Entrenched in the Tundra

Took the 0600 Delta flight from Charlotte to Atlanta, then to Seattle.  Took Alaska Airlines from Seattle to Anchorage, then on to Bethel. 20 hour day.  Landed in a blizzard.  Hooray!!

Lodged in temporary quarters 4.5 miles from town.  It's on stilts, like everything here, to protect the permafrost from melting.  The land isn't as flat as I thought, lots of wrinkles and hillocks.

Had a couple days off before work started so I walked into town the next day to get my supplies.  I shipped six boxes averaging about 60 lbs. apiece for a total of $743.  Should be just about everything I need plus a month's worth of food.  Had to wait nearly two hours in the cold behind the post office for a cab large enough to fit everything.

On the walk in I passed the airport.  It's large, and services 3 jets from Anchorage daily (weather permitting) along with countless prop planes.  Alaska would barely be habitable in today's world without the thousands of daring pilots who fly everywhere.  Nearly every village has a short runway. I took a picture of the Yukon Aviation headquarters, one of a dozen small plane services based here.  They really are the last cowboys. 

Attended NEO (new employee orientation) and am finally ensconced in my new office as clinical nurse educator.  Everyone is so happy I'm here, it makes me nervous.  What are they so excited about?  What miracles am I supposed to perform?  Whatever, I'll do my best, with enthusiasm!