Meet Noche, the Homestead cat. Noche arrived in Ely on early October of 2006. He had been living the life of a restless urban housecat in Minneapolis. All the while, however, an explorer lurked beneath his furry exterior.

Shortly after his arrival at the Homestead, Noche took off into the woods. No one knows where his wanderings took him, but he was gone for a full two weeks. Needless to say, the Homestead mice were greatly relieved. Homestead staff members, however, were worried for their new friend. It was during that same time that temperatures dipped well below freezing and snow began to fall. Still there was no sign of Noche. One morning, a scratching could be heard in the back corner of the lodge and Noche’s black head appeared through the small cat door.

Since then, Noche has become the most social among us. He has been known to follow many staff members home to their cabins for the night. He watches over us during the cold days from his basket in warm rafters of the lodge. He keeps the mice out of the kitchen and occasionally brings one in as a gift to share with the rest of us. He sprawls out on the sunny lodge sofa, knowing we can’t resist petting his soft belly. Sometimes his panther side comes out – he has been known to announce himself by leaping suddenly from the rafters onto the table during meals or meetings. If we leave our computers plugged in and unattended for too long, Noche will seize the opportunity to cuddle up on the warm keyboard. One more reminder not to waste electricity! When the expedition team leaves for Baffin Island, and the support staff close down the Homestead for the winter, Noche will move to Ely and live with an adoptive family there until Will returns in the spring.