Journal
Camaraderie And Lasagna

Saturday evenings on the Healy have usually included a "morale event". A different group prepares the evening meal to give the regular crew a break, and there are often movies or other activities afterward. This week was the science group's turn to prepare dinner. A few weeks back we met to discuss menu possibilities and food choices, and we decided upon lasagna, roasted broccoli, garlic bread, and cake. Preparing a meal for 140 people in a moving kitchen was challenging, but we pulled off a great meal while enjoying the opportunity to give something back to the regular mess cooks who have fed us so well during this expedition.

With no ice in sight, the Healy has been traveling steadily southward as we continue toward port in Seward. The work of preparing to unload equipment and supplies once we reach port continues, and I continue to reflect on the Arctic's amazing life!

I have been continually in awe of the diversity of life found in the Arctic. This image, collected via the ROV, shows an abundance of organisms associated with this rock on the seafloor.

Rock Life
An abundance of Arctic life may be found on this rock. Photo Credit: The Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands, NOAA, UAF, Oceaneering-DSSI

The ROV captured images of this arctic skate and benthic shrimp.

Arctic Skate
Artcic Skate. Photo Credit: The Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands, NOAA, UAF, Oceaneering-DSSI
Benthic Shrimp
Benthic Shrimp. Photo Credit: The Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands, NOAA, UAF, Oceaneering-DSSI

PolarConnect

You don't want to miss the opportunity to hear about the expedition and ask the scientists questions. Join the scientists and me on August 8th at 2 PM ADT (6 PM EDT) for PolarConnect. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information or registration, go to: https://www.polartrec.com/polar-connect/register

Question And Answer

What has been your favorite part of this PolarTREC journey?

Details
Author
Sandra Thornton
Date
Expedition
Chukchi Sea Borderland
Weather Summary
Foggy.
Temperature
12.21 C (53.98 F); Water Temperature: 10.871 C

View Comments

Comments

Mon, 08/08/2016 - 06:40

Judy Fahnestock

I can't believe that you are on your way back! What an amazing trip. I bet your dinner was received well. Do you remember your approximate location when you no longer could see ice?

Mon, 08/08/2016 - 16:20

Deanna Wheeler

I am amazed as the variety of organisms that you are seeing on the bottom. I am learning a lot!!! Thanks, Sandra.

Mon, 08/15/2016 - 05:55

Sandra Thornton

Judy - I also find it difficult to believe that I have been to the Arctic and am now back home in 90+ F weather with a heat advisory! I went back to my travel journal and see that we were in pretty heavy ice during transit to the mooring on August 3rd, but no ice in sight on August 4th. Because we moved so much, I generally recorded location in the morning, so we were between 71.358 N and 70.141 N latitude when ice was no longer around.

Mon, 08/15/2016 - 05:56

Sandra Thornton

Thanks, Deanna. The big-picture message that I took home was the biodiversity - from micro to mammal - found in the Arctic. It was amazing to watch the ROV footage - both benthic and pelagic!