PzXdO81BvRCcLv03owZOwX-Or3dQgVWfmc/s1600-h/Inupiat+heritage+center.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082120913365961026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9d79xgAVCz0BQ7Zhtb7fnrNFgXuxPsx5ogb4WEx5RsauNnkLCjnVQob5iqT1jkaz0YcNkb6kPHDHPnt61PmhO63YF4U5zK4aHTMaebUz-PzXdO81BvRCcLv03owZOwX-Or3dQgVWfmc/s200/Inupiat+heritage+center.jpg" border="0" /></a>After the Nalukataq, we headed over to the Inupiat Heritage Center. We walked around and saw many artifacts that were made and used by the ancestors of the Inupiat people for whaling. There was also a bird exhibit that consisted of a stuffed variety of avians. I saw a door that led into a huge room about whaling. The initial sight is an exhibit that expressed the spirit of whaling and of Inupiat values. The whaling captain is responsible for his crew, including outfitting all members and taking care of them. In the old days, people wore amulets shaped like different creatures for protection. </div><br /><br /><div>Captains were not allowed to wear amulets of certain creatures or to eat particular sea animals or game. The Captain's wife was not allowed to sew while her husband was whaling in order to prevent the line from tangling. She was also forbidden to use scissors or butcher meat, and other behaviors were banned out of fear of preventing a catch. The Inupiat believe that the whale gives itself to the man, and that the woman has an important role in taking care of others, the home and keeping the spirits of those around her high. It is thought that the whales know how they are spoken of, and so you must always speak highly of them and give them respect.</div><br /><br /><div>They believe that a house must be clean, as must the boat or else the whale will not give itself. Ultimately, the people are tied to the whale; the spirit will tell other whales how it was treated in respect to the actions taken by those who caught and ate of it, and convince them to give themselves. Thus, if you took care of others and behaved according to Inupiat values, the next year's season would be fruitful for you and you will survive. The catch is kept in permafrost ice cellars, and thoroughly cleaned before it is stored. The flesh and spirit of the whale is given the upmost respect, and must be kept in a clean home. The community would hold ceremonies before a whaling expedition. After the introduction of Christianity, modern practices include a prayer and they have abandoned using amulets for protection.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082135056693266802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAZzcNoTcaJ9PB1Gk3vVR-56-UWvieMKCI6Xap8uOYwf_QWKyo-AhTZUiANDhrAdlkXNVbEr3IKXGLm3jkuSf6qNZ_Ea6ok9P1t9EFQNzv2cvmG0eP636Exp0-qJdxOyqWH2GhXwT2PI/s320/Inupiat+values.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082136723140577714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9On-mSA5oMTt07mtxvqhgvamzKzkFTPLd-Qj6oR1ea8tm1XQUGwbsvZSuLsCDLZ2EVJkCKQLkP4omt6gJw-XueV8kMaUQ-dlFwNvstgWCGif1eX7Uz9oUBWICrmFcHciud8W6z4jp6nE/s320/spirit+of+the+whale.jpg" border="0" /><br />The actual process is fascinating. The crew will head out onto the sea ice. For this purpose, knowledge of the envionment, ice, currents, wind, creatures and survival techniques are passed down through the elders and older captains. They use snowmobiles now, but in the past sleds and dogs were utilized. The crew heads out to the pressure ridges and make a trail using various tools and ice picks. Certain members are given the responsibility of maintaining the trail throughout the season. A lead in the ice is located, and camp is established nearby. This includes tents, food, water, and so on. The men wear white jackets with white or grey fur. The sealskin boats are put into the water, and the crew heads out on the lead to find the whales. Once one is seen, they wait for it to come to them. They must be in close proximity to spear it, and wait until it is practically right in front of them before attacking. Once caught, the whale is heaved onto the ice via big thick ropes and many many people. Then, it is cut into smaller pieces and divided up accordingly (described in a previous blog). Eventually, the whale is distrubuted among the community and local communities who did not catch anything. The rest is saved for Nalukataq, in which the entire community attends, and the winter.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082135258556729730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsHNeUnUnRTr2mjoor8KDqoLhW3Hj65j2Gd-6hvNgSLeKGTPQv4kWSMumTZdu72b8bo4hH2Eq4bD_iFOKyGM6avQqJj2rZic_kCp0ED5fI7GDADLOoV1oN2iveROFsKu5Kf9wxWUfJ9M/s320/Jason+and+kid.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Jason and an Inupiat boy in a whale skull outside the museum.</em><br /><br /><br /><div>The Heritage Center revealed much of the deep history of the Arctic and the Inupiat people. There are several organizations in Barrow dedicated to cultural preservation efforts, which involves a multidimensional network of people. There are several representatives from the North Slope Borough School District, Ilisagvic College, the North Slope Borough, City of Barrow, Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission and many more that are involved. The organizations here work closely with the local people (especially the elders who hold the root to traditions) and scientists to preserve and document the wealth of cultural knowledge and artifacts. I was captivated by the whaling exhibit, which described the philosophy of the Inupiat culture and further iterated the ties between the people and the whales and land. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082115140929915010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2KO9Hsjk7xhmUAeQCAMlHxiMEzvKKaH0eJb9Pl-qipuvwet-QN9iPe2f09vT0pQ5bRlfn6cCScajIdcDcDogtx07pNzWpzRnnp7XWqAHUbVvX8WX-2SGL3q62Xls0_iY9zzXyAqvNkY/s320/Naluqatak+and+Dancing+and+Brower%27s+Cafe+003.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082115879664289970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1w6enk6R3Qy_zqNMd6EMzzotrcO2ZLyNhGEhvRlhGF0syWkdBb_Au5kGxZBB175_ceEgLQPx_GCXR0IxPJVgl_mX7J8d3qtceFBr3NXPrKVcPuKA899L2B33oIrrDumnBfbhJDJnsJ4/s320/Naluqatak+and+Dancing+and+Brower%27s+Cafe+014.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082115583311546530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH17_GY7ZXbp9oqQQ8jovUMPyFypDlYLQ91Wh7Q_qTghxMpERjUxUmXDIiF4o3Q2Kkgp-Gan8vEcILqA2XNauyNDoBIIXK3FDYjKIfT2yTwA-MXz02TnorAycfon3FfSbxOYiv4AdsfOs/s320/Naluqatak+and+Dancing+and+Brower%27s+Cafe+009.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082116103002589378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_aaWuP7AmoFf1yUmzzftUeBMolh0KkfoElClpqmClLn27hJrms1n3rXyfgQgVb5hQdyToPVVMcb5cgTjvLqjU5vOs6HQxx03X-gzxa-OFV2ycpVCH6OeyH6hvXlk3qE8ZdxWUM146uA/s320/Naluqatak+and+Dancing+and+Brower%27s+Cafe+015.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082115359973247122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoA_myDZl1Ub1fXbme6PCDYrto8EUddFDO0Zv86TzgmgVp6IqaxS1hgqWhivYTDnTZd9azQRnVzEI-oB4jGwhRGk-_YPuwIr__JMGBvXDnh-GwkMXrHuVgJAiH_57u3U2S0XSoALIXy4/s320/Naluqatak+and+Dancing+and+Brower%27s+Cafe+011.JPG" border="0" /><br />All of us left back to the lab with our lives a bit more enriched and handed out the tongue and goose soup. It was very very chewy and tasted pretty fishy. The goose soup was good, though.<br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082116493844613330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NO-EmO24Xvv3A9jz_t_qTRCd7Pf_ofuNlQx4H22iEYQVh10RqhnMlnCQQPOygCJct3Rvq9REVx3lxjVgQkTPGsCYTmDexr1oCFDjwmnxUaPiL9B07OpJguBZ-il06dWookdy-ee9l_8/s320/Mai+cutting+tongue.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Mai prepares the tongue</em><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>Our reactions to the whale tongue:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY45sm1qAMwOzQp80fhbaG_ZgFq_i_ufoTaxFUkPOmwJvpiRCg-hO4kpku59wpdMgczleXvqQm3c5M5Xd7hu5yq2o3UzyqHxWqGHmjLByNJnZuKEal2hr-d9idkdgvOM8mUhS0TXPcPZo/s1600-h/sandra+and+tongue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082093532949448706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY45sm1qAMwOzQp80fhbaG_ZgFq_i_ufoTaxFUkPOmwJvpiRCg-hO4kpku59wpdMgczleXvqQm3c5M5Xd7hu5yq2o3UzyqHxWqGHmjLByNJnZuKEal2hr-d9idkdgvOM8mUhS0TXPcPZo/s320/sandra+and+tongue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfjjJM3EKqv7JnG-Mkfi2Sc8WCUEi14vLMUzbGdvwaJe8X3FZ7M0SVRfF9B8-gP6EXcmef43lSk2KmWRjBCx-howgBCgn2MLw3GY40kf8GwcdBcc8aj3ajR9rvxnmCngJ8NNTvOQtugQ/s1600-h/Paulo+eating+tongue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082093318201083890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfjjJM3EKqv7JnG-Mkfi2Sc8WCUEi14vLMUzbGdvwaJe8X3FZ7M0SVRfF9B8-gP6EXcmef43lSk2KmWRjBCx-howgBCgn2MLw3GY40kf8GwcdBcc8aj3ajR9rvxnmCngJ8NNTvOQtugQ/s320/Paulo+eating+tongue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-90h8nC0e4VTs3W6ypPfNuZ1oIr0EmAm0tFxu2v3AOL5H7u0AS_KDAAkuZ27FrzFvKeHEVMYYc55pbgVqyjyzkYbuviO_5NxjOrVCyOKeWpJCKt64XPuMl_Qz6II94vpTNl6RmG1Zos/s1600-h/Paulo+reacting+to+tongue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082092983193634786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-90h8nC0e4VTs3W6ypPfNuZ1oIr0EmAm0tFxu2v3AOL5H7u0AS_KDAAkuZ27FrzFvKeHEVMYYc55pbgVqyjyzkYbuviO_5NxjOrVCyOKeWpJCKt64XPuMl_Qz6II94vpTNl6RmG1Zos/s320/Paulo+reacting+to+tongue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082096028325447762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVuhembKgOarUxjiX1vJt8uoZwSQgS_oRk6ZHE0ENA0JZWJXPcDzOXWt-zayWxZLkrhmLsmzYngY8Do8W1Fu2xSE5mpN-8jvwIpIu1d-wt6RN_felcZdAppoEjffj5tUc6yWRA1etof8/s320/dave+and+tongue.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwD5b5d8tsIoTM9SyZePX2EWMSD3h_nDhRA4DAfoi_bQpFOWzRbAZ-6X6EUSl5dgjJwIARWNLd8dnBRQfx1bcSPWEQYC4qPQydGJLVPN0pg2vR5NebIW_cCQSJSF9Yh9i6VIn5O6JXY4/s1600-h/Am+and+tongue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082092712610695122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwD5b5d8tsIoTM9SyZePX2EWMSD3h_nDhRA4DAfoi_bQpFOWzRbAZ-6X6EUSl5dgjJwIARWNLd8dnBRQfx1bcSPWEQYC4qPQydGJLVPN0pg2vR5NebIW_cCQSJSF9Yh9i6VIn5O6JXY4/s320/Am+and+tongue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1W5XkJ0k_sRdM4cghY6EXsVQDUOvkEDtHR_YRexPEuG7rJ6qCQoynJmGECpe_FAWpCPVH1BHz3oYKrBC3_thlsMGQChN2rV7u3HFVgEGWgyK68iv7NTTADtofnoMvbDVTJuZfqjr86c/s1600-h/adrian+and+tongue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082092291703900098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1W5XkJ0k_sRdM4cghY6EXsVQDUOvkEDtHR_YRexPEuG7rJ6qCQoynJmGECpe_FAWpCPVH1BHz3oYKrBC3_thlsMGQChN2rV7u3HFVgEGWgyK68iv7NTTADtofnoMvbDVTJuZfqjr86c/s320/adrian+and+tongue.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082093739107878930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglthitrBDSCdnzqk09Zyn_TkcFftMb6TDES5KEXbNfg0TnMpqeA2FmAZvvva6_trTdq6HdiNVa8zNeHAAp-87Ha6S_W2T1G6Lvtm3q1P_2LidH8FDOqUOwov9s1X3lPKWge5JudXgQ9dg/s320/perry+and+tongue.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Perry didn't like the tongue...But there was goose soup.</em><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082094099885131810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGtN6lXdI_3Sd0962nmKIsInsxs-dBkgpXtOIGsj7DFOK_ufvaGQmTxA7KiLSeQmIVnrqkUYbpC9ZRUwUsDAAgdFnInTJqvY1SkLcHSvOTIEnMwt5tyeutcVjmqhqs_biKTCC0hZe4sY/s320/goose+soup.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082094477842253874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge099JqrZccFA6NN9-v_VWz_mislX5Jhwa7OcMO20xxTqrvSzCKkLHv8tyR9zD0C_1RAGAOshbDYiNHswo8l5pTIA2V1_W4mDOsqgU6NON5agkIQm89BOOo12AiIRwUxjHeCOhAnndi2A/s320/Perry+and+goose+soup.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082095147857152066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jlqduCLY3dqZxHXbD11R4PyHvHSp0Jzed_x9UOTDgfcduAXcZ47zrmrUScWGZQyRQiOSMmHLxKpLbkkHy8UXZ7IAfTGA_9vkI25KMxwj0o6iA2WSbwjE26glMEDOYQ3hpJ2NyjJNQ3Q/s320/perry+after+soup.jpg" border="0" /><em> And Perry felt better.</em><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>After our toungue and goose soup, we all went about our usuall business working on data and whatnot. At about 5:00pm, there was a meeting in which all of the groups in BASC presented their ongoing projects and some data. I won't bore you all with the details, but the meeting ended around 9:30pm. After everyone was insane from sitting and listening attentively it was time to party! We headed out to the Nalukataq again.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082144338117593570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhchhTtErk_s9j-7k5W94sLPLivH-xt8n6WDXOE6JHMnFhU3gaN0G1Xw64MGJIJl55k9arNq3hY7_d9CPHckQQfKznbDJAQod7l_kI7KjtUAwVecCVMoa8TsP9PACDjdsNYHmNbcOIJSs/s200/BASC+crew.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>The place was jumping, literally. There were tons of people wearing their traditional parkas and muckluks. Several people were jumping on the blanket, and lots of them would grab packets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUMU8YJYWAo-_ETu8lpKvTKx5DK8yZvGmJ3UXu2U9WHSrH5nB9UCSa5frbeafQ4L252JIuiPHIT4T_ECCyzP0sukvln3E_qJDGtTp5JQGnThXpnl7ZsDZpJHk1ScjsuNmx-UVMY1lKoU/s1600-h/muckluks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082135992996137378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUMU8YJYWAo-_ETu8lpKvTKx5DK8yZvGmJ3UXu2U9WHSrH5nB9UCSa5frbeafQ4L252JIuiPHIT4T_ECCyzP0sukvln3E_qJDGtTp5JQGnThXpnl7ZsDZpJHk1ScjsuNmx-UVMY1lKoU/s200/muckluks.jpg" border="0" /></a> of candy and throw them out at the crowd. The blanket is made of sealskin and teathered down by four pieces of rope that are suspended by wooden beams. A pit is dug out beneath the blanket to allow for the resonant motion. Its a dangerous affair; ankles have been broken and people have completely went up in the air and fallen far from the blanket. Those who help animate the blanket are also in harm's way; I saw a few people get taken out by a brave crash landing Inupiat. It did look like a lot of fun, though. The men were pretty good, and got about 15 meters high. I wanted to get on, but my ankles are not strong (we all remember my crutches) and if I had hurt myself, Dave would have pummeled my injured body anyway. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082118933386037506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZSarEhtyG-JrNq0tcaj3I1qn7-dkPjsKg8_vW4CLUYijqdJk4W0QXfaWRQCkYGxqANO3W4i-Vzku2B1cMzJFlurQHfLmXUD26Y1pkyoir6oR8O1q5cwlElxZEhQ6AkTxLEvMR0mvTpA/s320/eskimo+baby.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082120531113871666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW_ynK6mZN2mNf5wvzgMIDq8xboc3VVqI0EfGMqwyvy1Jcsh6Q9XM8GhenfsGVD3YTBxZjVfw9ibxEZ5IBNgTAwQVfhS9ZKPEY__BAEW5aCGl1bNYheS7JQVIXSq2iEbwELY0A4_HWJs/s320/inupiat+girl+and+candy.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082119152429369618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAIEEj2XY-BwrdFXDpBUmQfYjk_tw-HpJ1GmTc2nGuG3f7iXcPE0NgRZt0q99XyZ5sewNJIYgEdRmfcrm-fU7njQl2Ii_bOkjp1G5yPrK_E-e8aubhvTy7J24h654sPivBIeufFwgy6M/s320/eskimo+man.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Alex was joyous and helped hold on to the blanket and toss people. He jumped at the previous celebration, and wanted to do it again. Getting on to the blanket is a battle. Aside from the height of the blanket, several people clamour to get on which is a challenge. Finally Alex was victorious and got some air. The locals were happy to see him jumping, they all shouted and asked him to stay on one more time, and then congratulated him for doing it afterward.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082118473824536802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJuM7G79VazvRyCp6BZzdyy7WSB3AotST-LY9wZyWxzf2etopTrwtD-m_E_1rDNBeIZYB4qvLqzdoAWHqwNiUhpFXBKcoRm4kovdygqfl_2lsBz3qpRi8XeRwtUbDYU6XSD_dfRWtubg/s320/alex+.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082118688572901618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAbLR-bT9p3iBFq6ROPjpomYYOkQk2ArY_O2-MllICa3cm_2nAyuNUAmiZLQd-OG5yF8w-fOH2s0-Ov0I4bzP47AJA_rHFfTfNgEQkoFyyYdS3TkwHi59tq_IWFjdZsaCDp2QhTpVo6M/s320/Alex+jumpint.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082143251490867650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49Yj7HPmuy7Qo_O7Mylr7-ci6Ndwfk7Q2EdXdiolFk8i44ooKiNk2UGi9ar54TagXg0AW9keaziYpalay1U_F6lgs2XMUiiMOFrSaxu-D6CCnn7CQ0SnYsr5mEz7v_2jX2vJPhPw4tgY/s320/Alec+jumping.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />After a while, a gargantuan cake was presented. My colleagues informed me it was delicious, but I wouldn't know :(<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082113517432277106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0tODEi-kN6jbgUhhO-Owp3WEZC08soovxiCBBCUz2MnSjmZsp3nTOQlU70vBlUY0SO5-EwPBeNK_4OIJRRW0nVja5Y6ZTvhETYGdJccF5bQ2Eein-LRq7-F_ZO2sxxd7E0pneVqcgp0/s320/cake.jpg" border="0" /> After an hour of blanket tossing in the damp and foggy cold, we decided to head to the gymnasium to get good seats for the dance. I was really excited. We arrived to an empty gym with a beckoning climbing wall. Dave and I asked permission...granted. We all fumbled to get the right size shoes, get our harnesses on, and finally we were ready.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082145029607328274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmeaF83-gNXYukPHa4MEFkj4Nvu8yk-yATPx6lgwZBg4uzuNcUnZcFKCRuS7ynfUuYz3tDFzCwjwpLaUOLUhaQAqClamuhYoW0KS6qV93vaK28nwv1gxHNk_NFCjvjXiD4cPwKup5jlQ/s320/harness+lesson.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082152146368137826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNFQmkfNsP_rFanRdSTmZsiuFAn623m54bLFEtFp1dkOBQM4hqn82Hs_uTPGVI2RNof2mA6Ncpsli2ojs6meLZob7FUnh89Gh4UCltkQRBUcAxPiqsub1qFW4DzvHRFSzyfe5ynVn6-g/s320/thumbs+up+to+climb.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Just as we were about to climb, an elder walked in. NO CLIMBING! The elders are given much respect and considered ancestors and the only threads to tradition. We immediately stopped, took off everything and cleaned the place up. We took our seats in back (front seats are for the elders) and waited for the fun to begin.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082145467693992498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDftWGSuAC8AiDjwZLADLcUyNGm-u8JFmtSAkFgCJ2oqqIRtcQC5EyQZEk3bvt83XnKtgCRApRkovC0dgsN9EoCK4ZHrvnsJo0BPWnqNq7BO0Yldrd_1JUEg3I1WIHuXNlBZ-_TBjiW7M/s320/thumbs+down+to+climb.jpg" border="0" />We watched as the few people who trickled in took their seats. They looked majestic in their Inupiat parkas trimmed with intricate beadwork and lined with wolverine, wolf, seal or bear fur. Each one was unique and stately. After only 20 minutes the entire gymnasium swelled with people and voices. Everyone was jam packed next to everyone else, and all the elders were speaking to each other and their families and friends. We were greeted by some women who sat in front of us. They were very kind; one of the ladies let us tough her wolf fur lined coat. I sat there petting her all evening.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Once the place was full, a couple of men came out with the blanket everyone was jumping on and placed in the middle of the floor. Herman, a BASC employee and captain himself, explained that the blanket was used to help catch the whale and could last a long time if taken care of. After another 25 minutes, the drum crew walked in and sat down. They all prepared for the dance and sprayed their drums with water. Once everything and everyone took their places, an elder Inupiat man walked to the center of the blanked and spoke Inupiat. Everyone was silent the moment he opened his mouth and cheered after he spoke. He then bowed his head and said a prayer, the boys were asked to remove their hats.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082144522801187314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhhEnVtpXX8jG5jA3NgXvQXkt7VCVWOtjpYByO6lmwnOXFq1TaAo04xg-4HM5qY2mhFQl6ky4PV8MEnaUvcbEkldOhz7OiAgL4HxGhqcoIeEV70u2GlRBeUVqOj9HndMLiZ60ynyQH9o/s320/elder+saying+prayer.jpg" border="0" /><br />After the prayer, he said a few more words in Inupiat, everyone cheered and the drums began to pound. The guests all waited while the whaling crews got up and danced. Their movements were powerful, each one on the floor had a great presence. They yelled out in victory. The men and wo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnd2z1nzYtmKQqKzKnNfrz59xqXjSWVGBjJlNw-72d3_9eaV0-e_Ayfk48JWIz7Vuj-53qiCusP5Zc21pK4yj0aOWsa8NDq9HCT0dbBOQWBX5eDeYWcKe8AS05OT6FYdkQO5phHncMvwc/s1600-h/Lewis+dancing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082135529139669394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnd2z1nzYtmKQqKzKnNfrz59xqXjSWVGBjJlNw-72d3_9eaV0-e_Ayfk48JWIz7Vuj-53qiCusP5Zc21pK4yj0aOWsa8NDq9HCT0dbBOQWBX5eDeYWcKe8AS05OT6FYdkQO5phHncMvwc/s320/Lewis+dancing.jpg" border="0" /></a>men have different movements they perform. Some of the men made motions that looked like they were harpooning at a whale, while others stuck to the more traditional ones. When Lewis got up to dance, we were all amazed. He seemed different, he was powerful and it felt like he was 8 feet tall. The look in his eyes was very intense.<br /><br /><div></div>After all the crews got up and danced, the community was invited up. The woman who let me pet her coat told us to go up. We were all nervous, and decided to go as a group, I think 8 of us ended up going. The beat of the drums pounded in my chest. After the first dance, the locals went nuts cheering and clapping. They all prompted us to stay up for another one, so we did. After that dance, they all cheered even louder and I got lots of nice comments on my way back to my seat. One man told us he was proud of us for getting up there, and shook our hands. The lady who was in front of me said "see, now you know what we feel like." A man went up to Perry and said he was a good dancer. Perry said he was still shaking and the man told him it was the power of the dance.</div><div> </div><div>I loved watching a little boy, maybe 3-4 years old who would get up and dance with all his might. I made me realize that the Inupiat people have a strong understanding of who they are, where they came from, and where they belong. They know their history, language, traditions, dances, songs, and stories. They still live off the land (or at least the creatures); many are subsistence hunters. They take an active role in policy and government, and are a strong community. Perry and I were talking about the Tiguas and Akamas (sorry if mispelled) and realized what a unique place we were in and what a grand experience it was :)<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082146176363596370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtGYrVmVjDpCMkiCxvkxUe-p4agqO82N04C3Fq1mcfUGI18LO_S9HyPjdJTfvQvVX4xGchG2uSgseIgK6GjZBFua9vMmBFFG7M8Fpjk8sQkD7U0Gc3okwpd9dPlAsMW-4n781qoB5Mwg/s320/IMG_0795.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082119465961982242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLe3PHzAcds3E64SVbAlpf0uaH4dsr5kQFt9k0NIhzFJXF14SqhUkyXw3ElKgngA5lbm9ylpoVoPLYjAJ69qEfLpHpiVIA6cajBH9rpZMnCNmX-di92_q-sWCnj4oCmqbMzpuedU9X0Bc/s320/inupiat+coat.jpg" border="0" />The Day after Nalukataq:<br />The day following the festivities everyone in town looked tired. I was exhausted myself, but luckily I had an office day and got the LI-6400 zeroed and made sure it was in working order. I also worked on some permits for Dave's project. We will be traveling to several areas on the North Slope and to the Seward's Peninsula. The locations are between here and Atqa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rNd9nATt-3zhqqtka_ta5-_UdijxhJC4r6pqrJM1bRCvk2ctR9-wDtsDMI5C-d0rfY0o4x6ShPVpC_jjYUiMNVZT5wtLo5x1HKldei0ijShHlGpOwLtardwI6JV9vyt5H8yChwcmv-Y/s1600-h/explanation.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082144797679094274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rNd9nATt-3zhqqtka_ta5-_UdijxhJC4r6pqrJM1bRCvk2ctR9-wDtsDMI5C-d0rfY0o4x6ShPVpC_jjYUiMNVZT5wtLo5x1HKldei0ijShHlGpOwLtardwI6JV9vyt5H8yChwcmv-Y/s200/explanation.jpg" border="0" /></a>suk, Council, Kougerok (near Nome and probably mispelled) and Ivotuk to do some sampling. We will be flying into some areas by helicopter and camping out. Other areas are more civilized and we will stay in a cabin or inn or some dwelling. Some of our supplies for outside contact and incase of an emergency include a satellite phone and a PLB. I had to go by the North Slope Search and Rescue to get the Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), so Perry and Sandra joined me. Sandra and I had originally planned to check out Brower's Cafe.</div><br /><br /><div>The facility was pretty cool, and we got to see the helicopter. A member of the search and rescue team instructed me how to use the device and cautioned me to use it only in a grave situation. "If this goes off, no matter what, we're on the way." He also gave us all a search and rescue patch. We were thrilled and went on our way....to the police station to get another patch, we're hooked!</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082143728232237522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_hWOxmqZSLRj1bnXmHMiBk5ezUKXpkP-DAtcJyyqWvXsF6qhq45zqvXbAJp6HCA87MEsdh948Po0KXq7nWveBqKpArXyl8F4skSpl6TWDmlw4Q9mr-mCjL1FW-23G2-Ifn7zpEbWXs8/s320/Barrow+search+and+rescue.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082145287305366050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9PaeduHUhd7dFmdFN3bcnRuHTDmA0Dv6WLyGYO2VQcaRaQH75r467KE3aYxVBMOCJRgZOS_c2FLkEukG9lYEkErm8BoFqZr2GwVpbAdJf31xNAXpEjFmtMR8uIPNe_ITrtNbxWJuYRc/s320/personal+locator+beacon+and+patch.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Right at the entry was a huge muskox head hanging on the wall. Monday is Founder's Day (for the Norht Slope Borough, of which Barrow is the seat of government) and we will attain even more goodies and patches, patches, glorious patches.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJriKyZG-JTTaYzSHZE10hdLZF4gYFwHvvr7y-Cs7B-NqisRPoEY8-WzmlXJh-6YVahJd9k6qc1kHJJXQrtnwJk-f6_flS5FX1fpnXwDJeZyqRFKQuW_RHyWw0WR8hIGZY64N8N4liSXg/s1600-h/north+slope+police.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082089233687185314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJriKyZG-JTTaYzSHZE10hdLZF4gYFwHvvr7y-Cs7B-NqisRPoEY8-WzmlXJh-6YVahJd9k6qc1kHJJXQrtnwJk-f6_flS5FX1fpnXwDJeZyqRFKQuW_RHyWw0WR8hIGZY64N8N4liSXg/s320/north+slope+police.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082096449232242786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLwr7RpdFD3AYU8BsfqgHB5Log7AGLFFIQOH-YgoAh6qW8myWxJSQvzdCxB-nq3_DmzjRDyE2AS4P9Ri28Cp6cOVOI0fwfUQbOF3AKN35gofFgiBkQRxFJhY1iSsQL4HVOXOC0UvtuSA/s320/muskox.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Finally...Brower's Cafe:<br />Brower's Cafe is nestled in the old town of Barrow, and is a historic whaling station. It is also the site of the first International Polar Year in 1881. Outside of the cafe is a set of bowhead whale mandables perched up to form an arc framing the Chukchi Sea of the Arctic Ocean. The ice that hugged the shore just a couple of days before was gone; only a strip about 3.5 miles long remained. There were a couple of plaques hanging behind the register, along with old harpoons and guns from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The walls inside the building are made of rustic wood and huge paintings of an eskimo and a polar bear catch your eye immediately. We already ate before we went, so I ordered pecan pie (I give it a 3 out of 5) and icecream. That was our day, we returned to the lab and prepared for our next adventure.....THE POLAR PLUNGE!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-6Vipy6GXZjYtwkHm_1J5iUs1M15lM29vszoKjUaky_XP1v7qBcb0Io6GyQomP8IlRdluOvf71TLtb6rIdPY-7Awr9y1pGekGMIbnq6Y112y7mJsz39tOeP7jSBMaC6qxOGvTcrVElo/s1600-h/In+memory.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082088563672287122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-6Vipy6GXZjYtwkHm_1J5iUs1M15lM29vszoKjUaky_XP1v7qBcb0Io6GyQomP8IlRdluOvf71TLtb6rIdPY-7Awr9y1pGekGMIbnq6Y112y7mJsz39tOeP7jSBMaC6qxOGvTcrVElo/s320/In+memory.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082090921609332658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZ0vJO1RwNchGqzjWi_4sO17ZP6A3ySP7kTVxz8oB-pYfxh3yXEFt0g-pqSd-uunAZ7LHRuXYb8pfKrWABJEGQHUId0jaFEIPdOWbDE0q4bWNgHX1HJC2fsVv9ds1dzScepqlvHDg3J4/s320/guns.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UTtyCuVf9HG0kQmmznycmfD6p7CDRW5XsbcAdsjjkclTOHz8z_21ue3gDrOJRZfOOAWRnqDi86gFimJRJP0M9CgtqMBuTaLHSaoMutX3EGHWzUYZW7p7EI1V1AaRuiSaLFQHrB9BEj8/s1600-h/brower+plaque.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082083439776302978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UTtyCuVf9HG0kQmmznycmfD6p7CDRW5XsbcAdsjjkclTOHz8z_21ue3gDrOJRZfOOAWRnqDi86gFimJRJP0M9CgtqMBuTaLHSaoMutX3EGHWzUYZW7p7EI1V1AaRuiSaLFQHrB9BEj8/s320/brower+plaque.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VvrWsOD5yBnm62Hx3FVhQRoms10eGJTGdttCt2NJFIgGgVFHUrRr8Gvxg16B6y4g0Y2y94DfoRp36ZDFN_1fmawspr4PEsukQVTHoRlavzKIIbYzmeUkV2O6x6XxGWGcZih76wo6ZaI/s1600-h/arctic+ocean.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082083263682643826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VvrWsOD5yBnm62Hx3FVhQRoms10eGJTGdttCt2NJFIgGgVFHUrRr8Gvxg16B6y4g0Y2y94DfoRp36ZDFN_1fmawspr4PEsukQVTHoRlavzKIIbYzmeUkV2O6x6XxGWGcZih76wo6ZaI/s320/arctic+ocean.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJd_ynkOTpyqON4UFyOhA3g0enP15mIIvPrRTNW78P-gN-j4YhGbsG4ESG8ZjUg31SYK5Kf7v80062yLr5GcKGPj37U4Yy6t_m7d0cViW13oPHRaKY8tNpn0l4IbyU3u1h85fCM0yWN4/s1600-h/Pear+and+sand.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082082567897941858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJd_ynkOTpyqON4UFyOhA3g0enP15mIIvPrRTNW78P-gN-j4YhGbsG4ESG8ZjUg31SYK5Kf7v80062yLr5GcKGPj37U4Yy6t_m7d0cViW13oPHRaKY8tNpn0l4IbyU3u1h85fCM0yWN4/s320/Pear+and+sand.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E32hbF4srXjH1wfvxZfM77Sq-3m4JGezwEnPME-xqix_PWBu_0Ge_tomESrhLFO6mpMFCdZsapyiFbq5SwaP2XQzFD3B60zCd-tqM-iEOEBAfgFBqSktQ0N51fa5zW7kzK5EExI4pwY/s1600-h/Pear+and+bear.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082082413279119186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E32hbF4srXjH1wfvxZfM77Sq-3m4JGezwEnPME-xqix_PWBu_0Ge_tomESrhLFO6mpMFCdZsapyiFbq5SwaP2XQzFD3B60zCd-tqM-iEOEBAfgFBqSktQ0N51fa5zW7kzK5EExI4pwY/s320/Pear+and+bear.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB96K49kv9gx84XJfikF-p__dGxFvnwad_b14xp8QHcYFyJzXpeYBfERbSalbm1SXPNCtgVgzQZ2FeIlska4pC-uaYKvCuu4rk2_2f-CF69L78MxQ96agwxVwmor2-nZye8nhB-grwxVM/s1600-h/pear+and+am+at+whalebones.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082081837753501506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB96K49kv9gx84XJfikF-p__dGxFvnwad_b14xp8QHcYFyJzXpeYBfERbSalbm1SXPNCtgVgzQZ2FeIlska4pC-uaYKvCuu4rk2_2f-CF69L78MxQ96agwxVwmor2-nZye8nhB-grwxVM/s320/pear+and+am+at+whalebones.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7UnAxQaDv9RiLKe2wNmt3ipQM7wMCaCzVUjFrJ1NmrOUUisABwudVU9-uWBTamcyDrL9-3cuV0l3xVQPfJ6q6UrrhYUUEjxMbUdXyH6NZjJjf68671zbs638O1eCIY4hqB_1UohUo-U/s1600-h/Perry+and+whale+bones.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082081412551739186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7UnAxQaDv9RiLKe2wNmt3ipQM7wMCaCzVUjFrJ1NmrOUUisABwudVU9-uWBTamcyDrL9-3cuV0l3xVQPfJ6q6UrrhYUUEjxMbUdXyH6NZjJjf68671zbs638O1eCIY4hqB_1UohUo-U/s320/Perry+and+whale+bones.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2y4TTrkXprgnt32vXSzCiKeFPPPLAWR0l4zc_PPiy-gQqtna8RbIcG04MUyPykB2XiJ8CrkIpyWBT3dCEmHykGzwQeWMWfWorxZ4KMLkuMUyMOSHcut51UGgI7dy7DMu0ZEwlOlIMxM/s1600-h/whale+bones+at+browers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082081189213439778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2y4TTrkXprgnt32vXSzCiKeFPPPLAWR0l4zc_PPiy-gQqtna8RbIcG04MUyPykB2XiJ8CrkIpyWBT3dCEmHykGzwQeWMWfWorxZ4KMLkuMUyMOSHcut51UGgI7dy7DMu0ZEwlOlIMxM/s320/whale+bones+at+browers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next blog: A group of 20 insane scientists decide to take on the Arctic Ocean and take the plunge! (I'm obviously ok people, so don't worry). Also, more pictures of dancing at Nalukataq.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-73103173082748854262007-06-30T21:15:00.000-07:002007-06-30T21:20:50.997-07:00Lemming!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnVIiZAzkDIfuC2nuQhWASd199kwEImxE0AcrFkRiSliXOEoi-X-Dph5JAWL-o5iGlYpI-j5JPQBP7Y0eRot1imB-HU5uR13VO_BFTkLyirWAucem0216KC1_krKJylfx0rh_SWhOsvs/s1600-h/lemming.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082078595053192978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnVIiZAzkDIfuC2nuQhWASd199kwEImxE0AcrFkRiSliXOEoi-X-Dph5JAWL-o5iGlYpI-j5JPQBP7Y0eRot1imB-HU5uR13VO_BFTkLyirWAucem0216KC1_krKJylfx0rh_SWhOsvs/s400/lemming.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Many have failed, but here lies the winner. Perry has captured the elusive lemming on film after chasing and chasing until the little guy was tired and cornered. </div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-2991382133277068782007-06-27T10:10:00.000-07:002007-06-30T22:38:22.015-07:00Back to the adventures of a desert rat in the tundra.....<br /><br />As I was saying, Perry hurt his leg while working at the ITEX site last week. He came hobbling in with a whincing grimace on his face. His leg was swollen behind his knee at the attatchment point of his gastrocnemius and hamstrings. I guess he fell between the boards of the platform like trail we walk on out there and torqued it somehow. I think he pulled a tendon or something. Sunday he, Santonu and I went to the hospital to find a knee brace for him. (Everyone has searched far and wide across Barrow, no crevace left, no stone unturned, but alas there are no ace knee bandages anywhere. Well, except for the hospital). Our quest was fruitful. We attained one knee brace size L for Mr. Perry I.Q. Houser with the hurt leg. Yesterday a mysterious bruise appeared in the front of his knee that was a lovely shade of purple and black. In the meantime, yours truly is taking on his field missions.<br /><br />Oh yeah, Alex and Dave got to go seal hunting with Lewis on his boat on Sunday. I thought that was a really unique experience for them to have, so please check out Alex's blog on the event: <a href="http://www.benhumea.blogspot.com/">www.benhumea.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080995211027613186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6r8I6Gpg33pluDWqmm8q2yNkc1CR6HbRvpDqV4kcegibbK7evmKiKN9_Di6a7mMmelLwErmr1ahRBtA1O8o86O013sxFQ9llO3249Hu_PvNL5wA4APKZ_-p3b4W-55VhqtKVVpcV5GXs/s400/hospital.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080996087200941618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMvO-AHWDXkJgUuTQKYINofqhAPfAhXcDSjsK3NQBBD8A4eYlARsTIrCjza0hT3ystD5GFSNj7_EBQyUZ3HwFyRJvcovGDc0sKep_wcjizKy6d1Guu2wZu_RA0y5x6oTP3AOh7urxMY4/s400/perry+hosp.jpg" border="0" /><br />After the hospital we stopped by the the King Eider's Inn to check it out. The outside was clean and free of random junk, officially making the King Eider's Inn the cleanest building in all of Barrow. There was a muck room in the entrance and we had to remove our shoes. To the left was a warm and welcoming fireplace with a really cool handcrafted chessboard. One side was composed of various handcarved and painted wooden ducks; the King Eider was, well, the king. The other side was composed of birds of prey; an eagle was king.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080994970509444594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYTvLS5ggLWBpyfXikcm8TOFPONfQOA7guazMtb0qvMp6ZX3uObTZN_oAx-TkqWTYq31ECWqW9Fc7Ff9H20yzXJEnP0Et5u-g1qO3i3WD5v9Zp6HITkYLZSjQkdqk5puJGJLRdXBM9to/s400/ducks+vs+birds+of+prey.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080995580394800658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFczcI9T5ep_g1r3DUOJhBNIeUxUwBtOq2tTLBc3GmZ5aap-qu7NAHZ162OA6XqUcakFk53DiA3-zbLAo14PK5VkeeYRjgEQKAqg4XTprAH2nLSKCDPiYpHKMrD11w7bjw6eEhq0KVvE/s400/king+eider+inn.jpg" border="0" /><br />I asked to see a room, just for kicks and grins. They were very nice and seemed huge compared to my little room at NARL. The master suite was gargantuan and had a queen bed, fireplace, kitchen and jacuzzi bathtub. Any guest who stays is welcome to the sauna, which Perry and I both drooled at. (Santonu didn't come in; I think he didn't want to take his shoes off).<br /><br />We went to Stuaqpak (literally "the big store"), aka AC Value Center to get some groceries after our infomative adventure at the Inn. Immediatley upon entering the store there were some craftmen selling their wares. One was selling titanium blades that had whale bone handles, while the other was selling pieces of whale baleen that he etched scenes of whaling on. You can find different craftsmen at any given time in Stuaqpak, and unfortunately I didn't have that much cash on me. I had to forego the goods and continue on my voyage, we needed food and a hungry scientist is not a pretty sight. It was a joyous time for all as we strolled through isles of overpriced food and goods.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080996314834208322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY34nCH42gpr_jwT0hm0hoqItL-CvXVgxRQnVTn3jHPXdBfxqrD4MquU9AysUNnmTf-k26aVu_GhTyowL0hLCWPbGC9TZUadEK7XiQgvDSQHErjyI8EV5itN_HZmS0oGFz7n-J7HHPCdE/s400/stuakpak.jpg" border="0" /><br />The three of us attempted to go to the Inupiat Heritage Center, but they were closed. I am very interested in learning more about the history of the Inupiat culture and Barrow. I got to see some of it at the grand opening ceremony, and most of the museum was dedicated to whaling. The gift shop has been closed everytime I have gone :( I am hoping to bring home some items that are characteristic of Barrow and my experiences. I picked up a book called "Uqaluktuat 1980 Elders' Conference Women's Sessions." The book covers topics of preparing whales, games and songs, and an oral history of the weather changes. Half of it is in English, and you can flip it over to read it in Inupiat.<br /><br />Sunday night: "Kill Bill: Volume 1"<br /><br />Monday: I went out with Santonu to the field to help out with temperature readings along the tramlines. He and Perry have been assigned two kids who are earning college credit. However, his kids are pretty young (an 8th and 9th grader). One of them complained a lot and kept asking us to do less work and end the day early. The other one worked pretty hard and was taking good notes and was very inquizitive (which I like to see in a kid). I think this program is pretty cool; I wish I could've worked hands on with scientists to get college credit. Many of the researchers here are taking on kids. It seems that some of the students are working well, while others are completely miserable and don't want to be here; or third scenario: they want to be here and aren't fit with the right researcher. I think a lot of the students are pretty young, so it is difficult for them to put in hours out in the field. Daniel, Adrian's intern quit. I feel that this program should have a stricter application process to ensure motivated kids who are interested in the science. Field work is tough, even for adults and I think it takes a certain attitude to survive with your sanity.<br /><br />The two students were funny though. I enjoyed talking about science with them and tried to get them enthused about it. Santonu enjoyed working with them as well, and even put together a few readings about the project he's working on. I think in a few years this program will be running smoothly. Either way I;m sure all of these students will come out with a greater understanding and appreciation for the science involved here (and the hard work it entails).<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080996993439041106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDySWJOyAkvGIGWyNFebeUZoezFnHconu_kY6GRflKIYc99_RJ-3fKbUYtnFOfmAwc8k8P4ryU1QdfT2yi7PI1E1Izo8Q77w3QUKn34SKullAcWBtV8n7hNyVOc_PGibkp9bz4F-ZtyYc/s400/am+and+sand.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080999149512623794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uVfZbrA7g1sP-g00X11BxN9OiIpuHnOIymP42dUMXcckcs2fq8JlWqQB3FMfhp3nqXQpzeutvspJI1YG9d5d7VpWSlgc6fbAXU6K63Xtb6f2zikpJUNPzJDOvmAXKif-D6gAkbfalXI/s320/am+and+kids+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080997779418056322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSh3W5OrmDE0RHCz1BU4VWdE9nxqiV68Ej_65aSrs16QUPSwzWxbWTfFhmmRLwz0vZ3xBMZFh0Q4RKPcR_J_JK-v4X1NPVB_WZrHJ-Y0NpCMeek3IHwTZUzEsmu52f4WzuJ7koRebCu8/s400/best+santonu+and+students.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080998689951123106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6RSjAJq6Glc-OI5sYe6lO-gvlUrg5EZNMLjK32gCCbkwdEJedvALFaY7F25OesZdAWH5B5UPcX71qT35wj62Gb4h-4kOFop03ZKBvrCnsaUGs_apNK4a9Kr_I_iJrTx-Qw1iQR6U4MY/s400/am+and+kids.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Tuesday: Tuesday was my birthday, and I received a lot of thoughtful birthday wishes from my friends and family that made me happy. A few of us stayed up pretty late the previous night, so I was a little tired. At the end of the day we went to Osaka's, a japanese restaurant. The food was delicious, and I thnk it was the best meal I've had here in Barrow. I ordered the Bento box #3 (as did 6 other people at the table), which includes sushi, rice, salad, terriyaki chicken, and tempura. MMMM..... After our meal we all joined in a glass of sake and I played the ukulele to my heart's content. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080997508835116658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J7D_t2gW91Rq0H3H4KBvky2Gqo5Cq1BJiyMCrK5x9H7HqFot7zaa9TyChCAVl-Zzf7UDDtMzTqVkuyv4t7P9TuRFAXDheR7Zwype3wQn5Cu4vEdareKg_Pu6d89qNZ4cErUxfYxCcWk/s400/am+uke.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080994442228467170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c48bpyMaJqYUATsSY_17lPZYSFcJLRP1c6vWN87vSlDG-WW_-_4KVNGBnN-mXRgA_lzi7Zanw52kHaWuRjerHCcfql05mfC0pNcyZoT6EItk2NA83txWFTDCYeAQ37pv2AjGKeZcTRM/s400/osaka.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080993651954484658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPUyQ5eDtZ_whsn6roWzoPYicGHytPyGQ-zOmP7F2PE6zkrEvsvhqN6AY8XFTs5R3tL8QRNxgA6B6lk9S2IpAJ8HDyQY6aVHYHY1xMURKx11pBSeTpVHFVgWLZNIeoeh9rqVyp39raCM/s400/am+night+shot.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080993965487097282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6Sw_1pt9spHiBJMdaPMHXxlwR0sMTFaGNBunNAhCOIkm0oGeXKK86xjG9p6JZkYYcCELd8UK-UoZ4tyjAT9__7ZdCMjB2Qm5dLu6DDsT8C1m4zJ49gp_A4l5Zm9IUZoTDLu6_-Xv53g/s400/amand+pear.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080994227480102354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_aWpBiFI3U4XbgTj6Z5dxxMqlUW7y3YaNhal7PCyfcpx8nCFuHpk24NtxWy0bCGpFNARWEBmpVcSRRTDY7mksnWxAbxtUq8bnaXUvT4VRnz0WDUgCHfFl-eXGE2gaio9tRit4b3_yQY/s400/lanterns.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082075060295108338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnGxc8lxbs8m3ot1X6j6EiUKRn0RSHicm6LI64Ur6TCmZ3BtLOvgw2EnHUyH-2M0Ixm7G8-p8EPgzJck3nOhIi0f3CE-qtLAEoOQorcwoeA-Hb-n0-XX7rl7TVoRrrwqOCcbUCdQvSqM/s320/Am+and+camera+on+birthday.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082075683065366274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7TvdahDyfz8lb1R4n0PyC-vFsW35rR1eWR0AjsDOV_TpKE4mYprfct7tsGYU8nZ8umMChyMDu215alFmFmvxGZ8YDqQ2g8m4seFCVzmOkP-g7LRB4sZB-IupmDJkJ6R89bePhcJbgig/s320/IMG_0727.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>THANK YOU to all of my friends and family that made my day awesome!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Entertaining ourselves:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080998144490276498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gfURW6pne-UPrMmNjMd6qvbFtQsb8UuilmppEmko49xNUfRwIowWAZP-pf9nf9crwpeDUfit10gwPO8dEp3bUnLbb5i-7H0Nns1yxuSVJKekYbQlQ-MKFBwqeHd969mEe58SfxYyex8/s400/sandra+and+shark+playing+chess.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080997199597471330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsVqhpm1ZmTMGsj4sWorsY3oh98WI30bfk0EexEdhP9Ht-DcR6glVK0iXkUo21mMBvP_s2Vk9tzDj_Ukw6fj1QRdtf8lVK1iMSYB3OazJntDVAvM712l3RJa1rBIg6X82EXmZUe9krxg/s400/am+guitar.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082073342308189922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HaFsIrp8xodSuD_qKNWrNTgVCZwMSZZ5-6M3I0C7zs3Q7j-gx-8WfRjggi2UGoJEJ_k9f7XD-OzT0C3rJ4PFel_f8lXpSil8KlwAoUBJ6FWcwZLj8dns2t8SVKTjCpBPsz_mUhsvKwE/s320/IMG_0717.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-91286629899898434762007-06-26T02:00:00.000-07:002007-06-26T02:01:34.274-07:00My Birthday Card From Perry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEcpj2w3q-Hwb9vNRlw6wFkCdVOokWF7olfmim3khkz_37wwE-sojT-hJvWfTXJCPVKxSN-YTSie96lmHVI21U2B5xQYnBBXmrWJrsxw7BNsDdlDt7IEZL_F4iB8cRZb4DT4djlob8_k/s1600-h/foxyfox.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080295502826096018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEcpj2w3q-Hwb9vNRlw6wFkCdVOokWF7olfmim3khkz_37wwE-sojT-hJvWfTXJCPVKxSN-YTSie96lmHVI21U2B5xQYnBBXmrWJrsxw7BNsDdlDt7IEZL_F4iB8cRZb4DT4djlob8_k/s400/foxyfox.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-22286587010668835012007-06-23T22:46:00.000-07:002007-06-26T00:23:49.143-07:00Nalukataq and Hikes<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMIzrKGqi2jvEaVo_TrTJ0rD8AJpmQfbLPb67aRXTeC9jwkINMrL2k13b5qVwxVeZ5ITkoet-ldsjijpQgyhGN_yQljn1nAiml2zp2Ug8skkWCLJsGRmqZQCNQ2Blw0v-a2pjOs9-r0E/s1600-h/panda+head.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079520338538578946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMIzrKGqi2jvEaVo_TrTJ0rD8AJpmQfbLPb67aRXTeC9jwkINMrL2k13b5qVwxVeZ5ITkoet-ldsjijpQgyhGN_yQljn1nAiml2zp2Ug8skkWCLJsGRmqZQCNQ2Blw0v-a2pjOs9-r0E/s320/panda+head.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1NOJ442OO09aql8MT-Dn2Lpo1Aq4zvLv14qeii07u05Q5_9ul46p86RD0lLCOHiCU9IcgHExj6zSUnFFFdUs4OozjXO2rN82tJVoZkMlYBOsQrLPmvg3mUkcEjJ6V3tlHZknAoKRY7s/s1600-h/hopson+crew+cake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079519866092176354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="262" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1NOJ442OO09aql8MT-Dn2Lpo1Aq4zvLv14qeii07u05Q5_9ul46p86RD0lLCOHiCU9IcgHExj6zSUnFFFdUs4OozjXO2rN82tJVoZkMlYBOsQrLPmvg3mUkcEjJ6V3tlHZknAoKRY7s/s320/hopson+crew+cake.jpg" width="174" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiD27tSRQVKPewBI0yrPYAkaOv_Mb32B-POw8UTNrUA4ufSg5WonhqwglvtrVIOjHdvSFHefkFKAJzkNUZk1scTCDJgolc-ipAuT0-ukR4fSpiONA3TjiITioOrf2vvw9DJ_xeQ7_SECo/s1600-h/hopson+crew.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079519664228713426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiD27tSRQVKPewBI0yrPYAkaOv_Mb32B-POw8UTNrUA4ufSg5WonhqwglvtrVIOjHdvSFHefkFKAJzkNUZk1scTCDJgolc-ipAuT0-ukR4fSpiONA3TjiITioOrf2vvw9DJ_xeQ7_SECo/s320/hopson+crew.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvTf-6rhMeMfXtuGYqHSdBtVh1bmrM1_OMKHS8wgaGK24sbD4ONEFwodScRamtQ4QplzlVoB0PSid1ddcXR805d84zHanLY_Rf-IK2JWJOOnKbemKZcYCaM88M5RppO41h7qD7Z88dSc/s1600-h/eskimo+man.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079519410825642946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvTf-6rhMeMfXtuGYqHSdBtVh1bmrM1_OMKHS8wgaGK24sbD4ONEFwodScRamtQ4QplzlVoB0PSid1ddcXR805d84zHanLY_Rf-IK2JWJOOnKbemKZcYCaM88M5RppO41h7qD7Z88dSc/s320/eskimo+man.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScoD2ck6BCuO_XRopbM82arvPtWJXYovVlbUPgVQOaPhQ0j0K-I4W-H69Oj0ahprC_k_xXomoZDv8BIyg0PcWtb1FfreXduf0ojmwvrYddKJeJY1i583AYxCr7U3EMibaUuxP9THFh-w/s1600-h/inupiat+women+talking.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079518040731075474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScoD2ck6BCuO_XRopbM82arvPtWJXYovVlbUPgVQOaPhQ0j0K-I4W-H69Oj0ahprC_k_xXomoZDv8BIyg0PcWtb1FfreXduf0ojmwvrYddKJeJY1i583AYxCr7U3EMibaUuxP9THFh-w/s320/inupiat+women+talking.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZHc9auvTQHr3oPuX53tzX77EgJx7GiN5-vWiKS5tEZ-3KGva4xxNhpGPHkoyA9z0EfdOaik8QF-IF1XAE1AGDyGpxVoBcSMNkiCxPFD8kvb98bQfyHtdWuYOKoa2RTu1XgfX8jiODlg/s1600-h/inupiat+kids.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079517082953368434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZHc9auvTQHr3oPuX53tzX77EgJx7GiN5-vWiKS5tEZ-3KGva4xxNhpGPHkoyA9z0EfdOaik8QF-IF1XAE1AGDyGpxVoBcSMNkiCxPFD8kvb98bQfyHtdWuYOKoa2RTu1XgfX8jiODlg/s320/inupiat+kids.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Nalukataq<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9-8YskMnkyBvkk7aE8PkczqhzAevXDLacKLI0xU2pv7LWmPsJ7NRHXVoiq8Nw5FSaIb8vAQNIQJiS31uHBmHRkUFfhBnLMN8b2Krn8UNqG3nUJxKW6_6hsFXXyeV30epKPyhcxlg9LU/s1600-h/party.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079520853934654482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9-8YskMnkyBvkk7aE8PkczqhzAevXDLacKLI0xU2pv7LWmPsJ7NRHXVoiq8Nw5FSaIb8vAQNIQJiS31uHBmHRkUFfhBnLMN8b2Krn8UNqG3nUJxKW6_6hsFXXyeV30epKPyhcxlg9LU/s200/party.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Monday a few of us, including Perry, Sandra, Alex, Santonu and myself went to the nalukataq that was hosted by the Hopson crew. The crew's flags hung over the celebration. Only the successful whaling crew captains throw a nalukataq, and it is a very important event. We pulled up to site and found a spot to park amongst the sea of cars. There were lots of people, and kids were running around playing. We saw a couple of young Inupiat boys get thrown into the air off the sealskin blanket that was teathered down by four ropes. They get some serious air time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwZDcq6zB2xyOuwRfKkGGtykSw4FtNEAvQwXPLyshunFI4LFQLyCURWmsBGpYe9AoClay2CLveCVJQ4CQh-GAToK-vLetnaJBbwEdID9uLysWUHZESxAQKUnWYhmMRATWIIfzeqL8GgI/s1600-h/whale.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080261216102172034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwZDcq6zB2xyOuwRfKkGGtykSw4FtNEAvQwXPLyshunFI4LFQLyCURWmsBGpYe9AoClay2CLveCVJQ4CQh-GAToK-vLetnaJBbwEdID9uLysWUHZESxAQKUnWYhmMRATWIIfzeqL8GgI/s200/whale.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>It was a little cold and rainy, so everyone had their coats on. The crew wore their "team" jackets, and many of the natives had on their traditional jackets. Some wore mucklucks. Both items are beautifully decorated with detail trim and fur. The kids played and jumped while the adults chilled out and conversed along the perimeter of the celebration. It was interesting, albeit somewhat uneventful; the real party doesn't begin until around 12 pm when the pros get on the blanket and the dances begin. We left the nalukataq just as the mucktuk was being passed around. On the way out we all saw Alice Brower (she works at BASC Barrow Arctic Science Consortium) with her baby girl. Many of the women here will keep their babies tucked in their jackets. They are tied to them with material and then placed on their backs, by the hood of the coat. All over town you can see women who at first glance appear to be hunchbacks, until you see a tiny little head poke out by the hood. I found the elders captivating and the little kids in their jackets so cute!</div><br /><div>We all returned to the lab to get some work done until the real party began, but Chico came in and said it was cancelled due to the weather. I was tired anyway, and went to bed early. I heard the next day that the party did continuea afterall....at 12 pm until the wee hours of the mor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cuYmNjECt_iEl42DD71Y-4ySB3ZGGzskxsLRTLOHMZ6Z4TscvdE4LUpyhjDpTTHrVYuJch6RLqc5bwCuF0jprZOO-uLoADQkKqXWCoFSXNsmUDEYq_xk8Nm5FTQnormgsZ0M0vsw5q8/s1600-h/Alice+Brower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079518418688197538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cuYmNjECt_iEl42DD71Y-4ySB3ZGGzskxsLRTLOHMZ6Z4TscvdE4LUpyhjDpTTHrVYuJch6RLqc5bwCuF0jprZOO-uLoADQkKqXWCoFSXNsmUDEYq_xk8Nm5FTQnormgsZ0M0vsw5q8/s200/Alice+Brower.jpg" border="0" /></a>ning. </div><br />There were two more naluqataq celebrations later the same week, on Wednesday and Thursday, but I didn't attend. Alex and Santonu went to the celebration on Thursday, and I heard Alex was thrown on the blanket. He said it was a lot of fun, but didn't know how high he got. I really want to jump on it, but refuse to and will refrain. I have weak ankl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1y__0z4-9sjWVCoZSFTsaJwt7fWe64p25H5Tpn1ZNBIBAPs5W6bc83AwUvoFjMmd5lfiQ0AaDLSrrpUMg62z4qMM6g9YgTByfaAZlrFT5ObexSkp9CGm7R4FIrHbqQknUsuZDY5-uRY/s1600-h/blanket+toss.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079518577601987506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1y__0z4-9sjWVCoZSFTsaJwt7fWe64p25H5Tpn1ZNBIBAPs5W6bc83AwUvoFjMmd5lfiQ0AaDLSrrpUMg62z4qMM6g9YgTByfaAZlrFT5ObexSkp9CGm7R4FIrHbqQknUsuZDY5-uRY/s320/blanket+toss.jpg" border="0" /></a>es and it is just the begining of the field season. Other than that, Dave would not be too happy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Diurnals: Tuesday was a field day. The previous night Dave, Adrian and I drilled holes into several pieces of 2 ft sections of PVC pipe to be used as water level meters. Alex, Dave and I left at about 9:00am to install the meters at the tramlines and then Dave and I would continue on with Diurnals from 4 - 8.</div><br /><br /><div>The installation went pretty smooth, we drilled holes every 30 meters into the permafrost and pounded in the PVC pipes. We installed a total of 66 meters along the three 300 meter tramlines. Perry joined us later the afternoon and brought us lunch. He and Alex continued on doing thaw depth measurements.</div><br /><div>Diurnals measure NEE (net ecosystem exchange) and Respiration on a plot of land. We use a LI-6200, which utilizes an IRGA (infrared gas analyzer) to measure the change in a known amount of CO2. Each molecule has inherent properties which absorb infrared light at a discrete wavelenth of infrared light. Thus, each molecule has a characteristic absorption pattern that can be analyzed. This device is about 20 years old, so the technology is a little old, but very effective.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079520085135508466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpnrg9TzF6Be7ZWYJO1eWwJZA_ZLsVpvWXYp4IQUXZ_I7qc8XLzyj2pTydc8BNhJv7qz-TtsGO9Ec3oNU-2_EeGEFzJgaMSPLICm0D2qqSjoyZLzovZajSvh_Wdxv1upYnhM1K-wkxCU/s320/licor.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I began at about 4:30, and I was handed over the metal backpack frame with the licor attatched and the clear cylinder-like chamber hanging off the side. In addition to my load, I brought my backback with extra layers, snacks and two extra batteries for the Li-cor. I heaved the frame onto my back along with my provisions; it was really heavy and the frame was too big. The metal bars hung at the end of my shoulders near my deltoids, and the hip straps were below my butt. All the weight was displaced onto my shoulders and my scapulas. It was really painful. I began my journey along the 1.5 Kilometer boardwalk to the North tramway; whincing in pain every now and then. I kept on moving since I just wanted to get there and take the infernal thing off my back. By the time I got there, my shoulders were throbbing and my neck was achy, but I got there! (It's at this point I decided I would shop for a new smaller frame for Craig to purchase).<br /><br />The measurement went smoothly; CO2 levels were normal, the PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) sensor and readings were ok. The measurements are sensitive to any changes in light, so I had to be wary of my shadow and where I placed things; I'm glad Dave was there just incase anything went wrong. I took two measurements at four plots (light and dark). One tram down, two more to go. I packed up the machine on the frame and lugged it to the next tramway (it was very very painful once again). I could feel the metal bars pressing into my now sore scapulas, so I picked up my pace to get to the Central Tramline faster. I arrived and removed it as quickly as I could. Relief. I was really happy Dave helped my carry my backpack to the next tram. Anyway, measurements here went smoothly as well, and I was doing awesome on time.<br /><br />Then came the Southern Tramline : $ I followed protocol, and my first readings went well, other than the high CO2 levels. However, the proceeding three measurement took me about 2 hours. I think there was too much condensation in the tubes, or the CO2 scrub was old or something. I ran it over and over again, re-zeroing to no avail. Paulo came out to help me and he couldn't even get it working. The measurements began at 8:00 that morning and were supposed to run until 8:00 the next morning. The 8-12 and 12 - 8 shift were cancelled; all that work gone! I haven't done a diurnal since, and I hope if I do there will be a different frame.<br /></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080258183855260946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-C0Njm3n6R-e4cGLtNLwiuPSOx7Ze2Inef8RTFfFM-8lUMgQwU_vSbQnjTEamqFK-0CVVidYFmrV_loxq20lOOdPwAP047oHthnGc50r8JLG7Nq62cTySX-9xGPiVknyUgFRpqF5IWA/s200/geese.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Hiking: Wednesday Rob and I went out to help Adrian with his coastline surveying. We hiked a total of about 11 kilometers through the tundra and along the coast. We placed down a few transects and took DGPS (Differential GPS) measurements along the coastline. We saw lots of beautiful birds and nests along the way. The coast was amazing! You<a href="http://tea.armadaproject.org/Images/donovan/donovan_map.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://tea.armadaproject.org/Images/donovan/donovan_map.jpg" border="0" /></a> could look at the huge masses of land that are being eroded away and see the layers beneath your feet. The permafrost looks like solid ice. There's about 3-4 feet of tundra which is the active layer and then ice.</div><br /><div>On the way back we walked across a huge basin and crossed over land that was wet and mucky. My boots would sink in to mid-calf and then I would have to pull them out from the tundra muck that sucked in around my foot. My thighs burned a little, but oddly enough I like that feeling. We saw some beautiful blooming wildflowers. I also collected a lot of owl feathers that I saw along the way. I was happy to finally reach the road after a long day of hiking in wet mucky terrain! I ended up with a few war wounds including a couple of blisters. We hiked between the two inlets south of Brant point through the BEO (Barrow Environmental Observatory).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGU5O6lkDrpmQAaBu9YpxapBhyBJZv8S9gZtLDKBPithxGyL9m8Er9VO74n70gzA5y2XnPxh_tnx_hckbhh-F9qCuWMMaxO5n8U6KrYxL5IPHZQFDP-AQ6i7Kdf1_MRuRQWgN3cSnBB8/s1600-h/amers+angles.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080254146586002530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGU5O6lkDrpmQAaBu9YpxapBhyBJZv8S9gZtLDKBPithxGyL9m8Er9VO74n70gzA5y2XnPxh_tnx_hckbhh-F9qCuWMMaxO5n8U6KrYxL5IPHZQFDP-AQ6i7Kdf1_MRuRQWgN3cSnBB8/s320/amers+angles.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The next day, REST yay! I still did some office work, but I appreciated the setting for once. I also went to the store to get some insoles.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080260468777862498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtmE8GFKG_ppLEcBG6fy99FEyPfZEViB9E73jo7iVbhBe5PnhPwVKQl5iBp_vwSgRyBXw2HLTMhKhBanWdm4bZdTjfYv2hLhJQ9OIZ3zE1ffbrL0gh-NGBhx1mbWfHy70H8Fr24uxu6s/s320/ice.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The following day, Friday: 19-20 K hike!!! Well, I agreed to go out with adrian to hike from the road up by the second inlet south of Brandt point, past the twin lakes and Akegakrok Point, around the third inlet and to the road. This hike was awesome! On the way up the first inlet we saw a fox den of 7 kits. We saw the mother about 300 meters away hunting for them, so we inched closer and closer until they were at our feet. Two of them were fighting over a lemming, and the others ran into the small tundra tunnel to hide. Adrian right in one of their faces to get a picture and the little guy growled at him. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaw0v-6bB6_hb-eEO8XNwCU7gFCAiA1j85I-sgb9ULXxNsJsZSkgurq-7q019mkSuh2gmYTzGZdDWxHd1uSDZCylYJkJ5LeUnFTjB_SVE-EeTko58kN1zU-Neuu4YM7zEEODIH_W5JUE/s1600-h/ice.jpg"></a><br />We continued our journey to see a variety of ducks, geese, golden plovers and other various shorebirds. The geese scared us, they blend in with the landscape and didn't move until we were practically on top of them. I found a really cool piece of drift wood along the way that resembles a whale. I have been calling it my "whale wood" in the lab...hehehe. I also collected many more feathers and some insects along the way.</div><div> </div><div>The coast is beautiful. The ocean reflects the sky perfectly, so whatever mood is cast by the sky is mirrored by the sea and completely engulfs you. The morning began gloomy and drizzly and ended up bathed in a hue of orange cast by the sun. We left at 9:00 am and returned at 9:30 pm.</div><div> </div><div>Adrian was assigned a high school student, Daniel, who is his intern. Daniel was born and raised in Barrow and is half Inupiat. He told us that in Barrow you are either dating your friend's ex or your ex's friend, which I thought was funny. He also said that he often talked to his grandparents about who he was dating to ensure no blood relation. Ah, gotta love small towns with no roads in or out. He told me that there are several stories to keep small children indoors and in fear. There was one about small creatures with razor sharp teeth that eat small children who wander out alone during the days that are full night. Another tale was about 8 foot tall skinny men that appear on the horizon of Barrow once every ten years and move so fast that they can barely be seen by the human eye. I asked him if there was a book about these tales, or if they were passed down orally from generation to generation. He said they are told by grandparents and parents to their kids.<br /><br /><br />The hike was quite enjoyable. The ground was firm and solid, unlike the previous hike, and the sights were amazing. I spent the next day recovering and found myself a little sore. I found out that Perry had hurt his leg at the ITEX site. That's a tale for next time though......</div><div></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080254425758876786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRCpdCAma45Qm4ij3uHjm8aIffTptKx7OUqDz6z18ucLu9aaRQhHoq1hX6e5h3mn9M7KrkxG4HVTCNWYLFtpagvWAYvc3gBc0FBidRFFRAKnQKGKDbZHBPlNOGfeyhV8MR7XT9HLKODI/s200/adrian+gps.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080254915385148546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvRkU1uKTSVpVTjpHSGK6upHUYtojWTnr_NEPTU1u19alKp9PXX4mItiTRK2PHdpLVK-mwAnTkL9LfQXOUMLafQahWe4cvm4ddz3bwwmLpcytLPyK-IryvWwaytQSXoGFiw49y3QfFV8/s320/Amers+trekking.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080255456551027874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahNl1UzkcZ9D3zmH1rxNBnCGZ2fOmF4BP4ONl_ABRM_r-sTntd9DU0PbKlhIp5GU-TvKMvnd-bOkbsgshGkAhecZwIOfG2Ndqu8QWnnLdzKi4ZofUYuNUfLdevP0EKqRUwJFKPYZgjiI/s200/caribou+spine.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080256203875337394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHxtcba99f7Evd15aDqOVMJLd7S6Tl-hNR6TYUNTgyScolZkDsf3LL9lUk9mr79Aewh8vti9R7OcQjntzALc95cfOanLR5JDMO2vcf1S4DyjWZyBkkKSyYRKiJP7gq7gb1Yhonp5u4PU/s200/Longspur+eggs.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080256504523048130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaN1emIbM-vp3PmKn8R5rpyvdvR2sjszt5yB4RfKfr-tP-kzAbI0g4WcwG8mXQBfEI65wgehDNyVXMwqVhbehX2OwSlBWrly5MfxPuHOb-3zQdONN266t5Ub7C9kTpnfhyphenhyphenwlk-0N3Wlo/s400/Pedicularis.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080257092933567698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QDx-Fta37Rjz5rHIOIEOmGPcza8MzsWRaugXjuQtj-Ho6N5EsXo6c3PYYHyLJ38Pqf-ewkElj0WHFrBbJ6lGGGzE5a-BX9vde86LMbsbdhExhi8UA0cO7dU0PmXyXLc-TglrfV6RpaM/s200/plant+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080257629804479730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pwLx7Z5hGjq4d_4x8uU4ca-ZWmqU2F4xIKnVF15dAsNJ50Fk6lk6TuMz6lUIZirPkacXtiFdeU-9HDoUT5-DxOQgFEuY3Sq4hPHS0NtmL5LsXgjRxtqQmwDPa87l5IoMbVSbk-jgbrg/s200/willow.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080259012783949090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7olIOkBVTF6wjLKnYRSeU7j4WzUhU4FZBfRU3pW-Q17BS42t0Fs0gp5FujxRnJe1pBMrnMm5gc2CpxJ-jEsYFu6ZJDYsk0FlDOBQLFWqfOuTst0nbVJermtSU8svhpTFxMBWZh9WhveM/s400/fox+kit+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080259373561201970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlU4Rw4lMj5xGcv867fccwTm5DytyfsDdOuIFSFY2fOmscY9fQ6fAflKTRS0gXjvX6GT0A4QeBJp13tfpw7yozHdUWuU-LkBeBpv2GghuZfmpuzE4_0-BuZlJDhQWgKua2OMGyDOQguc/s400/fox+kit+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080259704273683778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACbylXfLfXFlufZhTFrujJmT9P3J3rLM5Amr2L9MUfV4WmfkJCGhWrv9u9CUyFRGrxiuzcVKHzf0GnRn3nxBiX7ySKrhM4mQHUfqMWKwtvP891B_jHtHNk-caO_DrSu5xFWvO5dcT7xc/s400/fox+kit+4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080260034986165586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzQQBhfTs3_a4CIIyRRwWBOfhWROsFWEpdYkc1A2yNimVsaEtAkWq5HOSzHZK6wuMAJ5FgWuzVF36IQ7_lawMXqrxMbNVbLNrtYnmT-JXya33vL8igd8lGAhfH2eccRbEb4GOCsJc_Pc/s400/foxkit+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080260820965180786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQYgXclfX6ECnl2oSbCjttpy8V3kWAoG0nwv1fZ5R5-4-V-fJQTjFjyaliUC1Z4meVMjaNK-LCN28_C9IGOy6AJcEeN9EnnZumsSsXIHHPDokX8qNnCtjQZgctot6NRmWbkjsEiyiEiw/s320/whalewood.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgowbyQF2MoKaKu4gB1Udtv-y_suHVHX6mYh-pgQl0FATRFzmcyKEbXiQBCND-48KpP1ZHR6NpFv0vDHERLB5n8es2Txb1NCi9v-VIMeZC4gzyU5PSMVRC2f4R5abeRgKc17GidZ7MGvk/s1600-h/birdnest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079521833187198018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgowbyQF2MoKaKu4gB1Udtv-y_suHVHX6mYh-pgQl0FATRFzmcyKEbXiQBCND-48KpP1ZHR6NpFv0vDHERLB5n8es2Txb1NCi9v-VIMeZC4gzyU5PSMVRC2f4R5abeRgKc17GidZ7MGvk/s320/birdnest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079521021438379042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b8dtkw4VkkrQXWDon3zePqqwI6NRBTm0zXA-QElWRMA-fwBE0RBdg2bzRGHcoeb5SocWAi2Dk_qL-GyzVF4aBbaW92TA5SuHs2CyUXtX8qqnu1A_oVD6ZE5ukWgYV2e4efoIJLXLPM4/s320/pectoral+sandpiper.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-8745717228323163192007-06-18T15:44:00.000-07:002007-06-27T22:50:18.973-07:00Sweat and the Sea<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwcQcOB2-cCkqrdrJnZOgwJFlvVOU33YjYIxdoS8VhNU3FWXq7WBII5NF49fAoyySFpnTH5cZfJRSMoAaHNwaHdY6iqVxlzgnKEdXp98yIm9wY8ZLNo7CbJ4gFn-vk1-HxarQp00rXpI/s1600-h/shell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077561945120752450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwcQcOB2-cCkqrdrJnZOgwJFlvVOU33YjYIxdoS8VhNU3FWXq7WBII5NF49fAoyySFpnTH5cZfJRSMoAaHNwaHdY6iqVxlzgnKEdXp98yIm9wY8ZLNo7CbJ4gFn-vk1-HxarQp00rXpI/s320/shell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauZuUbjRB9h-dwCDLZD_r0oZb6_rMvij29NKVDiBjwnwEnPMvPRicDhETNwlhZv4TlAyL4euKBHXOZvXPoSEJzartvH95ryKVADWmzBl7ZFlm9DA9vmWqPQ_dDwbdHpNSlkjo3IWwZ6Y/s1600-h/arctic+ocean+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077546277080056530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauZuUbjRB9h-dwCDLZD_r0oZb6_rMvij29NKVDiBjwnwEnPMvPRicDhETNwlhZv4TlAyL4euKBHXOZvXPoSEJzartvH95ryKVADWmzBl7ZFlm9DA9vmWqPQ_dDwbdHpNSlkjo3IWwZ6Y/s400/arctic+ocean+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlfGlhYRcSfMW7oQ1OgaHMtiMqmX4PvBUllubM-DPDPp3TwlHUujLfVnawNNahgn-UvOsqaES2tTOzJpygOR05IraRnnQ809p-kwB5oKaggC3Tb54dd8rH6vZ0dxuIwHhMiFliQniJzA/s1600-h/arctic+ocean+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077545972137378498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlfGlhYRcSfMW7oQ1OgaHMtiMqmX4PvBUllubM-DPDPp3TwlHUujLfVnawNNahgn-UvOsqaES2tTOzJpygOR05IraRnnQ809p-kwB5oKaggC3Tb54dd8rH6vZ0dxuIwHhMiFliQniJzA/s400/arctic+ocean+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Ahhhh yessss!! Internet! To my dear blog readers: I missed you too. The internet has been down for several days now, and everyone here is now tap tap tapping away at the old keyboards. Let's see...</div><br /><div>We had a blast at Pepe’s, joking about Dave’s red flower in his hair and who would cram the final pieces of cake down their gullets. There is only one traffic light in Barrow, and when encountering this one traffic light in Barrow there is, say a 25% chance that this singular article would be observed red. However, on our journey from Pepe’s to the research station, this anomalous situation was witnessed. The driver in this instance, let’s call him Mr. X, was so traumatized at seeing the one and only traffic light in Barrow an unfamiliar hue, that he accelerated and “ran” the red. Don’t worry my anxious readers, for there were no police or law officials to be found, but we were all amused.</div><div></div><div>It seems the weir we all constructed had been leaking water from underneath the structure. Adrian and I were given the task of plugging some of these leaks in with a total of 20 sandbags (40 bags ½ full). We lugged sandbags a good distance, carrying about 5 at a time to from the end of the Southern Dike to the wooden boardwalk that hovers a few feet above the tundra. It was labor intensive, but I was more than happy to work since I’ve been in the office for days. This area of land was covered in spongy tundra consisting of moss and dark, squishy mud covered in maybe 7 inches or so of water. The lower layer of the permafrost is still frozen solid and looms beneath the deceiving moss and muck. I slipped a couple of times, and came crashing down into the cold, cold murky water that lay at my feet. It really sucked, needless to say. I had to do a pushup with 4 sandbags on my back after falling face-down in the water. The second time I had to roll over, then try to get up. I felt like a turtle. We piled all of our sandbags on the boardwalk and began to pile them into the wheelbarrow.</div><br /><div>Adrian took about half of them to the control shed, about ½ a mile away in the wheelbarrow. He and I walked back down the boardwalk and loaded them all up. Adrian had asked me to go with him so that we could alternate shifts when one person got tired. Adrian did get tired and it was my turn to take charge of the load. I stepped up, grabbed the handles with the strong conviction, walked two steps and… the wheel began to tilt, I tried to compensate but the weight was too much. “Ahhhhhh! Crap!” The wheelbarrow went flying off the boardwalk with all of its precious cargo, as did I. All we could do was laugh hysterically and start again. We loaded up all the sandbags into the thing again and continued our arduous journey. This time Alex and Adrian took shifts. I guess I’m not as strong as I thought, but it’s good to know your limits I guess.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077561605818336050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFih4tDr579sWjmy4Keh_nJXo3VXIXwjpCg909sJAUqw2T2SoJdwfBfbzTnQHmUSkmHlSsKpO4FEMlFqEGqVW-CKs4oVzkT9Rh9HCsVn46MB95txQjj-Li2MzGdmmboR1xCKVn9Hdk2Q/s320/group+photo.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />After a hard day in the field, we all went to Arctic Pizza. It was nice to break the monotonous rhythm of our days and go someplace n<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUvDEZnBnYuRq908bgWX0gaAvpSzqsheB489MNwplRPWcQTDpE9m7lWAetLLYUuj1_xnMQf4pCU7ucTpP3IRMVoBPo83ZY_VUzw4VHxlGEzNGLPz4wOAsFaiyCf2S6ZbQuK9aHviCv2k/s1600-h/arctic+pizza.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077554214179619554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUvDEZnBnYuRq908bgWX0gaAvpSzqsheB489MNwplRPWcQTDpE9m7lWAetLLYUuj1_xnMQf4pCU7ucTpP3IRMVoBPo83ZY_VUzw4VHxlGEzNGLPz4wOAsFaiyCf2S6ZbQuK9aHviCv2k/s200/arctic+pizza.jpg" border="0" /></a>ew. The view was incredible! You could see over the ice into open sea. We saw a couple of seals basking on the ice, and Craig spotted a polar bear (which I couldn’t find). We all had a good time, as can be expected with great company and good food. We went for a walk to the edge of a bluff across from th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWaqGySZ9sseevSZnywDO3KGegFTdwkLqPySQ9P0PLbsZ-8djWunICUsZseSQbkGBITLD3AwBBhO7VFhIOFNuEGepeKn7Ojkk2HPKYevMIyGpD3wC5pHFe1ZRB3n8ji_HqJ4BIPAlMEs/s1600-h/craig+looking+for+polar+bear.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077559965140828914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWaqGySZ9sseevSZnywDO3KGegFTdwkLqPySQ9P0PLbsZ-8djWunICUsZseSQbkGBITLD3AwBBhO7VFhIOFNuEGepeKn7Ojkk2HPKYevMIyGpD3wC5pHFe1ZRB3n8ji_HqJ4BIPAlMEs/s200/craig+looking+for+polar+bear.jpg" border="0" /></a>e restaurant after dinner and saw a remnant of an old peat house and some structure made of whale bone. We took a group photo and journeyed back home.<br /><br />On Thursday Craig wanted us all ready to go by 8:00, as it was the day of his departure. The majority of our group was up at a get-together the night before (I was lame and fell asleep at 9:45 pm). Anyway, we had a group meeting and shoved off to the field. I just want to say that I have the utmost respect for the grad students working with us, Dave and Santonu. They have been handed a lot of responsibility, and it seem<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077562520646370146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2NvFIVheHoM5zwpjRDqOOnkesuVY54Y8-9YuC3I9MRGjkpd37K-4oQ5mszL0U5_VoIp02035SMXhazCBnsxYpBm8K15p_SlVGNgrmZ0ikV-nh5NQ5-pj9soi19JgqZPhoc52zCJTkcQ/s200/walking+to+bluff.jpg" border="0" />s as though Dave will be the surrogate Craig after he leaves. I saw the list of responsibilities looming on the screen before us in the conference room and imagined all the details behind each heading, its overwhelming and stressful. I realized then why Dave didn’t go climbing and why he is constantly cursing at his computer and other inanimate objects sporadically throughout the day. It’s a lot of weight to bear. Thank goodness I’m a mere undergrad absorbing the experience! I still have time to think about my project and enjoy.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077560781184615186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPXqLPDxo7QUKAo-knImHf-TmGwm5VmD20N2rrtJpjLo9IbJRcgC-RYViSnqN2Oc__TjHLTfTyiVC30UYxMlrdCjoNcXNao2VQ5D8fVfmD3yLSr3buTNR2pDacggUF4JzVbQTBGJYh7w/s200/cool+pic.jpg" border="0" /><br />Anyway, we all had a good time in the field, and I got to go back to the lab after taking a tour of all our projects. I was most excited to see swans just off the road. Craig left that evening, and although I was sad to see him go, I was happy about having to step up and take everything on without him, just to know we can and will do it. That evening we watched another movie: “Battle Royal”. It was bloody and disturbing; I would recommend another flick after seeing it, just to recover. After that, a really nice Japanese guy from one of the other labs put a slide show on. He had the most beautiful shots of aurora borealis, birds, flowers, and lots of fauna like caribou, bears, beavers, muskoxen, and so on. He was really talented at the craft of photography, and very nice. I told him “domo” after the show.</div><br /><div>I spent the rest of the evening playing the ukulele. I really enjoy the instrument; it is simple yet versatile. I have mastered “Ode to Joy,” and I laugh because everyone around here pokes there head in when I play. “What’s that?” “Cool!” “Play this, play that.” It’s a lot of fun and very relaxing…THANKS MICHI AND RAY!!</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077560459062067970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64rGR21uYA-KULI1rKEUY1InT-zkaPgsVlIW9Ka9qhaIF2nQz6EuT5tM8AfSWCdS6DCalfXQXR5GwPSHL6cqp856jNLJCkN_PZcP9MOsVSOyutgYwckTMkqDslPXj6HwVSY6Fwmlo2NM/s200/am+thumbs+up.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><br />The internet has been down for three days now. It struck me odd that the college, in the other wing of the building has working internet. I walked down the hall into the large forum to find a congregation of scientists with their laptops. I have been blogging on Microsoft Word to satisfy my most recent addiction. Wish I had a laptop now :(</div><br /><div>Friday night Bob Hollister invited us to take the 4-wheelers out to go to the “point”. This is a strip of land extending from the landmass of Barrow Northeast into the Sea. To the North is the Arctic Ocean, and to the South is the Elson Lagoon. There ended up being about 15 people standing around outside the warehouse with only 4 ATV’s available. 5 decided not to go, some from our group (including Perry and Alex). Some people got on the back of the machines to drive out there. Sandra and I rode on the back while Paulo drove. The ride was bumpy and I could feel the cold metal bars I was sitting on collide with the bones in my bum. I thought it was a lot of fun, though. We pulled out of the warehouse and drove down the road along the coast. When the road ended we pulled up onto the beac<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077562241473495890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j6ZW9BbkqH27oPphR6AUDhL4E8YEiv1y2_K_4gBcggpQAzvDEBhK0PzEgQkT-ebR7TcyFkGbAef_Eu1gsMlb8F0nohIMhTJ1mg98BHetTV5dEUTejQFCkaEMaWCT23pYcs8d19ppLTY/s200/tower.jpg" border="0" />h and just kept on going; the wheels sunk into the yielding gravel. The sand is dark grey to black and composed of well-rounded gravel and pebbles. All along the way the shore was littered with whale bones and drift wood. Huge fragments of bone were scattered across the shoreline, everywhere I looked were traces of colossal creatures: large mandibles that were half sunk in the darkly hues of the sand, a huge occipital bone, and vertebrae larger than my torso. I looked into the shadows of a cranium, into the void and bleached hollow of the eye cavity and I felt like I was in a graveyard. I then focused my gaze upon the sea and saw the crystal deep blue between the large chunks of glittering white and viewed the whole experience in a much lighter quality. The very soul of Barrow is rooted in the craft of whaling, and the bones I saw were representatives of a way of life. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077545435266466466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlblE4NCPr8uLRlHUoJtRAR2egq2JPKwYWN9EVVOsJ0MrdePCtikbzLnH9EJ-5B4kttEleaMbmWIAvtDWXyO9Fdpz_OlTdlVRNp7RxQ0gAFR9jWX7-UrUIun2PefNb-RL19dCg-h0E8Q/s320/am+in+arctic+ocean.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077545641424896690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_zE1WnRp8HHYAmDgL4YqC5OB5ecPu4Hpb0cX4iRcc3CRRl-P4GRlN4UXU42qotk73OJytkb7FG3-V5pLfCExq82ryxUKVcJYGTKrcoj4r4CHyTxs1dH_t8W1D9irxSZmIhJ0NsnDHXk/s320/whale+vertebra.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077545229108036242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO0AQ9Q7WeZzLbihxUv9xVB8luzxvBGslMMwvszG3UY9Cz3pbA_84qS52SC_O1glSgRilegr956zwOomiMGjd_NG6zMo6KyHcfbVzi6oXxfOLKrJ8JBKTeZHVZd_L-nde-OnxwW99XHg/s320/am+arctic+ocean.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>About 25 minutes up the coast we arrived at Point Barrow. I saw a huge tower that one of our colleagues was working on, and a small lake. To the Southeast I could see an even smaller strip of land reaching into the Ocean. Just ahead I could see signs and flags warning us not to trespass; it was the archeology group’s site. (I saw some of the artifacts they found in their lab at the grand opening; a small ivory carving of a polar bear head, metal scraps, spear heads, seal skins and other relics of a distant culture. They had unearthed several graves and pointed out the distinct form in which the people were buried with their heads to the sea and surrounded by whale bone. ) We continued our path hugging the shoreline until the land ended, and before our eyes was ice and water; Plover Point. It was still and breathtaking, and when it comes down to it, I don’t think there are any words to describe the full experience of standing surrounded by the Arctic Ocean amidst white and blue. I jumped off the ATV and squished my boots in the forgiving gravel to see lots of sea shells. I had to resist taking my shoes off and squishing my toes in the moist beach. I walked to the water’s edge and stepped on in. It was cold and I could see the ripples I made travel across the water and echo off the ice’s edge. We saw a few stately arctic terns hover by to check us out. </div><br /><br /><div>We wondered around the beach for a while, taking in the whole experience. I ended up with a pocket full of seashells and a huge whale vertebra, much<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077561236451148578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjLJkIczefhoTI1vv1-l3ePelzJuC3mKDbP33Kh92gOPcp8dqgTA4RhDjqzkMvFlbypSAJyVqtKC2qMPm12DyWnkMTKAWxHYSRE7BoER3Jhugi4-78JF6sguQH5SZ29if003xfesUAiQ/s200/flowers.jpg" border="0" /> to the anguish of my fellow 4-wheel passenger Sandra. She had the blunt yet annoying transverse process jabbing into her leg. We left the wonderland to go home and stopped at the official Point Barrow along the way. Sandra pointed out some kind of plant with pretty little white flowers on it growing in the middle of the gravel. Some kind of unrecognizable carcass was left in chunks along the shore. We all got a slight feeling of uneasiness since this might have been a prime site for polar bears. After looking around a few minutes, we headed back to the research station and called it a night. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077545065899278978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EJDHc856COJOQTz9YeEwSPn8Zbnr-teMme3XfjD_CetVpIUygkFOukZK_IBkG6qp0C-xIUvMxcZ9-1rfkMY2XQ7QQg2xyIRr46vL_YEMAWe4i88-4F23m2us6owQ6BZLZDldtDVlMg4/s320/4+wheelers.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>Saturday: Perry and I went off into the field to do some work on the 3 tramlines, which are 300 meters long each. This is the largest tramline system used for scientific research and one of the largest scale manipulative experiments. (Pretty cool huh!) We took measurements on the last bits of snow clinging to the shadows and North side of the tramway boardwalks. All day (and night for that matter) you can hear birds making fantastically odd sounds and chirps. The pectoral sandpipers' display is one of my favorites; they look like they are hovering, almost gliding and then dive down to the water at quite an acute angle. This process is repeated with a weird cooing-whooping noise. All over you hear birds making weird noises. Perry and i also made some repairs, which is an ongoing process. I mean it's never ending! We put in a good 7 hours and only got to repair a little more than half of only one tramline in addition to the snow depth measurements.</div><div></div><div>Sunday: HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!! </div><br /><div>I tagged along with the FIU (Florida International University) crew, Steve, Paulo, Rob and Jason, to field today to get some LI-6200 training. On the way we drove along the road that follows the coastline since we heard there were lots of seals out. We saw about 4 or 5 out on the ice. At a few places we saw men in white jackets and rifles on their backs sneaking up to the seals. We will be using the instrument to measure NEE (net ecosystem exchange) and Respiration. Diurnals begin this Tuesday, and I will be taking on an 8-hour shift. We will tag team for a total of 24 hours in which measurements will be taken. We have had to carry the shotgun with us lately; a brown bear has been spotted twice near the study site. It is imperative to be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the work you're doing. I am sad there's no internet, and I need to find molecular sieves for Dave.</div><br /><br /><div>It's Monday, and the internet is finally up and running, so I am very happy to be able to post this blog! Today is a festival, and there will be a nalukataq, a blanket toss. The locals have been practicing their dances and drumming for a few days now, and I heard some woment talking about the food preparations in the store a week ago. I am looking forward to the cultural experience and spending time with my colleages in the exotic land of the midnight sun.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-41811000604411038662007-06-12T01:19:00.000-07:002007-06-12T01:26:09.387-07:00Blogs, Blogs Everywhere!Well, it seems that there are blogs everywhere now. My colleages have all spun their own tales into a glorious web of travel stories and afterthoughts. I thought it would be cool to let everyone know their sites as well to compare experiences and other events, so without further ado, here you go blog readers:<br /><br />Perry: <a href="http://www.pihouser.blogspot.com">www.pihouser.blogspot.com</a><br />Sandra: <a href="http://www.polarlobo.blogspot.com">www.polarlobo.blogspot.com</a><br />Alex: <a href="http://www.benhumea.blogspot.com">www.benhumea.blogspot.com</a><br />Santonu: <a href="http://www.sg14.blogspot.com">www.sg14.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />Bon Apetit!prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-41126708866062140172007-06-11T18:50:00.000-07:002007-06-12T00:54:00.691-07:00<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Movie night was a success. We got together with the FIU (Florida International University) group and watched "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels." We had a screen and put black material on the windows to block the light. Everyone really enjoyed the flick after working hard.</div><br /><div>Sandra, Craig, Adrian and Alex went out to the field early in the day (Saturday). It was a hell of a day for them. The generator got wet, Sandra fell into the water, the dike was leaking and everyone seemed stressed. It was nice to let them decompress with a good movie and R&R.</div><div> </div><div>Sunday morning, our day to sleep in, I got up and went to shoot live ammo from a shotgun. We each got to shoot two bullets. I have heard from everyone who was here last year that George Bush let them shoot 15, and that he was quite affectionate with his weapon. We ended up driving by the point and shooting at a piece of plywood with Lewis Brower (no official targets or anything). The kick on the gun wasn't too hard, or at least it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But then again, I only shot it twice. My shots were accurate and precise (you all remember the difference I hope, hehe). Steve O. shot the bullseye dead on. Sandra and Alex ended up sleeping in instead of going. I kinda wished I had done the same, but Santonu, Perry and I were sure to make it sound like an awesome experience :) teehee (they'll read this blog anyway and find out).<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075080639434637906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FoCOhdQhSawzqzMvEMRJfxY6B-8G7o0PYRbVeahjhyphenhyphenWZXcjwgeNgCNMaB76I33YUdKEF1VHJaUvUGfl7G-hWkXRuW5X7aUB4aYb58R7a1SbfutOyKcqpqXo2X3ClQNIpdtx8duNXFzQ/s320/am+shooting.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075080922902479474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVjW9ESU-g3K0qXdEcnrWRx1hUFj03l04zDU5rYvY0eG_AEcASoWuf4PzYrFM6g6KFEsMhBSH70GaJ2RLQAVUVbHSVihBkkeDECoB9UDkG_Udl0fMcEkzAaieVDjBe78TNQ9rHK2iF9I/s320/perry+shooting.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Lewis Brower has been whaling since he was 9 years old. He told me that he went to his father's boat and tied himself in because his dad told him he was too young to go. He pointed out a seal that must have been maybe a mile off the coast with his hunter eyes. I could barely see it. He told me about all of the animals he has caught and eaten. Walrus, seal, whale, goose, duck, caribou, and so on. He's an interesting guy and very kind. He also likes to talk and tell his tales. Santonu was joyous about seeing a seal and continued to look out the window the entire way back, "there's one.....there's one." Lewis would stop the van every time, but we never did see another one.</div><br /><div>After shooting, Perry and I went to eat and decided to go check out the climbing wall in town. Rob also came with us, but Dave stayed and worked. He was tempted, though; I'm sure it pained him to see Perry and I with our climbing shoes heading out the door for a couple of hours. Santonu dropped us all off at the gym, which was a very nice facility. The climbing wall was only $3, which at my calculation is one of the cheepest things to do in Barrow. We had a good time and climbed all of the walls. I lept from hold to hold like a galiant gibbon! My forearms missed the burning feeling. There were 90, 45, 30 and 60 degree walls about 25-30 feet high. Plastic is nothing like rock, but I was happy to be climbing after two weeks of withdrawl. The moveme<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__7ucAIJjCOkQCp6PXJSTSugg_eJw0mWWPLq3DKGtE8ORZ3Cc4PFO-UxjrAFw2mHCMWYPE3DWHEFGLyfE1OaNlhay4j-CN08rwAUV7XOE1KAkSqAbuzcRXoGzhzhr96RgP2pZlxMDDPE/s1600-h/am+climbing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075080093973791266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__7ucAIJjCOkQCp6PXJSTSugg_eJw0mWWPLq3DKGtE8ORZ3Cc4PFO-UxjrAFw2mHCMWYPE3DWHEFGLyfE1OaNlhay4j-CN08rwAUV7XOE1KAkSqAbuzcRXoGzhzhr96RgP2pZlxMDDPE/s320/am+climbing.jpg" border="0" /></a>nt on plastic is different, and the holds do funny things to your tendo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroYXnGffK6YuVU2gvUrwTyBS0H4IzV6_w6mb_zLog6buFIougxgGpqrpdLbfg8TNyP7hfkOLqmxjq9-Hccx1uGwgxzMqW8d2E4Yut3fdCdS201PVMhbyLlRRtRXdl0t0W9Dk8S3eZ4ts/s1600-h/am+climbing+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075080300132221490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroYXnGffK6YuVU2gvUrwTyBS0H4IzV6_w6mb_zLog6buFIougxgGpqrpdLbfg8TNyP7hfkOLqmxjq9-Hccx1uGwgxzMqW8d2E4Yut3fdCdS201PVMhbyLlRRtRXdl0t0W9Dk8S3eZ4ts/s320/am+climbing+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>ns than rock does. The last wall we climbed had a 60 degree overhang, and was a little tougher than the rest. The last hold on the climb was shaped like an upside down human skull, and you had to grab on to the maxilla.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075080454751044162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDJEpFXyET7HnaOkOEd4dhNLrERklhq6C8sri3rDKeOFPPNkmy2t76ArPgDNfMsG8F9W2gLKAkKiGNsD2lVVoQOaEcsAoMe9Aa2L5zDjdnpdjlID8GiuwR-7Gm4_O7MdpVpL4baUMnnw/s320/am+climbing+2.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuiPm3_cnLOWGzlYReTwS43Lly5099E4D-FuRLNzIP2xL-zU5iJteJm_tzqdlfFVsrDMkqMTKZ2SyONprldfcVrXC4sxWtnxokgfKFVtVYPzYtAMGkoHgwpmsJj7JzU52acPc546djBs/s1600-h/perry+climbs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075080776873591394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuiPm3_cnLOWGzlYReTwS43Lly5099E4D-FuRLNzIP2xL-zU5iJteJm_tzqdlfFVsrDMkqMTKZ2SyONprldfcVrXC4sxWtnxokgfKFVtVYPzYtAMGkoHgwpmsJj7JzU52acPc546djBs/s320/perry+climbs.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Santonu picked us up and we returned to the lab. I joined Steve O., Paulo, Rob and Dave in some LI-6200 training upon arrival. This is a device that uses and IRGA (infrared gas analyzer) to take measurement of photosynthesis by detecting differences in gas concentrations. Dave, Paulo and I will be using the 6200 to take measurements here on the tundra. This device will be strapped to my back on a metal frame as I will perform the dreaded diurnals; 24 hours of straight measurements. Anyway, I saw another lemming as we played with the device outside. They always make me smile for some odd reason.</div><br />A few odd things have happened:</div><div> I went back into the lab after playing with the LI-6200, and some guy from New York popped his head in randomly. He asked what I was doing here and what I was studying..."<em>we</em> aren't the cause of all that global warming stuff," he said. I didn't reply, instead I offered him some of the whale we had left in the freezer. There's an excess and we need to get rid of it. I found out a bus-load of tourists had come to the research station to see, I don't know, the scientists I guess. It was weird; I felt like a zoo animal when the tour guide said, "there's some scientists in their lab." Maybe they should put cheetos and soda outside the door and label it "scientist chow."</div></div><div> Dave found a ladybug in his salad.<br /><br /><br /><div>The weather over the past 4-5 days has been very very nice by Barrow standards. The sun has been shining, and the temperature in the upper 40's. Today I got up to see fog and wind. It was still warm though, and I rather like being in the tundra amidst the fog. I woke up late today, and Adrian had to come knock on the door to get me up. I hurried into the lab, Craig wasn't too happy. He told something to Alex, who has woken up late everyday we've been here practically. Poor guy must be really tired, or doesn't hear his watch alarm. Craig was a little stressed this morning, but seemed happier this afternoon, especially after I played the ukulele for him after dinner at Pepe's.</div><br /><div>I have learned a little more about Barrow. Apparantly the Inupiat name for Barrow, Ukpiagvig, literally translates to "the place where we hunt snowy owls." I finally saw one today at the ITEX site. I must have been about 35 yards away and the thing was huge. I tried to get close, but it flew away :( I've been wanting to see one for some time now. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075078663749681682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8LhCMXaSr_uVLX5Sbf9iRr-x9fKunxJm-n11cAhMIVfSe2PS24JQk1WKq7lVyAuRDqfelLG4IKVt0peC6zLm5Gn8ACngI52Cn7SdoekUn3LvpTfBXXo4yw9pUAq4jMWC3-c8cksueMI/s320/pointing.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075078449001316866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RUvOeE7bUJNpONzIN1PALkabhkH397re3zvyE7yhyphenhyphenag_mVVWvL2k1Yu_YBvz_DklqRf9vcOimUwAZLopTQQMzJByuzdsUCxWqGHoILJrsTc7VZwFuQnVU7wAFh-GkPs6KlzhEweZ4tg/s320/pepe.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU2lMu340UV_BrxL_YJ0eKGUhbNwGD6_MWMUcnY-HgUMonqhdq_m0YbUg2q5z1chV-MTV9V9PUnZ1LNEM7QE8n5OAMFWjKmKIsfolWDg-PHHpM3goyxiNGV9iSmjvFyh3Li-qhLHW3N4/s1600-h/dave+and+adrian.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075078131173736930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqU2lMu340UV_BrxL_YJ0eKGUhbNwGD6_MWMUcnY-HgUMonqhdq_m0YbUg2q5z1chV-MTV9V9PUnZ1LNEM7QE8n5OAMFWjKmKIsfolWDg-PHHpM3goyxiNGV9iSmjvFyh3Li-qhLHW3N4/s320/dave+and+adrian.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZka3Nv304dBElpm2Riyti2zn203SzGKpapXKQqdBMy_uS5tUphtfes79oQ2THaubHapPGWD7VMSUI3KAd40-7-inn4vkad2mHhJvSkohQuSWXC7egWwIo54ch5aJgJNOp7N0im9v3FQ/s1600-h/flowerdave.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075078260022755826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZka3Nv304dBElpm2Riyti2zn203SzGKpapXKQqdBMy_uS5tUphtfes79oQ2THaubHapPGWD7VMSUI3KAd40-7-inn4vkad2mHhJvSkohQuSWXC7egWwIo54ch5aJgJNOp7N0im9v3FQ/s320/flowerdave.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Today is Dave's birthday, and I told him I would sing for him with my ukulele. He's joyous about that since I have such a beautiful voice (sarcasm). Either way, I will sing, oh yes, I will. There will be a lot of birthdays up here in Barrow this year: Adrian's was on the 31st of May, Dave's the 11th of June, mine on the 26th, and Perry's on July 2nd. I look forward to cake! Santonu was jealous, so we gave him a fake birthday on June 30th. Since we gave him one, we had to give Alex and Sandra one; the June 28th and July 6th, respectively. We went and ate at Pepe's and they brought out a cake for Dave with a pretty red flower on it..awww. After dinner we all went back to the lab and I played some ukulele for everyone. Craig loved it when I played "Spiderman." (Sarcasm once again).<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075077976554914258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAwQbRQC_UXX6Lv_5s1g_ppFIzK-vY4pOcQ_-Mvs7K7DOpvYBdybYsD8RLgAxCg2H0NhYKiGnO9ZAOOAsxoEbZ9Sa-Um-FghPyxMRtM_UUDJTAvg4fK0ZPihcLUhdIomJ2cBE6mZdZIY/s320/ukulele.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-52346387419443217972007-06-06T22:10:00.000-07:002007-06-12T00:18:48.969-07:00Guns, Fun and Missed Mikigaq<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1XqFgMV3wNQXzjEmZbJIhWbcEr9rASteyKAnov9gm3-op9myvaliWm3-HqS6X7-yCQID2eIliAVHvq0HWcYgeywstmHtE1-IoxyTNn6su7vExeQoanfPEs-KdcFUGhiF5UCq0ocBP2k/s1600-h/welcome.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074703519831212466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1XqFgMV3wNQXzjEmZbJIhWbcEr9rASteyKAnov9gm3-op9myvaliWm3-HqS6X7-yCQID2eIliAVHvq0HWcYgeywstmHtE1-IoxyTNn6su7vExeQoanfPEs-KdcFUGhiF5UCq0ocBP2k/s320/welcome.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><br /><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIBg7G721RDnVVVSpF5Sv5l3AduoLSmBhTjmY6nqsEX1K1KVnAQ0jtg_2tHwFxOf7Gr_XpsX4s27RY5pQtwcBdZLjnzkg9IqGawOTXXtp8CKG-pL923UCEa4V9tTOmf00j0fsDSrVY_s/s1600-h/beach.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074700616433320290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIBg7G721RDnVVVSpF5Sv5l3AduoLSmBhTjmY6nqsEX1K1KVnAQ0jtg_2tHwFxOf7Gr_XpsX4s27RY5pQtwcBdZLjnzkg9IqGawOTXXtp8CKG-pL923UCEa4V9tTOmf00j0fsDSrVY_s/s320/beach.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>I have been in Barrow for only two weeks, but it feels like a whole month. Time here is like taffy, it keeps stretching and bending and you don't know where it all ends. The days and nights seem to meld into one another, and we work eat sleep work. I have enjoyed every minute of it though. I have also had time to relax and revel in other activities. I received a good book from Michi two days ago, and have enjoyed reading it every night, I've already went through almost 100 pages. </div><br /><br /><div>Several nights ago, our battle took the form of a three on three match in the gym. It was melee of epic proportion, a clash of the titans. Elbows flew, people fell and slid across the floor. Adrian, Alex and I had some good plays and defended valiantly, but woe, we were defeated by our foes: Dave, Paulo and Rob. Dave says the score was: Rookies and Adrain Lost, Old Men Won. Actually, we were pummeled, but the next match I played with Paulo and we won :) It's been great touching the ball again, but I realize how out of shape I am and my left quad is sore. We will continue to play every time we don't go in the field, but Alex did both. </div><br /><br /><div>We all got wind of a function the locals were having yesterday (the 6th) over the radio, and Rob and I jumped in the truck and headed down the road to see the commotion. A whaling crew was throwing some kind of shindig, and there were lots of people lined up on the road. I was handed a bowl of goose soup, and it was actually pretty good. I wanted to try the mikigaq, which is fermented whale (a delicacy here in Barrow). Four Inupiat women carried it out in large green buckets. I got a good noseful as they passed, it smelled like....fermented fish (bet you didn't see that one coming). A bunch of elders closed in on it like a pack of wolves, a<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuSw_PVNI-gIIy35QJfDRlktp0F0VGMveEB2YAZFGdQXhphyphenhyphenZMpyZ3Cysi0MmUXIowJAmKwmufkDyvMG60TyRBNW03cg6XJjVtrFDpjovF69vSEXHCuKbMegVUlzdKMBNwi-OSIWIBMQ/s1600-h/shindig.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074699465382084898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuSw_PVNI-gIIy35QJfDRlktp0F0VGMveEB2YAZFGdQXhphyphenhyphenZMpyZ3Cysi0MmUXIowJAmKwmufkDyvMG60TyRBNW03cg6XJjVtrFDpjovF69vSEXHCuKbMegVUlzdKMBNwi-OSIWIBMQ/s320/shindig.jpg" border="0" /></a>nd it was gone before Rob or I could get a sample. We never had a chance the way those people moved. Oh well, to be honest I was worried I might throw up, but I am always game for trying new foods. As soon as we arrived back at the research station I got to see a lemming! They are tiny little things, and move fast; I didn't even get a chance to grab my camera. It was the highlight of my day.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I have enjoyed seeing the landcape continually shift. All of the water everywhere catches the light and plays with it. (I wonder what light frequencies are absorbed up here, I think its different everywhere and depends on the sunlight, etc.) The group going into the field tells me it continues to melt out there really fast. I dropped them off by the site and a lake had pushed its way up to the road, just where I was sitting eating goose soup yesterday. It's incredible. The ice that we walked on over the sea is now water with ice chunks floating around. I couldn't believe it. The tundra is starting to take shape out of the snow, and everyday another species of bird migrates into Barrow. I saw some interesting ducks and geese on the newly materialized lake.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074706333034791362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9dsGJEDut-qDEN119_vrVEjM8tmDyFws8Q4xESxzbjjUcVwMjLFoMo_bXE3nnIC792DyGzdGfYa4ALoSxBldUvH32pt6H-dJzmyZKV3YRAC1qiuSNdLNkAJC4JSlv1iCgZXLoELXnFI/s320/chambers.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><br />Dave and I have been staying in the lab working on spreadsheets and data, but I got to finally go out in the field again yesterday. Dave and I went out to the CDML sight (don't ask me because I forgot what it stands for) and put together some chambers for the ITEX project (International Tundra Experiment). There are several of them scattered about, and we had to walk on platforms to avoid damaging the study site. Each chamber heats the tundra about 1-2 degrees and several measurements are taken and added into the database. This project has been going on since 1994 in an effort to understand what will occur if the tundra is warmed. It is said that the permafrost contains 1/3 of the world's total organic carbon, and that if is thawed out and released, a huge rise in temperature could occur which would be self perpetuating. This experiment is perfomed all over the tundra, even in Greenland and Russia. Near the site is DEW, the Distant Early Warning site, a vestige of the Cold War. The buildings are huge white orbs that loom in the distance over the tundra. Huge satellites direct themselves like giant ears detecting whispers in land afar. The building we sleep in was once used for the Navy staff that manned the research station here (the N.A.R.L. hotel stands for Naval Arctic Research Laboratory).</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074699985073127746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsR27ucCG8bU_hMowgRo_NpRcPrgcEJqcdKtAB06q9x2B26sxE3TxO_PoNJRQ73dsMFd0AmOBaYDxnFyq8WefbhKGmLtez0H4oMKqeUeSTiKdFi_Uhf4zc3dMugkdRLPYaBDibiOKzvT4/s320/DEW2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE8Yja-g3dpGhqR5oKwn8SGUoXd0HqWT1FFSpTRbJbhggKAWV2RY6VPS4CaQDhLPTKNYfDoFlXSSWdCVHUPhhuJLcj55q8aFRx2cb69uNYIULy8ieegfX6upI_ZtfUXznbWT57DZ673s/s1600-h/DEW.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074699783209664818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE8Yja-g3dpGhqR5oKwn8SGUoXd0HqWT1FFSpTRbJbhggKAWV2RY6VPS4CaQDhLPTKNYfDoFlXSSWdCVHUPhhuJLcj55q8aFRx2cb69uNYIULy8ieegfX6upI_ZtfUXznbWT57DZ673s/s320/DEW.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>It was difficult to walk through the tundra after the snow melted away. The ground is uneven and very squishy. In some places your foot sinks down into the remaining snow up to your knees, and it takes a bit of energy to hike around. Sandra and Alex have to go out to take more measurements at the wier we built, and they sink in past their knees in some places. We don't use vehicles out on the field since it would ruin the tundra. There are so many different kinds of birds that have come here. Several types of shorebirds in particular. Some of them are quite beatiful and graceful; it is peaceful to be out on the tundra. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074701999412789666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oAyhvnplVgNWL6plZVEnZU4qtYT4fzdx5xyBhKMZbLXPyeCYPMIpi1_6Jq7n8Q0Ea35fZe7rZbwmiVYopE-IoGB_bEKWe9APTOD2eFXUiS2Gv8LbEIYyM3Odm5zjP6KBKxySsAmb8nc/s320/tundra+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074700234181230930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefcvZ6j3vYgLAXE-GAtjYniEo5dlTV5SAIACDFSjgIFLyy3CzBLIKmtBQilI3nRR8yYHzEsifapwvQ3t5NuWqUBT2UjHqg4cy0dW49ktuUDf_1jtpyTr1F6yKzUUZLt0XvmFAdPvpbzM/s320/tundra.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p>On the 9th I had gun training. I was taught to load and unload a shotgun, and tomorrow we will be going to shoot live ammo. A really nice police officer, Kelly, came to the research station and gave the class. I received a free keychain for my efforts, and it wasn't too bad. There was some girl there who is a strict vegetarian, and animal activist it seems, looked really nervous and somewhat disturbed. Especially when they mentioned that you'd better shoot to kill the attacking animal. I think she was the only one at the class who didn't want to go shoot the gun tomorrow. I am definitely going to, though; who knows what might happen, and I want to know how to use the thing. There are several predators we could encounter in the tundra: grizzlies, polar bears, and rabid arctic foxes. I haven't heard anything about the wolverines, however. I thought it was a little foolish of her not to go shoot; we are going to be carrying a gun everywhere we go, and something could happen to whoever is carrying it. It's not like were going hunting. </p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2WxeIZaeeOJ5EVAezP1rdTdBar6VnUutuVQjcQhirpG8Oxpgx5Q6uwBm6o25zrAr2NI5LRBVHG5q5H06gOsrHKsI0snlMwt-I4FkOtHBmj7h9o0SFtHRj7CFen8I5srFt5pQ1m6ESGM/s1600-h/gun+training.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074701252088480130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2WxeIZaeeOJ5EVAezP1rdTdBar6VnUutuVQjcQhirpG8Oxpgx5Q6uwBm6o25zrAr2NI5LRBVHG5q5H06gOsrHKsI0snlMwt-I4FkOtHBmj7h9o0SFtHRj7CFen8I5srFt5pQ1m6ESGM/s320/gun+training.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhges4sjQiB2SMtyErEjQE225RsYws8cZ-qp-yzbIWDAzsxlG2EWgo6VwUaj7BmGweJpOYDrxmJD-I47Jom17SwPHWJMi5QGEGojlYrukxd8WJjGks7uG0fGkOjiwhd2caZtaBDcflMLAc/s1600-h/gun+training+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074701711649980818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhges4sjQiB2SMtyErEjQE225RsYws8cZ-qp-yzbIWDAzsxlG2EWgo6VwUaj7BmGweJpOYDrxmJD-I47Jom17SwPHWJMi5QGEGojlYrukxd8WJjGks7uG0fGkOjiwhd2caZtaBDcflMLAc/s320/gun+training+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>I was told that the teacher last year was named George Bush, and that he was an excellent instructor. We all joked that maybe Dick Cheney would have been a better one (hehe). All I know is that I may not particularly like or care for guns, but in this situation, it reassuring to have it.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXlIao524zN1dWobHlxseFkRm4R2hxnVl900pZZE60uXdZPkg3joheXkZSMMllab-_encA7koUfxmpheLjUi5UWkrosIYDKU2R0WFfIEUBX03GI5XYFetzpn_B3KpejbO8IAs4Q2EURo/s1600-h/climbing+wall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074700895606194546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXlIao524zN1dWobHlxseFkRm4R2hxnVl900pZZE60uXdZPkg3joheXkZSMMllab-_encA7koUfxmpheLjUi5UWkrosIYDKU2R0WFfIEUBX03GI5XYFetzpn_B3KpejbO8IAs4Q2EURo/s320/climbing+wall.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Anyway, Craig told us we were all doing a great job, and that we are a good group this year. I was pleased to hear it. We get to sleep in tomorrow, and will have the whole day to play. Perry went and checked out the climbing wall at the main gym in town. I was hoping to go tomorrow, however, Dave, Paulo, Rob, Steve and I will all be running the equipment we brought up to measure gas flux. I hope everything runs smoothly. Tonight is movie night, we will all fix ourselves a drink and watch a movie in the conference room to relax. Perry brought an external hardrive completely filled with movies. </p><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-4499611836687616772007-06-05T17:38:00.000-07:002007-06-07T11:23:07.241-07:00Workin' Hard<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFi1CfC7PbKnDVOlulVMj1Ba5N4hsQW4u7d04cpvGomq4kLb9l7OcROAQF-M64MrTR3UCUGzIEqkrf0aa7OV9cKSD8iRG_OpqhUFlxfGtnBSUqDkuLA7J_wWD4Qi48bvTlYDn_-JudmA/s1600-h/working+hard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072796361078259922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFi1CfC7PbKnDVOlulVMj1Ba5N4hsQW4u7d04cpvGomq4kLb9l7OcROAQF-M64MrTR3UCUGzIEqkrf0aa7OV9cKSD8iRG_OpqhUFlxfGtnBSUqDkuLA7J_wWD4Qi48bvTlYDn_-JudmA/s320/working+hard.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzDX9ls-LWx2H75Axx9WSoXueVudYgMeD_4hikpgkUzgjlvUUYLjoh4bvv2WhtRn-2sd4NfJlmgtbA9ITTl8oL3Fo9rR4BU4eBMA3G4bQuUoT2b3JDKzWDXR4YRibiZGDfAapqw5gS_g/s1600-h/lake+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072796202164469954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzDX9ls-LWx2H75Axx9WSoXueVudYgMeD_4hikpgkUzgjlvUUYLjoh4bvv2WhtRn-2sd4NfJlmgtbA9ITTl8oL3Fo9rR4BU4eBMA3G4bQuUoT2b3JDKzWDXR4YRibiZGDfAapqw5gS_g/s320/lake+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072796034660745394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRs0Y9bhFEbaSA7fEOtMMmDMygVF4RQ7JBgF5uR_n2zmmeLEum0krZB9EE05vaIHdDVHCV_DQJLviFM3eYye7wXqxwe-iR2L6dBRISrljct2Hp7pdmyl7YwelrnR9NsEMCW-qc0bPav4/s320/lake.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFqemHAvc7uwS4AxJ9NbZZHzQE20kOYFyp3DHhUYP1atcFQ_2X0QXd2zAbOjTBFXnQig21VR1p1uUW15PGtc1PQWoGSgPWaPJBU48UoGN2aeG3RBCtFFaNvKRkID533Zx9S1T2EhuKiM/s1600-h/group+photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072795845682184354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFqemHAvc7uwS4AxJ9NbZZHzQE20kOYFyp3DHhUYP1atcFQ_2X0QXd2zAbOjTBFXnQig21VR1p1uUW15PGtc1PQWoGSgPWaPJBU48UoGN2aeG3RBCtFFaNvKRkID533Zx9S1T2EhuKiM/s320/group+photo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I got some good news the other day, I was accepted into the IPY-ROAM project and will be traveling to Argentina and Antarctica over winter break for three weeks. I am so excited, and I have been racking my brain to think of some good projects to research. I think the environments I will be working in, both the Arctic and Antarctic are paramount in global ecology and I can't wait to dive right in. I will need to get a passport and vaccinations. I'm not sure which ones yet, but there is a website that describes all of that (<a href="http://www.ipyroam.org">www.ipyroam.org</a>). A few more people in my lab will be going as well, including Santonu, Sandra and Jose (he's working on the Chihuahuan Desert project in EP right now). </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rd49H0nNnh86C0xPYSz6-9dTyP0K6BdCIdZFGao5MJiA9ek7ZXMFBT5hjE1Ogp3I0SHEQwlXVhrhM0ANLX_uxbi7nuY0DtdzBhxVSsOvyiBB1SWAe-fZu1G8OY09f0vJYREm4JlrVkU/s1600-h/working+hard2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072798641705894162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rd49H0nNnh86C0xPYSz6-9dTyP0K6BdCIdZFGao5MJiA9ek7ZXMFBT5hjE1Ogp3I0SHEQwlXVhrhM0ANLX_uxbi7nuY0DtdzBhxVSsOvyiBB1SWAe-fZu1G8OY09f0vJYREm4JlrVkU/s200/working+hard2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I am finally beginning to get into the swing of things here. We have all been working hard in the field for 8-9 hours at a time. I am tired when we return, and usually have just enough energy to chill out an hour, shower and then I'm down for the count. We are building a wiere to measure the amount of runoff in the Tundra, which involves quite a bit of construction and sweat. We have been shoveling and ice picking and hammering and sawing. My hands were swollen and achy the other night, but I like working so hard and getting a little sore, it feels good in the "Tundra Gym." I miss climbing a lot and thought about bouldering frequently on Saturday. Perry and Dave feel the itch too, and I hope we will at least get to hit some plastic at the climbing wall in town some time. The other day Dave was staring out the window longingly and said he wanted to go climb, it was amusing and yet sad at the same time. We all manage to find ways of entertain ourselves through the hard work; Alex made a crazy snowman and I decided to give him a mossy makeover. At least I won't lose my callouses. I don't think I'll lose as much weight as I thought; we eat hearty meals all day between the cafeteria and the infamous Pepe's, and I come very close to cleaning my plate every time. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I finally got an office day and didn't have to go into the field today. Alex, Sandra, Perry, Santonu and Alex still had some work to do, so they were out in the field all day. Some work can't be completed until the snow finishes melting away. Tonight we are going to play soccer in the gym. I haven't so much as touched a soccer ball in 5 or 6 years. I'm sure I have lost all of my ball handling skills, but at least there will be good fun had by all and I can make up for the day spent sitting in the lab. We rumble at 9:00pm sharp.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The snow is melting very very fast. As the snow melts, new features materialize. An entire lake emerged where a huge field of snow lay just days ago. We have had to abandon the snowmachines to the dreary interiors of the warehouse. We will be using ATV's now, but will walk to our field sites in order to prevent chewing up or study area. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>With the discrete change in scenery comes a new array of organisms. Grasses are standing tall out of the marshy areas, and I can see a sundry of lichen below the last few centimeters of snow. At the grand opening I got a free copy of a sketchbook of some of the wildflowers in the area I am hoping to utilize in the coming months as they awaken from their chilly slumber. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I got to see an arctic fox yesterday while riding on the snowmobile. It was fluffy white with a brown face, and indication that its summer coat is coming in. It was cuddled up next to a weather station and just sat there as we stared at it for a good 6 or 7 minutes. Craig cautiously drove the snowmobile a little closer to scare it away. The foxes keep chewing up the wires on the instruments, and they urinate on the foundations sometimes. I have also seen some birds, including snow buntings, some kind of sparrow and what I think is a Godwit. I am really hoping to encounter a snowy owl and some lemmings. I don't whether that whole story about lemmings following each other off cliffs is true or not; I have heard several conflicting stories and am determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. Darn lemmings and their enigmatic ways!</div><br /><a href="http://lostgarden.com/gfx/Peru-LastDanceOfTheLemmingLikeCreatures.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://lostgarden.com/gfx/Peru-LastDanceOfTheLemmingLikeCreatures.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The weather over the past couple of days has been sunny and warm. I've been slathering myself with sunblock everyday to avoid looking like Rudolph (you know, the reindeer). Speaking of reindeer, there is a variety of beef jerkey available here in Barrow. I have tried reindeer and caribou; they taste pretty good.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I will traveling to Atqasuk for a couple of days later this week, and will get to see an area with greater biodiversity. I am looking forward to it. I will also be traveling to Nome and surrounding areas later in the season; I am so delighted! I can't wait to see all of the different kinds of life and ecosystem that exists in these different areas. Maybe I'll even get to see a tree!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072797512129495298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_9M1njL7JDlLE1ymAcmE4qRc5RBbZUjH1_eu4g1yiEwxZCCSJNcBQZCJAx8Bx1dRbPyXn-_DQ7KNuaAC4QHV8ASOCl55yzTpkdyrA6F7lF8p38lWMCFuTEzoTCwRvdhhPyiJCpgTEio/s320/taking+lunch.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072796747625316594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6yXxMr-F46VkV5nnxNTNIgNjKw1KutJY4f0i0iJV1UvgWr8YrevI_y2J92P1lrvP4z_b7-sin3wm2tKLpiArbn-1deKzoeZ-KMhp_Wv6DqYVVzXfciIJQJ-0mLw1Q3TK9lHpllCvAWk/s320/snowman.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-65132984580481136222007-06-01T23:31:00.000-07:002007-06-02T00:11:47.054-07:00Grand Opening<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOuxgcOqMaZ0DRbk126vOOPZkvqH-CcJ23MyPhnUI7zfioubXuQkviHrcaSltGxm00EslJX1ifhZl-2MyB0YtZ4OOiuTmfWULXVm6gznkJZJsJuocLF36NfzydAJFZpJbQrHNZhfgV_M/s1600-h/inupiatboysdancing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071360557266345554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOuxgcOqMaZ0DRbk126vOOPZkvqH-CcJ23MyPhnUI7zfioubXuQkviHrcaSltGxm00EslJX1ifhZl-2MyB0YtZ4OOiuTmfWULXVm6gznkJZJsJuocLF36NfzydAJFZpJbQrHNZhfgV_M/s320/inupiatboysdancing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTDaAZgNMcEBD3c6DSMnYZJjAaqVQ-316cBjcsEeZz3O2iqefq2SOkpSxsEIRr3JlgixXHRbzA65KvGJJvomG9KfKU8gFFAPlmfrG7YnCnY5fF7dX7bS-WEurBGfRM3J8cZ4u2-GlulI/s1600-h/openingsign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071359316020796994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTDaAZgNMcEBD3c6DSMnYZJjAaqVQ-316cBjcsEeZz3O2iqefq2SOkpSxsEIRr3JlgixXHRbzA65KvGJJvomG9KfKU8gFFAPlmfrG7YnCnY5fF7dX7bS-WEurBGfRM3J8cZ4u2-GlulI/s320/openingsign.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-SlBsqCXfJBa-8pn1IIcDA-yjRNR9bOYbOdhRfgsY2VZCsrJRyg3qqio4Cm9phtc-JFm4Iz1cq5ToEmQUxJ5POU0Q-jMt3YHr-Sh7ViAexYcmrq4uejfP_b4xL2NRZP8zBnxsJEepCw/s1600-h/little+inupiat+girl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071359032552955442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-SlBsqCXfJBa-8pn1IIcDA-yjRNR9bOYbOdhRfgsY2VZCsrJRyg3qqio4Cm9phtc-JFm4Iz1cq5ToEmQUxJ5POU0Q-jMt3YHr-Sh7ViAexYcmrq4uejfP_b4xL2NRZP8zBnxsJEepCw/s320/little+inupiat+girl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAB1qk2bu23yfZRNlYE2d4H167_6XKPruHNvtbaWWYvW-_pmoRNtnNz0-IKgDY4tM4dDoRfNK2Q7oCk36cPNxUmyHQ3jmOIyDMNFNlidp-QBwSvf77sN2aII72IAe0r3XgQtE7DO9u8w/s1600-h/bowwhale+testes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071358770559950370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAB1qk2bu23yfZRNlYE2d4H167_6XKPruHNvtbaWWYvW-_pmoRNtnNz0-IKgDY4tM4dDoRfNK2Q7oCk36cPNxUmyHQ3jmOIyDMNFNlidp-QBwSvf77sN2aII72IAe0r3XgQtE7DO9u8w/s320/bowwhale+testes.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>After working all morning in the field we went to the grand opening of the new lab facilities. There were lots of people, and the entire Barrow community participated. The labs are quite nice, and we got to see some artifacts that were dug up from around here. We also got to hear some speeches and lectures about research efforts and ongoing projects. It is amazing how the native people here embrace the scientific research and how they actively participate. I am deeply moved by the warmth and friendliness they radiate. There is a tight bond between the scientific community and the Inupiat people here. Much of the research here relies on the knowledge and wisdom of the elders and the people, and it is incorporated into the projects. Their keen understanding of the environment that surrounds us is remarkable. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We were all invited to a dinner at the Inupiat Heritage Museum immediately after the opening. I have been wanting to go there, so I was very happy. The museum has a lot of artifacts, but most of the it is dedicated to whaling, which is a pivotal theme here in Barrow; the lives of the Inupiat are centered around it. I met a whaler and another captain (aside from Lewis Brower, who I am thoroughly impressed with). He told me that he often sees polar bears, and they just shoosh them away. They can usually tell from far away by the body language of the bear if they are hungry and going to attack or not. One of the whales his crew caught had spear heads embedded in the skin that were 150 years old!! Lewis said a whale that they caught had bomb fragments in it from the 1800s, and researches have aged a whale caught by a crew at approximately 211 years old. It is amazing how little we understand about our world.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>After chatting, we were all drawn into the meeting hall by the sound of drums beating. It gave me a chill. I stood on the side to see the people dance for us. The looks on their faces were intense. They sang a beautiful song in their native tongue and translated; "I will take care of you for all of time..." It was sweet (awww). In the middle of the ceremony an Inupiat woman maybe in her 80s or 90s got in front of the crowd and danced. Her movements told a story, she looked so happy, passionate and wise. I talked with her after the ceremony, and she told me how important it was to her to pass these traditions on to the younger generations. She said it has been the only thing to bring her lots of joy since her husband passed.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071358560106552850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6QmxPzdIsOqqKlbRC79CAd7kfZMRKemdKXaFOMS3NFZ62ebr-mxXb-7IV45VKZ4_iUhZHvmIPrVXEF5Tx-8xWPCkRzWQBZ10Dh0tfuz6SGVbkDnl_0uM-UpxspdMIIK5BOk1EE44YwE/s320/amandinupiatwoman.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hRGk9m1DGHs4YgATQ3g7JOFGPFprEwM9swqfZVFRBJG_T9EgVq45JEPHDiuUoNUqcwKRzti57F5EWr5NPRLMhdk4YkfG99pBQO0Q73JMbpP4czBXQ4mv74EM9xWZ1blnqbcGHebEk44/s1600-h/inupiatboysdancing2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071360741949939298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hRGk9m1DGHs4YgATQ3g7JOFGPFprEwM9swqfZVFRBJG_T9EgVq45JEPHDiuUoNUqcwKRzti57F5EWr5NPRLMhdk4YkfG99pBQO0Q73JMbpP4czBXQ4mv74EM9xWZ1blnqbcGHebEk44/s320/inupiatboysdancing2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I have fallen in love with the Inupiat culture. They are so gracious and forthcoming with their culture and thier knowledge.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7gmkSqjdnOdOTgP8AOcr5Es5twOTuneYOh0NIlkuAE13EgStPoA7zP_rv-em9K-LFXGOB14K9xnjN7tOjdrEIyjCRGWsWtr_UndzzIqzbU1f4UCH8IqcEeOkk_RCUs8hE13DCAgrUow/s1600-h/inupiatwomandancer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071360905158696562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7gmkSqjdnOdOTgP8AOcr5Es5twOTuneYOh0NIlkuAE13EgStPoA7zP_rv-em9K-LFXGOB14K9xnjN7tOjdrEIyjCRGWsWtr_UndzzIqzbU1f4UCH8IqcEeOkk_RCUs8hE13DCAgrUow/s320/inupiatwomandancer.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-75557643724570488222007-06-01T21:36:00.001-07:002007-06-01T23:29:41.418-07:00Field Work<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisMsDYe_thpBhTMY3jhF3-jye1s4sl83sEWi7DRlI9i9oWmRqNpdnD1l4fC0Z5Ro35BD3jqc5kyACKVeST9R8CS1zfjVmk3ksASESSWJh1kTmC-JPOklxfg7Mmsw5csXE9p2QF_TsjLI/s1600-h/amsnowsuit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071349935812222450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisMsDYe_thpBhTMY3jhF3-jye1s4sl83sEWi7DRlI9i9oWmRqNpdnD1l4fC0Z5Ro35BD3jqc5kyACKVeST9R8CS1zfjVmk3ksASESSWJh1kTmC-JPOklxfg7Mmsw5csXE9p2QF_TsjLI/s320/amsnowsuit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQJQnWToK3d0hxWlRF75hei3BlbavAIYyjIBhHDUWNcQbt7kCNhDwYS94nSRnKNPwgQpmhIdBW8bBltA-eyB3FEtYRFofbIlRD0DD26Ik7lIe4FOvZ8TBzAq89T_D1BJyuN18MMrkHok/s1600-h/amsled.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071346048866819554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQJQnWToK3d0hxWlRF75hei3BlbavAIYyjIBhHDUWNcQbt7kCNhDwYS94nSRnKNPwgQpmhIdBW8bBltA-eyB3FEtYRFofbIlRD0DD26Ik7lIe4FOvZ8TBzAq89T_D1BJyuN18MMrkHok/s320/amsled.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I haven't blogged in a couple of days, I have been physically exhausted. We picked up the rest of our group from the airport and went to Pepe's to eat. There are now a total of 8 of us. Me, Perry, Dave, Sandra, Alex, Santonu, Adrian and Craig. Luckily the menu is big so I haven't gotten sick of the food yet.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Craig has had us working in the field the past couple of days. The conditions are extreme and it is a potent experience. Everywhere you look on the featureless landscape is white. I have only seen the sun a couple of times, when it peeked through the grey for a few brief moments. The warmth was energizing. All of our field work has been for the biocomplexity project (check out <a href="http://www.arcticscience.org">www.arcticscience.org</a>, it shows where I am staying, how to ship to me, and what projects are going on). Dave's field work starts in July.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>My first day in the field was intense from the get go. I crammed myself with a million layers into a snow suit that I borrowed from the warehouse and threw on two hats, a face mask, gloves, two pairs of socks and my sunglasses. I could barely move! Sandra and I were laughing, it was so funny. <span style="color:#ffcc00;">Linda, here's my hat and gloves!</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div>After we all geared up, we went out to find 4 snowmachines waiting for us. Two of them had large wooden sleds attached with gear. We eagerly approached the contraptions; us desert rats were foaming at the mouth to drive on the stark white terrain. Robert, a local Inupiat came with us as a bear guard, the natives know the surroundings and habits of it best. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Dave and I were given one machine, and I was shocked when Craig told me I would be riding on the back of one of the sleds. I doubted him a little when he told me it was the most comfortable seat. I was somewhat envious of Perry, who got to drive. I was sure to have him take a picture of me :) We ended up taking off around 12:15 or so.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>The ride was rough, but I had a blast. After a few minutes I got used to the feeling and was able to lean into the turns to balance out the sled. Dave was a good driver and made sure I was ok. The backdrop is so white that it is difficult to tell where the little bumps are. I would fly in the air a bit every bump, it was fun! I held on with a kung fu death grip just like when I started climbing; my forearms were tired. I eventually figured out what pressure was sufficient, and my arms loosened up so I could enjoy the ride. The wind is chilly on those things!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Santonu also had to ride on a sled and fell off on the way out to the site. We looked back him standing off in the distance. We all laughed about it later that night at Pepe's (he was ok of course, or we wouldn't have laughed about it). Santonu said it took Craig about 5 minutes before he picked him up. I could tell Craig was having lots of fun on the snowmobiles. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Once we got out to the barren white tundra, the fun began. We split into three teams, each was assigned a different task. Perry and Santonu worked on the tram for leveling, Dave and I worked on taking snow depth measurements, and everyone else (Alex, Sandra and Craig) worked on digging trenches in the snow that are going to be used to measure the runoff. Adrain went to the airport to pick up Ana, a PhD candidate at the U of Fairbanks also joined our team and worked with Craig's group; she is from Sweden. They joined us out in the field helping out Craig's team.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>The sampling Dave and I did was not that bad. I drove the snowmobile (yay!) and Dave would step off and drive a metal T-bar through the snow until it hit tundra. Then he would pull it out and read off the measurement to me to record. We did this along a huge grid and took three measurements at each point at 112 points. Each point was 100 m apart, and we covered about 1 square mile. We carried a GPS unit to make sure we were on the right point. I messed up a couple of times, but he is very patient with me and gives me clear instructions.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>The wind wasn't too bad yesterday, but today was chilly and windy. The wind slashes into you and chills you to the bone. My toes were a little cold in the rubber boots since there's no insulation, but after a while once the numbness passes it isn't so bad. It's no different than a chilly day on the slopes.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>After Dave and I completed our task, we went to help out Craig's group digging trenches. The work was somewhat labor intensive, but I actually enjoyed it. Sandra, Alex, me and Dave went off to dig a 100 m trench on our own. All we could see across the austere setting was a faint pink flag; our goal. After a while it became a game for me. I worked hard to get to that point in a good time. My team and I were swift and worked fervishly for a few hours until alas! We reached the pink flag. Dave walked over to Craig while Alex, Sandra and I fixed the walls of our trench and shoveled out excess snow..."pack it up and come in guys." What glorious words to hear at the end of a hard days work.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>I rode on the back of the snowmobile on the way to the road. Craig was right, the sled was actually more comfortable to ride! Four of us rode the snowmobiles back to the station, while everyone else loaded in the truck. Perry wanted to drive, but he gave up his spot for me, which I greatly appreciated. We followed Craig back, navigating along the snow-scape. Santonu drove really slow (I guess he was a bit shaken after his previous experience). Anyway, we got back and went, guess where....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Dinner at Pepe's (Sorry no whale tacos)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I was dead tired after eating, but we went back to the lab and had a little night cap; vodka with pink lemonade never tasted so good.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>8:30 am and we took off once again, this time I drove while Dave sat behind me. Today we performed snow-water equivalent measurements and two 30 meter transects at the tramline. This was a little labor-intensive, but not too bad. I still have plenty of energy left to harass my colleagues (tee he). We took the T-bar and got a snow depth measurement, then hammered in a plastic tube. Then we dug a hole next to the tube and placed a shovel at the end of the tube. All the snow was placed into large plastic bags that were labeled. This was done to estimate the amount of runoff and volume of water we are dealing with. Later in the day Sandra came out to help us, in all that time we only got 15 measurements! The work done here is tedious. After the 15, we measured snow depth every meter along two 30 meter transects, one North and one South from the Northern tramway.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>The weather was chilly and snow blew across the snowfield all day. I had to put on my jacket over the snow suit to keep warm, and I wore 3 pairs of socks today. I was amazed when I saw a single bird flying against the wind out on the field; I also saw a half dead mosquito I dug up.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071350262229736962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcN63OXWVk0LFhMt37CdkkMJFCxXu8wZOfT72ULuGRv-go_p_JzG-CgIjnrTP6ZeWo0BAooWkJpfMGFGODn1szJrOmVVkWAvc-ltbXB5ZrGm4YkkV6T2WDihr70qvOQqhuaulxhnwnR4/s320/snowmobiles.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-60080839566344819052007-05-30T18:20:00.001-07:002007-05-30T18:57:18.318-07:00Forgotten Memories and Mumbles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVo_nforYFtxjllNvBFv2e4PZY5XdjINvGjbrPgkuNwc1IVRbAyKp0a8tUbniYdUjKdueAEvmvLHIRCKt9pOjyW9lXdOImVBtUEhBmtFa8WMM1ZakQ2kXHVoKtvSdvdYKTAZThJZAGzU/s1600-h/015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070534935703035314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVo_nforYFtxjllNvBFv2e4PZY5XdjINvGjbrPgkuNwc1IVRbAyKp0a8tUbniYdUjKdueAEvmvLHIRCKt9pOjyW9lXdOImVBtUEhBmtFa8WMM1ZakQ2kXHVoKtvSdvdYKTAZThJZAGzU/s320/015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QfGVy7pTeq2nHlqtzlbN-0s4zAWjEY-1RH9-J5NvBHtfOPfOOVP34uy3ii0NAQL7Nw1wZJcoRRZNpam8TRekQjLytVRjQ8XhPSF6O-eHUsSa-hcXm2nqNOU2-_oj7kTEX5Sn8WUjOxc/s1600-h/012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070534639350291874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3QfGVy7pTeq2nHlqtzlbN-0s4zAWjEY-1RH9-J5NvBHtfOPfOOVP34uy3ii0NAQL7Nw1wZJcoRRZNpam8TRekQjLytVRjQ8XhPSF6O-eHUsSa-hcXm2nqNOU2-_oj7kTEX5Sn8WUjOxc/s320/012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>Wednesday, May 30th</div><div> </div><div>I have been cleaning and mopping to prepare for Craig and the rest of our group, its a good workout. I blog in between. I am looking forward to seeing them, we pick them up in an hour and are going to eat at Pepe's. Craig is an inspiring scientist and a brilliant team leader, so I'm sure we will work hard and learn a lot while he's here. I was told that because the grand opening for the new labs is this year, the place will be jam packed, and that there is barely going to be enough room for all the people. I don't mind, but damn it if anyone is going to get in the way between me and my chow! Hehe. My waterbottle has smelled like whale ever since I ate it. I've washed it once, but the oil gets everywhere. The lab smelled for a few hours.</div><br /><div>My camera battery is slain and no longer charges :( I have a plan, though; I will buy a new elph digital that is small and easy to carry, along with a new battery for the bigger camera. Perry's precious Nicole (his laptop) gave him a critical error and he had to trouble shoot it. The IT guys here seem to have taken to him, and he is now one the the computer geek clan. On the upside, I am enjoying myself no matter what. This experience is awesome! I have been listening to my iPod and all the music Michi gave me a lot. It keeps me in good spirits, along with the people I am up here with. </div><br /><div>I forgot to add some of the things we did on my blog previously, but since I am a little sleep deprived and don't usually know what time it is, I have forgotten what day and when we all did them. Anyway, before I forget even more I will post it! </div><br /><div>Hmm...let's see...we went out to the field site on the "Cake Eater" road. There was nothing but white. We did see a couple of locals on their dog sled, but other than that it's just white. I felt like Neo in the Matrix. It's hard to get your berings in that environment, so I have been looking at a lot of maps to memorize where I'll be just in case. Santonu and Dave told me that in a few weeks I won't even recognize the place. The ice melts quickly and a new landscape slowly emerges to reveal itself. Dave is crazy! He went out with no jacket and in his chanclas (sorry for mispelling the slang guys!). The wind cuts into you out here. I will need to make sure I wear enough layers beneath my clothes. My jacket is awesome though THANK YOU GORE TEX. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070533157586574706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrzn4QEmxeGBgnGI4FyFm6ZGdIcrqErQLdy_ci61_LqBiB4HfyekSeWZDtCLB2rwAxnZiThyQnEXrOuvR5KUVIkHu-BT8lS8JXq_RCQUIZU1XJ5_ZLIjVWg65KE7vk_U6c61HVXFY9oQ/s320/006.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070533771766898050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaZdSoUIzb_96ELXioqO26p18R9EMEeUx6lkBdOhDri3iHxQV_xzjnSS44AMlM0xU_7be9A3td91XkDtflkM_ILXVXYjDbKyqiC46MRf9xzak22qGDiSct35s-8Vwe20nUJKA3eHw7vU/s320/007.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070534081004543378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaHyqzHE6Jhbk17pQlwH6W1CDfQPTxoxr-ERTufw59VN0V9JCkIizBwuazB2_QhZ01kOtaTGv1OHG4LwQw0x_gO7QlJnnug3_hmUEeSs2PC1SFZc_vFG_1s4X89hmdgcoP7cFVaiutQY/s320/009.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070532848348929378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSPSMhAuost6cfTH4sR9aA9Xxx_TKGsAnFRXgCHiQKtx9VEQinNxmw6gxl00VMyHbukcaY_xMUFf6-SKHRcfyoqZPPf7Kq4ilD6wzDAlmF0ruNWtMKl74jv_47u5ymQrDoRS8gTjPcSo/s320/003.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>I am look forward to working in the field, but more importantly to learning more and practicing the science. I'm sure I will have a greater appreciation for experimental design and field work. I have been messing around on the ukelele a bit, but overall I haven't spent much time on it. I will have to find more information on it too. I have been drawing a bit, but I usually do that on my own when no one is around so I don't have to show my work. I wish I had brought some literature to read, like some poetry, stories and my plant physiology book. I want to learn more about this area and hopefully I can develop my own project out here. I am surrounded by some brilliant minds I would love to pick, including the ones I work with. </p>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-21703780550304039652007-05-30T16:35:00.000-07:002007-06-02T00:34:41.960-07:00Siku aasiie Abviq (ice and bowhead whale)<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070522553312320770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvR0LEtD4yzqsBFJKOhdEGu4eMlUQjEZMpsKenQL-H1Dmx1O3i_GXbQLcb-75rRY_A6AAM2rmxj20Yji8MxZrZLJP9VVg7TO26kDXAdnz8-pLzKFoBZRCtpVSdHPk0AE01yvJjhgFmNw/s320/087.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0NyVZDuF1CO9QPn5eFN7zYlaQjXgfOU3okNN0LDvS5G9oAcRBKn0CJlyhokjGtvlATNMWNxXmXZwcaIMx5s7-WrzDpeoxHnJkTPeTHLiEt3nsJjqoc1kN-lAviKlpVp7-yJ9qUkWOZQ/s1600-h/078.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070522248369642738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0NyVZDuF1CO9QPn5eFN7zYlaQjXgfOU3okNN0LDvS5G9oAcRBKn0CJlyhokjGtvlATNMWNxXmXZwcaIMx5s7-WrzDpeoxHnJkTPeTHLiEt3nsJjqoc1kN-lAviKlpVp7-yJ9qUkWOZQ/s320/078.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wzBCByjdvrUeiKX3yw_YPypxGQL0SsUgoCp_xyBWF9StpT-6IoQdfOrOqlb_n11nAgEnxTRGf_65Ehw3o3siBAgUAP8YdWtxaTl7245_4AUbr1tPw4f52XFYkSl6TETmPhvVaH2NYZE/s1600-h/049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070521054368734402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wzBCByjdvrUeiKX3yw_YPypxGQL0SsUgoCp_xyBWF9StpT-6IoQdfOrOqlb_n11nAgEnxTRGf_65Ehw3o3siBAgUAP8YdWtxaTl7245_4AUbr1tPw4f52XFYkSl6TETmPhvVaH2NYZE/s320/049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE66F3VLdiZEK90DaatmB00UsMeK5a-NRyZjarEbPzHPWt03RQJvH6sfuWQ5qUEg6YtSrtzaB3gHN7jyxHzV0ey9mj99CdzHdyiSY7GBVZN2sHpxMbEoAqoISLw04Z1vylx6zWBkuUzA/s1600-h/044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070518537517898882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE66F3VLdiZEK90DaatmB00UsMeK5a-NRyZjarEbPzHPWt03RQJvH6sfuWQ5qUEg6YtSrtzaB3gHN7jyxHzV0ey9mj99CdzHdyiSY7GBVZN2sHpxMbEoAqoISLw04Z1vylx6zWBkuUzA/s400/044.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWaQQ9B_jImhgXC2RY1YV8-IYWPNain4WxhFMdID8g0EUyDhbPdA1X_TxZz1uQ8ppvGK0yCGVelElRwUj8zpnPAgEGFKYYK9WtoiojeF2WDFXKgyr6hGr6rhC49UK3uap13vM5A7l_Fo/s1600-h/047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070517077229018210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 462px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 315px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="349" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWaQQ9B_jImhgXC2RY1YV8-IYWPNain4WxhFMdID8g0EUyDhbPdA1X_TxZz1uQ8ppvGK0yCGVelElRwUj8zpnPAgEGFKYYK9WtoiojeF2WDFXKgyr6hGr6rhC49UK3uap13vM5A7l_Fo/s400/047.jpg" width="499" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3J1DDB5PjvErykBCe73Y8vYcX8PwGElKCVH2GQTxVAE-tp0_6RveOZtMeASsWrNk52ec5VdS7nLvjJlxdEL8tD4WtZ-OfJTvd65sn89Nd75JZJpb51AMVDfm8Cmy_GlJFctt2oWb0Tc/s1600-h/034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070516398624185426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3J1DDB5PjvErykBCe73Y8vYcX8PwGElKCVH2GQTxVAE-tp0_6RveOZtMeASsWrNk52ec5VdS7nLvjJlxdEL8tD4WtZ-OfJTvd65sn89Nd75JZJpb51AMVDfm8Cmy_GlJFctt2oWb0Tc/s320/034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Siku<br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Note: All of the pictures on the ice and snow were taken between the hours of 9:30 and 11:15 pm!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Last night after dinner (about 9:30 pm) we all geared up and hiked out to the coast...and just kept on walking into the white abyss. It was odd to be walking literally on the ocean. At first I was a little worried, but I became more comfortable as I was engrossed in the landscape. Alex had no worries and couldn't waid to get on the ice. We followed the snow machine trail closely and kept a wary eye toward the horizon to watch for polar bears. It was eerily peaceful, and I am thoroughly enjoying being out of my comfort zone in an unfamiliar extreme environment. I put too many clothes on though, and had to pull off a few layers. I didn't want to leave the ocean, but we had too. We saw huge pressure ridges and a few smaller cracks in the ice. Some places my foot sank about foot down and was covered in slushy slurry ice. I wasn't cold, though.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw38SoqG28CcDBDP6GlEe3wSVIw3RyKr4RQfm0nwtQrNgaC0R_74a1AKnjJird-_4tGX8cMbKL1Oa68j8oAv8w4tfMHco3owPmiUsAjZikd4i1r-gBkhIN3clE_bubOXCquDJc9GhZe9E/s1600-h/036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070526169674784066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw38SoqG28CcDBDP6GlEe3wSVIw3RyKr4RQfm0nwtQrNgaC0R_74a1AKnjJird-_4tGX8cMbKL1Oa68j8oAv8w4tfMHco3owPmiUsAjZikd4i1r-gBkhIN3clE_bubOXCquDJc9GhZe9E/s320/036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The coast is difficult to walk on, your feet sink into the pebbles and sand every step. Finely polished pieces of driftwood from other places in the world were scattered along the beach. Who knows what kind or where it came from; there are no trees for hundreds of miles around here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPeBJWN3vZDgky3R25Jm7nEiQUCjOon92ob0txERmadKArur1pALz21WSshGelSac1Ocpu9sD7CO8usSS87zhabXYH97PKiDzGCWq_VZL4B2Rq1fEtmpgvKxP3Uhoa7AuawbCzc92ROw/s1600-h/084.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070526646416153938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPeBJWN3vZDgky3R25Jm7nEiQUCjOon92ob0txERmadKArur1pALz21WSshGelSac1Ocpu9sD7CO8usSS87zhabXYH97PKiDzGCWq_VZL4B2Rq1fEtmpgvKxP3Uhoa7AuawbCzc92ROw/s320/084.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaZqi1ybmpfqsvuOemvuJ3YWVEhIeHyo_59ox8sboVqYoCLiW4sScdjXibdeVcMpeM0K7Qh8wHhJEch2Y1kr1I1UKn2GtbVoCAp08zVmTqnpMnXzMzgtDIVjK_7PXfTREP47nIrXikXk/s1600-h/066.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070520779490827442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaZqi1ybmpfqsvuOemvuJ3YWVEhIeHyo_59ox8sboVqYoCLiW4sScdjXibdeVcMpeM0K7Qh8wHhJEch2Y1kr1I1UKn2GtbVoCAp08zVmTqnpMnXzMzgtDIVjK_7PXfTREP47nIrXikXk/s320/066.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070521376491281618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuYhbAXRbhhNduYoYwAfg-NxqxzLHHu4VKV1u0C_D2IYa10rnLARaAjXawzIvSSpCxHJzmrEpEW-oBNclG3si7jeeP29Pz9oHGynMt_5rubHDvdmV3I2zrloq-Qz0dXaFBHOZgSsU1Ws/s320/069.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070523107363101986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r5Z-YAUjrrTVWk4y_dFIdIt73su83ft_iawO7JCfBNllqNFBh3qVKfScMFkPLqQDsBrfhsS8B3bJuARLVO3bxj7uUYqJyoPGhuUHz3HZQf_jOlm5kIsGf2HhCUHd76yO3Zjol6q74ag/s320/116.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>We got back up on the coastline and had a 30 minute snowball fight. Alex was a natural at pelting people and seems to know the secret to making a remarkable snowball. Anyway, after that we went further up the coast and climbed up a lookout tower to view the sea and town.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Today I finally ate the whale that was given to me. Lewis Bower, who is Inupiat Eskimo showed us how to eat the whale we received the other day. He is also a whaler and has a skin boat of his own. He told us how difficult it is to hunt them. Bowhead whales have excellent vision and can hear their families 5000 km across the ocean, so it is no simple task. I was absolutely<a href="http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/images/picInupiat.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/images/picInupiat.jpg" border="0" /></a> fascinated with his stories. He told us that you must always be prepared, because it is quite dangerous and the whales are so in tune with their surroundings that it is very difficul<a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/images/thumbs/060713-whale-eyes_170.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/images/thumbs/060713-whale-eyes_170.jpg" border="0" /></a>t to find and catch one. Lewis said that he and his crew had a whale rushing towards them head on, and that they couldn't just run to the boat or to their hunting equipment because the whale would hear. They all had to move only when the whale breached to breath, so that it would only hear itself as the water was pushed out of the blowhole. Once it is close enough, it is harpooned, and once killed a whole crew has to rope it and drag it back in. The ice is also very dangerous, especially during sikugvik ("ice breaking time"). He said there are many different kinds of ice, and that it can break when you are on it. In 1995 the whole town lost 99 snow machines and most of their hunting equipment when the ice shelf broke. They would have lost over 100 people if it hadn't been for the helicopters and search and rescue crew.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I was honored by the time I tasted the food and felt like I was taking part in an ageless ceremony that has been an integral thread in the lives of the people here. Their very survival depended on these creatures. Lewis told us that every part of the whale was used. Even the flippers are eaten as a source of fiber, and it is commonly utilized here as a pacifier for kids. The meat on it is hard and fibrous. He said 30-40 years ago they would use the oil that they now throw away for cooking, fires and lanterns. "You will never get us to grow corn or farm." He said, "this alone is what generations of my people have survived on." I realized when he said it that its damn near impossible up here to farm anyway. The only way to sustain the energy needed to survive up here anyway would be to eat it.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The community caught a total of 11 whales this year. There are two seasons, spring (ending around now) and fall. The spring season is called traditional whaling and follows tradition that has been followed by Inupiat Eskimos for generations. A small crew on a skin boat with harpoons will team up with other crews. Victorious captains proudly fly a flag abov<a href="http://www.alaskastock.com/Pix/354/VW/354VW_AB0007_001_T.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px" height="423" alt="" src="http://www.alaskastock.com/Pix/354/VW/354VW_AB0007_001_T.JPG" border="0" /></a>e their vessel. The whale is divided among the community. The middle of the whale is cut entirely around the circumference of the whale and it is enough to feed to entire town! The "waistline" down is given to the captain, who divides it as he sees fit. The other parts are distributed among the community. Friends were given larger portions, especially if they didn't have a fruitful season. Lewis told us that no one was turned down, if anybody asked they received.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>He was able to tell the approximate size of the whale just by looking at the blubber and cutting into it. The size of the pores and sound it makes as you cut into it are the indicators of approximate size. He said young whales are soft and taste just like King Crab. You could just set your knife on the meat of a young whale and it would cut right through. I thought it tasted like crab too. I ate a few pieces of the epidermis and blubber, I tried some kidney, small intestine and some of the actual whale meat. The meat is dark, and quite tender. I thought the kidneys were quite good too, and they are <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj1h0Hs8XDZ8qS5ZblEBHs76YXpndc9CbAdTJPTAngfp43-qqz-LH9ynNSkSnaHEoUjXRiYHJ9vBnTJtAHkkcR7AVKPG6_j7AfcQPd3T43s5XuD7_dohZ6UIwhL2gQGC-yTTUOjWDwIE/s1600-h/120.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070523373651074354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj1h0Hs8XDZ8qS5ZblEBHs76YXpndc9CbAdTJPTAngfp43-qqz-LH9ynNSkSnaHEoUjXRiYHJ9vBnTJtAHkkcR7AVKPG6_j7AfcQPd3T43s5XuD7_dohZ6UIwhL2gQGC-yTTUOjWDwIE/s320/120.jpg" border="0" /></a>considered a delicacy here. The meat was a little fishy, but good. I actually liked the epidermis and blubber, it was oily and good. It was quite similar to crab.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071366900933041794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICoMgVP75cc6mR3jNG1j7ld5IeeMZ1CpN3ronu6C4pm4tyWWewcB0-BRrO8Jl6S5RhhHgLR1irGFW8gxr7iuL0uHityf2LA-4uwbnjbFtl-O1sDU2OyGZJIJbTLdR0WmDA0LUee0ODpE/s320/muktuk+1.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-68491997980794331112007-05-29T15:15:00.000-07:002007-05-29T15:36:55.781-07:00TuesdayI am still quite tired. My colleages and I went to the gym at about 9:30 pm. The facilities here are very nice, there's a large variety of activities there including weights, ping pong, billiards, air hockey, basketball, and so on. My favorite, though is a wooden board with holes drilled into it. There are two wooden pegs that you can take out and put into the many holes on the board. Its a great arm workout, I just let my feet hang and climb it moving the pegs with my arms. There is also a little area where I can practice campusing (no legs-just arms). I hope I don't lose my climbing muscles while I'm here. There was so much to do that we all tried a little bit of everything, like a bunch of 3 year olds with no attention span.<br /><br />Two hours and 3 ping pong games later we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest. However, after my shower and some light reading it was already 1:15am, and I had to wake up and be in the lab by 9:00. Breakfast is served from 6:30 - 8:15am, and if you don't make it you don't eat (not that I'll starve or anything). <br /><br />I am still adjusting to the constant daylight here. My body doesn't know what time it is, so even after the gym at 11:30 pm, it felt like mid morning here. You can just keep going and going. I have noticed the impacts, though. I've had trouble thinking of words and perfoming my best. I have set my watch to go off every day at 7am, 2pm, and 9pm so that I know what time of day it is. I have to force myself to go lay down and go to sleep. <br /><br />Today we continued to mold the lab into a workable area and unpack equipment. We took an inventory and made a list of things that Craig has to bring up, which is a lot. We are all working to get everything ready before he gets here. I hear that the day after he arrives we will take the snow machines out to the field site and do some work. We are going to clean some stuff up and dig a lot of holes in the ground, I do not yet know why, but am intrigued. The snow and ice continue to melt and break at a rapid rate. I hope we are able to take the snow machines out before its all gone and the ice is too thin. Everyone in the lab will be working hard from here on out, so I am looking forward to that. <br /><br />I made the calendar for the lab, and it seems we will be partying quite a bit, Adrian, Dave, me and Perry will all have our birthdays up here in Barrow. It will be nice to be out of the 100 degree heat of El Paso summers.prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-9503010949774230982007-05-28T17:41:00.000-07:002007-05-29T15:13:05.513-07:00Barrow Experience<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>To my blog readers: First and foremost, I would like to apologize for the boring and elementary style of my last blog. Let it be known that I am tired and somewhat delirious (I was giggling for no reason a while ago)! It is very likely that I will not be able to complete sentences properly or even use big words. Hopefully as time goes on this will evolve into a more exciting piece of "literature". Now then, on with the blog:::<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />First I will catch you up with the events that transpired yesterday after arriving:<br /><br />Dave helped us load our luggage and equipment into the extended cab beat up pickup that was caked in mud. We met Alice, a very nice native who works at the station as well. We all got in and drove to the research station to drop our luggage off up a road along the coast. The entire ocean as far as the eye can see is covered in ice. Everything here is totally flat, with the exception of pressure ridges formed by the ice on the water.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwTOgdX-lbbXMmzWW9wzOblZ_Gx06tM9rvXmDMWZpxstZsm53CCTI80lsZl9VhKrqSzEftcRqmG6QcpnXp13ra74g6vi9_HxrT3elDKVMq5EGxApuivH5fLTAYIjcfVAfokhUFNB72b8/s1600-h/110.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070107835565186066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwTOgdX-lbbXMmzWW9wzOblZ_Gx06tM9rvXmDMWZpxstZsm53CCTI80lsZl9VhKrqSzEftcRqmG6QcpnXp13ra74g6vi9_HxrT3elDKVMq5EGxApuivH5fLTAYIjcfVAfokhUFNB72b8/s320/110.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Every now and again along the coast we saw boats perched upon platforms. The natives make them out of wood and cover them with seal skin and seal oil. Each boat is manned by a crew of about 10 people or more, and they are used for a special purpose, whaling. Some of the boats had a colorful flag proudly displayed from a pole, indicating a victorious and fruitful journey. As we continued down the muddy road, the town looked gloomy and sullen. Peoples homes were surrounded by old scrap metal, vehicles and some even had dead geese hanging from the porches. The homes are simply designed, square with windows and covered in siding. Dave was smiling when he pointed out the liquid waste area and dump on the way to the station. "It looks bad, but its not that bad...you'll see" he said.<br /><br />We pulled up to the station to find a small building that said "dormitory style" on it. It wasn't impressive, but I was happy to see it and I didn't care how much I had to rough it. Alice asked us to come in and fill out pape<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvscOYBQxcPiCASwsr6A4JBKeHTJKPkaP7JJWie4QzNQ2lX5pIN01fyACH3l5xY8ni-t2HETAqtfljHdDKrE3Vs0uDjz97F0fmfUezL45oWXglLsylTZaIrAYpe2K3pCpaumJKVS3sKKk/s1600-h/107.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070107337348979714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvscOYBQxcPiCASwsr6A4JBKeHTJKPkaP7JJWie4QzNQ2lX5pIN01fyACH3l5xY8ni-t2HETAqtfljHdDKrE3Vs0uDjz97F0fmfUezL45oWXglLsylTZaIrAYpe2K3pCpaumJKVS3sKKk/s320/107.jpg" border="0" /></a>r work before we went to our rooms so that she could go. We walked into the reasearch station and proceeded down a long hall that was covered in pictures of scientists and posters about ongoing research. My stomach fluttered at the thought of working in the field and doing some scientific work.<br /><br />We went into Alice's office tired and exhasted, but I was revived by what I heard on the radio. It was an Inupiat man saying a prayer, "God thank you for the blessing you gave us, we will return it....thank you for sending us all back safely..." then he said many words in their native tongue, of which I only understood that they were powerful important words. Then many people on the radio were cheering. It is whaling season, a very special and precious time to the people here. The whales are sacred to them, and they have survived for ages eating whale and seal. Only the Inupiat people are allowed to hunt them, and they are not allowed to sell any of their catch, so it is distributed among the community. It is an honor if you are able to help them tow it in. Alice told us that they caught two bow whales. They weigh about a ton per foot! She said they were distributing the whale at a local's home, and that we should go. I was tingling with excitment and rushed to my room to throw my stuff in.<br /><br />After we all got in our rooms and had the luggage unloaded, we packed back into the truck and drove to town. We arrived a small two story house, and the road was packed with cars. We walked up to the garage where there was a pile of dead geese, and a huge piece of baleen covered in tough hair. The air smelled like fish. We were warmly greeted by several Inupiat people. "Welcome to Barrow, please come in, we're glad you are here at this special time" We were guided into the garage and there was a line of people. One woman told us how to eat the cooked epidermis and blubber, apparantly it is to your liking; you can use lea and perrins or whatever you like to season it. An old Inupiat woman handed me a bag with pieces of whale in it, an I proceeded down the chow line. A young boy handed me a glass filled with a sweet smelling drink. "What is it made of?" I asked. He looked annoyed, "I don't know, I just drink it," and then he smiled at me. I laughed and drank some, it was delicious and tasted like spiced pear. I looked in my bag and also saw a homemade doughnut and other assorted whale parts like the intestine and what not. After that, we went to eat at a Mexican restaurant of all places!<br /><br />The place is called Pepe's, and the logo contained an igloo with a Burro tied to the outside of it. I ordered prime rib since I didn't know how the food was, and I will have a whole three months to try it out. After eating, my eyelids grew heavy, but we all decided to check out the gravel pits and Point Barrow. We walked back to the truck and headed out to the end of the town.<br /><br />We jumped out of the truck and were struck by bitter cold and white. There were a couple of dumpsters, one said "Blubber and Carcasses ONLY" on it. We noticed some bones and baleen strewn across the ice-covered shoreline. The area we went to is at the very end of the town and is a strip of land extending into the sea, called Point Barrow. This area is where the most bears are spotted. We hacked around a bit and encountered two native women who were speeding down the road in their pickup. They said they drove the road everyday for entertainment and welcomed us to Barrow. We stick out like sore thumbs here, and everyone knows you are a tourist or scientist, but they are all nice. We went back to the hotel at about 10:00. I was in shock, it was so bright outside, it felt like 11:00 am! Anyway, I took a hot bath and went to bed.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070108119033027618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvmr4Ja998VSY4DaOzj6Lw6ztIBYGjfCOQXLmD6A_wjTYwhq1VRjtOmPSXsC7AeH0FA0FQsUE_0MGlKTagphaek5zWRWCB6Q5ZWStKO0F1rpd57f27nxGc3Zcvj8l4b0Iie81qyADljE/s320/112.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070108539939822642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9CiH1O47nAsEzNOthXvgxLlz-vhC6Zi3P1ELkRK_o-1cpb5Xh7hxFpfvrhJeuaMP80IVoOnF0M4FNxp4siFvZtRv74FQWKMDft6DMNJwoAwQ5qv5_mvmVmHiddaL9mFfPu1wCueXTzY/s320/115.jpg" border="0" /><br />Today:<br /><br />Today we got up at a leasurely hour and went into the lab. After a good night rest, I am still completely exhausted. We each have a computer at our workstation and we cleaned the place up. I found a kite in one of the drawers and put it together. The wind was perfect! My praying mantis kite hovered proudly over the research station :) I have been blogging since then. Sorry, folks, I know it isn't as exciting.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaUlBu3mqhoL8xNBDKBiKUkPn_Xrv7VKJ4SBw7Cn69imrS9iOJA99igzCiWdBA8WPjR-zd23ui8zbI86W7pVG3-Ny8X2kKd9je8JAQBNcgyqYRb_269W3s1RSCPzM2B8KQXKtrIKNhuE/s1600-h/116.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070108810522762306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaUlBu3mqhoL8xNBDKBiKUkPn_Xrv7VKJ4SBw7Cn69imrS9iOJA99igzCiWdBA8WPjR-zd23ui8zbI86W7pVG3-Ny8X2kKd9je8JAQBNcgyqYRb_269W3s1RSCPzM2B8KQXKtrIKNhuE/s320/116.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We are arriving to Barrow at a very special time, which the natives call SIKUGVIK, which is Inupiat for "Ice Breaking Time". The Arctic ice shelf is beginning to crack and break, and the snow is beginning to melt. Another researcher we met today said that we would experience winter, spring and summer in the span of about 2 weeks. We are going to take the snowmobile out later this week before all of the snow melts.<br /></div><div>This is a picture of my workstation --------></div><div><br />I am enjoying the time here and am remaining as open as I can to experience it. I am tired and fatigued, but the people I work with are all great, and I am revived by their energy and whole experience. The people and Inupiats are some of the nicest I have met and are very warm and friendly. I find that although this place may look gloomy, the life and spirit that flows through the town in its people is warm and alive. I am going to enjoy Barrow.</div></div></div></div>prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2533673698609587040.post-54897167073439764112007-05-28T16:42:00.000-07:002007-05-29T14:38:37.822-07:00The Journey<div><br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Well, at last I have arrived in Barrow. My travel was long and tiring, but I was able to have fun in the process. I began my journey in El Paso, scrambling to attain and achieve last minute items, some to no avail. I think I have reached my limits in terms of procrastination. We flew to Las Vegas, where at first glance off the plane was a lot of slot machines. My travel companions (Perry, Santonu and Alex) and I traversed through the airport and encountered an oxygen bar, lots of shops, and annoying salesmen. We hitched our next plane and flew to Seattle, where we ate plenty of food and slept on some benches. We awoke to find that our flight was switched to another gate and had to run clear across the airport to make our plane just in time. Our destination was Anchorage, with a 6 hour layover. </div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070097622132956082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvzx1PKMcz05cvpn8WXCcedJLrWyeavomfdrlpW35eWoALgFMX18oxuob46k71UXAzZgfSTcKcixXF5eMf71IMohEwYr1ZSJLmD5BQqTQD2zEDDCx6etwkwEX3LPy8Ei6CDyzvxi2LFw/s320/095.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070096599930739602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEtFdFeJdvic1IWy9St-HHSvZKBNZg549UBOlbSCAy4YQtxW6mOGykN9FfxikDvf-n1zF8rb0Y3YqYQg2fTVFuiwg_1HjZN-AmiJYAdGk6-lWoqsrEOi0x4LA1Q8LSd_DPrSJRD-IndY/s320/092.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070097119621782434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqkEcT8OfwBhicbszqSpxDWTLLYO6pAQgBJMCq4_L3UtRgXEeyRbG51aam3uPeBhbXgOTzYNhsZ4nuBFBervI2FKkLmapbaUI3-WIwt1s2lotgYN3BnbjfxvI2kJFl9almolGObTnldU/s320/093.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Anchorage is beautiful, it is surrounded by lots of trees and tall majestic mountains dusted in snow that hug the ocean. The awesome peaks could be seen from the plane pushing through the blanket of clouds than enveloped them. We went to a festival and met lots of really friendly locals with their wares. I tried some buffalo, caribou and reindeer sausage, which made me even more hungry, so we went to eat at a restaurant. The crab was delicious and fresh, and the beer was brewed in Alaska.<br />Next stop: Barrow The flight to Barrow is only 2 and a half hours, and the plane is small, the front of the plane carried luggage and cargo, and the back of it was full of passengers. The flight was not packed, so I got to spread out on the seat next to me as well. Perry and I met two guys that were also going to Barrow, one of them was a native named Cyrus and had his little boy with him. He worked on construction building the very structure I would be staying at, and said that he made very good money there, also the natives receive money from the oil company. The other one was a Korean guy whose mother owns a restaurant in Barrow. He was very talkative and gave us some pointers:<br />Many of the arctic foxes have rabies, so run!<br />It's flat and cold and windy, so dress warm.<br />Bring sunglasses, because the sun NEVER goes down in the summer.<br />He also informed us that some of the kids are hooligans, and are into meth because there is nothing else they know. :( Anyway, by the time we finished talking our plane was arriving in Deadhorse near Prudhoe Bay. We landed, let people off, two more came on, and took off. 40 minutes later we were in Barrow. I was a little wary, the airport is right next to the ice covered arctic ocean, and we were comming in at full speed. The landing was bumpy, and the plane shook as we hit the ground, where we abruptly stopped. The airport consisted of a few warehouse like buildings and we had to walk off the plane. I was excited and overwhelmed. I stepped off the plane to see nothing but WHITE EVERYWHERE. Also, the town doesn't look all that impressive, there are no paved roads and everything is mucky. I stepped into the "airport" to find a small house-sized building filled with a few people. The baggage claim was a small slide-like platform of brushed steel that some local guy threw the luggage down on one by one. We had to move other peoples' bags out of the way so it wouldn't pile up. I was happy to see our other colleague Dave there. He arrived earlier that day. So ends my traveling adventure and this blog and so begins my time in Barrow, land of the midnight sun.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070098489716349906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5-EeUK07StqWu9v7ZDBMcmHfI3GKkcB7fOmTkIWG7bF4_Otc7GcQYNCkEGNszAb9w-9nKnsvRSPr8Lw3q1TyM95Ss8HXQu8fBGF3h8TW0hyCQTbmVr1X2nAKY7A6DxwADqFGsLPKZaw/s320/100.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070097866946091970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk5nvhstO-gkhaN1q35bWlqklyRt1l0PxrjoEfnY_k1LP7Om4m06EyC7Ts_UufKuWQ8C5DGhQyWzczjOiP4oJblgUk9_kMlgp5-H_O-ImzorD8vRi7Wl7gnmB-b2eQ3iZfCd8emtibnE/s320/098.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070099232745692130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXBf8tN53clm58yzoLptf1N4vGlpoBLcu78abkXlDZ83csZrlFD4o0TSveMf9ckqb0BwobU_gKqDK-z5J_DiOnmdyt_Y9wmkSg6Aj7SRvP65ISDEAY7boHQc5b5fSWXTafcqvt5kujMc/s320/101.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070099838336080882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtX4Sq6HWdyDWJNxmN7iDweWBlTDURBWHowXT2fEMdcFBdg7w7iXMf4kAiFeiYdgXBsrU6l98ZGmNh7CN2rb0D572VLAiq6WwPKNqfBGYiz-0iQO8I9CStRkuWNH3moGcBYBa2ThyNnzw/s320/104.jpg" border="0" />prancing fawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434082761435919518noreply@blogger.com0