A Sunday Hike in Napaskiak, Alaska

It was a beautiful day in Napaskiak. The temperatures were warm - much too warm for this time of the year. I was curious to see the Kuskokwim River. The rivers serve as our roads during the winter months. When frozen, it is very easy to travel on them by snow machine. However, at the moment, they are closed. The ice is too thin. We've had too many accidents. Four people have died when their snow machines broke through the ice. I arrived here the day before the funeral of a grandfather and his two grandsons. The other body has not been recovered. Such accidents are devastating to our communities.

As I looked upon the river, I could see the water pooling on top. Chucks of ice are everwhere. It looks dangerous. Everyone is restless. People are used to being able to travel on the river. Now, we must all wait for the cold weather. We have at least four more days of warm weather before our temperatures will turn cold. And, then we must wait for the ice to form once more. I want to travel to the village I lived in last year. Unless the river freezes, I won't be able to. It seems so sad to travel so far and not be able to travel just 45 more miles to Akiuk. But to get to Akuik, I must cross the Johnson River by snow machine. So, now I must wait. Nature will dictate whether or not I get to go.

Today my hike led me to the outskirts of Napaskiak where our airport is. We have the longest landing strip of all the villages. I was told we are the "back-up" landing strip for Bethel. It is still a gravel landing strip; this is the same in all villages. But it is so long! This photo faces the village. The white building to the left is our Russian Orthodox Church. The blue building is our airport. We have one plane here, which stays here. It is used by the state troopers.

As you turn and face the other direction, you can see how long the landing strip is. Jan and Sean pose for me to give you an idea of the distance.

We made our way back to the village. It is a bit difficult to see but our path is actually a wooden boardwalk. All buildings are connected by a boardwalk. This is tundra. If we didn't have a boardwalk, you would sink down into mud.

This is one of the newer homes. It has a wood burning stove in it. Everyone hangs their wash outside whenever it is possible. It was in the 40s today! Great time to do the laundry!

And this is my house. Actually, it is a duplex. I am living in a two bedroom with Jan Furr. A student teacher lives on the other side of us. We have running water and a flush toilet! (I didn't have either last year in Akiuk.)

Finally, the entrance of our duplex. We live in the left apartment. We are just a short walk to school - less than three minutes. What can I say! The commute is wonderful!