Winter Has Arrived

It looks like winter has arrived in Kotlik.  Slush and ice chunks first started on October 19th, but boats continued to travel the Yukon in search of seal and to get from the houses across the river.  A storm moved in on Halloween night that was accompanied by strong winds and blowing snow as well as dropping temperatures.  The predicted temperatures for this week call for highs in the teens with lows in the single digits and lower teens.  Hopefully this will freeze the rivers up enough to walk on so my fellow teachers and I can increase our area of exploration. 

River traffic on October 19th.

The sunrise from the porch on November 1.

The neighbor made me a authentic seal spear with thrower.  The thrower, point, and spear end are made out of moose antler and moose bone. 

A view of the river upstream.  The neighbor's snow machine is warming up on the left.

A view across the river this morning.  The boat pictured is the only one that hasn't been pulled out of the water yet.  I'm not sure, but it might have to stay for the winter.

A view of the main boardwalk as I head to school.

 

A group of ravens riding the wind currents coming off the school.

The pair of ravens that hang out on the old school.

This is a picture of the school cafeteria/commons area of the school as you enter the front door.

Murals on the wall above the fold out tables and pictures of village elders.

A view looking out the front of the commons area.  The main door is on the right.

A traditional Eskimo parka made out of seal skin and a fur hat to go along with it.

A view of the frozen tundra from the hallway of the school.  On the right is the high school wing of the school and the left is the Jr. High.