I woke up at five this morning and went straight out the door because the sun was already blasting through my window. Growing up here, the sun never grows old. The light lasts longer at this time of year in the Arctic, and it just gives you this instant wave of energy that makes you want to get moving. I threw on my hoodie and boots and headed right down toward the flats.

Everything is completely wide open out there. The morning sun was hitting the coast so hard that the sky was just a solid, bright blue, making the whole landscape look huge. You can barely make out the edge of the town and a few fences way in the background, but mostly it is just pure, empty space.

Everything changes so fast once June finally hits. The ground isn’t frozen solid like concrete anymore, so your feet actually sink into the mud a little bit when you walk. It feels awesome to leave the heavy winter parka at home and just head out in a regular sweater. The total silence of the winter is gone too, replaced by the sound of birds coming back to the coast. It is just a really peaceful morning to be out on the land.