On a Break?

Am I on a break?  Kinda seems that way doesn't it?  Actually, I've been traveling again.  What a privilege it  has been to make a village visit for my job.  I left last Sunday and then have been on the go every since.  It takes about thirteen hours to get to the main village of Barrow on the North Slope from Oregon.  From there it takes a couple hours more to fly out to where we were heading.  By the time I get home I will have taken off and landed approximately ten times!  I am so thankful for God's traveling mercies.  :-)

I am currently writing this as I am waiting for my next connecting flight.  It's so nice to have a fast and free internet while I wait.

Besides work I did get to have some fun.  Here's a photo from a walk I took in Point Hope last Thursday.  If you look way in the background behind me you can see one of the old summer camp cabins out on the tundra.  My boss and I were able to take a quick tour of one of the old sod houses before heading back to Barrow.  It was amazing.  It's hard to describe how special this was.  I had never been able to see one before.  The ones in Barrow are all collapsed.  Point Hope had many ruins of the old homes but thankfully there is one left that you can still go into.  Again I feel so privileged.

Old Arctic Sod Home

Outside View

This is ME!

Inside View

Since trees don't naturally grow in the arctic, these home were supported by whale bones and covered with earth.  There was no smell inside and it was a considerable shelter from the winds.  At one time some of these homes even had electricity!  Again, this experience is hard for me to describe.  I am glad to have had my camera to capture some snapshots to cherish for years to come.

Uhg, I am feeling sappy.  Ninety more minutes to go till we board!  I can't wait to get into my seat and get some sleep and then wake to be one more flight closer to being home with my hubby and little one.

Smiles,

~Nancy