Hello and welcome to all of you that are taking time to follow my adventures in Kaktovik as they unfold. I am in the process of getting some photos uploaded but in the meantime, I'll tell you a bit about getting here and my first day. Twelve hours after departure from Corpus Christi, Texas we arrived in Fairbanks Alaska without my luggage. No big deal I guess; we almost expected it as in Corpus Christi they had to hand write my bag tags. The luggage was at the airport the next morning for our continuation flights to Deadhorse and Kaktovik. All's well that ends well. The airplanes consistently decreased in size as we made our way north. The last one seated nine passengers and our co-pilot came into the airport in Deadhorse and just casually called out for those traveling to Kaktovik and we followed him out to the plane, he counted heads and we boarded. No security check or boarding pass required. It was rather refreshing to travel without all of the flaming hoops! The US Fish and Wildlife Service bunkhouse is quite comfortable. It sleeps 16 in four bedrooms and has spacious common areas. All incoming residents bring fresh food from home to add to the generous supplies of dried goods that are already there. It is well stocked; we will eat well! The garage is a handy man's dream. It is well stocked and well organized with all kinds of tools and equipment. Even a brand new Honda outboard motor! My new friend Brenda, from Homer Alaska, took me out for my introductory walk around the village. On the way, I met some Kaktovik children. "Flossie" was celebrating her ninth birthday on the day I met her. I also discovered the two room and board houses in town, one of which is "The Waldo Arms" which is also where you check in to fly out of Kaktovik. My traveling companion is Tara Connelly, who is currently working with The University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas Texas, where I live. She is one of the researchers with whom I will be working while i am here. We are hoping that weather will allow us to board the Boston Whaler and go out into the lagoons or perhaps even out into the Beaufort SeaThe Beaufort Sea lies to the north of Alaska and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. to collect samples. Fingers crossed! Thanks for listening, jill ] [ [
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