Hello! I have some updated information on my Teacher At Sea Adventure!
As many of you may know, the trip with the Thomas G. Thompson fell through. (Insert sad emoticon face). As I came to understand the situation, boats break - apparently quite frequently - and who would even guess that spare parts aren't just laying around for pickup and installation? There was a problem with the boat's steering - thankfully there wasn't a problem with the steering when we were out at sea! The mechanics needed to create a whole new part for the boat! This is something I never really thought of until I realized that boat repair works quite differently than say, car repair. Acquiring a new boat part is not exactly like asking the neighbors for a cup of sugar. It made me appreciate the work that boat mechanics do for our ships - what talented and dedicated individuals!
But...ta da! I will now be a crew member on the Oscar Dyson, a NOAA research vessel that will be completing a stock assessment survey on Walleye Pollock - a quite delicious fish that I've only ever seen garnished with butter and seasoning. I will be leaving in the end of July and returning just before I have to report back to work for school to begin next year. I am so excited to be a part of this crew, and I'm excited to be going on the adventure of a lifetime!
A side note on Alaskan Pollock: Alaskan (Pacific) Pollock is listed as a "Good Alternative" on the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch list. In Alaska, it is a wild caught fish. As I looked on the data chart provided by Monterrey Bay, all regions of the US list this type of fish as a "Good Alternative." So, in my initial glances from a source I trust, Pollock is fished responsibly and sustainably in the United States! So Chow Down, people! Not only is it delicious, it's responsible!
As far as my travel itinerary goes, I will be flying to Anchorage. Then, (and this is so good!) I get to take a TRAIN through the Alaska Wilderness to get to my Port of Call. I can't begin to describe how stoked I am for the train ride - first because I know I won't get lost, and second - someone else is "driving" so I get to spend the WHOLE ride checking out wildlife, the ocean side, and (of course) the rocks! I will be sure to report immediately on any bear sightings - and it will be from the safety of my boxcar.
I am excited to get going! Look for more updates in the next couple of weeks as I gather information about the research and get prepared to set sail!
If you can't wait that long, please visit www.teacheratsea.noaa.gov to take a gander at my colleagues who are currently doing research! They have such great information to share, and one person is currently working on the ship which I will soon be sailing! It sounds like he is having a blast.
Thanks for following me, everyone! Feel free to post comments or questions at any time - remember they are public!
