Arctic Adventures

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...