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About Justine |
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Justine had two paid jobs this year! And quite a few other gigs. She started the year as an Academic Advisor at University of Alaska Fairbanks. She and Josh had opted for ten month contracts at UAF, so after making sure their house had a roof in May, they left for an amazing adventure in the northwestern back country of Alaska (see below). When she returned to Fairbanks, she took a position as the Program Coordinator of GeoFORCE Alaska She continued to teach Mental Health First Aid Courses, volunteer for the Yukon Quest and National Park Service, and spent many long hours doing home construction. All the while spending lots of time outside and running nearly every morning of the year.  In September they moved into the house they built. It's taken much of their time over the past two years and will continue to take time to finish. |
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But they are so excited to be in
it! |
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How to install a whole electrical system...  |
And the many critical uses of the most basic of machines - the inclined plane.  |
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She continues to enjoy the Alaskan winter....  |
This took many forms, often biking...  |
Sometimes skiing and snowshoeing...
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And more and more frequently camping
with their "hot tent" (it has a smoke stack!)  |
It's taken nearly 5 years, but Justine now feels well equipped to go out and stay comfortable in pretty much any winter weather. |
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This summer, though, they had the most amazing opportunity: they volunteered as backcountry rangers for the Northwest Arctic National Parks for 2 months. These are three of America's least visited National Parks: Noatak National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and Kobuk Valley National Park (home of the giant Kobuk Sand Dunes). They spent time in each of these parks, canoeing, rafting, hiking, backpacking, fixing up cabins, and generally exploring. And seeing virtually no one else. They are already planning similar adventures for the coming summer. (Yes, they did wear the same clothes almost the whole time.)         They also drove Jerry the Jeep all the way from a storage bay in Salt Lake City to Fairbanks.
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They enjoyed all the mountains in Canada  |
And stopped at Graeme's wedding in Golden, BC. Very fun to see old friends.  |
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Don and Anne got another puppy, Salix, so Justine got plenty of puppy time  |
And Josh and Justine ran a check point
for the Yukon Quest Dog Sled Race
(which they will do again in February 2024)  |
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But more than anything she spent time with Josh! They seem able to put up with each other through building a house, being alone in the back country for weeks, being too cold, too hot, and even very stinky.           |
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 J&J were very lucky to find each other. Or maybe the odds were good... |
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