Spring Is In The Air

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Flag of United States  , Alaska,
Monday, April 14, 2008

Spring is in the air here in Arctic Village.  The sun is now out 17 hours a day or so and it is bright and beautiful!  Temps are climbing to 0 and even above at the warmest part of the day.  People are out moving around and kids are running wild playing... including my own.  Now that the sun is back and we know the kids and families our own kids have more freedom to snow mobile, ski, and sled with their friends.  Carnival is taking place this week and it has been a lot of fun so far.  It started Saturday and goes until Wednesday.  They do wood chopping contests, races of all kinds, games and music.  Its like a bunch of bears coming out of hibernation.  Bradie, Mary, and Chance are getting very good on the skis.  They go down hills that make my heart jump but land upright every time.  They are getting fast.  Ive yet to be on a pair of skis (no boots my size) but they make it look like so much fun.  I'm starting to take my class hiking, skiing, and ice fishing in the afternoons to get us out and about.  It is really an awesome experience to see the village kids find the ice holes and drop a line for greyling. 

Recently one of the village hunters shot two adult wolves.  He found me and Becky out hiking and gave us permission to come and take a look.  It sounds crazy but I was really interested in seeing the beasts I'd heard about all winter up close.  They were really big.  The males paw was as big as my kids head and the coats were so thick.  I know many may have a problem with the killing of wolves but here it is about survival and economy so I do not share those feelings.  Many people come from the lower 48 and shoot many wolves from helicopters and this does not get the media attention that the natives get for shooting a wolf or a polar bear found away from his natural habitat.  OK, enough preaching.  I was awed to be able to see these animals that had just been up on the hill above the village moments before and I have an even healthier respect for the warnings we newbies get.

During all of this excitement we are preparing ourselves for our move May 20.  We have purchased a vehicle that is waiting for us in Fairbanks and we have rented a wonderful home .  I will be teaching  but will not find out my school assignment until May 1.  We are gradually packing and preparing for the next leg of the adventure.  I am excited to be going to a region that still has mountains.  I have really come to love them and would hate to give them up.   I will keep you all updated as we have more news on the horizon :). Male wolf
Male wolf
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Comments

joeyk
joeyk on May 1, 2008 at 04:38PM

Looks Cold
Hey Mike and Amy just wanted to let ya'll know I have been reading your blog, its fascinating and very enjoyable, you guys stay warm and continue to post. What ya'll have accomplished is amazing. Oh yeah and GO GATORS!

Joey Kaylor

wisewolfwoman
wisewolfwoman on May 30, 2009 at 12:13PM

Shouldn't be a teacher
How inappropriate of you as an educator to post pictures of Wolves killed for no reason. Calling them 'beasts' and talking about 'warnings' show you know nothing about the animal. I suggest that you don't past this narrowmindedness on to the young people you teach. Terrible.

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