25 January 2013 Temperatures are dropping and so are our team members- Meet Garrett

Journal

Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all together

Let the sky fall
When it crumbles
We will stand tall
Face it all together
At skyfall
That skyfall
Thanks Adele

It’s that time when folks are leaving and we get to say “see ya back in Florida”. Many of us different flights and our numbers are dwindling. As our team numbers drop so does the temperature.

16 F in Anchorage and dropping — 16 F in Anchorage and Dropping

Garrett and Mrs. Fran Hayden — Garrett and Mrs Fran Hayden saying See ya soon It's been real

Tonight as I took a walk a long Cook Inlet I felt the need to do some extra bundling as my cheeks felt like they were burning. Freezing cold or not, I am glad I took the walk outside in Alaska, as I only have a few hours left in this beautiful place that I have come to deeply love.

Taking Cover - Chilling Temperatures along Cook Inlet

Cook Inlet walking/cross country skiing trails

Not only do I love the place but the people too. While I was not able to see my dear friends from ARCUS this trip, I did get to see one of their brothers. In the 15 minutes we were with him, Doug Warbuton had us all bedazzled with his great stories of Alaskan life and stories of the bush. He talked about how things, like food, in the “bush” (way way out of town in Alaska) were super expensive.

Shireen, George, Garrett, Elizabeth, Doug W.- Janet's Brother — Part of our group, Shirreen, her dad George, Garrett, Elizabeth E, and Doug W- the next best thing to ARCUS's Janet W- her brother.

Meet Garrett

My experience in Alaska

My time in Alaska has been a thrill. From playing in the snow, to poster sessions, to the field trip the Seward, to interviewing the coolest scientist, this trip has changed my life. I was able to interview George Divoky. After that I realized just how hardcore he really is. He goes out for up to 3 months by himself to a chunk of sea ice 30 miles away from the larger city of Barrow, to Cooper island to protect birds.

He has a group called Friends of Cooper Island and you can help support his mission to protect black guillemots by purchasing a box for their eggs so that polar bears can’t get them. The St. Mark Builders Club donated to this cause last year. Check it out: http://www.cooperisland.org/

Garret interviewing and John filming George Divoky world renowned ornithologist

Also when at the poster session I learned how they measure the growth of seal whiskers. They do this by looking at them and measuring the length between the lumps on the whiskers.

This truly was one of the coolest experiences in my life. I hope that I get to attend it again someday.

Garrett Guinan

Decompression time at the Moose's Tooth in Anchorage

What does Garrett have in common with David Letterman??? They have both interviewed Dr. George Divoky

Meet Dr. George Divoky

I had the pleasure of meeting George last May (2012) in Barrow Alaska at the Arctic Science Symposium for teachers and researchers. I was immediately draw to him because he is an ornithologist and he studies near Barrow Alaska. It was my great pleasure to talk with him on several occasions. He had some interesting thoughts about his transitions from Seattle (where he lives) to Fairbanks, Barrow and Coopers Island where he also lives.

Do we really have a false sense of security? or sustainability? What do you think?

Please watch.

http://youtu.be/tFq_Wtn017E

...Want MORE of Dr. George Divoky?

http://youtu.be/beuZhAeJxfk