NAVC Polar Bear Expedition: Day 1

If you're NOT here, raise your hand.

They've come from all across the continent.

Well, they are TRYING to come from all across the country. Weather and travel delays were the rule today. With Explorers coming from the four corners of the country, Oregon to the Conch Republic, New York to San Diego, 25% of the group did not make it in by the official “Welcome” dinner. Bummer.

(Dr. Crootof and Parker kill time waiting for yet another delayed flight.)

Oh well. The rest of us had a really good time.

Flash back - several of the travelers that came in yesterday, to avoid the possible travel problems that face winter travel, had a chance to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Assiniboine Park (Winnipeg) Zoo this morning. Dr. Gord Glover, zoo director, took time out of his busy day to give us a great zoo tour - actually an excellent early start on the C.E. We discussed many of the Arctic animals that will be seeing over the next week, their captive husbandry, nutritional needs, preventative health programs and more.

(Dr. Jim Weege getting a Polar Bear Kiss at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.)

The official kick-off for the 2009 NAVC Expeditions: Polar Bear started with a great dinner this evening. During dinner Dr. Carol Walton and myself introduced the program and laid out the logistics for the next seven days. Following dinner, I gave the first lecture on “An introduction to the Biology and Medicine of Arctic Animals.” The lecture covered species that we are likely going to see, reference reviews, course notes and more.

After the lecture we had the inaugural induction of charter members into the NAVC Bipolar club - the club, a very exclusive - but by no means closed or private - is open to any participants of BOTH the NAVC Antarctica adventure AND the Polar Bear adventure. A dozen intrepid explorers received their accolades and were awarded “NAVC Bipolar Club” sweatshirts. The charter members are: Steve Barten, Ralph Barrett, Rick Beldegreen, Joe Chiosi, Cathy Connely, Gerry Diethelm, Kevin Fitzgerald, Gery Herman, Doug Mader, Howie Mintzner, Sue Mintzner, and Carol Walton.

We hope to add to this membership list over the years to come.

It's going to be a long night - Dr. Walton and I will be waiting to hear if the final 5 make it to Winnipeg. If not, we'll have to try to get them out tomorrow and they'll have to miss a day on the tundra. Send good blog thoughts out to the wayward travelers.

It's a 5:45am breakfast meeting tomorrow morning, then off to the even colder north!

(The official logo of the NAVC Bipolar Club - awarded to 12 NAVC adventurers.)