Arctic Adventures

Kayla's Parkie Ruff (Beaver, Wolverine, Wolf) We got home yesterday after visiting family on our break. This is the first time on our way through Anchorage where we didn't do any shopping. Boy was that nice. We were able to run up to Palmer and visit at Aaron and Helen's. Bradley, Tim and Andrea, Becca, Luke, and all the kids were there too. We didn't stay too long because we knew that 3:30 am wake-up call was going to come all to soon As we were leaving Anchorage the pilot announced, "Temperature in Kotz, -20 F." Joy. Getting off the plane in Kotz the temp didn't feel that cold though. We managed to get on the morning flight out of Kotz to Noatak, so that was pretty nice. We touched down in Noatak to the balmy temperature of -30 F. It felt pretty cold. I woke up this morning to -40 F on the thermometer. I was hoping I might be able to get out on these few more days of break, but it doesn't look like that will be happening. Maybe I'll try to ski so...

I went out hunting again this past Saturday with neighbor Kyle and our principal. I was hoping that we could catch some cows this time. The bulls are still extremely skinny from the rut and there is not a whole lot of meat on them. We finally have some snow on the ground, and you wouldn't believe how much better the trail is. Last time I was bumping over, around, and through the tundra tussocks. This time with all the snow we just glided right over them. As soon as we got over the bridge we started seeing tracks. We went up on a hill over the lake to see if we could see anything from up there. There were no caribou in sight, so we went over the first row of hills and saw a couple of high schooler's cutting a couple of caribou. We went and talked to them and they told us that the rest of the herd, five bulls, had headed over some more hills just a little ways. We headed over the hills and there they were. I checked to make sure that they were in fact bulls. We didn't really...

I have been hearing about herds of caribou right close to town for a couple weeks now so finally on Saturday I headed out to see if I could catch one. My plan was to be on the way at daybreak. I gassed up at about 10:00 am, and then waited around for it to get light outside. I packed a duffel bag with some emergency food, knives, spare socks, shirts, rope, and matches. The hands on the clock showed about 11:00 am when I headed out. Still a while before daylight, but I had been chomping at the bit since about 6:00 am. I dressed up and headed out. Herd of Caribou I didn't know exactly where to go but I knew the trail to cross the creek was out past the dump somewhere. As I was nearing the dump I saw a moose take off into the spruce trees between the dump and the airport. I knew other teachers still had some moose tags to fill, so I blasted home and gave them a call. I was on my way back out and I saw them driving to get the moose. I stopped and waited to see if he would get it. A f...

These are some old pics that were on our other camera Caribou King Salmon Big Feet From the Side Missing Eyes (Ravens got them) Half a Sack of Trout

All dressed up for Inupiaq Days-Brett and I in our atikluks and Oren in his rabbit fur mukluks. I have been practicing amaqing Oren around the house, getting him ready for my parki that I am making. We purchased mouton furs from a guy in town, and Doris is helping me to piece them together for a parka lining. I ordered material and bought a sewing machine so I can make the outer shell. We'll be all set! Carrying Oren around in my coat is the best and easiest mode of transportation for him, especially since it's been -25 all week! Oren's buddy Caleb. Louisa holding our new neighbor, Garrett, 2 months old.

I know you're all dying to hear about the feast! We had a wonderful time again, and Oren enjoyed his first feast. It started, as usual, with a prayer in Inupiaq and then English; the first course was quaq, frozen whitefish, followed by trout quaq with seal oil. Brett said that the fish was easier to eat this year. I, however, do not agree, but I think it might be due to the fact that by the time I had a bite, the fish was starting to thaw so the texture got to me. Bunnik cutting fish for her kids. Tranden enjoying his quaq Brett's quaq-ready to eat Alyssa's first feast High school students pass out the fish and they go up and down the rows of tables until all the fish is gone. People take home sacks full of quaq. The next course was seal-cooked blubber, meat, and intestines soaked in seal oil. Oddly enough, the intestines were by far the best so far! Seal Intestines Next, adults got treated with bowhead muktuk, strips of skin and blubber. This fresh muktuk is anoth...

Trying to Eat Trish's Letter Oren's first snow-go ride It's getting dark early here now. Since daylight savings went into effect it seems like it is dark almost as soon as I am done working. The sun is setting at about five o'clock now. It isn't getting light until around 11. I have tried to go out fishing the past two Saturdays, but I was thwarted both times. Last weekend I woke up early, made breakfast, and headed out for the first excursion of the year on the snowmachine. It was a nippy minus ten degrees that morning. Our snowmobile was complaining the whole ride out there, not enough snow. I winced every time I scrunched over rocks, fearing the worst. I made it all the way out to the fishing spot no worse for the wear. As I was navigating the twisty, turny trail I remembered that I forgot salmon eggs for chumming. "Son of a!" I thought to myself. On the way back I decided to take the shorter route where I had to cross some open water instead of driving...

Oren's first Halloween was one without Trick or Treating.  In Noatak, the community gets together to celebrate "Hallelujah Night" in the school gymnasium.  The night begins with the youth group presenting skits about choosing positive influences, followed by games for kids of all ages, and finishes with candy bags for everyone.  We still had to model his adorable costume, though! PS Halloween's weather:  5*F with a foot of snow on the ground.

He LOVES bath time! Oren is 3 months old! He weighs 13 lbs 13.5 oz and is 26 in long. (We just had his 2 month check up, because a doctor was finally in the village. You just have to be a little flexible!) He is really "talking" lately and seems to be a very happy baby. He smiles and shows off his big dimples. Everyone here loves his bright blue eyes. Oren loves to play with his toys and read books. He is starting to grab at things and hold on to them. He also likes to chew on his fists! He still gets visitors pretty frequently and has visited the kids in my classroom on a few occasion. His new panda that plays music. He loves it! Sweater hand knitted by Ingrid! The shirt says it all--Dad's fishing buddy! Oren's friend, Gloria He drools everywhere!

Temperatures have been averaging in the 30's. At night it drops into the teens, and then gets close to 40 during the day. I have had to thaw out the wheel on our four wheeler every morning. The lakes are frozen over, but not thick enough to walk on yet. I sent a pair of skates up here this year, so I am looking forward to dusting those off. Out on the river ice is starting to form up. It sounds like a semi going by, just constant crashing and grinding. Everybody has their boats out of the water now. I finally got to go out fishing this weekend. Holy Mackinaw, was I glad I went! Kayla had some of the other lady teachers over for coffee and snacks, so I decided to head out fishing. I have been a little nervous about going across because the back wheel on our four wheeler has been freezing up in the morning. I knew if I crossed the front wheels were going to freeze up too. I decided to find out how it would go. They almost froze up on me while I was out fishing. That would not have be...

Out of the Water Last night Kyle, Percy and I went on a bear hunt. We had planned on going out a couple of different times but it just never worked out. Finally all of the schedules lined up and we got a chance to head out. I have been having problems with our four wheeler wheels freezing solid so I rode over to "Old Boat Harbor" with Kyle. Percy was heading there at the same time and when we came up to river, there were 2 caribou right across the main channel. Right after we saw them go into the willows we heard a gunshot. They must have missed though because we didn't here the "thhwaap" of a hit. We waited for a few minutes to see if they would come back out of the willows to cross but we didn't see them after a bit so the decision was made to head out. We left the "Old Boat Harbor" at about seven o'clock. Trying to Lift the Head Percy had a good spot in mind just below Sugar. A long, shallow back slough that ran past Robbie's camp. It is...

Happy Mad Innisaq Saturday I went and helped Hilda and Tina cut fish. They had a big ol string of salmon waiting when I got out there. I brought my knife with me just in case they wanted me to help cut too. I just ended up getting fish for them and hanging them. They were cutting all the female salmon a certain way to hang them. I cannot remember what their word for it is. They cut the back meat off the salmon but leave it connected at the tail. It is important that you don't penetrate the belly cavity otherwise the eggs will go bad. The fish are then hung for a while to dry. After a certain amount of drying time the fish are good to eat. Apparently the eggs are delicious. All of the male salmon were cut with the fillets connected at the tails and then scored so they dry better. This is called "panuktuk," (not sure about spelling) or dried fish. Getting Ready to Knock Some Heads I went fishing for a little while after cutting the fish. There are very few salmon in the mai...