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| On top of Anvil, my first hike since winter hit! |
I’ve just finished the last regular junior high session of the year! It was our biggest group in months thanks to basketball being over, with 23 students from Little Diomede, St. Michael, Koyuk, and one brave girl from Teller. The DIO kids arrived a day late due to inclement weather on their end, but they came bearing (ba-dum-tst!) gifts - polar bear meat in a big “freeze” box for one of our house parents who used to live there. Apparently they were able to harvest three bears in the last week out on the island and were excited to share their bounty. I was fortunate enough to be working days this session, and got the chance to plan and attend a few field trips to new locations around town. These included the local chiropractor and our fish and game biologist. With only eight workweeks left in the school year (seven of which are with students) this was a nice transition to start gearing up for the last big push to the end.
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| The gang, with blue shirts on blue sky |
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| Letting go of the balloon at the National Weather Service |
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| Getting adjusted at the chiropractor's office |
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| A free can of local smoked salmon, courtesy of Norton Sound Seafood |
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| Fun in the pool! |
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| This student exclaimed "This is my first tree!" |
Everything is melting for real this time. I mean it. The roads have all turned to mud, and wearing break-up boots is an absolute requirement before leaving the house. My truck is covered with mud and dust rather than snow and ice. I went out on the sea ice to visit the Nome National Forest for the last time before it washes out with the waves. Crabbing season is over, and the mining camp stationed out on the ice (along with the many videographers and producers there to film it) packed it in. The increasing daylight (past 11pm now!) and warming weather allowed for an impromptu hike up Anvil Mountain with my two best pals in Nome. From this vantage I could see huge open patches of ocean – it won’t be long until the Bering Sea is rolling once again. Surprisingly, we didn’t need snowshoes, although we did fall in pretty deep in a few places. The terrain alternated between cement-like snow, bare squishy tundra, and deep soggy snow causing you to fall in up to your knees; all within a few steps of each other. One of the best parts of the hike was sliding down the mountain on our derrieres; all of the willows and brambles were hidden under icy packed snow allowing for a quick and exhilarating descent.
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| Muddy roads! |
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| Dusty truck |
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| What's left of the Nome National Forest - castoff Christmas trees |
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| It's full glory during Iditarod time |
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| View from the top of Anvil |
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Peaking out from under a rock ledge
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| Icy tundra |
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| The boys on top! |
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| Our trailhead |
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| Pavement ends...need I say more? |
This week was also filled with a variety of creative exploits. I received a phone call informing me that the t-shirt design I had submitted for the Midnight Sun Folk Fest had won the contest. For my efforts I win a free t-shirt and admission to the festival’s headlining band, as well as the notion that many people in Nome will be wearing my design for years to come. I also finally learned how to make a kuspuk, which is somewhat of an Eskimo hoodie. This piece of clothing is a tundra essential, and is never made using a pattern. Kuspuks are designed based on ones that already exist, and are quite simple and fun to make. I’ve received many compliments and numerous requests to make them for others. I had some fabric scraps left over, and made a headband as a birthday gift for a recipient whose favorite flower is a forget-me-not as well. Good ol’ wholesome crafty fun!
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| The design with the raven is the winner |
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| Double-fold trickery to make my kuspuk! |
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| The finished product |
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| Forget-me-not headband |
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| Not bad for a quick project! |
The Native Youth Olympic games were held at the Nome Rec Center, and I was able to watch and test out some of the events. First up was the pancake flip, where opponents count out three leg pumps, then lock at the knee and attempt to flip the other person over in a backwards somersault. Believe it or not, flexibility is more of a factor than strength, and the girls reliably beat out the bigger boys with no hesitation. Next was the high kick portion, both seated and standing. The kids made it look easy but it was quite the impressive feat. The world record holder was competing, and I watched as he went from being seated on the floor to a full extension of his legs and body to kick a ball hanging above his standing height, all while balanced on one arm. After watching the action I got the chance to test out these events with my friends. It’s bizarre which events you’re good at, and which you just can’t do. I must say, even though I’m a mess at the one-foot high kick, I’m quite the contender at the pancake flip.
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| Pancake flipped! |
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| One-foot high kick - blink and you'll miss it |
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| The world champ; foam flooring hindered his performance |
The National Guard is in town and flying around the region for their “Arctic Care” mission. These dedicated few are traveling around Nome and the local villages to provide much needed free health care to both people and animals. While in town, the Air Force band “The Northern Lights” performed for our community, and with little else to do on a Sunday night I was more than happy to attend. The boys had some talent, playing everything from the 70s classic Frankenstein to the Spongebob Squarepants theme song. My honey and I even got up for a little boot, scoot, and boogying to Brown Eyed Girl. All in all a good night, and an all around good week.
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| The only stage in Nome, in the Elementary School |
