It takes a while to realize, but scientists are never alone in the field. Throughout my career as a marine scientist, I have spent quite a bit of time away from my dog, family and friends. If we want to get specific with it, within the last 12 months, I have tagged along on two month-long research cruises to the Aleutian Archipelago, a three-week field study in Baja California Sur, and two weeks in Catalina at a research station, not to mention still pursuing grad school in San Diego, and all that entails.
By no means am I complaining; these experiences have been exhilarating, exciting, exhausting, and have tested me in ways beyond words. There is something extremely gratifying about learning something new every single day. And although it is really difficult to be away from home for so long, I find myself at peace in the field. It’s the snot-rockets, sailor’s mouth, cut up hands, and numb toes. But, it isn’t just me in the field. I certainly could not be here without the people that I love. It’s the little things that people do that are simple, but truly make all the difference. My dad made sure to grab me a pair of tool-dipped gloves. Mom ensured I had enough medication in case something happens at sea. My partner giving me every article of wool clothing he owned. My brother watching my pup, Ed Ricketts. My grandma knitting me a beanie. My best friend always getting me pumped and jacked for fieldwork. My Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins and Friends ALWAYS check in and wish luck and safety before a trip. And lastly, Ed Ricketts for always welcoming me home. I can keep going, but I think you get the point. The little things, from the people I love, remind me that the projects that I am helping with are for all of us. Finding answers to biological processes is the crux of human existence, and will continue to be, regardless of the current political climate. The beauty is that science will never give you a “yes” or “no” answer; It will only guide you to the next set of questions to ask… and a new place to adventure. Tris
2 Comments
0500 Olympia -> SEA-TAC Airport
0800 Seattle -> 1000 Anchorage 1400 Anchorage -> 1730 Adak 2,385 mi Old habits die hard, because as far as I’m concerned, sleeping through the night before a month-long research trip will never happen. It is no secret that I get this from my mom, the master of scattered sleep, half-drank coffee and remembering things in the middle of the night. And to be totally honest, I welcome this sort of ritual. During the night, I awoke to gather the following commodities: 0100: Drysuit hose to add air to my drysuit for buoyancy and warmth. I guess I sort of need that… 0217: Colin’s thin wool socks. I had to sneakily pillage his sock drawer for these bad boys. 0345: False alarm… I thought the alarm went off… 0400: Ok- it actually is going off now And just like that, Colin was up and tackling the coffee initiative, while I was gracefully face-down. We finished our coffee, got in the car, and were off! An hour later, we were at SEATAC. We said our goodbyes, and as I carried my 47.7 lb. “warmest things I own” bag to the kiosk, I took a second look back to see Colin giving me a fist-pump of support. Not sure why, but a fist-pump of support is really a powerful thing. Next time you take someone to the airport, test it out and see if it works for you. Anyways, I made it through TSA, and made my way to the gate to wait for Claire and Parker…Coincidentally, my best friends from college, Claire and Parker, had been randomly booked for the same flight as me! They were off to the Pribilofs for a month to help monitor the population of fur seals that are native to the island in the Bearing Sea. For Claire and I, this is our destiny. Somehow Claire and Parker had convinced the guy sitting next to them to switch with me, which was amazing, because we had ~3 hours to just talk like old-times. Also, as an added bonus, as Claire and I were talking the stewardess came by and asked what we would like to drink, and without hesitation, we both ordered bloody mary mix. We were chatting with the stewardess about how we knew each other from college, then she slipped us a little something for the bloody mary’s. Score. After we landed, Claire and Parker headed out to grab perishables for their trip from various locations in Anchorage. Shortly after, I met up with my labmates, then we boarded to head off to Adak to meet up with the RV Oceanus. Our flight was easy and 1500 miles later, we were greeted by an oasis in the shape of a mountain. We were in Adak. The ominous glisten of the dark blue water, paired with the brilliant glare of the midnight sun through the hazy sky, was a welcome to the Aleutian Archipelago. |