Finally made it to the Ice!!!!

We spent about five days working in the Arctic and I just about thought I would never get to see any ice. But finally the other day we went more north and there were patches of pancake ice everywhere! It was really great and I am especially very lucky because I get to work on the barge where we had an opportunity to get up close and personal with the ice. We went right up to the ice and took pictures touching it and fooled around licking it and inspecting it as if we have never seen ice before. But you know...how many opportunities will I really get to have this great experience so it sure did seem new and exciting. Plus after spending days in the cold open ocean without a sign that we were in the Arctic it was a blessing to have ice everywhere.

Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS Amundsen)

I made it to the ship and we are in the Arctic! Things have been hectic and I hope to have more time soon to share this experience and to make sure I document it to remember everything. Below are a few pictures. We took the small place from Inuvik to Sachs Harbor, and then the Canadian Coast Guard Helicopter to the ship. I sometimes work off of the barge which is about a 25 foot barge that is attached to the ship when not in use. When we are ready to go take the optical measurements of the ocean we deploy the barge into the water and walk down a ladder onto it from the main ship. I will show more pictures soon, but because I am on the barge I am able to take pictures of the ship, The Amundsen just like the one below.

More to come soon. I need to get some sleep!!!!!!