July 1, 2006
Nome, AK
When I awoke at 7 this morning, the sky looked just as bright as when I fell asleep at 10 pm. I slept with a bandana over my eyes, though I worried if anyone peeked in the truck, they would think I'd been kidnapped - stuffed in a mummy sleeping bag and blindfolded.
First thing, I stopped in to Arctic Trading Post, or something like that, for coffee. Since I was the only one in there, I got an opportunity to talk to Mary, the shop owner, who had lived in Nome for decades. My own urban lifestyle demanded I ask her what people "did" around here - and of course she gave me the simplest answer of all -
"we go home - we spend a lot of time with our families."
Of course, the simplicity of this lifestyle would escape me, someone who for the past 8 or so years of living on her own has never known her next door neighbor.
Mary leaves Nome once a year, whether she needs to or not. I asked her about the Teller Highway, one of the three roads that extends past Nome's downtown - but there wasn't much she could tell me, because she has never been on it. Imagine! living in a town this small, and never having taken an exploratory road out of town!
Most people here work for the hospital, or for the city - seems like occupation is much more for subsistence here, then for enjoyment.
I headed for the Teller "highway" - hoping my radio reception would last longer then on the other two roads out, but again I got nly about 15 miles until the static came. The nice sturdy pavement ended after 5 miles, but this was still best road out of the three by far. Even though the gravel was fairly well packed down, it was pretty hard to go over 35 without sliding around every so often. With close edges and streams to fall into - sliding scared the piss out of me.
The fog was fairly view prohibitive, but I did manage to see a few reindeer (I think), and some muskoxen on the way!!! Yay!!! Mission accomplished! However, my desire to turn around overtook all at about mile 45 (which took a few hours to get to) - and I was back in Nome by noon - with a whole day to kill before my 9 pm flight out. Hmmmmm.
Nome, AK
When I awoke at 7 this morning, the sky looked just as bright as when I fell asleep at 10 pm. I slept with a bandana over my eyes, though I worried if anyone peeked in the truck, they would think I'd been kidnapped - stuffed in a mummy sleeping bag and blindfolded.
First thing, I stopped in to Arctic Trading Post, or something like that, for coffee. Since I was the only one in there, I got an opportunity to talk to Mary, the shop owner, who had lived in Nome for decades. My own urban lifestyle demanded I ask her what people "did" around here - and of course she gave me the simplest answer of all -
"we go home - we spend a lot of time with our families."
Of course, the simplicity of this lifestyle would escape me, someone who for the past 8 or so years of living on her own has never known her next door neighbor.
Mary leaves Nome once a year, whether she needs to or not. I asked her about the Teller Highway, one of the three roads that extends past Nome's downtown - but there wasn't much she could tell me, because she has never been on it. Imagine! living in a town this small, and never having taken an exploratory road out of town!
Most people here work for the hospital, or for the city - seems like occupation is much more for subsistence here, then for enjoyment.
I headed for the Teller "highway" - hoping my radio reception would last longer then on the other two roads out, but again I got nly about 15 miles until the static came. The nice sturdy pavement ended after 5 miles, but this was still best road out of the three by far. Even though the gravel was fairly well packed down, it was pretty hard to go over 35 without sliding around every so often. With close edges and streams to fall into - sliding scared the piss out of me.
The fog was fairly view prohibitive, but I did manage to see a few reindeer (I think), and some muskoxen on the way!!! Yay!!! Mission accomplished! However, my desire to turn around overtook all at about mile 45 (which took a few hours to get to) - and I was back in Nome by noon - with a whole day to kill before my 9 pm flight out. Hmmmmm.
Summer dwelling for fishermen on the Bering Sea
Summer shack for fishermen on the Bering Sea
Welcome to Nome - Here is the airport, all 1 room!
My top notch, 75$ a day truck rental
Old train parts at Solomon
posted by Samantha Farbman at 2:12 PM
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