Abbie Turns Whale Tragedy into Treasure
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Everyone is talking about it, the sad story of the Blue Whale killed by a run-in with a research vessel. But Abbie Colbert decided the opportunity to save the whale’s skeleton was too important to ignore. So in spite of overwhelming odds, she set a whale of an operation in motion. Her email says it all…
“It’s the impossible dream, against all odds, flying by the seat of our pants and winging it on a shoestring budget – but guess what, we’re doing it!!!”
“A group of crazy & mostly volunteer optimists have successfully moved the 70 ton behemoth Blue Whale about 75′. She now lays on the rocky and dry part of the cove where it is possible to work on stable ground. The unpleasant but necessary necropsy has begun. After trying this and that and securing larger and larger heavy equipment on a moment’s notice, the big D8 with winch was able to get the job done to loud cheers and tears of joy.”
“We will be dividing the remains into more manageable pieces to haul up the 40′ cliff with an assortment of heavy equipment. We assume that this process will take at least 2 days. We’re fighting the weather, the rapid decomposition and a host of other factors. A secret location for the temporary burial of the skeleton has been selected. The film crew will be escorted to the site blindfolded to protect her until the unveiling. She will be covered with manure and sand to help the decomposition which will last a year or more. We have secured a permit from the Federal Government to keep her reassembled skeleton on permanent exhibit in Fort Bragg at a location still to be determined.”
“By the way, I love this town.”
“We have a small population in a relatively remote area with limited resources in the worst economy since the Great Depression. Where else could you ask people to walk away from their busy lives, drop everything and immediately volunteer for a project that has a microscopic chance of success? Let me tell you that NO ONE has said no. The universal response has been just tell me what you need and you’ll have it. We truly live in Braggadoon. Thank you all. I’m proud to be part of this wonderful and so unique community”.
Abbie
