Here is Bela' and Marley letting it fly. They do this only when we howl. Our own little pack. I like when they just stop at the end.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Caribou Hunt
I got a caribou. That is the short of it. Here is a picture. Sorry it is not glorifying the animal in the field. I tried. I will explain.
First of all it was cold. I know I say that a lot and I probably sound like a little girl by now, but it was frost bite cold. Just ask my fingers. I know I say that a lot too, but just ask the skin that peeled off my fingers. There, haven't said that before. My nose might have something to say on the subject too. He too lost some skin. It was cold enough that the guns wouldn't work. The oil used to make things smooth, was making things stick. It was cold enough as soon the camera opened to take a picture it froze and wouldn't even shut.
I took Steph that morning up the south side of the Kanektok river, hoping that a few would have crossed the river. It was calm out, and thus felt somewhat warm near the house. I don't know what we were thinking because it was too cold. We work our way maybe 7-8 miles up the trail. Didn't see a dang thing and just gradually froze our entire body. Kind of just worked its ways up the arms and legs to the organs. By then we were stopping every little bit and doing jumping jacks and running sprints. Hands hurt, feet hurt and running was not helping the situation. We made it home and immediately fired up the stove and thawed.
I ate lunch and geared up for a trip up the north side of the river, where there were reports of a few herds. I didn't get two miles from the village, before I spotted a herd of maybe 30. They were half bedded up and half eating. I crawled for about 150 yards as there was a stretch that long with no cover. I cozed into some brush and got the scope on them. A nice bull was in the group, but was behind some brush. I was prepared to wait them out as they had now idea I was there. But...another snow machine came along and they went on alert. I thought they may run, and tried to move for another angle on the bull. This time they saw me and took off. At first they were probably only 100 yards. Now they were all running. A few stopped at 200 yards and I lined up a shot and got the one in the picture. All in all, much easier than I anticipated. Will never again be that easy, I know. Tim and Eric came by later and helped me get it home. Thank you guys.
Some of the stuff we were hunting:
Eric looking like snow:
A couple over here, a few hundred over there.
First of all it was cold. I know I say that a lot and I probably sound like a little girl by now, but it was frost bite cold. Just ask my fingers. I know I say that a lot too, but just ask the skin that peeled off my fingers. There, haven't said that before. My nose might have something to say on the subject too. He too lost some skin. It was cold enough that the guns wouldn't work. The oil used to make things smooth, was making things stick. It was cold enough as soon the camera opened to take a picture it froze and wouldn't even shut.I took Steph that morning up the south side of the Kanektok river, hoping that a few would have crossed the river. It was calm out, and thus felt somewhat warm near the house. I don't know what we were thinking because it was too cold. We work our way maybe 7-8 miles up the trail. Didn't see a dang thing and just gradually froze our entire body. Kind of just worked its ways up the arms and legs to the organs. By then we were stopping every little bit and doing jumping jacks and running sprints. Hands hurt, feet hurt and running was not helping the situation. We made it home and immediately fired up the stove and thawed.
I ate lunch and geared up for a trip up the north side of the river, where there were reports of a few herds. I didn't get two miles from the village, before I spotted a herd of maybe 30. They were half bedded up and half eating. I crawled for about 150 yards as there was a stretch that long with no cover. I cozed into some brush and got the scope on them. A nice bull was in the group, but was behind some brush. I was prepared to wait them out as they had now idea I was there. But...another snow machine came along and they went on alert. I thought they may run, and tried to move for another angle on the bull. This time they saw me and took off. At first they were probably only 100 yards. Now they were all running. A few stopped at 200 yards and I lined up a shot and got the one in the picture. All in all, much easier than I anticipated. Will never again be that easy, I know. Tim and Eric came by later and helped me get it home. Thank you guys.
Some of the stuff we were hunting:
Eric looking like snow:
A couple over here, a few hundred over there.
Now taking donations...
not really, but seriously, what's up.
The need to buy right away if we are going to stay here for a long time list:
Bear Gun (protection)
Yamaha 40 Jet
Aire Travler
This motor is designed to run in shallow water. It has no prop. Sucks the water in and shoots it out the other end, pushing you to a little slice of heaven. Upriver that is. This is #1 on the list at the moment.
This is the Aire Traveler. Floating down the Kanektok or Arolik seems like the ultimate to me. I don't know why. If enough of you would come up, I might consider a larger raft.
Now if Steph would stop buying stuff...these would be real pictures, like on our porch real.
Book your reservations now for prime dates. I have almost bought the plane tickets for coming up a month early this summer. So anytime after July 6th and you got yourself a vacation. I'm not joking on this...we would love to have visitors.
The need to buy right away if we are going to stay here for a long time list:
Bear Gun (protection)
Yamaha 40 Jet
Aire Travler
This motor is designed to run in shallow water. It has no prop. Sucks the water in and shoots it out the other end, pushing you to a little slice of heaven. Upriver that is. This is #1 on the list at the moment.
This is the Aire Traveler. Floating down the Kanektok or Arolik seems like the ultimate to me. I don't know why. If enough of you would come up, I might consider a larger raft.
Now if Steph would stop buying stuff...these would be real pictures, like on our porch real. Book your reservations now for prime dates. I have almost bought the plane tickets for coming up a month early this summer. So anytime after July 6th and you got yourself a vacation. I'm not joking on this...we would love to have visitors.
KRSI
I'm sorry. I took a month off there. I'm back, keeping you in the loop with village life. February 11th already! February, March and even January are tough. Not a ton of light in Jan. Cold in February and January for that matter. By March I just hate snow. I want a more liquid form of the crap by then. In fact, even now, all I think about is fishing...fly fishing.
The guys keep telling me about spring trout fishing. The river opens up and the trout go crazy eating everything that hits the water. Can't wait.
About two weeks ago it got warm for like the third time this winter and everything melted. I took the 4-wheeler upriver a ways, to place called KRSI. It is an abandoned fishing camp that the village ran. At least that is what some have told me. There are a few buildings and metal frames left. It is situated on the end of a gravel bar right were the river splits. That gravel bar is loaded with fish. JT, Milt, Michael and myself have all enjoyed fishing up there this year.
I drove up there two weeks ago by myself and tried to find some running water. I had to walk in off the tundra trail as the ice on sloughs leading in were covered with standing water. Most of the gravel bar was covered with ice, but there was a nice 75 yard long chunk of deep water. I had to cross some other questionable stuff to make it out there, but it was worth it to just get a few casts in and work on the double haul. Albert at school asked me if I could double haul and I had to admit "no". So it is now my mission to get that thing looking good. haha.
Well welcome back and thanks for reading. I have got a few more in mind.
M&M fighting the wind:
First Grayling:
I'm sorry. I took a month off there. I'm back, keeping you in the loop with village life. February 11th already! February, March and even January are tough. Not a ton of light in Jan. Cold in February and January for that matter. By March I just hate snow. I want a more liquid form of the crap by then. In fact, even now, all I think about is fishing...fly fishing.
The guys keep telling me about spring trout fishing. The river opens up and the trout go crazy eating everything that hits the water. Can't wait.
About two weeks ago it got warm for like the third time this winter and everything melted. I took the 4-wheeler upriver a ways, to place called KRSI. It is an abandoned fishing camp that the village ran. At least that is what some have told me. There are a few buildings and metal frames left. It is situated on the end of a gravel bar right were the river splits. That gravel bar is loaded with fish. JT, Milt, Michael and myself have all enjoyed fishing up there this year.
I drove up there two weeks ago by myself and tried to find some running water. I had to walk in off the tundra trail as the ice on sloughs leading in were covered with standing water. Most of the gravel bar was covered with ice, but there was a nice 75 yard long chunk of deep water. I had to cross some other questionable stuff to make it out there, but it was worth it to just get a few casts in and work on the double haul. Albert at school asked me if I could double haul and I had to admit "no". So it is now my mission to get that thing looking good. haha.
Well welcome back and thanks for reading. I have got a few more in mind.
M&M fighting the wind:
First Grayling:
Friday, January 09, 2009
One more bedtime story...then it's lights out
We have not been using the 4-wheeler is these temperatures. So we have been walking, which may be even stupider than abusing the Yamaha. Walking requires the following:
Boots
Insulated pants
800 down coat
800 down gloves
face mask
fur hat
800 down coat hood over that.
Ski goggles over all that
It also requires that I take off my glasses, because they just immediately fog up and I can't see a darn thing. So I go blurry, rather than blind.
Well Wednesday night, after basketball practice, I am walking home by myself. It is dark and I can't see to much just blurry things. Just past the store I can see there is a 4-wheeler in the road about 50-75 yards ahead of me. I am walking with the head down like usual, when it sounds like gun shots are be fired at me. Honest to goodness, guns shots. Not just a couple, but repeated for like 30 seconds. The sound is echoing off the store behind me, so I know it is in my direction. I am totally wondering in the first few shots, what it feels like to be shot. Now this is where is gets funny. There is a telephone pole in front of me. I decide that makes perfect cover. I totally turned sideways behind it and frantically dug for my glasses. I got them on and realized it was a 4-wheeler back firing. Relief, but also embarrassment. One of the look around times, did anyone notice what I just did. In hindsight, I am glad I didn't go running around in zig-zags trying not to get shot. Would have been funny though.
It turned out to be a few teacher and I helped him push the machine off the road. We had a good laugh.
Boots
Insulated pants
800 down coat
800 down gloves
face mask
fur hat
800 down coat hood over that.
Ski goggles over all that
It also requires that I take off my glasses, because they just immediately fog up and I can't see a darn thing. So I go blurry, rather than blind.
Well Wednesday night, after basketball practice, I am walking home by myself. It is dark and I can't see to much just blurry things. Just past the store I can see there is a 4-wheeler in the road about 50-75 yards ahead of me. I am walking with the head down like usual, when it sounds like gun shots are be fired at me. Honest to goodness, guns shots. Not just a couple, but repeated for like 30 seconds. The sound is echoing off the store behind me, so I know it is in my direction. I am totally wondering in the first few shots, what it feels like to be shot. Now this is where is gets funny. There is a telephone pole in front of me. I decide that makes perfect cover. I totally turned sideways behind it and frantically dug for my glasses. I got them on and realized it was a 4-wheeler back firing. Relief, but also embarrassment. One of the look around times, did anyone notice what I just did. In hindsight, I am glad I didn't go running around in zig-zags trying not to get shot. Would have been funny though.
It turned out to be a few teacher and I helped him push the machine off the road. We had a good laugh.
Caribou are here
That's right. Flying in last week we saw about 500 maybe about 5 miles from town. They were in a long line that we could see out both sides of the plane. Since then they have been even closer. Many reports of small pods less a than a few miles away.
Eric and I went out on Tuesday after school. Got all dressed up and ready. Didn't help much. The weather was bitter, if you haven't heard. 15-20 below and wind blowing. We found the caribou, but at the moment of truth the bolt of the rifle was froze. Probably the oil, from what I have been reading. Eric had his glove off too long and the top of my nose was exposed for too long and both of us had some minor frost bite. So no caribou, but it was tons of fun nonetheless.
Steph has agreed to go with me in the morning. We'll see what we can scrounge up. Hopefully, I have some pictures of Comet or Cupid tomorrow.
Eric and I went out on Tuesday after school. Got all dressed up and ready. Didn't help much. The weather was bitter, if you haven't heard. 15-20 below and wind blowing. We found the caribou, but at the moment of truth the bolt of the rifle was froze. Probably the oil, from what I have been reading. Eric had his glove off too long and the top of my nose was exposed for too long and both of us had some minor frost bite. So no caribou, but it was tons of fun nonetheless.
Steph has agreed to go with me in the morning. We'll see what we can scrounge up. Hopefully, I have some pictures of Comet or Cupid tomorrow.
Country Magazine
So...our principal Eric set me up. He came in the last month and said he had a job opportunity for me. Not knowing what to expect (could be ugly, just kidding, Eric been great) he told me of a photo taking job that needed a photographer. I don't for one second think of my self as a photographer. Seriously, seriously it is a total hobby for archiving this last 4 years and for times of total boredom. I would much rather think of my self as something to do with music, than a photographer. I'm totally not creative with music or photographer either. I am consistently jealous of my sister's or student's photos. Way better than mine.
Eric apparently disagrees with my thinking and told this editor lady that I take "amazing" pictures and she emailed me about doing a few photos for a journal that Eric is writing about living in the country. He will journal for a week and I will take a bunch of photos of Eric doing what he does, mushing, hunting, principaling, etc. Should be a lot of fun actually.
I sent the lady some pictures from the last couple of years and she replied that I was hired. Hired, I thought that was funny for some reason. She is even sending me a contract. haha. They will have rights to the photos and everything. Real official. The whole thing is totally a chance type of thing and total thanks to Eric for thinking of me. I appreciate it. Someone this Christmas said this is how careers get started. Well see about that. Would be a fun retirement though. Remeber that's only 16 years away. I better get better at this picture thing.
Eric apparently disagrees with my thinking and told this editor lady that I take "amazing" pictures and she emailed me about doing a few photos for a journal that Eric is writing about living in the country. He will journal for a week and I will take a bunch of photos of Eric doing what he does, mushing, hunting, principaling, etc. Should be a lot of fun actually.
I sent the lady some pictures from the last couple of years and she replied that I was hired. Hired, I thought that was funny for some reason. She is even sending me a contract. haha. They will have rights to the photos and everything. Real official. The whole thing is totally a chance type of thing and total thanks to Eric for thinking of me. I appreciate it. Someone this Christmas said this is how careers get started. Well see about that. Would be a fun retirement though. Remeber that's only 16 years away. I better get better at this picture thing.
Music Friday
Welcome 2009. I glad you're all here. Thanks for reading.
Steph and I netflixed the Dylan movie "Other Side of the Mirror" tonight. It highlights his performances at the Newport Folk Festival from 1963-65. He starts off as a almost shy performer in 63' and it is amazing to see the transformation in just two shorts years. The film concludes the performance where Dylan goes electric. This was extremely controversial at the time. To many Dylan turned his back on the folk community and their causes. It was very cool to see that "moment". Hindsight is 20/20 of course and this moment was needed for him to evolve into a what he became, a true legend. It was just crazy to hears those boos after "Maggie's Farm" and cheers when he came back for an acoustic encore.
Here are few songs from the movie for those interested.
1963:
With God On Our Side - with Joan Baez
Only A Pawn In Their Game
1964:
Chimes of Freedom
It Ain't Me Babe - Joan Baez
1965:
Maggie's Farm - The "moment" perfect song to change to...listen to the last verse
Mr. Tambourine Man - to make them happy.
Our your own:
Research the Dylan "Judas" incident for another piece of Rock and Roll history. Youtube works nice.
Steph and I netflixed the Dylan movie "Other Side of the Mirror" tonight. It highlights his performances at the Newport Folk Festival from 1963-65. He starts off as a almost shy performer in 63' and it is amazing to see the transformation in just two shorts years. The film concludes the performance where Dylan goes electric. This was extremely controversial at the time. To many Dylan turned his back on the folk community and their causes. It was very cool to see that "moment". Hindsight is 20/20 of course and this moment was needed for him to evolve into a what he became, a true legend. It was just crazy to hears those boos after "Maggie's Farm" and cheers when he came back for an acoustic encore.
Here are few songs from the movie for those interested.
1963:
With God On Our Side - with Joan Baez
Only A Pawn In Their Game
1964:
Chimes of Freedom
It Ain't Me Babe - Joan Baez
1965:
Maggie's Farm - The "moment" perfect song to change to...listen to the last verse
Mr. Tambourine Man - to make them happy.
Our your own:
Research the Dylan "Judas" incident for another piece of Rock and Roll history. Youtube works nice.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Walking Tour of Quinhagak, AK - Part 4
Sorry, I'm back. Had to go fishing.
1. Second Street.
2. Water Plant
3. Village Police
4. Road to the Airport
5. First Street
Walking Tour of Quinhagak, AK - Part 1
These pictures in order:
1. Bingo Hall
2. Church
3. Post office
4. NVK building - villages offices
5.Washateria sp?? - wash you clothes, take a shower, take care of business in the many offices upstairs.
Friday, December 12, 2008
New Music
Took a week off. Got busy, but back with some tunes for you all. In fact, let's just make this Jack Johnson and Friends Hour.
In honor of us coming home.
Heading Home - Donovan Frankenreiter and Jack Johnson
In honor of Marley our beloved Husky. Got to love the Weisenborn guitar and Ben hitting the high notes.
High Tide or Low Tide - Ben Harper and Jack Johnson - (Bob Marley Cover Song)
A little Matt Costa for good measure. Sunshine just feels good. Especially when we only see it for 4 hours.
Fall Line/Sunshine - Matt Costa and Jack Johnson
Rainbow- This song has special meaning to us. See the first time we drove up here and drove back the 7,000 miles round trip, we had an issue with the registration and insurance card for the car. We couldn't find it. All the guide books said to be sure to have it traveling through Canada, especially at border crossings where they ask to see them. Being travel worn and 9 months in the Bush, we don't look necessarily look like clean Americans. More like dirty hippies. Anyway, as we worried and worried and got closer and closer, we didn't know what they would do if we couldn't produce the info. Not let us by?? Well, as we got closer to the the boarder, there is this typical mountain road with twists and turns and as you come out of it there is a vast plain with Canada straight ahead and the last look at Alaska Range. Breathtaking view from this spot and as we come out of the trees and get this look, we see this rainbow arcing in the sky. On my ipod which we listen to the entire trip on comes this song. The ipod had about 5,000 songs on it and it was on shuffle. Randomly playing songs. This song comes on. Talk about comfort, as the song said "That was God telling me, every thing's gonna be alright" and it was. They let us by with little more than a couple questions.
Rainbow - Jack Johnson and G-Love
Finally,
Breaking away from Jack, we have the Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama. I have to put this on here. Gave me chills. If you don't smile at the end of this song something is wrong. Please don't stop listening until the end. Look at how the band reacts. Even if to you this music is terrible, that ending is inspirational.
Take My Hand Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama
Take Care,
Jim
In honor of us coming home.
Heading Home - Donovan Frankenreiter and Jack Johnson
In honor of Marley our beloved Husky. Got to love the Weisenborn guitar and Ben hitting the high notes.
High Tide or Low Tide - Ben Harper and Jack Johnson - (Bob Marley Cover Song)
A little Matt Costa for good measure. Sunshine just feels good. Especially when we only see it for 4 hours.
Fall Line/Sunshine - Matt Costa and Jack Johnson
Rainbow- This song has special meaning to us. See the first time we drove up here and drove back the 7,000 miles round trip, we had an issue with the registration and insurance card for the car. We couldn't find it. All the guide books said to be sure to have it traveling through Canada, especially at border crossings where they ask to see them. Being travel worn and 9 months in the Bush, we don't look necessarily look like clean Americans. More like dirty hippies. Anyway, as we worried and worried and got closer and closer, we didn't know what they would do if we couldn't produce the info. Not let us by?? Well, as we got closer to the the boarder, there is this typical mountain road with twists and turns and as you come out of it there is a vast plain with Canada straight ahead and the last look at Alaska Range. Breathtaking view from this spot and as we come out of the trees and get this look, we see this rainbow arcing in the sky. On my ipod which we listen to the entire trip on comes this song. The ipod had about 5,000 songs on it and it was on shuffle. Randomly playing songs. This song comes on. Talk about comfort, as the song said "That was God telling me, every thing's gonna be alright" and it was. They let us by with little more than a couple questions.
Rainbow - Jack Johnson and G-Love
Finally,
Breaking away from Jack, we have the Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama. I have to put this on here. Gave me chills. If you don't smile at the end of this song something is wrong. Please don't stop listening until the end. Look at how the band reacts. Even if to you this music is terrible, that ending is inspirational.
Take My Hand Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama
Take Care,
Jim
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sundog Update
Per Grace:
In Yup'ik, akerta-gguq aliimatengqertuq (the sun has gloves on).
nengllipiaqatarluni (both hands).
Per Emma:
Interpretation: Get your parka out, it's going to be cold.
Two days later we had the exact same scene. So maybe they are not that rare. Fog mixed with sun low on the horizon: Sundog weather
Also, it was cold.
In Yup'ik, akerta-gguq aliimatengqertuq (the sun has gloves on).
nengllipiaqatarluni (both hands).
Per Emma:
Interpretation: Get your parka out, it's going to be cold.
Two days later we had the exact same scene. So maybe they are not that rare. Fog mixed with sun low on the horizon: Sundog weather
Also, it was cold.
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