I am sunburned already, and we didn’t even leave Barrow yet. Barrow is supposed to be a dreary, foggy land (I always imagine dementors), yet we were out on the tundra for the past two days under very clear skies. Today there was almost no wind, and we were in shirtsleeves. Standing in the snow is even warmer, what with the albedo and all.

The word of the day is albedo. It refers to the amount of reflection of sun radiation off the surface of the earth. Ice caps reflect more than ocean. If there is warming and subsequent melting of polar ice, then less reflection and more absorption is the result- causing more warming, then more melting, etc.

Anyway the sun has been shining since we got here, even at night, hence the sun-blocking aluminum foil window covers that most people choose. I don’t mind sleeping during the light- I do it all the time. In fact, the 8-to-midnight days that we have been having are slightly easier because in Michigan that is noon to 4. Quite manageable indeed.

Today our day would have been shorter if we hadn’t driven into town to buy groceries. The grand total for about one shopping cart full of pop, canned food and dry goods was $647.25. If we had to pay for our own food, we would be coming out behind, money-wise, even with the decent pay we are making. Three meals a day at the cafeteria in Barrow amounts to $60-$75 per person. In Atqasuk (we head there Monday at 8:15) we have to cook our own food, but we have to buy it in Barrow.

Everyone says that the clear weather won’t last, and the clouds did start to roll in today. Yesterday there was not a cloud in sight. Once the sea ice breaks up the fog will come in, and from what they say, the snow melt started on the eighth and it is leaving fast.