The ice fog rose from electric plant in Ft. Yukon and we almost couldn't land. At the last minute, the plane banked and we landed. No one met me, but called and got one from Richard (shoutout to Richard). I wasn't inspired to go out walking, but a surprising number of kids came to school. After laying some quick plans, it was time to scoot up to Arctic Village where I can always count on a ride from Scott.
Only about half the kids came to school on Tuesday, but bragged on Wednesday that they'd had a great time visiting around and sleeping in the day before, totally missing the purpose of excused absence for less than -50 degree temps. The air crackled and my skin was so dry I sounded like a grasshopper when my skin brushed against itself.
By Thursday, it had warmed up to 10 degrees, a 75 degree increase within 12 hours. That always amazes me. I had trouble sleeping due to the shifting of metal as the building warmed up. Chili at Gretchen and Sam's was yummy, as was the conversation.
The next week I flew to Alakanuk (which means wrong turn). I woke up on Sunday morning at 7 am and had a sudden thought- maybe the plane left at 8, not just boarding at 8. Sure enough, Paul jumped up and got me to the airport just as the agent was announcing the last bag check for the flight to Anchorage. No problem checking all the way to Alakanuk via St. Mary's. In Anchorage, I barely had time to get an iced tea and an Egg McMuffin and a short visit with Ray and Mary and Alex before we were in the Tin Can on the way to St. Mary's. No Dash-8 so no cookies or flight attendant. What a dismal start!
Sure enough, in St. Mary's I watched the baggage guys load the plane- no bags. They didn't make the connection in Anchorage. They'd send them out to Alakanuk as soon as they could. When we landed in Alakanuk, no one was there to pick me up, but I met Diane on the road. With no bags and at 10 degrees, it was an easy walk. She gave me dinner and bedding and I made due. I missed that toothbrush and clean underwear though. My bags were delivered to the school by Neda on Monday. Almost everything survived except the eggs, which were sequestered in a plastic container in my suitcase, leaked into my clothes and stiffened up a few items. The frozen chicken had also thawed and smelled questionable. Diane and I enjoyed the asparagus, spinach and oranges though, a Bush treat for sure.
I worked in Alakanuk School on Monday and Tuesday and flew to Mountain Village late Tuesday. A ride was there to pick me up and Jean gave me the bad news- a city water pipe had broken and there was very little water pressure. Toilets only flushed every few hours after the backs filled up and drinking water was limited. School got out early (1:30) to reduce the pressure on the stinky toilets. No showers, but a sluicing under the faucet was doable. Jean hosted me and I had an uneventful rest of the week.
The view of the village and the Yukon River from Ignatius Beans School in Mountain Village.
Parking lot beside the A.C. Store (MOU).
The quadriplex teacher housing in Mountain Village.
$21.85 of food from the Mountain Village A.C. Store.
Morale was low- contracts came out, no showers in a week, early out messed up student schedules, the roads and steps were glazed ice, basketball games were cancelled, but hey, there was almost 8 hours of daylight and the sun was shining. It must be Spring in Alaska!
1 comment:
So you're one of the state's math coaches! I'd heard of that project. Thanks for participating, I'm glad the Legislature funded it.
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