While walking from the Chevak School to the community center, I formulated a blog post. Why do I come up with these things at the most inopportune times? As usual, it may be time to rewind for a moment.

My stint of volunteering with the combined Utah State/Univ of Alaska Anchorage crew has come to an end, and my feelings are bittersweet, as usual. Tomorrow I’ll be in the  metropolis of Anchorage, which is something I’m trying my hardest not to think about too much. To say I loved my extended stay at Tutakoke would be to say the least. Honestly, staying was one of my best decisions of my recent life.

When I thought about leaving in late July with the rest of my crew, I felt somewhat sick. I didn’t know where to go, what to do, or how to stay happy. Staying at Tutakoke with the other crew enabled me to retain a happy state of mind for another month. To keep it brief – it is past 02:30 – the other crew adopted me wholeheartedly. Looking back, I can’t recall a date when I suddenly felt like a part of their crew vs. being part of the UNR crew. All of the sudden the USU/UAA camp was my camp.

I fully admit that I won’t be pursuing a masters or doctorate in vegetation, but now I have some experience working with plants. Regardless of what researchers were studying, I was able to continue living in a tent and waking up first to prepare coffee for the coffee addicts of camp, so my life was fulfilling.

At 12:05 on Friday afternoon, my tent roof came floating down to the ground, making me homeless. Tonight as I walked I realized that it’s only when my field seasons end that I declare I’m “homeless.” As long as a tent is standing and I have friends around, I have a home. Is that normal? Probably not.  But I really don’t care.