We are rained in today. Yuk, and after a beautiful day yesterday.
Hard to believe we’ve been here more than a week. Today is the summer solstice – from here on out is will be all downhill! Funny how quickly you can adjust to sleeping when the sun is still shining.
This is definitely bear country. The helicopter pilot has seen grizzly bears everyday. Yesterday morning, after I got dropped off, I had a radio message from Russell saying that there were fresh bear tracks just down stream from me. How not to make somebody’s day! Fortunately I didn’t ever see the bear - just fresh scat. The crew has yet to see a bear face to face in the field, but the potential is definitely there. The helicopter pilot (apparently worked as an “Eye in the Sky” somewhere) has a great eye for game, so we usually see moose and caribou on the flights to and from the field.
The helicopter is actually a lot of fun - getting in and out, not so much fun. Taking stream samples is OK, if you can find enough fine material. Walking in between them is hard work. We are eating like horses – I have dessert everyday as well as cooked breakfasts! I thought I would have lots of interesting stories to tell, but at the end of the day all we want to do is overdose on ibuprofen and sleep until the next day.
This is definitely bear country. The helicopter pilot has seen grizzly bears everyday. Yesterday morning, after I got dropped off, I had a radio message from Russell saying that there were fresh bear tracks just down stream from me. How not to make somebody’s day! Fortunately I didn’t ever see the bear - just fresh scat. The crew has yet to see a bear face to face in the field, but the potential is definitely there. The helicopter pilot (apparently worked as an “Eye in the Sky” somewhere) has a great eye for game, so we usually see moose and caribou on the flights to and from the field.
The helicopter is actually a lot of fun - getting in and out, not so much fun. Taking stream samples is OK, if you can find enough fine material. Walking in between them is hard work. We are eating like horses – I have dessert everyday as well as cooked breakfasts! I thought I would have lots of interesting stories to tell, but at the end of the day all we want to do is overdose on ibuprofen and sleep until the next day.
5 comments:
Mom,
It looks like you are having a really good time up/over there. I NEVER thought I'd be the last one left in the Lower 48. I, too, would like a bear skin rug. Or maybe just a photo of a bear.
Katie (my landlady friend) says don't you dare get eaten because she definitely needs to meet you.
I'm so proud of you for heading off on an adventure that is all your own!
Lots of love, Melissa.
Marian, pics are looking amazing AND it sounds like you're having an awesome experience too. Enjoy! & keep keeping us posted :-) Luv Githa
Marian, it sounds like you're having a great, but strenuous time there in AK. I wish there was a way that you could put a label on the photographs in your blog. Great photos, Marian, but what plant is it that you picture?
We heard that a bicyclist was mauled by a grizzly bear in AK recently.
Keep your blog going.
Francis Jones
I had to create a new password for this google account. I will absolutely try to remember this one. I love the photos and finally figured out tonight they they can be enlarged. We are having waffles sunday in your honor with fresh picked blackberries. Do you want buckwheat waffles? or white flour waffles? speaking of ballet slippers -- are there dances that are indigenous to Alaska? And I think this blogging was a totally great idea.
Diana
Marian,
Commander Andy, your chopper Pilot will always get you out and home safe.
It was a great time. Friendships for a life time.
"All Set" and coming up were the words you will remember as we blasted off.
Commander Andy
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