10 September 2018 Back north - more thaw depth

Journal

The weather was absolutely perfect for our drive south yesterday. I am getting more and more used to the long hours in the truck. It is significantly easier when the weather is sunny – not only for the beautiful views, but less worry about slipping off the shoulder. I think I'd call driving in Alaska "drive-hiking." You get just as tired as walking and still get amazing views.

Drive-Hiking — A classic "drive-hike" view.

We picked our third team member, Dr. Jennifer Watts up at the airport and did some quick urban adventuring to mix things up.

Beluga Whale — I asked Jenny if we'd see any whales – she said "No" – and then we stumbled on a pack of belugas (notice the seaplane in the sky!).

Bald Eagle — Jenny asked me what wildlife I still wanted to see – I said "Eagle" – upon which one flew across the sky – I tried again with "bear" but it didn't work.

But then it was time to head back north via a different route.

Our route – going south: Richardson to Parks to Glenn – going north: Sterling.

Given our propensity for stopping at vans along the road with signs (if you missed it, check out our "Free Candy" adventure), our first stop was in Wasilla to check out these adorable husky puppies.

Van of husky puppies — Who wouldn't stop for this sign?

Christina and Jenny with puppies — Christina and Jenny snuggling with husky puppies – we almost left with a new team member.

But we also had to stop along the way at various VIPER sites to take, you guessed it, thaw depth measurements! My feelings about taking thaw depth measurements have shifted since I last spoke about it. After taking 2,422 measurements across varying conditions in the tundra, I have to say I'm a little over it. I have bruises from my ribs to my shins from trying to get the probe through difficult roots and mineral layers. I have bruises on my shoulders from trying to use them to pull the probe back out. My jaw hurts from clenching too much. This is not to complain, more just a reflection on how I've grown as a scientist – I've grown much more comfortable with taking some of the other types of measurements which are much harder. I am starting to enjoy digging through the soil, seeing the different layers that made the thaw depth so difficult to measure, and don't really care how dirty my hands and gear get (I will be shedding dirt for weeks).