thursday

i rode my bike to town this morning to get my schedule for my new job. felt incredible to finally be on the bike again. it's about 6 miles into town, with two substantial hills to break it up. i had to be at the book store by 9:00, so the air was brisk, and only a small handful of cars. also explored the trails a little after my meeting- there is an asounding amount of trails between UAF and the cabin. the trails in town are all cut wide enough for skate skiing in the winter- there is a network that skirts the entire perimeter of town, and many of the trails by campus are lighted.

near our cabin there is a network of dog mushing trails as well. at night you can hear the dogs sometimes- they sound a bit like coyotes, but are very distant. we will be able to ski on the mushing trails in a few months as well.

dea had thai with her graduate crew and advisor today. i was able to take the tour of the IARC (International Artic Research Center) with dea and Bill (her advisor) after lunch. the building is really quite amazing- very modern for fairbanks, and has impressive views of Denali (on a clear day). the building is also home to the national weather service. dea will have an office in this buliding, and i'm sure will post more about it at a later date.

a couple pics of the mushing trails the cross the road we live on..