29 July, 2001

Tromso from above!

Today I did some touring of Tromso again. I met 4 female scientists that will be doing research on the USCGC Healy and we decided to see some new sights.

Our first stop was a cable car, which we rode to a peak where we could see all of Tromso. It was beautiful! Tromso is actually an island that is covered by quaint houses and much vegetation. It was very impressive.

Our next stop was a botanical garden-the world's northern-most botanical garden. It was filled with plants that you find only in Arctic and alpine regions of the world. There were hundreds of unique plants, and many familiar ones, too. One common Arctic plant is the Rhododendron - common in West Virginia (and the state flower, too). There were many different species of it, but none looked too much like what we find growing in our mountains back home.

It was a very enjoyable day, but tomorrow will be more so. I will finally board the Healy and begin the learning experience of a lifetime!

=20 July 29, 2001 =20 Tromso from above! =20 Today I did some touring of Tromso again. I met 4 female scientists = that will be doing research on the USCGC Healy and we decided to see = some new sights.=20 =20 Our first stop was a cable car, which we rode to a peak where we could = see all of Tromso. It was beautiful! Tromso is actually an island that = is covered by quaint houses and much vegetation. It was very = impressive. =20 Our next stop was a botanical garden-the world's northern-most botanical = garden. It was filled with plants that you find only in Arctic and = alpine regions of the world. There were hundreds of unique plants, and = many familiar ones, too. One common Arctic plant is the Rhododendron- = common in West Virginia (and the state flower,too). There were many = different species of it, but none looked too much like what we find = growing in our mountains back home. =20 It was a very enjoyable day, but tomorrow will be more so. I will = finally board the Healy and begin the learning experience of a lifetime! = =20