At play where the midnight sun holds court
In 1925, the first airplane to land above the Arctic Circle set down on the gravel bar along the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River near Wiseman. Residents had anticipated the plane’s arrival and a young boy was the first to spot it far off in the distance. As the plane rolled to a stop, … Read more
The coastline stretched out across the horizon, beyond lay the jumbled heap of ice, offering the only relief in this flat landscape. Among the pressure ridges and fissures, there likely lurked a polar bear. Perhaps, an arctic fox followed close by in its tracks, hoping to scavenge any leftover scraps. Beneath the surface, there was … Read more
Wood lays haphazardly stacked next to the woodstove, ready to provide service in the battle against winter’s cold. Inside the stove, the fire burns. A bed of hot coals sit beneath the logs radiating their warmth to the exterior surfaces. I have run a fire continuously since the beginning of October, when the cold settled … Read more
The sun struggles to rise over the horizon during the day. Minutes after noon, it finally yields its light over the mountains, shining across the valley below. The cold that had settled in the valley throughout the long night begins to dissipate, the mercury slowly rising towards zero. Snow adorns the spruce boughs and ice … Read more
The sound of the logs popping and crackling reverberated off the barrels. Inside, the fire burned brightly, the flames light playing out through the vent onto the snow. As the fire built to a climax, the 55 gallon barrels glowed red, radiating intense heat to anyone that was cold enough to stand nearby. In two … Read more
I often hear negative opinions* on trapping whenever the topic is brought up with someone from outside the northern regions (Alaska and Canada). Living in the wilderness offers a lifestyle where one sees the direct result of their actions and bears the consequences, both positive and negative. Animals are killed by those consuming them, wood … Read more
It is considered to be one of the most elusive animals of the north. Quietly and stealthily moving throughout the forest, it often goes undetected by human eyes. So it is no surprise that when the animal is sighted, it is a special experience. I speak of the lynx. The northernmost member of the cat … Read more
Its multitude of calls will occasionally surprise even the most ardent observer. A presence throughout all of Alaska, they are one of the most visible animals within the state. Winter or summer, fall or spring, one can see their jet black figure flying above or calling, perched atop a spruce tree. The raven is arguably … Read more
In the morning around the yard, I often see bunnies feeding. Clustered around the brush piles, they pick at old buds, strip bark from the trees and feed on any grass that’s present. Every so often, I’d be awoken early in the morning to the sound of steps outside the cabin. Not long after, the … Read more
If one were to travel north through Alaska, they would witness a variety of different environments. There’s the coastal environment with its sea life, large trees and rainy locales. There’s the mountainous environment of the Alaska Range, where tall peaks of ice and rock extend into the sky. The state’s Interior brings stunted spruce forests, … Read more