1 September 2007 Reflections on a Lake Coring Adventure

After returning home from my expedition to start my school year I have been greatly inspired by the team I have come to know as my research family:Caleb, Darrell, Heidi, Chris, and Eric. These devoted people and others who we interacted with along the way are much more than typical working colleagues . They live and work together 24-7 with common, demanding goals. They have data to collect on a tight time-frame in uncontrollable weather and other demanding environmental conditions. Problem-solving is a way of life for the team and critical thinking and training in a variety of science and life skills are basic requirements. This team does not work out of a field station. The Arctic tundra is their laboratory during the field season. They are tent and boat builders, equipment assemblers, packaging and moving experts, cooks and clean-up crews, card-players, photographers, and nature-lovers. Their work is important to them, and to us, if people only knew how important their work is to an understanding of our Arctic world. My experiences with these dedicated scientists and friends will remain with me the rest of my life. I wish to thank them for their willingness to devote their time to answering difficult environmental questions and allowing me to experience it with them.