I cannot believe how quickly my time here has gone. I really do feel like I just got here and I am amazed that I am more than half way through my internship. I have meet so many truly inspiring people since I have been out here. Everyone I have met has tried to help me in one way or another, whether that be guiding me further into what marine biology could bring for me, or something as simple as sharing their story with me which further betters me as an individual. I feel immensely blessed to be with so many truly caring, knowledgeable, and soulful people who are more than happy to give me words of wisdom and help as I continue to grow. I really do feel like I have meet many friends for life down here.
This week was filled with lots of adventure and learning. If my trip to Wassaw Island on Thursday wasn’t enough I was also able to visit Charleston, South Carolina.
Wassaw Island is located only a few nautical miles south of Tybee Island, but is only accessible by boat. I was able to go out to Wassaw with a man named John Crawford (Crawfish for short). He was doing a summer camp through Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and was kind enough to take me along. I was able to venture on the uninhabited beach for a few hours by myself, stumbling apron tons of sand dollars, shells, and a “boneyard” of dead trees. Wassaw was a truly amazing island, It felt so pure and simplistic just walking down the beach. Afterwards, I met Mike Robinson who gave me a tour of the facility and showed me what a job in the field may look like. I am very lucky to have met these guys and very thankful that Pinhead’s team was able to get me out there, I really enjoyed SKIO.
The “Bone Yard”
Face-off with a ghost crab
Over the weekend Barbara Baker took me to her hometown: Charleston, South Carolina. We were only there for the weekend so we had to cram all the excitement into two days. I was shown downtown Charleston, which is beyond beautiful. There is so much to see there: every building in booming with history. The architecture is so overwhelmingly beautiful. I was blown away by the fact that modern stores still keep their store fronts the same, preserving most of the history there.
Charleston women weaving a traditional basket out of palmetto leaves. A local form of art featured in the Smithsonian.
Barbara took me to the Charleston Aquarium where we were able to go down to the “sea turtle hospital” and look at all the sick/recovering sea turtles. It was so crazy to see how quickly and efficiently they are able to get a patient in and out. Injuries ranged from a hook in the throat to boat strikes and malnutrition. Either way, the animals are quickly healed and released.
Barbara also took me down to the pool to meet all her friends. What a kind group of people. It is a beautiful little community that truly wants to help each other. The were also so impressed and interested to hear my story, wishing me good luck on my way. I hope to be back to Charleston to visit them all.
I really have appreciated how much everyone has gone out of their way to help me. I have only met truly kindhearted people who want to see me succeed. This experience has taught me more than just marine biology, and I am so grateful for everything that everyone has done.
Thank you to all who have helped me.
Jessie Jackman
Tybee Island Marine Science Center (Georgia)
Marine Biology
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