On the down low

One more Alaska glimpse for you in this little spate of posting. I love the entire world that exists within a few inches of the ground on the tundra….

A cabin on the tundra

 This is the sweet little cabin on the edge of station where I get to stay when I’m here in the summer. Both these photos were taken this month!

Toolik from air

 When I was in the helicopter, it was so wonderful to see the station from that perspective. This is my home for about half of each year, cumulatively, for as long as I have this job. Feeling pretty lucky….

Alaska from air

 Okay I’m feeling guilty for not posting pictures since I’ve been incredibly lucky and in the past month have gotten to ride in a bush plane in central Alaska and a helicopter up on the north slope. So, finally passing along a few shots from on high…

Polar summer hello!

 Not any significant international adventures to report, but just saying hello from the beautiful Alaskan tundra in its green summer glory. I’ve taken a job up here again, and it will still be a bit before my next international jaunt, but this beauty is worth sharing…

Senegambia goodbye

 Beautiful to the end! It’s time to circle back to the US after this three-month adventure in West Africa (where did the time go??) for some work and writing. Not sure when I’ll next be hopping back in here, but I’m dreaming of many, many possible future travels. Where I’ll next find myself will be a surprise for both of us. In the meantime, enjoy all the loveliness of mint, stone circles, and baobabs…

Market days

 I can’t get enough of wandering around these African markets and seeing all the colorful, amazing sights there are to see!

The River Gambia

It was worth braving the 100+ degree heat to spend three nights in eastern Gambia, staying right on the river, and venturing into River Gambia National Park to see hippos, chimps, and monkeys and birds galore.

Casamance

 Dipped down into southern Senegal for a day of delights…

Fishing life

 

The Gambia…more!

The Gambia

 

Senegal, continued

 

Hello Senegal

Current day beauty and past horrors merged on Goree Island, the African Renaissance Monument, and pink Lake Retba for Senegal starters…

Dunes, donkeys, delight

 The Mauritanian joy continues….