22 August 2019 Final Day on the USCGC Healy

Today was bittersweet as we packed up the labs downstairs, freshwater washed our mustang suits, and did our final loads of laundry. We have continuously steamed toward Nome since 1am this morning without stopping. Although my time on the Healy is coming to a close, I have had an amazing experience that I will carry to my classroom and beyond. I have have to thank Dr. Lee Cooper and Dr. Jackie Grebmeier for the opportunity to help them with their research and making me feel welcomed on the benthic team. All of the researchers and Coast Guard crew have made this expedition fun and exciting. Although I am far from my home state of New Hampshire, there have been some reminders of home. Evan Twarog, a recent USCG Academy graduate, is from Keene, New Hampshire and we have chatted throughout this trip about growing up in what we like to call "the shire". I am looking forward to sharing my experience with my students and to continue working with polar scientists to further communication between researchers and the public.