Monday, October 10, 2005

6:02 PM

I woke up at the wonderful time of 4:30 a.m. this morning to pack my things, say goodbye, and get ready for my flight.

I can't believe how quickly the time went in Winnepeg and Churchill. Going to school on the arctic tundra with polar bears outside is a little bit more interesting than sitting in a crowded classroom in your own city. I am really going to miss everyone involved, and of course email me if you are ever in San Diego. It was really amazing that we could build such great friendships in just a week. I really want to thank Robert and Carolyn for putting in so much work and having such a positive and happy attitude throughout the entire trip. All the teachers were so interesting and informative, and I learned so many new things every day. All the people at Frontiers North were great, and I want to thank the entire town of Churchill, which was so welcome and accommodating.

I want to let everyone at PBI and anyone who read the journal know that the goal of the camp was accomplished. I care more about the arctic and the consequences of human actions more than I ever thought I could. I can't wait to start talking to people about my experience. I want to let everyone know the arctic is a harsh, but beautiful place that is worth protecting.

Friday, October 7, 2005

8:53 PM

This morning we woke up to find another beautiful day. Apparently Churchill has 7 days of overcast sky for every day of sunshine. So I guess after we leave they're due for 35 of days of horrible weather. I actually got to drive one of the tundra buggies today, and it handles well, with power steering and a really comfortable, shock-absorbing driver's seat.

We saw more bears today (our count is up to 9 individuals) and also more arctic hares and and a flock of ptarmigan (medium size birds that are changing color from brown to white)

We had a nice session of polar bear poem reading back at the lodge, here is part of mine:

Their beautiful fur is white like the snow
When the ice freezes, its time to go
Getting to the arctic, they seem to greet you,
just keep in mind, they would happily eat you

Beautiful.

This is our last night in the lodge, hopefully we'll get a show of northern lights once more before we go. I have my eyes out the window.

Thursday, October 6, 2005

6:51 PM

Last night I saw the northern lights for the first time, and they are one of the coolest things I have ever seen. They're a surreal green-blending-into-red color and they kind of ripple all the way across the sky. We got on the roof of the buggies to get a better view and you could see their refelction on the Hudson Bay. (I was pretty cold)

There were some more interactions among the bears today and we saw two new subadults and some other new mature bears. We also went further into effects of global warming and discussed ways to explain to others and get them to care about it.

I want to say hi to All Hallows Academy, Encanto, La Jolla Elemantary, or any other classes reading my journals. I really appreciate your attention, and I'll try to keep it interesting.

The bear that has been sleeping by the lodge just got up so I'll go look at him now.

See you guys later, and keep reading.

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

8:07 PM

Today was our first full day on the tundra, in the the lodge trailers and we were lucky enough to see a mother and two cubs, probably the same ones as yesterday. We're starting to notice that one of the cubs is more adventurous than the other, staying farther behind mom and going up directly to the lodge. He also vocalizes when he doesn't want to leave the lodge (probably because of the smell)

Out in the buggies today we saw an arctic fox along a frozen pond and we began to talk about the science behind the climate change that will affect these amazing animals that we are living among.

Being out here, where in any direction all you see is tundra and rocks or bay, it makes me want to learn more about how to protect these organisms. Now I can appreciate their ability to survive in a place where I can't get by without a big trailer, insulated jacket, and hand warmers.

Tomorrow we'll be out in the buggies, and hopefully see mom and cubs again.

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

9:55 PM

We have arrived on the tundra lodge, a train of raised trailers with Tundra Buggies (reminiscent of a white school bus on steroids) branching off like modules. As we arrived, a male bear of about 6-7 years was laying down, almost as though he was posing for us in the afternoon sun.

An hour or two later, a mother with two yearling cubs approached from the northeast. She sniffed the air and eventually chased away the male who was still sitting near the tundra lodge. The mother and cubs sniffed around and came very near to the lodge, and I emptied a roll of film on the mother, cubs and the male.

Earlier today, we took a helicopter ride to a maternity den on the edge of a lake to the south of the town of Churchill. We all had the chance to crawl into the den (unoccupied), which was about 3' high 5' wide and stretched into the embankment of the lake for about 15' before widening into a muddy, circular chamber. I felt pretty cramped turning around inside the den, but I guess the bears can handle it.

Tomorrow we will go out in the Tundra Buggies, hopefully sighting the mother and cubs again.

Monday, October 3, 2005

6:01 PM

I got to know Churchill a little bit better today, taking a bus to some of the interesting sights in the town.

We stopped by the beach on the Hudson Bay, and I felt the North Wind for the first time. Stepping out of the bus, the wind felt as though someone was pushing me backwards by the chest and bombarding any uncovered part of my body with stinging droplets of water. The water of the bay is a deep grey and the bordering tundra is a golden brown, dotted with clusters of trees that have been shaped and twisted by the constant wind.

Now I can say I have a somewhat greater appreciation of the environment the polar bears live in, and we did see our first bear today!

It was a subadult near the dump outside town and he was casually walking about 250 yards away from us, speeding up until he disappeared into some brush.

Tomorrow, hopefully you'll hear about their dens.

Monday, October 3, 2005

5:50 PM

Sorry about the delay, internet access isn't always predictable here.

We flew into Churchill yesterday, and there is a very big difference between here and Winnipeg. The small town seems to be gripping into the ground against the heavy winds that blow across the grey, white-capped Hudson Bay.

The people here are full of hospitality and warmth, but they seem to have a toughness that comes from living in such an extreme location and living so close to the environment.

I am looking forward to seeing animals that appear the same way.
(except maybe the hospitality)

Saturday, October 1, 2005

4:34 PM

Surprise! My first day in Canada, and it's about 70 degrees! Today we walked through downtown Winnepeg and saw more than 60 polar bear sculptures adorned with colorful murals and props. They were lined down the streets and park, and were to benefit cancer.

Rob Taylor, a professional wildlife photographer, gave us a presentation on his experiencesl and work. Now I really can't wait to start taking pictures.

I truly admire the scientists, artists, and nature enthusiasts who are travelling with us, they have a such a love and passion for what they do, it makes me realize that one of the most important things in life is doing something that makes you happy.

I was glad to meet all these people who share the same interests as me, and Iook forward to updating tomorrow from Churchill.

Talk to everyone later!

Sunday, September 25, 2005

1:04 PM

It's a pleasant 75 degrees outside with a light breeze here in San Diego, but I am incredibly excited about going to a place with 30-something degree weather, frozen winds, and a gathering of large carnivores.

I leave for Canada in less than a week and I'm almost done buying the things I need. I felt kind of stupid in the store wearing a parka and rabbit fur hat.

My friends and teachers know that I'll be gone for a while, and for the most part, are excited. Although, I've had to explain a few times that "No I will not be frolicking with the polar bears. They would eat me."

I'm trying to get my schoolwork done before I go since I doubt I'll be in the mood for quadratic functions or the Articles of Confederation while studying polar bears.

More updates soon, see you