3-11-2012

I know I’ve written about this before, but traveling in and out of here usually involves involuntary changes to the itinerary.  Since part of our travel includes four-seat Cessnas, the weather dictates our plans.  Plus, we have to travel through villages with no accommodations, so if we are stuck there, we’re SOL. This past summer, we were stranded in Emmonak, which is just 20 miles from our village.  We were lucky and caught a ride on a boat down the Yukon River.  I use the work lucky loosely, because that was the most painful 20-mile ride of my life. 

On our way back from Wenatchee this week, Monica and I were marooned in Anchorage for a day because of the weather.  I do not consider this unlucky, but I did miss a day of work.   I don’t like missing school.  While I was in Anchorage, I kept looking at the clock and thinking about the class schedule, knowing what the kids were doing at that time.  Even though I was away, my mind was there.  I even hollered at Monica to spit her gum out.  She didn’t. 

When I headed south for Wenatchee last week, I left a day ahead of Monica so I traveled alone.  Observing people at the airport did not build confidence in how we humans are progressing.  While waiting in the airport, I was amazed at how we have become slaves to our electronic devices.  At times I would look up from my Kindle, iPod, or laptop and shake my head with incredulity at how everyone was in their own little bubble, oblivious to the non-digital world around them.  Nerds. 

I’m not a very good people watcher.  I start out just watching, noticing each person’s peculiarity: winter boots, shabby haircut, and a scraggly beard.  And that was just me.  After an hour or two, my mind begins to wander.  I began to wonder, if push came to shove, which people could I take down in a fight?  I never know when I may have to jump into action and take someone down.  After looking at the passengers around me, I hoped I wouldn’t be called upon.  Well, if I could kick the oxygen bottle away from that old man with emphysema (and a ponytail), I could take him down.  But I doubt he could be a threat to anyone.

Anyway, we made it back to Nunam without having to punch an old man.  It was good to be back home.  We left sunny and 60 degrees in Wenatchee for sunny and -20 here. School keeps chugging along.  Last week was our spring break.  It was a three- day break, but it was three days longer than last year’s.  It was nice to be able to recharge a little before our yearly tests next month.  Hopefully the kids feel the same way. 

Even though traveling in and out of here can be problematic (and expensive), it sure is worth the effort.  We have two more months left of school.  The kids are anticipating the weather warming up (maybe) and they sure are enjoying the longer daylight.  They ask almost daily when summer break will be and I am able to give them an exact answer.  It’s nice that we’re all on the same page about something.  Plus, I’m way ahead in my fantasy Iditarod league, so it’s all good.