Hank!

Hank! Full speed ahead post ptarmigan hunt.

I had no intention of keeping him. In fact, when I left this little puppy in the village last May, I only half expected him to be around when I returned. Here in the village dogs are left to their own devices. They aren't toted around in small handbags or fed special diets. They aren't trimmed, groomed or even brushed and they certainly aren't put in kennels. Alaska is their dog park and nobody is spayed or neutered. These are the reasons I didn't intend to keep Hank with me.

Well, he ended up on my porch about two weeks ago and despite my best effort to ignore him, he hasn't left. He greets me as I open the door every morning and follows me to school. He runs with me every evening and never looses sight of me, except when tormenting small game. He's a great little companion.

Like I said, I wasn't going to keep him, but with his unwavering loyalty, he's won me over. Again.

Yeah, I'm a sucker.

In other adorable news...Friday was dress-up day for the kids. This quintessential 4th grade boy put on his Sunday best: sweat pants, gym shoes, a clip-on tie and an incorrectly buttoned shirt. He hurried in, glowing with enthusiasm asking, "Did I win a prize?" He didn't but I think he won my heart.

I'm Back!

I returned to Alaska on August 9th and arrived in Manokotak on August 12th. Despite the outrageous summer that was, I've begun to feel as though I never left. I've quickly slipped back into the comfort and ease of my uncomplicated little existence here in Manokotak and thankfully, the same kind faces greet me, this time with more enthusiasm than before.

And while I have spent many hours contemplating my future (isolated) months here in bush Alaska, tonight as I looked out across the sun soaked tundra and along the muddy banks of the Weary river I realized there was nowhere else in the world I'd rather be but in this life that seems more like a painting or a beautiful dream than reality.

The Weary River

Kirsten and I pull in the fish net. Very exciting!

Salmon is beautiful inside and out.

You can see the salmon drying in this fish house.

I was walking home from the village and heard little yells from behind. I turned around and saw these two kids from my class running after me.

My favorite pilot. Looks safe enough.

The winding Weary River

Just for the view of it

Before I left Alaska, I spent about 30 hours Anchorage. It was fantastic. We climbed Rainbow mountain which afforded some amazing views. It was a wonderful start to my summer vacation.

We had a beautiful day. Molly liked it too.

Getting up the mountain wasn't really the hard part, it was getting down that freaked me out. I imagined loosing control and bear hugging the mountain, sliding uncontrolably down to the base. So, here I am, nice and cautious on the decent.

Summit!

Mount Redoubt (and more)

I had a few really great flights on my way back to the lower 48 states. From Manokotak to Dillingham, Bauker took a compleatly different route than usual, one I'd never seen. Though I felt really sick upon arrival (lots of twisting and turning), I was thankful for the beautiful views.

From Dillingham to Anchorage, we flew by Mount Redoubt. It was such a clear day that the active volcano was very clearly visible. I was impressed...
The Breakup (Manokotak to Dillingham)
A new view (Manokotak to Dillingham)

Funny Fifth Grader - last day of school

Kid: "Ms. Lida, do you have a boyfriend?"

Me: "Hmm...you know, that's not really a conversation I want to have with you."

Kid: "Well, if you do, can I see a picture of him?"

Me: "What? Why?"

Kid: "Because I want to see if I'm more handsomer than he is."

Me: "You mean more handsome."

Holy Crap!

Today was our last day of school. I leave here tomorrow at 4 p.m. I'm feeling quite a rush of emotions: excitement, sadness as well as a little fearful and overwhelmed at the thought of being able to do anything. I've become accustomed to this simple, slow paced, no stress way of living that I know will drastically change as I step off the Bowing 757 and disappear into a summer of excitement and adventure that's probably not nailed down enough for me to be confident that it will all run smoothly. Never does, but then, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm excited to see my friends and family and do normal things that 26 year olds do. Like ride my bike around Lake Superior.

Kids Are Cool

I rode a rusted old bike to the village after school to deliver my injured student some magazines, books, get well cards and treats. Tuesday night he snapped his collar bone in half after he fell hard from of a four wheeler. The normally rambunctious, quick and full of life little boy was sedate and cringed in pain, though I could tell he was trying to hide his discomfort. Summer officially begins in eight days and he was excited for weeks of commercial fishing with his dad. He won't be involved now, at least not for the first several weeks. Tough to see a kid like that in such rough shape. Poor little guy.

I hung out in the village for a while after my errands, and since I'm not there often, when I am, the kids are pumped. A few of them rode their bikes with me the five miles back to my house. I fed them a snack and they turned around and did it all again. I hope that when I have children they are as cool as some of the kids I've met here. They go anywhere without complaint, they are funny and they will tell you everything they know from their very oral culture.

The ice has (almost) melted! Here's a look at the overflowing river in the village. You can see at least one sunken skiff from this picture.

Skipping rocks. I needed a good lesson. My skills pale in comparison.

We stopped to visit some grandparents along the way. One of my sweetest little girls talked about each person buried and explained all she knew.

Hill climbing. They brought me all the way up to my house, I fed them a little snack and they were off again for another five mile trek home. Super cool kids.