hey, is this mic still on?

... and can you hear me down in back?

My trip to Alaska was eye-opening in many ways. I returned deeply tired, but with some 1300 photos and videos of spectacular scenery and close encounters with wildlife.

And yes, I did make it to the still floe-covered Arctic Ocean. It was just before the summer solstice --- the longest, sunniest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere), but there it was still late winter. The grasses were still brown and lifeless, it was a gray and drizzly with the air temperature just above freezing, and a heavy and ice-cold mist was falling... but I did get my feet in.

The water was so cold it hurt. (Ocean water freezes at about 28F/-2C.)

I'm winnowing and editing the photos, and will be posting them here in days to come.

Meanwhile, Happy Independence Day!

Posted via email from Fred's posterous