another summer's eve at skidaway!

 

"You were at Skidaway Institute of Oceanography again? Most excellent for a Tina Tuesday! What was the topic this time?"

This was a history lesson, given by Dr. Herb Windom, the first person hired for the fledging site back in 1967. I think my favorite point in the talk was the one with the photo of the North Atlantic Bight, color-coded for water temperature. That made for a very nice tie-in to the OHM talk a few months ago. I think I impressed him that I knew about the five rivers feeding into that site. (smile!) Right place, right time for me!

 

"Very cool! Did you say 1967? That means Skidaway Institute is the same age as Dood!"

 

That's true! Jackson, the young man in charge of this public outreach activity, had sent the email invite to me twice, so I knew I had to be there. Then, once the talk started, I understood why. I know what it's like to be the first one hired at a site, the lack of organization and the need for changes almost daily. That's how it was when I was stationed at Galeta Island in Panama, when I was the first woman ever to be there. That meant there was only the one bathroom in the building. We had to put a sign on the door that let folks know when there was a woman aboard!

 

"I remember those days! Wow, that was so long ago, g'friend."

 

Yes, I got to Panama in April of 1978. So very long ago!

 

"Herb didn't run into any issues like that, though. Right?"

 

Correct. Only men were out there at SkIO then, but the buildings were prefab and the boat for research held only three or four people. It took a while to get funding so they could get a bigger boat - marine research joke alert! - but the one they now have lets six or seven researchers and equipment go out on the ocean, with a full crew, too. Overall, "The History And Early Days Of Skidaway Institute" was a lovely trip down the memory lane of the retired professor. He kept it light and casual, much like my lectures were when I was teaching. I highly recommend viewing his talk!

 

"Thanks, I'll do that sometime, but not right now. Bounce had "The Long Kiss Goodnight" on earlier and I recorded it. I love that movie with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson! What an excellent flick!"

 

Most def it is! You go ahead and enjoy that. It'll be nice to be able to fast-forward through all the 'mercials!!! I'll catch you on the flip side!