The Bubbles

Yesterday afternoon we went to the strangely yet appropriately named ‘South Bubble.’ The South Bubble is a several hundred foot tall mountain in Acadia National Park just outside of Bar Harbor. It is called a bubble due to its bubble-like shape as it emerges from the ground, and is just south of the slightly taller North Bubble. We were dropped off in the parking lot at the base of the land mass and began the short hike up. As we neared the top, we stopped to practice creating topographical maps at a clearing to create our rendition of the surrounding landscape. We continued to and past the summit towards the southern side to overlook Jordan Pond as well as the distant ocean. From that vantage point it was clear to see where the glaciers came through several thousand years ago and shaped the landscape today. After hiking down (in a sudden rain storm) we made a quick stop at the coast before heading into Bar Harbor for dinner.

-Andrew

 

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The Clown Car

Logistics of ESS, Scientists, , , , , ,

On Saturday morning we arrived at the Maine State Pier to finally begin the trip that we have been planning for the past several months (well probably last minute, like this week).  As more students arrived, as did the amount of bags. With our two Thule boxes, one cargo rack, and a very minute amount of extra van space, we began to speculate if we would EVER fit in at all! After Mother Bobby cooked up some breakfast sandwiches on our camping stove on the pavement, so began the stuffing bonanza.

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We watched as our parents and professors struggled to fit more than three bags into each Thule. It was clear that we were all bringing just about a year’s worth of supplies. Parents began to place “bets” of how far we would make it before losing a wheel. Even some saying, “well, if you guys flip the van, at least we know you’re not moving too far,” poking fun at the tightly packed van.

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Regardless of comfort, all faculty and students have made it to The Schoodic Education & Research Center safe and sound. Now we are all much closer figuratively and literally. Now let’s start off this amazing adventure!

– Erin Wright-Little

Prepare to Launch.

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SJC 3pms logoStart time and place.  We will meet between 8:00 and 8:30 on Saturday morning, Aug. 16.  Our gathering spot is the Maine State Pier in Portland.  This is the pier at the Casco Bay Ferry terminal on Commercial St. in Portland, and it’s where the schooner Bagheera is tied up.  We’ll be on Bagheera for two weeks at the beginning of October, so this is your chance to see her before we actually get on board.

We’ll have light breakfast food available (including coffee and juices), so if you find that getting here is a bit hectic, you will have a chance to fuel up here.  Parents/guardians/etc. are certainly welcome to come (and there will be sufficient food for them).

Parking is challenging near the Maine State Pier, so I recommend that you pull in, drop off your stuff where you see me and our group, then go park the car (if you have parents/guardians/etc. wishing to see the group before departure).

If you have a spare bag with extra clothes, etc., that you want to NOT take for the first month or so of the ESS, then this is the place where you’ll drop it off.

This is also the spot where you’ll return to at the end of the ESS (actually, it will end over on Peaks Island, but this is a logical pick-up spot) on Saturday, October 18.