Trip to Fairbanks

I spent last week in Fairbanks, at a conference hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks to help determine shipping requirements (routes, ship building standards, etc) for the Arctic Ocean in light of the diminished summer ice conditions. The first picture above was taken at the juncture of the Tanana Valley and Alaska Range Mtns. I like it because it looks like a painting to me, but is just a picture of everyday Alaska sights. It was my fourth conference related to the effects of climate change on the Arctic region - I've been impressed by the level of professionalism in the scientific community when it comes to presenting the data without bias. The indigenous population is normally represented, as their way of life is most affected by increased human activity in the Arctic. This time, the Chancellor of UAF hosted an event to showcase Native Alaskan dance. The third pic shows a part of a dance presentation with two Inupiat. The group demonstrated both Yu'pik and Inupiaq dance - both from the North and Northwest Alaska Eskimo regions. Here in Southcentral Alaska, the Natives were primarily Athabascan, and had a slightly different culture. The bluff we now live on was one of the locations they set up fish camp each fall. They lived in small half-dug-out like structures called Lajats. The remnants of those lajats are still here on the bluff and are an everyday reminder of the unique native history this area has. I enjoyed the trip. The last two pictures are of the UAF campus and caribou/reindeer research facility - I took these for Landon since he insists he wants to go to UAF to study Paleontology. Normally I would shrug that off since he's only 7, but he's stuck to that story for almost 4 years now without budging - so maybe we'd better start believing him! Finally got to see an incredible Northern Lights display the last night I was in Fairbanks - - tried to take a picture and video, but it came out too dark to see. You've got to see it in person to appreciate it. Words can't do it justice.