Thursday, May 22, 2008

Ice Free

It is a bit odd to glance out my second story window and see blue ocean roll in. Just a few days ago there were still some orphan icebergs bobbing in the water... giving me a different understanding of 'ice cold'. There is a feeling of liberation with the snow gone and the ice disappearing. A new found freedom. I am released from the grips of winter.

The surrounding mountains still have snowcapped tops, but that is changing daily. I can see more and more brown as each day passes, reminding me that snowshoeing season might be gone but hiking and camping is right around the corner. Nome has peaked 45 degrees recently, and if you told me it was 60 I would have believed you. It is amazing how your standards of 'warm' change in just a year.

I have a little less than a month left, which is a bitter sweet feeling. I am excited about my placement in St. Paul, MN but Nome has been my home for the past year. This is not going to be an easy departure.

Late April and early May is by far the hardest time I experienced in the sub-arctic. Cabin fever ran high, patience ran low and spirits dwindled. High energy gave way to restlessness and I had to remind myself that 'this too shall pass.' Easier said then done.

We are moving into 20 hours of daylight and that is a complete turn around from winter's darkness. It seems that it creeps up on you. One day you are rising in darkness and now I wake up and it is light and go to sleep when it looks like 4 'clock in the afternoon.

I will be departing the Gold Rush City June 15th and will be heading straight to North Carolina to attend weddings. I will be back in Texas the beginning of July. I am looking forward to seeing everyone from NC to Texas.