Dear Calling Nome,
As you know, dating in Alaska can be grim. Just when I thought I found someone’s sled to hitch my huskies to, he left town for a lengthy field season! The North Slope, then the Aleutians Islands, and who knows where next. I appreciate the importance of summer scientific research as much as the next gal, but to what end? So tell me, is this typical Alaskan courtship behavior or just a convenient excuse?
Sincerely, Apprehensive in Anchorage
Dear Apprehensive,
The classic summer field season predicament! I know many scientists who spend weeks and weeks counting caribou, measuring trees and mapping coastal edges, and I would take any skepticism of their work as a great insult. Scientific research, especially in this day and age, is extremely important.
That being said, field season is also a prolific time for hooking up, cheating, and ethical non-monogamists to really find themselves. Antarctica trips alone are behind 20% of all Alaskan divorces. Summer is essentially a wash for any successful romantic partnership, so you just have gotta wait it out for a couple months for winter to arrive and your true love will be there waiting for you (assuming you can bring yourself to leave the house).
Stay sunny, Calling Nome
This article was submitted to All The Anchorage by an outside contributor!