Arctic Blessings

Jennifer and Joanie had a small earthen pot that was crafted in northern Mexico. Over 200 friends and family members have 'spoken' prayers and blessings into the vessel... asking for protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling, global warming and other onslaughts threatened by the negligence, greed and short-sightedness of humanity.
At the top of the farthest peak, we had a ceremony. We spoke prayers and thoughts and blew the blessings out to the caribou nursery of the coastal plains - known to the Gwitch'in people as the sacred place where life begins.

When we returned to camp after more than 8 hours of hiking, we ate dinner then packed up the boats. We only paddled for about 15-20 minutes downstream to the airstrip where we will fly out early tomorrow morning. It was midnight by the time we set up camp again and went to bed.