A Year Away from Alaska in Sunny California

Though I've lived away from Alaska before while I was attending school in Portland, there was something different about living away this time around. Last June, Alton and I moved to Carlsbad, California, which is about 30 minutes north of San Diego. I don't know if it was California, the fact that I was working and not going to school, less visits back home, not feeling my move was justified, or if it's simply that I'm older and feel the need and responsibility to be at home in Alaska near my family. Whatever it was, there was something different about living away this time around...

Don't get me wrong, living in sunny California was pretty awesome, and the phrase "sunny California" couldn't be put a better way. It was almost too sunny, if that's possible. I always explain to people how much I missed the rain and how, once it's sunny everyday, you don't appreciate clear skies anymore. It's just like oh whoopee another sunny day. When it rained, I don't think I've ever been more happy for the rain. Now that I'm back in Alaska, I'm back to being a tiny bit sick of the rain and a lot more appreciative for sunshine and nice days.

So, just to name a few, here are some things I missed about living in Alaska:

1. Coffee stands - Starbucks doesn't have, for lack of a better phrase, s**t on Alaska's small coffee stands that seem to be more common in Anchorage than the Starbucks you find everywhere in the lower 48. These places make amazing Americanos for $2.00 so how could I ever appreciate a mediocre $4.00 Starbucks Americano?!

2. The rain - maybe not the rain itself, cause I hate how when it rains I have to clean my glasses every time I step outside, but nothing can replace the smell and feeling in the air after it rains hard, not to mention the beautiful sound of the rain. This morning I laid in bed for a good hour before getting up just cuddling and listening to the rain - it was magical.

3. Traffic - yes, Alaskan drivers may suck, but try having a mix of California drivers and tourists traveling at all times of the day. There was literally not one time the highway was empty. And not to mention how when it rains there, it's just like the first snow fall in Anchorage, you have your mix of idiots who don't know what to do and the ones who think they are invincible. I can now fully appreciate Anchorage's rush hour traffic.

4. Basketball - hehe call me a village kid but not once did I play a real game of basketball in California, besides a couple scrimmages here and there. I missed the open gyms and the tournaments that are definitely unique to Alaska, especially for women. So this fall I'm looking forward to getting back on the court with you ladies, you know who you are!

5. Friends - as an adult, out of school, it's so hard to meet other people in a new place. I think if I hadn't been going to school in Portland, I would've been in the same boat as we were in  California. We knew one other person there, and I cannot be more thankful to have had a friend like her there. And though I did have family and friends visit, it wasn't the same. Just knowing you are a drive away from your aunt, or your best friend, makes a difference. The comfort of being close to your closest people just isn't the same as still being able to talk to them everyday (thank you technology)... and last but definitely most important...

6. My family - Probably the largest reason I moved back was them, my whole heart. Not to make them feel guilty or anything, but I really believe what my mother left behind for us was something that's completely irreplaceable and special. The bond I feel to especially my dad and brothers, along with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., is something I learned to appreciate living away and that it might be too strong to live that far away from them. Sure some people might think that's a sign of weakness, but they are one of my greatest strengths. The fact that I was missing out on snowboarding with my brother, or watching my baby brother play basketball, or being there to see my dad get inducted into the Alaska High School Hall of Fame, tore me apart.

While I'm happy to be back, I'll admit there are things about California I'm going to miss. I'll miss walking outside to a warm car, putting my gym stuff on and walking 30 seconds to our gym or going running, the beach, hot tubbing at any time of day or night, and even the endless sunshine. I know once winter hits I might miss living there, but for now, I'm so happy to be back home and have no desire to live there again, even as I look outside to a gloomy, intermittently rainy day. My family is my world and I wouldn't trade a thing to be far from them.



Alton & I at the beach we lived a couple of miles from, Carlsbad State Beach

One of two pools at our apartment - the pool was great, hot tub even better!

 

We spent a lot of time at this basketball court less than a mile from our house.

Spring Time in Unalakleet

Spring time... it's my favorite! At least in Bush Alaska. Bird hunting, crabbing, ice fishing, emperatures are warmer, there's still snow, you can still ride snowmachines on the snow and on the water. It's just a happy time for me :) I went home to Unalakleet for my dad's birthday and Mother's Day; it was perfect timing, though it was a little early for the birds.

Out bird hunting, I didn't shoot anything, but I was completely content with life, sitting in the blind out on the flats. My dad was a "stay at home dad" when I was little (fished in the summers), so he took me where ever he went. Bird hunting in our family has been more than providing - it's bonding and spending quality time with each other without the distraction of Western technology (despite the fact that we have fun with our snowmachines and enjoy the water skipping portion of hunting). I love it and it will forever be my one of my favorite past times.

I also got to help my dad check their crab pots which they keep out from the time there's ice in the ocean until the spring. This is for subsistence purposes. In some of the pictures you can see Unalakleet right behind us, that's how close we are to town! It's a bountiful land that'll forever be home.

My brothers and I heading to the blind with our snowmachines


Here's my dad & I heading out when I was little with our hunting dog Jabbar


Crane flying over Unalakleet


My baby brother sitting in our blind


My dad, brothers Keoni & Gage, and little cousin Kanayaq pulling crab pots from the ice


My brothers & I with the crab we got from two pots

Arctic Man 2K11! 26th Annual!

In Alaska, people anticipate this event all year. Snowmachiners, snowboarders, skiiers, partiers... everyone ready to have some fun, let loose, watch some good ol' action on snow. About 10-12,000 people attend every year, all camping out on one pad below the Hoodoo Mountains by Summit Lake, Alaska.

The race starts at the "Tit", where the skiier or snowboarder heads down the mountain. Then they hook up to their teammate who is on a snowmachine, who takes them for part of the track, and near the end the skiier releases off the tow rope and heads down the mountain. It's a five mile course, with the record running around 4 minutes to make it down.

Our crew headed up early Thursday and was there the entire weekend until Sunday afternoon. I'm well worn out, my body sore from riding (snowmachine) and snowboarding on Friday and Saturday, and very tired from the lack of sleep. It was definitely one of the most epic weekends I've had in my entire life, but I am very glad it only comes once a year! Party on Wayne!

Arctic Man racers:


Nina & I excited to be there! Coincidentally stopped outside the Trooper station:


Me at the top of the Tit getting ready to board down:


My crazy friend Lou havin fun in the amazing snow:


Excited to head up to the mountain!:


Only the greatest crew aka Team Imiq!:

You Haven't Tried Crab Until You've Tried Norton Sound King Crab

So I had a post earlier on checking crab pots on/through the ice, now here's the product! I normally don't like crab, but I'll make an exception for this crab. It's super sweet, juicy, and is just different from any king crab you'll ever taste! We even eat the bellies, which have a different texture than the rest of the meat. Most people throw them away, but you're missing out on crab's best kept secret! In the winters, crab migrate toward the shore in the winter & mate in the spring. So, we have our pots set about a mile from town, if that. Can you say yum? We later made seafood chowder & crab cakes.

Arctic Circle Spring Festival

I got to Kotzebue, my mom's hometown, last Wednesday, ready to watch some races! However, the weather did not want to cooperate for some reason. So, the Arctic Circle Championships, a 3-day sprint dog race, ended up being a 1-day race. Luckily, the weather cooperated for the Kobuk 440 mushers, who left Thursday came in Sunday & Monday while the weather was good. The Archie Ferguson/Willie Goodwin Memorial Race, a snowmachine race consisting of 3 classes, A,B, & C, has been delayed everyday. The one day they could've had it, they couldn't because the Kobuk 440 mushers would be on the trail on their way home. So, it's still on hold. The banquet for the dog races was last night and was ended by a performance by the Northern Lights Dancers of Kotzebue, great way to end the mushing season!

The Best Combination - Home & Springtime

Being home gives me a feeling I can't describe. It's the only place I can't sleep in 'til noon, maybe it's the comfort of being home and being around my family. I love Unalakleet in the spring. The weather's great, the sun is warm, and the summer animals are beginning to show up, including the little chickadees. It also means it's almost bird hunting and oogruk hunting season. I grew up hunting and now look forward to this from the time it ends up until I can get out to the blind that next year. It also means trout fishing with friends and family. This year we've been blessed with thick ocean ice that goes for miles, so my family has been able to have crab pots out almost all winter. Imagine being able to go out each week and have a big crab feast with fresh, sweet, juicy Norton Sound King Crab. Well, since I've been home, I've been able to go out both trout fishing AND checking the crab pots. Enjoy the photos, I definitely enjoyed being able to take them!