by 
July 31, 2024
Dear reader,
I am currently writing this blog post a day later than I was supposed to write it. I have been bedridden for the last 18 hours. We departed from Seward at 08:00 sharp on July 30, 2024, so swiftly that I could barely tell we were even moving. I was on a ferry the weekend before this one and I held up pretty well so I was sure that I would not be subjected to seasickness. However, I failed to consider the more intense waves of the Pacific Ocean.
I was doing well as the morning went on. I had the opportunity to prepare the CDT rosette, which I found exciting since my professor mentioned using one during her expedition. Soon after, I headed out on deck to take pictures of my peers as they looked upon the Alaskan Coast. Then, I also saw some jellyfish of various colors and species! I started to feel seasick during lunch and tried to nap before our meeting at 14:00. I, unfortunately, did not get a wink of sleep but decided to get up once I saw in the group chat that whales and puffins were spotted. Being on deck only made my seasickness worse to the point where I hurled up breakfast and lunch over the side of the boat… but not before I saw some whales and puffins! I ended up eating some crackers, and seasickness pills and called it a night.
My body has more or less adjusted to the rocking motion of the Sikuliaq but has not been able to eat more than crackers and nerd gummy clusters. I’m currently in the main lab brainstorming my final project while being cradled back and forth. I didn’t have any prior ideas of what the ship would look like or what amenities it would have but it is well equipped with a full kitchen and even has a little sauna that I’ve been eyeing… They have a laundry room and a treadmill aboard too! However, I will not be doing any cardio as staying balanced on board is a workout in itself.
I should have started with something on a more positive note, but I have decided to save my best experience for last. We still have a couple more days in transit so maybe if I see some orcas, that might triumph seeing Exit Glacier. There were some spotted the other day. As I mentioned, I was fighting for my life in my bunk, so I didn’t get the chance to see orcas. So far, my favorite STEMSEAS adventure was the hike up to see Exit Glacier. I couldn’t stop smiling because of how beautiful the views were. It was a view that I had only seen on a screen during class but to see it in real life was something else. All my geology classes have finally amounted to something! I recently learned about fjords in my coastal processes class (an erosional glacial feature) and was in awe when I got to see one.
I will sign off by saying this: The science, the views, and the ship experience have been great, but the people I have met so far have been even better.
I’ve only known the rest of the research team for three or so days, but I have already created memories with them that I know will last a lifetime. I’ve also enjoyed talking to all the mentors about their careers and adventures. Everyone has been supportive and kind. I am excited for what is to come and have my fingers crossed that I will be able to see some orcas! Here are some of my favorite pictures that I’ve taken so far and hope you will enjoy them as much as I do.
— Grace
