week 2: leaving

After many days of preparation it was finally time to leave these stagnant lands for a more scientifically fruitful region. Just the thought was so exciting I could hardly contain myself. The horses were ready and the wagons were packed. We left at sunrise on the first day of October (not the best time of year to leave in hindsight.) For a moment I slipped into a reverie about these simple and peaceful lands, but it was soon broken by the sheer excitement of the journey. What kinds of unique species could be living in the great forests of the Northwest? I couldn't wait to find out. These hopeful thoughts were not in vain, as the trip proved to be a great scientific success.