If you’ve never experienced the Callery Pear tree in full bloom, count your lucky nostrils. I first stumbled upon this unsuspecting menace last spring in Snyder, Texas. There I was, minding my own business, wandering through historic downtown, soaking up the charm—when suddenly, BAM. I was hit by a scent that I couldn’t un-smell, no […]
The Callery Pear Tree (aka Nature’s Most Inappropriate Air Freshener) Read More »
There’s a sound to Antarctica, even when it seems like there shouldn’t be. Before I went, I imagined the continent as a place of pure silence—nothing but wind and white. And there is silence, but it’s layered. Antarctica doesn’t give up its sounds easily. You have to slow down and let your ears adjust the way your
Kayaking in Antarctica was never something I had even thought of when I put Antarctica on my bucket list. In hindsight, no one should go to Antarctica and NOT kayak if given the opportunity. But even once I was onboard, there was no guarantee I’d get the chance—only a few groups were selected each day,
Kayaking in Antarctica: Paddling Among Icebergs and Whales Read More »
Although it had been on my bucket list for about 15 years, Antarctica had always seemed like this mysterious, unreachable place—something you read about in textbooks or see on documentaries. But one morning in February, bundled in layers and grinning like an idiot, I stepped foot on the seventh continent and thought: I’m really here.
Stepping Foot on the Seventh Continent – My Antarctica Expedition Cruise Experience Read More »
I knew I would see penguins in Antarctica—I mean, how could you not? But nothing could have prepared me for the absolute joy of watching them waddle, slide, and hop around in their icy world. My heart didn’t stand a chance. The First Penguin Sighting Our first real penguin encounter happened just after landing at
How Penguins Stole My Heart in Antarctica Read More »
If you’ve ever talked to someone who’s been to Antarctica, they will bring up the Drake Passage. Some people swear it was a nightmare; others call it smooth sailing. I’d heard about the “Drake Shake” and the “Drake Lake,” and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wanted the drama—the wild ride, the full oceanic chaos—just
Surviving the Drake Passage – Was It As Bad As They Say? Read More »
Working in Kotzebue, Alaska, is one of those assignments that leaves a mark—the kind you don’t even fully realize until you’ve left. Sure, it was remote, but what made it unforgettable was the way Maniilaq Health Center completely shifted how I thought about OB nursing. It was a style grounded in trust, genuine connection, and
Small Town, Big Lessons: My Travel Nurse Experience in Kotzebue Read More »
Before I came to Kotzebue, I’d never gone berry picking in the Arctic. In fact, it had been years since I’d been berry picking, period. I’d heard people talk about it—how the tundra comes alive in late summer with hidden patches of fruit—but I didn’t really understand what that meant until I was out there,
A Taste of the Arctic Summer Read More »
I recently had the chance to visit another village for smoke alarm installation, and, just like last time, I jumped at the opportunity. Our destination this time was Buckland, another small village nestled in the Northwest Arctic Borough of Alaska. Buckland sits along the Buckland River, with a population of around 500 people, most of
Smoke Alarms and Snowflakes – Buckland Read More »
Rebekah and I had been planning a trip to Point Hope for weeks. Point Hope, Alaska, like many remote coastal villages, sits at the tip of a gravel spit along the Chukchi Sea. It’s part of the North Slope borough, though it’s closer to Kotzebue, and therefore it’s serviced by Maniilaq Health Center (the hospital
Exploring Point Hope: Whale Bones and Sod Huts Read More »