Flying

Last weekend I was invited to do some flying by a new pilot in the area. I've never flown this low before, or this crazy, but since we were the only ones in the area, we had free reign of the sky. My heart dropped from my chest only once, when for just a split second I felt zero gravity. I mean it, a book was floating in the air. Hope you're not getting tired of the views. I never will...

Zero gravity. Here's right about where my heart nearly fell out of my chest.

Flying low, though the tundra looks solid, it would be a messy place to land. We were so low, I cringed, as I intuitively braced for landing.

Great fall colors.


Glistening rivers

Togiak, Alaska

Since our bike trip this summer, my good friend Andy has been pressuring me to support the NRA and learn how to safely operate a gun. This past weekend when I visited Togiak, I had my chance. Andy gave me a good lesson in gun safety in addition exposing me to a variety of firearms, which naturally scared the hell out of me. To me, a gun is still a pretty intimidating responsibility.

Aside from manhandling firearms, my visit to Togiak, Alaska was as much fun as I could have ever anticipated - and believe me, the trip was highly anticipated. During my virtually sleepless visit, we camped, had fires, explored, picked berries, hunted, lifted weights, ran and played volleyball. The first night, as a group of us cruised along the beach on four-wheelers, I felt butterflies in my stomach because those calm, colorful views of the water and of Walrus Island were unlike anything I've ever seen before in my life. It was remarkable, which doesn't even begin to describe it.

The subsistence village of Togiak, AK has a population of approximately 1,000. It's situated in Togiak Bay just north of Walrus Island Game Sanctuary where plenty of National Geographic photographs take place. Like Manokotak, Togiak's people hunt and fish for subsistence. In this village though, they are lucky enough to have a grocery store.







The morning of our camping expedition Andy and Sam shot a mink (above). Sam suggested we bring the mink to one of the village elders who is a highly regarded historian of Yup'ik culture, not only in Togiak, but throughout the state of Alaska. Annie Blue speaks only Yup'ik but her words and stories have been translated into countless texts and curricula. This year she was even awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. I was so touched to have met her finally, and she was thrilled with the mink.

What a wonderful world...

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."