Tuesday June 8--Finally here!

Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 24

We arrived at Toolik Lake late last night, after about a 10 hour drive up the Dalton Highway from Fairbanks. The haul road was built for the construction of the Alaska Pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. Both the road and the pipeline are amazing structures, especially the bridge across the Yukon River!
"We" includes 2 researchers; Michelle Mack, Donie Bret-Harte, 3 recent graduates; Stephanie, Seeta and Bryce, and myself.
I'm very impressed with the motivation and ambition of these recent grads. After 16 years of schooling they're so eager to put their degrees to work, and have found this very cool opportunity to spend their whole summer "roughing it" as research assistants on the Arctic tundra.
Right now we're unpacking, and setting up the lab.
This afternoon we'll explore the test plots and will learn more about the science of the project.
As an interesting footnote, we had a great sighting of a beautiful blond grizzly bear relaxing on the tundra this side of the Endicott Mts. of the Brooks Range! We also saw some very nimble Dall Sheep climbing around the cliffs!

This is the mess hall and galley where everyone gathers for 3 awesome meals a day!

This is a picture of my sleeping quarters. It's called a weather port.