That was my favorite age

A truncated cruise on wednesday due to a CTD malfunction put us back on the boat all day thursday in beaufort 2 and rain and fog, nothing too trying except when trying to observe birds and mammals from the bow and record then on normal paper. Rite in the Rain is obviously going to be a worthwhile investment if I study the vertebrates, which I will not, so I know I’ll be safe and warm in the lab counting planktons until december.

Today we had a full day of software lectures, which was utterly murder and everyone agreed, so as soon as we were let out, Sarah and Cyndi and I practically sprinted to town, where I rented The Life Aquatic, and then we sprinted back for dinner, and sat on the deck watching the sunset over the harbor until it was too cold to sit out any more.

Beer run. Writing sea chanties. Twenty minutes in to the movie, all the kids from the diving class come into the commons recruiting swimmers for a dock swim. I was the only one who joined on, and the whole expedition resulted not in hypothermia as we all expected, but in lots and lots of bloodshed from the barnacles hidden in the tires that line the dock, which we used to climb out of the water. Ten minutes later, we’re all standing under the hot water in the dive showers and someone says “hey, who’s tracking blood all over the place in here?” Julie has gashes all over her leg, and so do I but not as bad. So does Christina, and Anthony and Aaron both have tiny scratches. But there’s still blood all over. Where is it coming from? My toe! Gushing and gushing. Rescue divers that they all are, it’s a chorus of “Looks arterial!” “put pressure on it” “I’ll go get the first aid kit!”

Got back to the dorm to watch the last 20 minutes of Life Aquatic, cried and cried.  They finally saw the leopard shark and didn’t want to kill it!  11 and a half was his favorite age!

But anyway, now the flap that got sliced off of my toe has closed over, but judging by the nutrient levels we’ve detected in the water near the dock, I should probably open it back up and give it a good scrub. Wish me luck!!

A rowboat to town across Friday Harbor

The night is cold and salt air, but perfectly still and clear.  The harbor is like old glass, the reflection of the moon warped languidly in the movement of the water.  the lights of the town and the stars in the sky are reflected all around us too.  As Rian paddles us towards town, Sarah and Van play their flashlights against the white flanks of the boats moored silently where we pass them, and into the faceless water.  When we laugh, the echoes come back to us from the rocks on the shore.