Ever since I was just a child, there’s been something seemingly calling me to the Arctic. I remember being just 7 years old, feeling this overwhelming desire to go to the Arctic and see the stunning wildlife that inhabit the region. This is something I’ve felt ever since, and when there’s enough desire and the work to back it up, well, great things tend to follow!

I’ve seen beautiful landscapes before, but this was on a completely different level! Autumn in the Arctic isn’t what you’d expect it to be. This is a landscape without trees to turn red and gold this time of year. So, to compensate, mother nature puts on a display that puts our colorful deciduous forests to shame! Here, EVERYTHING turns to vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and purples. The entire landscape is transformed into a patchwork quilt of color. And because of the lack of trees, the majestic view seems to extend on forever.

Early one morning, I sat high up on a rocky outcrop enjoying this regal vista. As I gazed at the colorful terrain, I noticed some dots of color that didn’t quite match the rest of the landscape. Little dots of brown that seemed to be moving slightly. Wait a minute, they were moving! MUSKOX! This is what I was out here for! I had seen a few over the last couple of days, but not anywhere near this many. I quickly got up and began the descent off my stony perch. For a landscape so devoid of trees and many other large obstacles, it can take a surprisingly long time to get anywhere. But finally, nearly an hour later, there I knelt, Muskox in front of me, surrounded by a multitude of autumn colors! Dreams really can come true!