Special Guest Post

It's a special posting today. I had a cool audio blog running around in my head the last few days, but that will have to wait. I got an e-mail update from the squaw today, and I think it's worthy of a post. She's experiencing something that only a small handful of people in the world get to experience. I give a small peek into the corner of the world of Bush Alaska. . . .now - please make a special warm welcome for the Squaw:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What a crazy winter/spring up here! It has made traveling a most tiresome event. Right now I am in Toksook Bay (pics attached for mom & dad) experiencing a coastal blizzard unlike anything Mother Nature creates in any other place. I'm hoping to make it at least to Bethel tomorrow or Saturday.

I say at least to Bethel, because if that stupid volcano doesn't settle down- and I mean PRONTO!- I will not make it home to my beloved family in Wasilla. Today Alaska Air had to cancel all flights to and from Anchorage. Volcano ash. At least the Tews are still in Bethel and I will have a cozy bed to sleep in. AND- I just realized that if I get stuck in Bethel because of volcano ash, I will be able to continue collecting per diem. That's not a lot of money, mind you, but it's something..

Okay, for a brief explanation of my pictures:

#1- This is me by a Stop sign that is totally buried in snow. It is a bit smaller than we are used to, but I recall from my previous visit that it is taller than me under normal circumstances.

#2- This is the Parents As Teachers office behind the Head Start building. Snow to the rafters. I tell you, "winter" and "blizzard" take on all new meanings in Alaska. PAT is also an early childhood program run by RurAL CAP, but they have their own leaders. I'm not one of them.

#3- Head Start building. This is my home when I visit Toksook Bay. It is currently buried in snow. They have to shovel out the windows like we shovel the front walk. We can't have kiddos trapped in the building in case of emergency.

Seriously, Dad should share that last little tidbit with the teachers who used to give him grief over turning down the thermostat on the weekends.. At least they never shoveled out the window. (In case you were wondering: Yes, dwellings are all built up on stilts like Bethel.)

Remember that coastal blizzard I told you about? (Refer to paragraph one) One of our toyostoves began exhausting into the building today because of the snow that was built up around the exhaust vent. (Just to refresh- we had 2 Toyostoves in our Bethel house) I was waiting for the smoke detector to go off. It got very thick and our eyes were burning. And it happened so fast!! Since it's rather dangerous stuff to be inhaling (Sean, correct me if I'm wrong) I told them to start calling parents and send the kids home. In the meantime, we opened all 3 doors (freezing!!) to vent the building. Our maintenance guy came over and declared the toyo is not to be lit if he is not in the building until further notice. Great. Now I'm down a heat source. Whatever. At least there's no volcanos out here on the Bering Sea.

Obviously, I have had a little time on my hands. I shall now go prepare my evening meal of Cup of Noodles. Perhaps I shall crack open some dried pineapple to make it extra special.

Bye!

Amber