Well, we are not camping this year. Instead we find ourselves in a very nice house with plenty of space. The past few days have been spent packing up all of our gear from the lab and then traveling to our living quarters where we have been unpacking. We started a tradition last year, which was followed this year, so I suppose now is a tradition. The first night we ordered a bunch of pizza. I do believe most of the students were overjoyed with this decision as the pizza seemed to be eaten quite quickly.
After pizza was had, it was discovered that we were without a coffee pot. Well, this just would not do. Dr. Sayers and myself traveled to locate a store that would carry said coffee pot and coffee. We found our items at a local grocery store, where we also decided to pick up some food for the next day. Upon entering the grocery store, we noticed a coffee shop to our right. This seemed to be the appropriate beginning to such a task that was before us. Freshly caffeinated and two shopping carts later, we were on our way back to the house.
We were having a refrigerator and washer/dryer delivered to the house the next day, so in the mean time we brought out our large cooler and filled it with ice, so that we could enjoy cold soda and have cold milk/soy milk for the next morning's cereal. Some may remember this cooler from the 2009 field school where we camped. It is a large fishing cooler, but has a distinct feature, the handle was almost completely removed by ravenous squirrels determined to gain access to our cooled goods. Unfortunately for them, the cooler was too thick to get through, and thus out food was safe for our own consumption.
After the next day's cereal and precious coffee, more errands were needed to be undertaken. First and foremost was getting the hot water up and running. The home owner came and showed us what to do and stayed a bit to chat. As he was visiting, the fridge and washer/dryer arrived and were installed. After such in-house excitement, it was time to fill the new refrigerator; a contingent of students lead by a TA went to acquire these goods.
Dr. Sayers and myself ventured out to find some of the more practical needs of the house, such as cooking wares, cleaning supplies and the like. Several hours and more shopping carts later, we are all back home unloading. Veggie burgers and pita bread was being made during the great unpack and a semblance of order seemed to have begun within the kitchen.
As time passed, hunger began to grow among the students. Dr. Sayers and myself answered this call with the preparation of dinner. We made spaghetti with garlic bread and baked asparagus, most of which seemed to have been devoured.
Thus the 6 weeks of communal living has begun. The first day within the swamp is right around the corner and the excitement grows stronger by the day. Join us next time to hear about the great equipment trek and the first reactions of a new bunch of students to the Great Dismal Swamp.
After pizza was had, it was discovered that we were without a coffee pot. Well, this just would not do. Dr. Sayers and myself traveled to locate a store that would carry said coffee pot and coffee. We found our items at a local grocery store, where we also decided to pick up some food for the next day. Upon entering the grocery store, we noticed a coffee shop to our right. This seemed to be the appropriate beginning to such a task that was before us. Freshly caffeinated and two shopping carts later, we were on our way back to the house.
We were having a refrigerator and washer/dryer delivered to the house the next day, so in the mean time we brought out our large cooler and filled it with ice, so that we could enjoy cold soda and have cold milk/soy milk for the next morning's cereal. Some may remember this cooler from the 2009 field school where we camped. It is a large fishing cooler, but has a distinct feature, the handle was almost completely removed by ravenous squirrels determined to gain access to our cooled goods. Unfortunately for them, the cooler was too thick to get through, and thus out food was safe for our own consumption.
After the next day's cereal and precious coffee, more errands were needed to be undertaken. First and foremost was getting the hot water up and running. The home owner came and showed us what to do and stayed a bit to chat. As he was visiting, the fridge and washer/dryer arrived and were installed. After such in-house excitement, it was time to fill the new refrigerator; a contingent of students lead by a TA went to acquire these goods.
Dr. Sayers and myself ventured out to find some of the more practical needs of the house, such as cooking wares, cleaning supplies and the like. Several hours and more shopping carts later, we are all back home unloading. Veggie burgers and pita bread was being made during the great unpack and a semblance of order seemed to have begun within the kitchen.
As time passed, hunger began to grow among the students. Dr. Sayers and myself answered this call with the preparation of dinner. We made spaghetti with garlic bread and baked asparagus, most of which seemed to have been devoured.
Thus the 6 weeks of communal living has begun. The first day within the swamp is right around the corner and the excitement grows stronger by the day. Join us next time to hear about the great equipment trek and the first reactions of a new bunch of students to the Great Dismal Swamp.
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