22 April 2014 Grounded, Again

Another Day, Another Weather Day

The weather once again kept us grounded today. I guess every five years so it seems that the spring weather here in Kanger is pretty bad for the OIB team. Thus far the temperature has probably been above freezing for maybe a few hours, at most, while I've been here. Clouds have covered the sky about 1 day in 3 and the winds have generally cooperated. But probably more important than the weather here is the weather in our target areas. We've done the west coast (= better weather) side already and now must try to get the last high priority mission on the east side (= almost always worse weather). But we're going nowhere today.

Tomorrow is my last full day here. Hopefully I will be able to get one more flight in. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each member of the team and witness firsthand how they work together to keep this project functioning. There are a lot of moving parts, both literally and figuratively, and yet far more often than not they mesh seamlessly and few things ever seem to go wrong. The OIB crew deserves credit for their attention to detail, day in and day out. The long hours the instrument teams and flight crew put in are humbling, to say the least. I greatly appreciate the generosity and patience shown to me during my time year. Thank you all.

It should also be noted that my wife and kids have also sacrificed mightily for this endeavor of mine. Thank you guys for all you have done to make this happen. It has been difficult to be away from you for so long but I have been comforted knowing the kids are in the best of hands. It will be wonderful to see you all soon.

I'll write a few more journal entries to tie up some loose ends here and there.
But I am going to keep this one short as I have much to do to prepare for my departure.

Artistic Rendering

One of the many wonderful benefits of digital photograph is that in one second your color photo can be made into a black and white. I have now spent quite a few hours looking out the window at Greenland in its late winter throws. And I've often wondered why I have even bothered to take color photographs. Sometimes the blue of glacier ice or the open water will bring an image to life - and believe me, ANY color stands out in this terrain - but for the most part Greenland is a two-toned world. Black and white can work here. Since I have no new photographs to show today, allow me to present four pictures, none of which I have put in my journals, yet (I think), that have been converted to black and white. I rather like the look. Let me know what you think.

Happy Earth Day, everyone!!!