Travelling -- Nome and Gambell

On Thursday I left Teller to go to my new placement in Gambell, Alaska.

I moved for several reasons. I really loved being in Teller and I loved the people there, teachers, kids and the community. But because there's not going to be any open positions there, I decided that it would be a good chance to see some other parts of Alaska and the district. Especially living on St. Lawrence Island because of the location and the fact that it's a completely different than living anywhere else in the district, besides Little Diomede.

I left at 930am in the morning and the sun was coming up. The sky was beautiful and it was a wonderful day to fly to Nome and Gambell.

Teller from the Airport

My ride to Nome via Brevig Mission

Good Morning!

Teller from the air.

After we left Teller we flew over the bay 6 miles to Brevig Mission. 

Brevig Mission

I didn't get out of the plane at Brevig Mission because there wasn't enough time to. The pilot dropped off a few items, we picked up a passenger and we were off to Nome. The flight took about 30 minutes or so.

The line that looks like a road, is a road. To Nome. People get stuck trying to drive in the winter. Cost about $5,000 to send search and rescue to get them. 

Nome-Teller Road

This is my only picture of Nome, because I'm a dork. 

So I arrived at Nome and got my bags. I checked them back into Bering Air (which I joined their Gold Points club so I can get points for them to get free freight if I end up teaching somewhere in Alaska.) Then I caught a cab to the grocery store. Which is called Hansen's, but basically is a Safeway. After buying some perishables like hamburger meat, and other things that are easier to get in Nome than in the Villages, I caught a cab to my friend Jon's place.

Jon and me at Airport Pizza, where I wrote my name and date on the wall. 

We went to Airport Pizza which doesn't just sell pizza and we had cheeseburgers and fries. Then we walked around in downtown Nome where the end of the Iditarod happens. While we were eating, my phone died. And my camera was back at Jon's place in my backpack. I should have remembered it, because there were pictures that I wanted to take. But! Eric, my lovely roommate here in Gambell, is letting me steal his! 

Photo courtesy of Eric Camp

Photo courtesy of Eric Camp

Photo Courtesy of Eric Camp

Jon and I walked around Nome for a bit after we ate. I saw the Nugget Inn, the actual official ending point marker that they move into the road when the Iditarod ends. There is no snow in Nome, Jon told me that they are planning on trucking in snow. Apparently they have to do it every year because the traffic packs the snow down, but the roads were dry and nearly bare. We stopped in a couple of shops where I bought something for Breanna, and I also bought a doll for me. 

Doll, made in Brevig Mission -- Seal and I don't remember what the other fur is. Plus old ivory for the face. I love the face. 

I could have spent more time in Nome, there was more to see, but I only had a couple of hours. I would love to take a trip and spend more time, but it's kind of expensive to fly from Gambell to Nome. (Around $500.) Plus I would have to get a hotel room, although one of the teachers said today that I could go during the Iditarod and stay up all night with everyone else and then fly home the next day. 

I had to be back at the airport at 215pm for my 4 flight. I don't know why I needed to be there 2 hours before, but that's what they said.

So I got on a plane and traveled to Gambell via Savoonga. 

That will be a post for later, like tomorrow. I'm tired and going to bed.