Ice Free

It is a bit odd to glance out my second story window and see blue ocean roll in. Just a few days ago there were still some orphan icebergs bobbing in the water... giving me a different understanding of 'ice cold'. There is a feeling of liberation with the snow gone and the ice disappearing. A new found freedom. I am released from the grips of winter.

The surrounding mountains still have snowcapped tops, but that is changing daily. I can see more and more brown as each day passes, reminding me that snowshoeing season might be gone but hiking and camping is right around the corner. Nome has peaked 45 degrees recently, and if you told me it was 60 I would have believed you. It is amazing how your standards of 'warm' change in just a year.

I have a little less than a month left, which is a bitter sweet feeling. I am excited about my placement in St. Paul, MN but Nome has been my home for the past year. This is not going to be an easy departure.

Late April and early May is by far the hardest time I experienced in the sub-arctic. Cabin fever ran high, patience ran low and spirits dwindled. High energy gave way to restlessness and I had to remind myself that 'this too shall pass.' Easier said then done.

We are moving into 20 hours of daylight and that is a complete turn around from winter's darkness. It seems that it creeps up on you. One day you are rising in darkness and now I wake up and it is light and go to sleep when it looks like 4 'clock in the afternoon.

I will be departing the Gold Rush City June 15th and will be heading straight to North Carolina to attend weddings. I will be back in Texas the beginning of July. I am looking forward to seeing everyone from NC to Texas.

Snow and Slush

It was only last week that the temperatures were dipping below zero. Today we are up to almost 40 degrees. It is insanely warm! I admit that it feels great, but it does bring it's share of problems.

So far this year I think we rank in the top 10 snowiest years on record. Lucky us! We have gotten over 100 inches of snow this year. This means that the 4 feet piled up next to my house has got to go somewhere! Everyone says late April and May are the worst months here because of the break-up of all the snow and ice. I need to buy some break up boots, which basically means I need rain boots that come to my knees. I might just invest in some waiters.

One of KNOM's engineers came up from his home in Palmer, Alaska for a few days in March and I was fortunate enough to hang out with him and get an introduction to broadcast engineering. I have always enjoyed learning about the ins and outs of electronics. I am looking into broadcast engineering programs online. The FCC does not require certification any longer, so it is all about experience. So now all I would have to do is get the education, find a station to apply my new skills and practice!

I can see myself coming back to Nome, in the not too distant future. This is a place that really values community. It is something that is sacred, it has to be, since it is so isolated from the rest of the world. It will be hard to leave.

My next move in life? Well, I have been accepted into an AmeriCorps program called CTEP, Community Technology Empowerment Program. The paperwork is still underway, and when things are more official I will get back to you on my placement.

I am set to head out of Nome sometime in mid-June, when I will fly to North Carolina to attend weddings and see college friends. After that I will be Texas bound where I will be getting my wisdom teeth removed. How exciting right?

Back on track

There was a day when the temperature reached 33 above zero. The ice on the road melted and throughout the day it would snow then rain then snow again. I have to say it was peculiar to see rain again. After all, everything outside has been frozen for months.

Since January KNOM has been covering snowmachine and sled dog races, and now it is all coming to an end. Now, I can try to get back into a regular schedule writing educational spots on the government, fire safety, and even spots on flannel, Scrabble, and soon- Legos.

I officially told KNOM that I would not be returning for a second service year with the station. I have really loved my radio experience at this one-of-a-kind station, but I know it is time to move on and try something new.

As for what is next, well, your guess is as good as mine. I am looking to volunteer for another year, in a new state. My current thought is that I am going to be a professional volunteer with a Masters in the area by the time I am 25. That should bring in the money.

Nome’s great darkness has subsided, which is fantastic for my snowshoeing excursions. The sun rises sometime during the 7 am and sets around 10 pm. It is so weird to have all of this light after so much darkness.

Iditarod 36- 2008

We are still calling in mushers, but here are some pictures of some of the dog teams.



The Finish line before Lance Mackey arrived.

Sled Dogs, Dehydration & Purple Toes

Iditarod is underway! The dogs are headed to the Gold rush city. You can see the progression of the race on www.iditarod.com.
From there you can learn all about the race, mushers, dogs and how everything is done. It really is truly remarkable how the Last Frontier comes together to complete the Last Great Race.
I have been learning about the check points, villages, sled terminology and how everything comes together on the radio side of things. You never really know what all is involved until you are trying to figure out what you are about to broadcast.

I recently made a great purchase... SNOWSHOES! Yes, this Texas/North Carolinian has a new favorite activity involving venturing out into the cold.

I have been trying to go out at least once a week. Each time hiking farther and farther outside of town. When you have been here for months you realize your world is a 4 block radius- if you are lucky. So, hiking 3 miles outside of town is a real retreat and exhilarating.

I take my backpack with extra weight, my portable FM headset to check the weather on KNOM, snacks, water and get dressed- which takes about 20 minutes.

One Friday afternoon, with blessing of more light, I took a trip to the tundra after work. All day it had been above zero so I was excited to get out.

As soon as I got to the point outside of town where I could put on my snowshoes I took off my gloves and felt that it had dropped below zero. So, I kept on my heavy duty gloves and broke out the hand warmers just in case, and I began my 4 mile round trip adventure out of town.

Over the course of my mini trip I fell into drifts that were 4 feet deep, and being 5'2'' that complicated things, ran into hares, snowmachiners and lost all feeling in my toes. The overall trip took about 2 1/2 hours from when I left to house til I returned.

Upon my return I took off boot and wool socks and saw nothing but red and white toes- obviously a bad sign. I did what I had learned about frostbite and immersed them in warm water. Funny thing, when the toes turn white and blood begins to circulate again everything turns purple and blue! Needless to say I was a little nervous when my pinky toes turned blue. I still have all ten toes!

However...
Now, my toes are extremely sensitive to the cold and even when I am in the house if I am just in socks they will turn white. Ahh, frostnip! I will forever be reminded of my time in Alaska...

The next day I felt sick. I realized that I had about 8 oz. of water over the course of the 2 1/2 hour trek and that meant that my body was dehydrated. It felt like I was hit by a train. So, needless to say I learned from my mistakes and since then I have gone on 2 trips and not made those mistakes!

Thank you for all the prayers that you are all sending my way! They are greatly appreciated! It truly helps to know that people in the lower 48 care.

Have a great day and follow the Iditarod!

Iron Dog 2008

KNOM Covered a 2,000 mile snowmachine race from Wassilla, Alaska to Nome to Fairbanks. Their snowmachines had to endure snow, -40 to -50 degrees with wind chills, and go insanely fast.



Some racers waiting to leave Nome after their 36 hour layover.

White Mountain Videos

Someone order a cab for the airport? This is the ride to the air strip in White Mountain. That was my first time on a snow machine, after I landed in the village.

A child named Mike from White Mountain enthusiastically showing me how to go down the slide and miss the 'lava' below!