Week 8: F 15 December 2017, 20:49. Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, Antarctica In celebrating the holiday, last night we toasted our midnight suns with a hearty “Skol!” and feasted on fårikål, lefsa, kringle, and pepperkaken. God had provided the proper weather overnight and into the day; we awoke to lightly howling wind and a coating of snow blown against the northeast-facing doors of camp. Small snowdrifts had built up at…
Saturday 26 August 2017, week 15: Buldir Island, 22:44 … finished Monday 11 September 2017, week 18: Homer, AK – while watching MNF “If our mountain was erupting, the earth would be shaking, right?” asked McKenzie, voice full of nervous excitement. For a moment, Buldir’s cloud blanket assumed a dusky violet color before disappearing into the darkness again. One one thousand, two one – BA-BOOOM! Nerves of electric excitement moved…
Some people who have worked with me in the field or heard stories about fieldwork or my travel adventures know that I have a strange complex that’s become known as “Classic Steph.” It boils down to this notion that I’m not being tough or strong enough or that there’s more I can do. Its other form is that I’ve let the adventure of travel take control of the situation rather…
On that note, here’s a list of items relating 2010 to the present… Remembered 0. The fog and wind are in charge of work schedules out here. 1. My shins don’t like St. George, especially the hike to the least auklet colony and up First Bluffs. 2. A hand warmer at the nape of the neck provides the glorious feeling of a hot shower. 3. The key to happiness is…
A couple years ago I saw a meme-like image similar to the one above. The text with it said: Fairbanks – Living here doesn’t change you. It just makes you unfit to live anywhere else. When I saw that the first time, I laughed and agreed. How many other places are there where you can call up the Tesoro gas station to get a report on the temperature sign kitty-corner…
Surprise! Here’s a sneak peek at the start of the field season. Shhh, nobody tell Fish & Wildlife in Bethel that they have no password on the wifi this year! Last year they practically held the internet under lock and key. Yesterday I flew from Fairbanks to Anchorage, had my usual “ahhhh take care of everything humanly possible before leaving” hours in the airport, and then joined my new fellow…
A couple weeks ago I said goodbye to a friend. Not just any friend, but one who’s been there for me for years. Through the good times and bad, at home and abroad. When I first met this friend, I wasn’t quite sure how things would work out. But as soon as we left the store where we met, I knew we were headed off to some good adventures. Like…