After a long day waiting yesterday, we got word that the plane that was cancelled yesterday was coming today... very fortunate for us, the expedition, and the town of Pevek. Normally in the wintertime, the plane from Moscow only comes once every two weeks. As many of you are reading this I will be in the air somewhere between Pevek and Moscow.
For Pevek, fresh food is getting scarce, on the last shopping trip no fruit was to be found and vegetables were all looking very wilted. For the expedition, the replacement parts for the drilling operation are on the way. And for us we are on our way home.
So why did I come? For science, education, adventure... I found all that and much more. Although at this point I have no idea if I will ever return to Siberia, if given the opportunity, I would come again. I certainly have been infected with a love of the Arctic and am sure that I will return to the high latitudes.
I began a love for the tundra when I visited Colorado last year. Few places can rival the summertime beauty of the tundra...I was surprised that the winter beauty exceeded that of the summer. The bubbles and cracks of the thick,clear ice are spectacular. The snow formations rival my love of the geology of the American southwest. With the sight of a tundra bird, small plants or the lone wolf, I am reminded of a statement by the American author Edward Abby... "Where life is difficult, it seems to acquire higher value."
I wanted to share a bit of why I fell in love with this landscape. I hope you enjoy
I am headed towards home!
T-Mart...staying warm still in Siberia
Comments