Goodnight

Nelson Lagoon sunset, at 9:30 PM, with a snowmobile (small dot on the far left) heading back from the hills.

Whale Bone

Sunny Nelson Lagoon

Bering Blizzard

   After two days of 60 mph winds and blowing snow (with brief periods of calm during which we were able to step outside at the risk of being attacked by some of White Fang's half-siblings), it cleared up. During the blizzard, we watched Lethal Weapon 4, Eraser, and Con Air (the shady guy down in Room 2 really likes TNT--everyone in the whole motel has to watch the same channel, by going into empty Room 3 and changing the channel on the set in that room). Today we wanted to watch just five minutes of news to make sure the world was still there, but he kept changing it back to WWF. We think to make up with us, he brought us his 45X hunting scope (to look at the scenery)--which of course made us feel much better, seeing as how our window is facing his.

Far From Feeling Stranded

One 60 mph gust in this blizzard, and a simple walk around the side of the clinic to retrieve a compressor can be dangerous. And funny.

Vegetable Medley

We'd like to give you a good laugh at our meager dinner, but we have this on a regular basis back in civilization. Go ahead, it's funny. Laura, we knew you'd have something to say about the lack of color in our food choices (just so bland!), and that's why we used the blue plates. Gotcha.

Nevermind. Over.

Jim started seeing patients on Sunday morning, but many weren't showing because it was dang windy and snowing outside and progressively getting worse. So he drove to their houses and picked them up in the company 4WD Toyota Sienna (Ally, I take back everything I said about your mini van--that thing is AMAZING). After awhile, the people just refused to come out of their homes anymore.

Momentary Fearlessness

You may have noticed from when we were in False Pass, and also here in Nelson Lagoon, that there are less of those walking-around-town photos posted. That's because of the wolves. Bears are still hibernating for the most part, but in both places, the wolves have been coming into town, hungry. They shot a wolf who was milling around a home's front door here in Nelson Lagoon a couple days ago. In False Pass, they told us it was okay to walk outside as long as you were with someone who had a gun. Here in Nelson, they said not to go out at all. Something about the wolves traveling in packs and running out of ammunition. And also something about your jugular...Anyway, we're (sadly) staying inside, except when we get up the courage to take our chances every once in a while. In this windy shot, Sarah couldn't have fallen forward any further if she'd tried.

All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy

We started unpacking our things, milling around the motel room, peering into drawers and cabinets, when a banging at the door startled us. We went to it together and opened it slowly--no one was there. It was just the wind, we decided. Jim closed the door and made a show of turning the little lock on it, saying reassuringly, "Don't worry, this'll keep us safe."

The Bering Inn

Again, we're thankful to have a roof over our head. This time we're surrounded by vacation bible school craft projects and curled up photos of previous guests. The ceiling and curtains are straight out of a motel horror movie--you choose: Psycho, Vacancy, Identity, The Shining. There's a collection of Country Gold tape cassettes we've been enjoying, and a 1988 Anchorage phone book (in case we wanted to order pizza and have it freighted to us 21 years ago or something). The most welcoming thing we noticed on our arrival (besides the green anti-freeze in the toilet) was the toothbrushes they left for us in the medicine cabinet. We'll be sure to use those.

Sideways Icicles?

Wish we had a better shot of these sideways icicles, formed while the famous Aleutian wind was blowing at just the right temperature before our arrival. This was moments before the wind began to blow (from a new direction), taking the icicles with it.

Town

Welcome To Nelson Lagoon

Flying in on the Cherokee, we got a view of the town. It really is on the edge of nothing, with no trees or mountains to buffer the wind blowing across the Bering Sea.

False Pass to Nelson Lagoon

Goodbye, False Pass

We hated having to leave False Pass in a hurry, especially since it was sunny and clear and we hadn't had a chance to get down to the old Peter Pan Pier to wander around the abandoned cannery, but there were only 35 people in the whole village (we saw them all), and Pen Air called from Cold Bay to tell us their pilots would be there to pick us up in half an hour. We threw our things together (which is more amazing than it sounds) and divided all of the equipment onto the two Cherokees they sent. Mami rode on one, us on the other.

One Last Pass Through