New article at Sidetracked /January 9, 2013 by Caroline Van Hemert

Check out a new article we wrote for Sidetracked Magazine.

Not all of Alaska’s recent news is uplifting. In fact, it’s downright dismal. We’re struggling to keep our heads, hearts, and spirits high in the face of so many challenges (i.e., doomsday reports on climate, politics, education, domestic violence, arts, and the recent heat wave that has us obliterating every temperature record on the books). But an early morning mountain run with one of my favorite people on earth is just what the doctor ordered. We all need a little refuge sometimes.

Harvesting salmon and mud (not quite in equal proportion 🙂). Happy to have the grey skies and cooler temps after our recent scorching heat wave. Feels like Alaska again! 📷 #1 Paul Schuette

One grizzly, two black bears, a golden eagle, a pile of ground squirrels, two little boys, and 90 degree temps. I’ll take the critters & the kids. The heat I can do without. I imagine our furred and feathered friends feel the same! It’s not a typical Alaskan July but I’m no longer sure what’s typical around here. Even in her hot and harried state, I love this place.

Alaskans, if you love this place, speak up now. Call, email, text, tell your friends and neighbors. We’re almost out of time. If you care about kids, climate, education, the arts, literacy, the economy, health care, or our state university, I’m talking to you. #override #saveourstate

First week back in Anchorage: baby moose in the city and a keynote presentation to nearly a thousand ornithology colleagues. Whew!

Tomorrow (Tuesday) in Anchorage: I’m giving a keynote presentation for the AOS. Come celebrate birds, Alaska, and adventure! Open to the public, 7 pm at the Dena’ina Center. I’ll be sharing stories, images, and video from our 4,000-mile wilderness journey. I’d love to see you there!

This review in @adventurejournal contains one of my favorite lines yet! “...big, epic treks are an elemental part of nature: for many species there is no question of migration—to journey is to survive.”

Alaskan friends and visitors, I’d love for you to join me at the keynote opening event of the American Ornithological Societies’ annual meeting, held at the Dena’ina Center on Tuesday, June 25th at 7pm. Free and open to the public! It will be a birdy crowd but the talk is targeted for a general audience, with lots of great images, video, and storytelling about our 4,000-mile human powered journey to the Arctic. Don’t worry, a few birds will make their appearances too! I hope to see you there!