First Family Trip to Bethel by Sled

So the sled was ready and the K300 weekend coming up. We needed padding for a sled seat, and since we had a bunch of bubble wrap.....  So, big double seat out of that. Bruce found other uses for the rope.

Temp was below 30 with wind blowing, and we weren't too sure about the trip. Wind was to come up later, so we made a decision to go, knowing we could turn back. The trip was to be about an hour.

Can you see the children?

They couldn't breath....

On the trail, surprisingly warm.

Constantly checking in as I can't turn around while on snowmobile.

Checking engine light, put in more oil, and off we go.

Trail markers

Constantly checking on kids. We'd wave to each other using the shadows as that's all I could see.

Another form of trail marker.

Having to readjust. Everything shifts, including the girls. They needed more padding.

Bethel is just over the hill. Trip was uneventful, the best kind! From here we were able to get to the Vanasse's home by just cutting across the tundra as they are on the outskirts of town. We were fortunate, otherwise we would have had to figure out how to move through town, cutting across icy roads and dodging cars-yuck. The colors continued to get more intense.

Some shots around town

 More tracks near the school.

 Sun trying to get through the ice fog.

 These are called "sundogs" and are on either side of the sun.

 Sunrise, about 10:30 AM. Went for a walk to try to catch the light.  A raven got caught. The Kilbuk Mountains are on the horizon with some cloud toppings.

 Walked across the river to see if there could be interesting photos. Moon was bright.

 I froze, fingers hurt, cheeks were stinging, toes were beginning to go numb.

 Headed home fast.

More Selaviq'ing

 We went to the evening service at the church, which lasted about an hour. It was our first time in this church as we had spent time only in the Moravian one. Bruce and I stood in the back, but women were on one side, men on the other. We heard the next morning service was to be about 30 minutes so had our girls get up to attend. But, we misunderstood, as the service lasted over two hours. It was a privilege to have witnessed the service with the incense, readings, chantings, and relics. The girls were very patient as we all stood for that amount of time, except when we were kneeling on the floor, with the frost (cold knees!). The Father came over afterward and visited. He is the new Father of this church and will travel in from Kasigluk.

 After the evening service we walked with the handful of churchgoers to the next house for Selaviq.

 

 The next day, we received a call inviting us over to a home as they were to be next in line with the community showing up. We arrived early and tried to help them get ready. Of all tasks, three of us were asked to open up and begin the canister of wet wipes. We all failed....

We ended up in a room that, eventually, became very crowded with kid energy. Bunk beds can just be too much fun.

 Big bag of popcorn balls being passed out to everyone.

 

 How to take a picture at night in a raging blizzard? Families were off to the next house. We decided to call it quits. The Selaviq continued. When our school started up they were still finishing up the holiday in a neighboring village and we lost students that day. Many children, just like after Halloween, were exhausted due to late nights and lots of candy!