The Roaming will continue, to where only the wind knows. 

My time in Barrow has come to an end.  I had contemplated staying, spending a winter or two north of the Arctic Circle, however the decision was made after thought and deliberation along with an uncontrolled issue that Barrow was just not meant to be.  I have enjoyed my time here in Barrow.  It was an adventure; it was a time of reflection and self-discovery.  Life here is, for lack of a better word, different.  The people, the culture, the entire way of life are like no other I have ever been a part of or even heard of.

Whale, seal, walrus, caribou hunting is not a means of hunting for enjoyment but a way of putting food on the table.  I grew up hunting, mainly for food, but it was an enjoyable sport.  For the most part I did not have to rely on hunting to survive, but here on the North Slope there are many that hunt to live.  To think in our society, the United States, there is still a group of people who choose to live off the land.  I used the word choose, I should add that some do not actually choose this way of life, It is a must to hunt, to provide in this manner is the only way they can survive.

Life is full of changes, life is full of adventures, some planned, some spontaneous.  Life right now is hitting on the spontaneous portion.  I am not sure where the roaming will take us.  The country is vast with many options for adventure, and adventure is what we are pursuing.  The options are truly endless, with my career I can pretty much go anywhere, and it brought me to the Top of The World Barrow Alaska.  Why I don’t think anyplace will be truly as remote or unique as the time spent here in Barrow I do think that wherever we end up will be an adventure in its own right.

I’m sitting here right now, feeling slightly down, slightly happy; it’s all bittersweet knowing my time here is done.  I have met many wonderful people, have made many new friends.  I have been immersed in a culture and been humbled by my experiences.  I would encourage anyone who had the opportunity to spend time in Barrow to take that opportunity.  I don’t mean 2 or 3 days, I mean 2 or 3 months.  Those that say, oh, I’ve been to Barrow…it’s a cool place most likely have only been here a day or two on some planned paid trip.  To truly know Barrow one has to spend some significant time here.  While I only touched on my short time of three months I have come to know Barrow.  I only feel that more time here would allow me to further understand the way of life here on the North Slope.  So, when someone says they have been to Barrow, ask them how long, ask them if they truly got to know Barrow. 

I’ve reflected on my life while here on the North Slope.  I have come to appreciate the simple pleasures of life…you know, things like trees, sunsets, paved roads.  I have not seen a real tree in over 3 months; I have not been in total natural darkness in the same amount of time.  I was surprised; one can truly miss these two things.

I feel like I’m rambling, like this message is bouncing around.  This is most likely due to my brain running at a thousand miles an hour.  I’ve been packing, getting ready to transition back to the lower 48.  I feel like I am getting ready to return to civilization.  However, when I say this or think this I am almost disgusted with myself.  This is civilization, there is everyone one truly needs here, there is not all the wants, but the needs are met.  This is a place that people call home.  I’ve mentioned it before but it is not for me to judge, it is not for me to laugh, it is simply for me to accept.  I’m an outsider here; I could never truly be anything but an outsider.  I’m not Native American, I’m not Native Alaskan.  While I have never had my blood quantum checked I am sure I am zero.  Knowing my heritage and linage I know that there is not Native American blood in my body.  Wow, reality check, I guess this makes me a true outsider to this entire land that we call home.  This conversation, this rambling will be left for another time.

Enough of the rambling for now, there will be more to come.  The pictures are a mixture of my time here.  I'm not going to comment on them, enjoy them for what they are, what they show.  Let the pictures tell you the story, let your mind wonder and just enjoy. 

Roaming, to where the wind may blow…..