Henry B. Bigelow

Having an absolutely amazing time out here-- sighted many whale species (just saw two blue whales a few hours ago), lots of dolphins, and mola molas. On June 19th, dozens of dolphins surrounded the ship. Miniature dolphin calves swam next to their protective mothers while the others had a hell of a time jumping and dancing with each other. Just lovely. I went down to the weatherdecks and listened to them chattering.

You can track us in real-time here--just select Henry B. Bigelow as the ship.

My "official" NOAA blog is up and running! Find it here.

A Whale of an Adventure Begins

Traveled all day yesterday to board the NOAA ship Henry B. Bigelow at the Newport, RI naval base. As part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Teacher at Sea program, I get to join scientists monitoring whale populations for the next week and a half in the Gulf of Maine!

Hoooo weee!

Pictures of the ship to come, as well as a link to my “official” NOAA blog that will be up and running in the next few days.

Family Time

Moving Day

Moved in with Ramon at the opposite end of our little dirt lane, said hello and goodbye to friends, and fought tarantulas. Not too much boat work getting done around here.

Let the dreaming begin!

This guy just came in the mail.

1,000 routes from the South Seas to the Arctic!

Boat Break: Austin in Bloom

It is just past Mother's Day and Rio Grande City is already ablaze with daily highs over 100 degrees, white-hot skies, and a dry wind that blankets everything in dust. Here on the ranch, calves are failing to thrive, and the ranch owner has sold many of his cattle at auction. My lovely crimson mandevillas turn pale pink after a couple of days in the sun, and everything else is just a crunchy, grayish brown. Even my lines plan blueprints, tacked onto my workbench in full shade, have aged 50 years.

I was beginning to feel like I was living in Cormac McCarthy's “The Road,” so last weekend, Ramon and I escaped this post-apocalyptic landscape to Austin, Texas. I wasn't after live music, food (although something not fried and not filled with meat sounded awfully good), or night life. This Iowan wanted to see something, anything green. We poked through gardens anywhere we could find them-- in neighborhoods, restaurants, parks, and the university. It was wonderful.

6 frames up + boatshop kitties