The only thing behind me is the North Pole, 1,630 miles away--significantly closer than Vancover.

   And here is a picture of some oil wells on the horizon.  The challenges that they overcome to drill here are more than a little prodigious; the permafrost here is over 2,000 feet thick.  (!!) I was told that they usually break three drill bits--just to get through it.

   The technical accomplishments and innovations of the place were more than a little impressive--but probably not interesting enough to present here.  Perhaps more interesting is the fact that, over the 72nd lattitude, in mid-July, the sun didn't even attempt to set.

   And here is a picture of Deadhorse's only hospital.  They do have a Leer Jet to fly one to Anchorage in case of emergency(ies)--but, unless you are "with the company," the cost is . . . prohibitive.

   The next picture is of "Pieces of Eight"--a piece of artwork meant to pay respect to the first eight investors who brought the first "life money" to the region.

   The local "legends" for the explanation of this . . . artifact, are:

a) He [the "artist"] took his (considerable) paycheck--and laughed loudly all the way to the bank.

b) He spent too many winters "up here."

c) Marijuana was legal in Alaska, at the time of its creation.

   A final note on Deadhorse; it (in fact the entire North Slope) is a . . . rather difficult place to live.  "Plug-ins" (electrical devices used to heat engines) were ubiquitous.  Our guide told us that, "They use those down to about 35 below, or so--any lower, and they just run the engines continuously.  -So, seven months of the year, the motors are never shut down." (!!) I don't imagine it's all that much easier on the people living there (dealing with those types of temperatures, and in perpetual total darkness), either.

Enough of this, John--show me pictures of the Tundra!!