Taking the Long Way...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than the ones that you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. " -Mark Twain

[mandynoriko]

Our first week in Kaltag has been tough. When someone willingly takes their life it leaves people with so many mixed emotions. Having the opportunity to be here as a support has been a difficult experience. Rural Alaska has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. (The rates are especially high for young Native men.) It saddens me to see these small, tightknit communities go through this over and over again. Praying for health, happiness and healing for the people here in rural Alaska. (at Kaltag, Alaska)

[mandynoriko]

Friday night we were invited on an evening boat ride with our host, Agnes. (She owns the house and the store right next door to us.) The adventure came at the perfect time and was much needed after a day filled with rain.

What started as a beer run turned into a three hour adventure.  Alcohol is not allowed to be sold in Koyokuk so people have to go six miles down river to buy anything. Oddly enough the alcohol is bought in the middle of nowhere at a family’s homestead.  From the looks of it business seems to be really good.  Their land is beautiful and it looks like they are living quite comfortably out there.  When you look at the prices it’s not hard to see why.  A bottle of Crown Royal cost $50 and a 24 pack of Miller Light was also another $50.  Unlucky for me I am not allowed to drink this summer.  So I was Sober Sally on this night cruise down the river.  (Although I don’t think I could fathom spending that much money on shitty alcohol.)  

Though these prices are steep they aren’t as expensive as other places. In dry villages I have heard of people paying $150 for a fifth of Bacardi.  And seeing as a bag of potato chips can cost you upwards of $20 you can see how the price of alcohol would be even more exorbitant.

Agnes and her friends were having a good ‘ol time and blasted the music while we went exploring down the river. We stopped several times for pee breaks and even went exploring in a cave.  It was truly a perfect night.  The water was calm, the air was crisp but not too cold and the sky was filled with pink clouds.  We listened to the Rolling Stones and laughed until our faces hurt.

[mandynoriko]

A fun hike with the kids up to Elephant Head.  At the top we picked Aquk (wild Labrador tea.)  And the way back the kids said they wanted to train for the 4th of July fun run.  So we ran the whole way down. 

[mandynoriko]

Evening boat rides in Koyokuk, Alaska

[mandynoriko]

Our hosts are an older married couple named Katie and Ivan Kangas. He grew up in Ruby and she is originally from Philly. They have grandkids that are over at the house quite often and participate in Camp Fire programming.  Above you can see Ivan laying out his net after catching some fish that morning.  Katie is testing the fish as a part of a program that gives village people $7 per fish that they test.  This information goes to a nonprofit which I assume will be going towards Wildlife Fish and Game subsistence statistics.

Subsistence is still a very important part of life in the village. Though food from the grocery store is more readily available than ever before it is very expensive to ship food out.  (A bag of chips can cost you $10 and $3 for one apple!) People in rural Alaska depend on the food they catch over the summer and fall to last them the remaining parts of the year.  I heard many elders talk about the good ‘ol days when King Salmon were giant beasts and were plentiful. Things have changed drastically and this effects their very traditional way of life.

Because of fishing restrictions king salmon are only allowed to be caught during a short two day period.  After that fishing for King Salmon closes unless Wildlife Fish and Game decide to open it again for a short period. During that two day period everyone was out all day and night trying to catch as many King as they could.  Unfortunately no one in the village caught any fish and many people are worried at the lack of fish that have been caught so far this summer.

There have been wide restrictions made throughout Alaska and it heavily effects those who count on it for subsistence.  Sadly much of the fish that is allowed to be caught is used for McDonald’s fish sandwiches or frozen fish sticks.  There’s a short documentary on You Tube about the effect this has had on these small communities. I recommend giving it a watch if you have 20 minutes to spare.  (Also, the community being documented is the same village I’m going work in at the end of the summer.)

You Tube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHRJ8c4QHE4

[mandynoriko]

Three weeks of training flew by and before I knew it I was assigned a partner and villages to work in.  The first village I’ll be in is Ruby.  It’s an interesting place because originally it was a mining town that had no Native people living in it. Because of laws changing and the availability of school people had to move from the surrounding areas and settle here.

We are staying in a yurt that has a door facing the Yukon River. The view is breathtaking and every time I come outside the house I am surprised by it’s beauty.  

Ruby is a hilly village and you get a serious workout wherever you go. Going up and down these hills multiple times is hard work but after a week I feel like  am starting to get used to it.People here have been so welcoming and friendly.  Each of them reminds me why village life is so special. Each person is closely connected and everyone looks out of each other.  Just in our first week we have been invited to dinner twice and even had moose chili brought to us.  

Ruby has been a welcome surprise and I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to come here.  I feel like I have had the opportunity to experience village life in a new way.  Seeing how everyone takes care of one another and watches out for each other is really refreshing and heart warming. It’s a welcome break after being in the busy, chaotic atmosphere of the tech fueled Bay Area for so many years.

[mandynoriko]

There is so much exploring to do outside of Anchorage. 

Bird Ridge was one of the most challenging hikes that I did while I was in the area. Even though it’s only 2.5 miles one way it is insanely steep.  We didn’t make it to the top but lucky for us the view the whole way up was out of this world.

The hike in Eagle River at Symphony Lake was a nice long hike that is great for people in any sort of physical shape.  Though it’s 12 miles (there and back) it is very flat with the exception of some pesky boulders and rocks at the end of the hike.  Great spot to backpack seeing as the trail is flat and easy. Gorgeous views, turquoise water and twisting and winding rivers run through this must see trail.  And if you’re lucky you’ll see a Marmot or a Bald Eagle!

[mandynoriko]

One of my favorite hikes in Girdwood, Alaska. Just outside of Anchorage this hike is in one of the most northern rainforests in the world.  Green, lush and wet- this hike is no joke. Plan to rappel down ropes, scale up the side of waterfall and get wet! 

[mandynoriko]

Hatcher Pass, Alaska.

This beautiful gem is a short hour drive from Anchorage. Hatcher Pass Lodge is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway or some hot homemade soup after a long hike. During the winter months enjoy cross country skiing or snowshoeing. Once the snow melts enjoy the hiking and the Independence Mine Museum.

[mandynoriko]

Engagement Photos at Coyote Regional Park in Fremont, CA.

[mandynoriko]

Kenai Lake, Alaska

We had the opportunity to have training at Camp K at Kenai Lake.  Getting up at six to go on a morning kayak ride was well worth it.  The water was silent and calm.  It was a perfect morning!

[mandynoriko]

Palega Family Photos. Presidio, San Francisco CA.

[mandynoriko]

Strong Family Photos.

[mandynoriko]

Some of my favorite shots of the animals I’ve come across over the years.

[mandynoriko]

People watching in India.

[mandynoriko]

Sikkim, India.

[mandynoriko]

Strong Family Photos