thanks God, for a super sweet September

If you take one look at my Facebook photos you will see a plethora of beach photos filled with sunshine and beautiful sunsets....YAY! This is, as I have heard, rare for September in Kotz. Generally it is rainy and overcast. But we had that my first three weeks here in August, and now it is beautiful. So I have gotten my fair share of thrilling sunshine-y events. And boredom has been put in it's place!

To start the month off me and my roommate, fellow first grade teacher, and friend took a jump off second bridge. This bridge is over the lagoon. The lagoon empties into the Chuckchi sea. And the Chuckchi sea empties into the Arctic Ocean. SO, does that count at being a member of the polar bear club...? Anywho, we jumped.

and then we were freezing..but enjoying ourselves..

Then, after our jump, we made our way down to the beach. This beach venture was my first time out. I forgot my camera. But luckily I went with my roommate, Camon, and her mom and sister and niece. Camon's mom was visiting and Camon's sister lives here in Kotzebue with her husband and daughter. We took a 4-wheeler up, roasted hot dogs, made smores, and enjoyed some beach side frisbee. Then on the 4-wheeler ride back we took a path on the beach that took us to a old sod hut. This is a house that natives lived in many, many years ago. It has since caved in and become a bit of a party spot for Kotzebue...extremely unsafe. BUT, so neat.

Then, later on the ride we went through South Tent City. This is a place just outside of town that natives sometimes go to to fish and live. Usually it is just for a portion of the year like summer. But on occasion people live here year round. There is no running water or electricity. It is a way of living a subsistence life. The tents are like wooden frames with a canvas top and wood stove in the center coming up. There are probably 25 tents or so in South Tent city. Then there is North Tent City which is the same thing. But apparently it does not really exist much anymore and there are not many tents there any longer. Many people also go to camp to fish. Camp is usually farther away and they go for weeks at a time.

But to further my current adventures. The next week I went to the beach again. This time with my roommates and a few other friends. There we found again roasted hot dogs, and marshmallows. We found moose horns. And a dead seal. And, a beautiful sunset, again.

 

 

 

Above are the beautiful pictures from that night. My roommates Erica and Camon and the seal, and the moose horns. The sunset was unbelievable. It always is. 

This weekend we went to the beach again on Friday night. This time with the kids I live with an d a few other friends from town. We went earlier, this time with cookies instead off smores, but still gladly eating hot dogs heated with campfire. I am loving taking pictures with the kiddos, and of everything. Tons of those can be found on facebook. Their names are Skyler (4) and Fiona (6). The sunset was again, amazing. And this time we got to use a canoe to go out on the ocean with. It as so peaceful and fun. We strapped the canoe to the top of the minivan to get it there. It was awesome. No pictures though...unfortunately. :( 

Then we went on an adventure to find the "Kotzebue National Forest." We went on the tundra to find it. No luck. Apparently it is between town and devil's lake. But no luck yet. In the midst of our search we got the mini van stuck in the mud. REALLY stuck. The bumper was even stuck. It was deep. We had to wait a long time for someone to come pull us out. And finally we were out. 

Our next adventure begins tonight. 

The northern lights are supposed to be really good tonight...but not until 2am-ish. So, despite the school night we are going to go to bed in a few minutes and get up in the middle of the night in attempt to check out the lights. It should be gorgeous. We will see if we actually get up for it.

Then on Friday. I leave for Kenai with Erica. It is marathon time...YIKES.

Wish me luck!