Johnston Island-Jan.31, 2010

The CO was nice enough to arrange for one of our small boats to take us to Johnston Island, which we had been working near for about a week. It was wonderful to get on land, even if just for an hour. The island was used by the US military until about 6 years ago. All of the buildings but one were demolished. The one that remains is a creepy tall structure sealed off with spraypainted messages from the last people to be there-including people who survived a Hurricane in 2006 by riding it out in there. We climbed to the roof for an amazing 360 view of the island. The island is now a wildlife refuge filled with amazing birds. Other than that, it has a weird feel of a town that no longer is-roads and sidewalks overgrown and buckled from plants taking over, an old runway strip, and the lone creepy building. I hope you enjoy the photos. Also, if you are on facebook we have a page for the ship with lots of shiplife photos: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=525291031#/pages/Honolulu-HI/NOAA-Ship-Hiialakai/285876056583

Lots of LOVE-Lauren

AH! Setting foot on land

Lyndsay and I on the roof of the abandoned building

Lyndsay and I going up the very dark and not so stable stairs. The view from the roof was worth it!

We took a small boat in-a view of the Hi'ialakai from the roof. 

A red footed boobie. This island really has gone to the birds-they have taken over. 

A creepy sealed off vault-like door in the only building left standing. 

A view down a desolate abandoned road

David on top of the abandoned building

A view from the roof. Pretty ugly isn't it?