It has been just over a month since I moved to Alaska now; there have been ups, there have been downs, and there have been some amazing adventures.

My first couple days in Fairbanks were rough; I wanted to leave immediately. It seemed that everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The cabin I had found for myself didn’t end up being anything close to what I thought it would be; the car I borrowed in my first few days broke down while my phone couldn’t figure out how to work in the US; I got hand-foot-mouth disease. The entire move seemed to be mired by my own hubris in everything working out, though eventually it did. I found a new place to stay with some wonderful housemates, I started to get outside, pack rafting climbing and just exploring the beautiful place that I now call home. I’ve also already made so many wonderful amazing friends.

I also got to see my Mum, brother and sister, which was a massive treat. We ended up driving down from Fairbanks, through Denali National Park to Anchorage and Seward. In Seward I did my first ocean swim in Alaska, as well as going on a boat based tour of Resurrection Bay with Major Marine. This was probably everyone’s highlight, seeing puffins, sea lions, a humpback whale and plenty of other sights.

After Paul, Rochelle and my Mum left, I also got in a nice float on the north branch of the Chena with my mate AJ. Here I got to see both a juvenile bald eagle, as well as a juvenile golden eagle, some wolf tracks and a couple of beavers.

Now I’m back at my desk at UAF, classes have started (I’m writing this on the first day) and I’m excited to see where the semester and my adventures go.