Traveling to Alaska makes for a very long day when coming from south Texas! I left my house at 8:15 a.m. By the time I arrived to the hotel it was 4:30 a.m. the next day! It was only 1:30 a.m. Alaska time so we got to sleep in. Our first day of orientation revealed how truly fortunate we ALL are to be here and served to increase my anticipation for my excursion this summer. I have been issued a MacBook and a very compact, yet capable camera. I took notes on my iPad for the first time, which was issued by my school. I have already purchased boots that are rated for -40 F degree weather and a base layer that has a reflective layer inside the garment. It is designed to reflect my own heat back in toward me. From what I’ve seen, that will be a very useful thing to have. It was -20 F this morning when we woke up! I thought I would lose fingers yesterday, in spite of my new gloves! A colleague pointed out that as long as they feel like they are in a vise or on fire, you’re ok. It’s when they no longer hurt that you’re in trouble! Lucky me! I also got to experience the exhaust of my breath refreezing on my eyebrows and lashes! No way! Also, all the cars here have electrical cords hanging out of the hoods so that they can be heated enough to start : ) Farewell for now!
Our first night in Fairbanks.
Fairbanks!!!