"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Atoll, every creature was stirring, especially the party biologists." Well, it is officially Christmas here at Midway atoll, and we rang it in in style. After a long week of work the crew here cut loose a little bit and got funky on the dance floor to the sounds of our home grown jam band the "Chugach Band." The band is made up almost entirely of guys from Thailand who play a mix of classic rock, and funky Thai jams that got the party thumping. It was a very good time, and everyone on the island participated in the party. In the photo above are Caleb and Gretchen, two of the volunteers here who help me out with my work. Caleb is a botanist from Homer, Alaska and Gretchen has lived in Hawaii, studying Monk Seals for several years. They both are wonderful people and talented biologists. Gretchen was recently engaged to another one of the researchers on the island and they are a fun couple to be around. In the photo to the left I am boogieing down with Tanaya who is here to care for a group of captive monk seal pups that are going to be released into the wild in a few months. She is from San Francisco and is part of a research group that has pioneered techniques for the care and keeping of wild seals.
3 comments:
Please take the time to sit and think about how fortunate that you are to be able to be at Midway, as many people would love to be there with you right now. Once you live there... Midway will always haunt you. It will never leave you. Live each moment to it's fullest, as you will never regret it. Never leave Midway with any regrets, be they not taking enough pictures or not taking the time to notice the smells and sounds as well as the sights. Sit on the beach with a magnifying glass and notice the shells in the sand... remember how the ironwood pods hurt your bare feet... how the overwhelming sounds of the birds keep the uninitiated awake, yet lull the veteran Midwayite to sleep. The sunsets, the sunrises.
I lived at Midway from 1977 to 1979, and am looking forward to spending time there again now that the FWS are developing the new vistitor program. Midway was my home. I long to return.
Please keep up with your Blog. I'll be checking back.
Cheers...
Gary R.
www.midwayisland.com
Marc,
What is with the crazy comment there by gary, yikes? Anyway had Xmas (no, not pagan - I wish) with the Mandaranos in Madison, CT. It was good to see all.
It sounds like you are doing great and the pictures look great. I have a cousin who has a friend on Midway Island. I will get the name for you.
Well, wanted to say hello and hope to see you soon preferably on the west coast, but in NYC would be ok as well. Keep up the good work and tell Camille we say hello.
And just remember in case you forgot: Impeach Bush and Cheney so we can have President Pelosi:)
John S.
Hey Baby,
Cool blogsite . . .you are officially becoming hip enough for the move to Portland. Now you just need skin tight indigo blue jeans, chuck taylors, layered shirts and an eyebrown peircing. I am dusting off my fishnet leggings, mini skirt, ripped concert tee, crimper, and pink lipstick. Oh, and white heels. See you at the Pied Cow for a Hookah. I miss you more than the number of gallons of diesel spilled off the coast of Midway. Or more than the pain experienced by the unfortunate hookee who caused the exciting incident.
I love you,
Camille
PS-Never leave me again.
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