During summer months I prefer to hike and Geocache (http://www.geocaching.com/) in the state of Alaska and western Canada with my husband. Most of my prior travels have been in the northerly direction, with multiple trips up the Haul Road (though I haven’t made it to Prudhoe yet), a visit to Inuvik in the Canadian Northwest Territory, and recently to Barrow, Alaska.

Prior to October 1, 2008 I had never been on a snowmobile before in my life, but I have been making up for lost time by joining a local snowmachine group, Fairbanks Snow Travelers (http://www.snowtravelers.org/), with trips nearly every weekend. Other winter activities include cross-country skiing and reading cuddled up with my five cats.

This will be my first trip to western Alaska and I’m looking forward to sunning on the beautiful beaches that are rumored (and locals avidly deny) to exist in Nome.

More information and pictures can be found at: http://www.havelmark.com