Flights….
A quick recap on the last two and half weeks of travel…
Here is a video I did in Google Earth to show how my last two and half weeks has been spent.
[QUICKTIME http://www.bbryson.com/movies/tour.mov 320 260]
So as you can see I’ve had a busy two weeks. Lots of flights. Almost one a day. I did spend two days over a weekend in Brevig Mission, and two days in Unalakleet over another weekend. Besides that I was only in a village for one night and off to the next village the next day. Needless to say I slept like a hibernating bear my weekend in Unalakleet.
This last Monday I flew with Doug (the BSSD plane) to Koyuk at 8:00 AM from Unalakleet. I spent the day there shooting video and then Doug swung back by Koyuk around 5:15 P.M. and took me to Shaktoolik. The weather was kinda sketchy with slushy rain falling outside and a fair bit of wind bouncing the plane around. We flew the trip at about 400 feet off the ocean. The GPS in the front of the plane was displaying the yellow (we may just hit something if you go any lower) and Red (If you fly towards me you will hit something) warnings of well pretty much our entire surroundings.
I took a little video and used the seat in front of me to stabilize the camera to the best of my abilities. As you can see it wasn’t very easy.
[QUICKTIME http://bbryson.com/bill/files/2007/10/bit_bouncy.mov 320 260]
So I spent a night in Shaktoolik the weather there was pretty much terrible. Blowing like crazy and rain pouring down. The next day I wasn’t sure I was going to make it out of there. John Concilus was there as well, so we both kind of had a weary eye on the sky. Hageland decided to get a plane out flying so we had our chance. The pilot landed the 207 there in Shaktoolik and we quickly loaded up all of our gear. Then a truck pulled up with 500 pounds of mail to be added into the back. We were pretty packed in there. Here are few pictures from the short flight from Shaktoolik to Unalakleet.
We made it into Unalakleet safe and sound.
My parting picture for this post will be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in Unalakleet. For those of you who lived in this building. Yow know how far from the truth this actually is.
5 Comments
Dad on October 11th, 2007
After looking at some of the weather you were in, I’m glad you’re home! Once again, great job on the pictures. Making memories.
Dad
Mom on October 11th, 2007
Nice blog entry Bill. Though the bumpy flight was a little unnerving! Glad you’re on your way home. Sorry we missed you this time around. Love you. Mom
Tiff on October 12th, 2007
I love the google map movie…now that is fun to see how crazy your travel was…and I am so not envious of that flight to shaktoolik…ugh!
You have had a crazy 2.5 weeks…we of course would have loved to have seen you…maybe one of your trips to alaska we will see you on our doorstep…we can always wish/hope…right?
hugs,
tiff & the guys 🙂
Tiff on October 12th, 2007
oh yeah and anyone that has lived in the 14 plex, so knows that that is definitely the POT of GOLD…I think all district administrators should have to live in that POT of Gold! hee:) hee:) {definitely my evil giggle}
erin on October 11th, 2007
Great Post! I especially love the 14 Plex, or “Pot of Gold” as you refered to it. 🙂 Can’t wait to see you this afternoon!