12 July 2008 Are you Kidding? Is it really time to go? I just got here!

Journal

Thanks Elton John and Bernie Taupin – you are both my all time favorite!

*Turn me loose from your hands Let me fly to distant lands Over green fields, trees and mountains Flowers and forest fountains Home along the lanes of the skyway…

…For just a Skyline Pigeon Dreaming of the open Waiting for the day He can spread his wings And fly away again Flyaway skyline pigeon fly Towards the dreams You've left so very far behind

Just let me wake up in the morning To the smell of new mown hay To laugh and cry, to live and die In the brightness of my day… *

Wow 33 days. I am trying hard not to have any regrets, but if I did have any, (ha - I am sliding them in) it would have been that I took more time to watch birds and that I would have pressed flowers. But that’s pretty much it. Not too bad I suppose.

My mom always said you have to leave something to do next time… but will there really be a next time here in Barrow during the summer? I am still trying to talk Rob into coming in December – but so far he is against that idea. Whether or not I return, Barrow has a **piece of me and I have a piece of Barrow! **

After the changing of the guards – well it wasn’t that dramatic, but I turned Sophie the Uni Spec over to Jose and I walked to the control shed and laid down outside for a bit. I just watched the clouds cruising by at 22 miles per hour. They were going so fast. It was nice be **still **in such an amazing sensitive area.

To Paulo and Jose- Have a wonderful summer and YES I will miss you both dearly! You are both such awesome people, it has been my pleasure and honor to spend so much time with you.

I realize that in these type situations you may or may not meet with people again – but rest assured I will be pestering both of you and Steve to visit St. Mark and share your life in the tundra with kids! So you will see me again!

Thanks for your kindness, your time and your humor Paulo. I am sorry (lo siento) if I drove you crazy with questions or when I skipped plots, of course I still can't believe I missed a plot! I realize that this data is important to your LIFE and have been paranoid about blowing your whole doctorate degree with one fatal mistake! You do a great job of teaching and managing people. I have enjoyed your stories of Costa Rica and look forward to going there someday! You are an inspirational guy!

Jose, it is rare for me to see such hard work out of someone so young. I really do need you to talk to not only my students, but please consider visiting the school where your mom works and sharing your experiences. It has been nice to learn about the tundra with you! Thanks for answering the millions of questions I have asked you. It is nice to listen to the mind of a 21 year old. You are insightful and wise, beyond your years.

Dr. Steve – Thank you, thank you. Although I was your 10th or 20th choice for the project I was glad that I got to be here. LOL (laugh out loud in kid language)

Do you know when I first met you, I was so intimidated **by you? I guess it is your height! But knowing you for the time that you were here reduced my anxiety very much and very quicklly. You are an amazing teacher. I said to Kim Miller more than once that I loved to watch your face when you were talking or teaching about the tundra. There is a **light in your eyes that looked like it flooded out of your soul with excitement. Truly, you radiate a ZEST for life! I am sure that you had those same child like surprised eyes as you explored the Galapagos Islands. I look forward to seeing you in the fall!

So what next? – as I said I will be writing from road… so please tune in and drop me a note here and there.

We got into the ARCTIC OCEAN this morning. It was more than exhilarating. AHHHHHH! – NO regrets here!