Fairbanks

Here in Fairbanks it is currently -31 degrees Fahrenheit.  That's pretty cold!

I am here for the Alaska Anthropological Association Meeting, and today at 9:40 I give my presentation about fish traps.  Later on today I present my poster on the Karluk Lake Excavation from last summer.  But the lecture has me more nervous.  For the poster I just stand there and answer questions while for the talk I have to wing it and pray.  I am up early to practice my talk.

I love Fairbanks.  Every afternoon I have been skipping out for a quick cross country ski at Birch Hill.  Birch hill is aptly named and the low-raking light through the trees and shadows on white snow is hard to describe.  The first day I went skate skiing on the 'White Bear' loop but at 2 degrees (positive!) the snow was pretty slow.  So yesterday I did the same loop on classic gear and I made it around in 45 minutes which is faster than I did it on skate skis!

I can't wait till this afternoon and I am skiing with the talk presentation behind me!
Patrick