Yesterday was full of snow and wind and all things blizzard-related. Today was overcast and cloudy, but much nicer weather-wise! And, because of the improved weather, our technology and connectivity worked much, much better!
We start every morning by driving Buggy One out on the tundra, away from the lodge, so that we can focus on the broadcasts we do without interruption. You can see a virtual tour of Buggy One by following these instructions: go to http://www.tundrabuggy.com then, go to “The Tundra Buggy Adventure” at top right of page. Next, go to the right side of the page to “What is Tundra Buggy One?” and then “Click here to experience a 3D model of Tundra Buggy One.” The buggy is really amazing and quite large!
We started our morning with a videoconference through Vanderbilt Virtual School with seven schools across the United States. Everything was perfect today…all connectivity was great, and we were so excited that things “just worked” today. The really exciting thing about the videoconference is that while we were presenting, a mother and two cubs approached Buggy One, walked around, and then the mother stood up, leaning on the side of the buggy. We were able to put a video camera outside the buggy and show the students the live video feed of the bears. They all gasped with excitement, and that reaction brought a smile to all of our faces!!
That videoconference was followed by our second of three webcasts through the Apple Learning Interchange. This webcast focused on the issues affecting the polar bears. We conducted the webcast for an hour, and it was a great experience! Then we had one more videoconference during the afternoon…with the AP Statistics class at St. George’s Independent School in Collierville, TN (which is the school where I work). Then, our “broadcast work” was done for the day, and we were able to start other activities we all had that were related to our “real” jobs.
While we were out on the tundra during the last videoconferences, the heater on our buggy ran out of fuel, so it got very cold very quickly on the buggy! Everyone put on their coats and drank a cup of coffee or tea to warm up. It was snowing lightly, and the temperature had dropped, so it was surprising how quickly the buggy became cold!
We drove to the Tundra Buggy Lodge once the videoconferences were over so we could refuel the heater.
It was an interesting process because a scout had to climb on top of the adjacent buggy to watch for bears, and an armed guard (who was Geoff York this time) stood outside next to B.J. while he refueled the heater. Polar bears normally do not rush a human and attack, but bears are bears, and polar bears are predators, so it is very important that all workers are protected when they are out on the snow.
Once that task was finished, we drove back out on the tundra to work a bit more and relax for a while. We all actually went out on the snow for photo taking. But, before we did, all of the scientists scouted the area visually to be sure it was safe and clear of all bears. And we took photos quickly…all the time being sure to observe our surroundings, watching for any possible incoming bears.
Our final buggy trip of the day was when we drove back to the lodge for an evening of conversation followed by dinner. This was the first time we all just sat around and talked and laughed and shared life experiences. All of us here have traveled all over the world in conjunction with our work and special interests, and it was great fun to share our experiences with each other. More bears came by, so we kept stopping to take photos of the giant male bears who were “visiting” us. The bears are very curious about the tundra buggy, and the walk around and smell everything in the area.
Now our day is once again over. This may be my last night on the tundra, sleeping with the bears. I am sorry that it has been cloudy because I may not be able to see the northern lights on this trip. But, I believe that I’ll be back here again in the future, and maybe that will be my special treat for my next trip. In the meantime, I count my blessings and recognize my great fortune because I am here…living with the polar bears…in the Arctic…in Canada. Wow! I would have never dreamed this would ever happen.
If you are passionate about the things you do and work hard, you never know where your life’s path may lead you. Every twist and turn in the road is full of surprises and adventures, and some adventures are ones that change you for life…those that you will impact you forever. The amazing friends I have made and the experiences I have had (and am still having) are gifts that I will carry in my heart forever. One never knows where the next turn in the road of your life will lead or who your next friends might be. But, when everything aligns in just the right way, it can change your life forever.
Last night, one of the workers on the Tundra Buggy Lodge was talking on the phone with his four-year-old son, and his goodbye message was one I will leave you with tonight. “I love you more than all of the ice and polar bears.” While that may not be as much as it was in the past few years, it is still reflects a lot of love! So, good night from “all of the ice and polar bears!”
