Tuesday, July 1, 2008

New Job

Here's the update you've been waiting for. I got a new job. It might actually be blog worthy (I can maybe do one once a week or so because daily is way too much work). I've accepted a job at French Frigate shoals. It's also an atoll in the Hawaiian archipelago and is about 700 miles closer to Hawaii than Midway. There's a little island called Tern Island in the atoll. There is a very small runway there, but most of the traffic is by boat. Midway is a big city compared to Tern. There is only 4 to 10 people there at any given time. I will be a Refuge Specialist (Asst. Manager). I don't have a set start date yet, but when I get there I'll update the blog with new info.
Today I went to Case Western Reserve University where Dasha is teaching a group of high school kids about plastic. I brought some albatross boluses (undigested stomach contents) and the kids dissected them and measured the squid beaks, plastic, fishing line, etc. Yesterday I gave them a presentation about the wildlife on Midway and the plastic issues. She showed them the BBC footage also. I went with them while they did a debris pick-up on the beach at Lake Erie last week, so it was almost like being on Midway.

11 comments:

John Carlson said...

Congratulations Pete. I am looking forward to some Pacific Islands stories and photos.

RunnerBecky said...

Congratulations, Pete...that's so exciting!!
Can't wait to hear more stories and see more pictures!!

Anonymous said...

Best wishes on the new job! Sounds exciting. Looking forward to learning more about Tern Island. Buzz

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Pete.

I was with the second group of Midway visitors that arrived in late March. I'm sure French Frigate Shoals will be as unforgettable as Midway was -- just without the same accomodations.

I read your blog frequently. I hope it will continue.

Like you, I thought it would be a once in a lifetime trip. But those islands come back to me on a daily basis.

Life there, is truly the way it is supposed to be. And I feel Midway calling to me.....

Best Wishes
Lloyd Knapp

Shammickite said...

Congratulations on the new job, Pete, I'm looking forward to hearing all about it once you get started.
I was hoping you'd carry on with your blog, I've been enjoying the Midway chapters, now let's move on to the happenings at French Frigate shoals.

Anonymous said...

Congrats Pete. I hope we get to see you back out here for a stop over sometime. I knew the islands would grow on you. Now you'll never leave. Keep in touch.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Excellent! Do you remember when we were flying to Midway last September, crowded around the window to get a glimpse of Tern - "Wow, that is small." How exciting! Congratulations! I'll stay tuned...

Anonymous said...

Awesome Pete!
You will get the chance to meet my girlfriend on French Frigate Shoals if your there by August.

I'm headed back out to Midway for a week July 18th
It's nice to work out there part time once and a while.

Glad to hear things are going well,

-Brandon

Anonymous said...

Hi Pete, congrats on the new job.
Any chainsawing to be done out there?

rx

Laura W. said...

Hi Pete,
I worked on Tern in 1993 and have enjoyed keeping up with this blog....yeah, it's small....but you really get to know things out there. Have fun! If you haven't yet read Eye of the Albatross by Carl Safina I highly recommend it. Much of it takes place on Tern.
So will you change the title to Pete At Tern?
Good luck,
Laura

M E Hughes said...

Congratulations Pete! Looking forward to hearing about your adventures on Tern.

I was with the April group of visitor and have checked your blog frequently.