Bike Hike September 23, 2011

Every day that I go biking, I can go a little further. This time I made it out of Newhalen to the Iliamna Post Office intersection. I think it's about two and a half miles each way, which is good for me!

This sign needs repainted!

You can see the low bush blueberries on the tundra. They are right next to the ground. We picked some and froze them for the winter. You can also see a tiny evergreen just starting to grow. The leaves are all turning colors on the tundra.

Most trees are evergreens, but there are a few birch, too. We are on the borderline of two ecosystems here, so we have a unique area.

You can see the mountains across the lake. It is breathtakingly scenic here.

This is the Nilovena Subregional Clinic, located right across the street from the post office. Roadhouse Mountain is in the background ... notice that it has no snow on it...yet.

Rainbow Land September 22, 2011

This rainbow appeared after a quick rain shower in the morning!

It was beautiful, and so close!

Autumn 2011

This picture was taken along the CC Trail-past Dump Lake, but before the Post Office.

It is said around here that fall does not happen up above, but down below on the tundra. The plants on the ground turn red, yellow, and brown.

This is Mary Jante, my friend, who teaches
upper elementary school (3rd-4th grade).

Sweat Lodges, Dump, & Fall on the Tundra 9/11/11 & 9/17/11

9/17/11

 The clouds are rolling in, and the tundra is beginning to change color for fall.






















    The picture below is a sweat lodge. They're all over the village.

 I made it all the way to the dump on my walk this time. There is no garbage collection, so people have to throw their trash into the back of a pickup or 4 wheeler and take it to the dump themselves. Then they either burn it or bury it.

The new HUD houses

This is Dump Lake with Lake Iliamna in the background and the mountains beyond that.  Dump Lake is right across from the dump.

This is the Teen Center. They have potlatches and other meetings here.

To give you some perspective, this was taken from my driveway at the school looking down to the Newhalen River, below.

9/11/11

 There is property for sale right where the river goes into the lake, but it is high priced, geared to a buyer who wants to put in a lodge.  One lot is $65,000 right at "The Point" and the others that are on the lake are about $30,000.  Too bad, I'm not rich.

There is a ramp just at the just to the right of the two red buildings where you can put a boat in.  You can see a little gravel road there.  The river leads right into the lake.  I have yet to go fishing, although Dave did help me learn how to string a pole over the Skype last week.  (I thought he was going to pull his hair out....Mr. Patience...not!)

Making Dreamcatchers from Willow

Alexis and I went outside and got willow, which bends easily, and wove it to make a circle. Then she wove a web inside and hung two feathers from it in the traditional way. Her finished product is hanging in the trophy case!

Fresh Meat and Dried Fish

One thing I will say, people are willing to share here! Mr. Bill, the math and science teacher, and Ms. Kate, the English teacher, got a moose the first week of moose hunting. They shared some fresh meat with me.

I made steaks with it and cut the rest for stew meat. Delicious.

They also gave me some smoked/dried salmon.

Went for a Walk Again 9/9/2011

 There are lots of little lakes and ponds around. Left and below is Roadhouse Mountain.  Everyone says they see bears up there all the time.

 Dusk

The moon was almost full.

Teen center

 The colors are amazing here. They change all the time from greens and yellows to blues.













The picture to the right is one of my favorite pictures.

This row of houses is called the "new HUD houses" on the lake side of the road, and on the other side of the road are the "old HUD houses" that overlook the river.  A few more homes right on the river and lake, and that is all the houses in Newhalen.

The Art of Berry Picking

Berries here grow close to the ground. These are called "low bush" berries. The pine-looking leaves to the right of the red plant is called Labrador tea. It smells really good and can be used as a medicinal tea.  The berries in this pic are crowberries and blackberries.  They aren't like the blackberries (high bush) we have at home. They are just little black pea-sized berries. So far I have picked over two gallons of berries, including blueberries.  People make agutak (pronounced uh-goo-tack) or "Eskimo Ice Cream" out of the berries in winter.  It is made with Crisco, sugar, a dash of milk, and berries. Actually, it is pretty good, and of course, fattening.

Fall on the tundra is not observed by looking up.  The evergreens stay the same.  Fall is observed by looking down as the fireweed turns red and the plants on the ground turn colors.  There are, however, some birch trees here whose leaves turn yellow in color.

My friend, Colleen, bought me this seat in PA. Unfortunately, about an hour after this pic was taken, I plopped down on it and broke it. :(  I will miss it, because it saved my knees and my back.