|
About Justine |
|
Justine spent much of her time this year as the Program Coordinator of GeoFORCE Alaska. This involves one major trip -- taking a group of 35 high schoolers from all over rural Alaska for two weeks (using UAF undergrads as counselors... some of whom were helpful) -- and running a Learning Community for Geosceince undergraduate students who come from backgrounds typically underrepresented in STEM. She also got paid to be a Backcountry Ranger for the Northwest Arctic National Parks, to teach Mental Health First Aid courses for teens and adults (including teens in Indigenous and rural communities), and to be part of a working group on increasing diversity in STEM education (they even paid her to fly to California!). All the while spending lots of time outside and running nearly every morning of the year.  |
|
| |
|
Justine and Josh also spent many hours working on their house, including painting inside...  |
Building a beautiful big wrap around deck outside...  |
|
And racing the snow to finish the siding outside.  |
They just barely made it! And it's wonderful  |
Justine has also become a bit of a fiber artist, helped by the fact that over the last two summers she's harvested two pounds of amazing Musk Ox qiviut in the arctic wilderness |
|
   |
|
|
Qiviut is one of the lightest and warmest fibers, much needed for when it is 40 below.  |
The right gear is absolutely critical
to learning how to enjoy the Alaskan winter, which she
does.
 |
Even when winter starts early
(this picture was taken in mid-October!)  |
And it's even more fun on her cool new fat bike (check out those huge warm pogies!)  |
This summer she & Josh had the most amazing opportunity: being PAID as back-country 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). This summer they spent time in the first two, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, fixing up wilderness cabins, and generally exploring. And experiencing a lot of sun, rain, wind, and very long days. And seeing virtually no one else.        
|
|
|
When back in Fairbanks, Justine and Josh frequently take care of a friend's dog, Pip. Pip thinks they are pretty great.  |
Another puppy named Goose came over a lot too. Apparently there is no need for them to get a dog with all these dog visitors.  |
|
Justine again spent the vast majority of her time with Josh, being outside as much as possible. They clearly enjoy each other in pretty much any weather.           |
|
 Some have said of Alaskan dating that "the odds are good but the goods are odd". Justine & Josh feel incredibly lucky to have found each other. But maybe the odds were good? |
|
