15 October 2009 Prudhoe Bay

Location:** Lat**: 70 38.064 N** Long**: 148 25.211 W

Sunrise: 9:15 am Sunset: 6:02 pm

****Yesterday and today we have been anchored about 20 miles off the coast of Prudhoe Bay. We had some supplies to pick up (tomatoes, milk, fresh veggies and more cereal) as well as a Native American observer.

We have just lifted anchor to set off towards Banks Island, Canada to capture one bear who wondered over there. In order to capture this bear, the research team had to file for a permit with the Canadian Government. One of the requirements when given the permit is to have a Native American observer on board to help out with the operation.

The main job of this person is to help the research team in their search for the bear and to help avoid hunting areas. Also, the idea is that through the observer, the scientists can also inform the community as to what they are doing with the polar bears and their research.

Since not much science can happen while anchored in the bay, we have taken the past two days as time to lead our lives as normal. For example, I used this time to read a good book on a comfy couch I discovered in the library on board.

Those who know me, know my love of yoga - it was nice to have a free afternoon to complete a yoga class in my state room. However, balancing poses were slightly more challenging as the boat swayed from being in open water. I toppled over in tree pose onto my bunk! It was also hard to maintain mental focus as announcements kept coming over the pipe. There was even an alarm about toxic chemicals and we all had to muster (gather up) in the hanger while they cleared out the gases - don't worry, everything was fine in less than five minutes.

Merav took advantage of the excellent barber shop on board to get her hair cut. The service there was outstanding!

It was odd as I looked out from the bridge last night, and saw lights for the first time in three weeks. I could see lights from the oil rigs and even saw a car traveling down a lonely road.

It was somehow comforting to know that once again we were close enough to civilization to see signs of others in the distant. Prudhoe Bay is a large oil field on Alaska's North Slope. It is estimated that it holds 25 billion barrels of oil; about 400,000 barrels of oil are produced there each day. Prudhoe Bay is the start of the Trans Alaskan Pipeline that carries the oil across the state - the same pipeline I visited in Fairbanks while there for training in February (check out the Feb. 27 journal for more details and pics!)

Tomorrow we will be headed eastward - all the way towards Banks Island, Canada. I look forward to staring at the vast ocean waters and ice pans as we travel while searching for signs of marine wildlife. I have yet to see any whales and am hopeful that tomorrow might be a good opportunity for some sightings.