Monday, March 5, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
FINALLY, an udpate!!!
Wow, so much has happened in the last few months and I sure haven't been very good about updating everyone.
We spent Christmas at our friends house and then played some wii games for awhile which was fun, but still not what we're used to with our families.
Then in January, we finally flew down to Oregon to visit our families! We were so excited to see everyone and wanted to have as much time as possible that we left Bethel on a Friday night and spent the entire night traveling to Boise and then we drove two hours west to be with Jeff's parents and I have to say that it was soo nice to see a friendly face!!!
After a few days in eastern Oregon, we spent the rest of the time in Hillsboro, visiting my family and staying at the beach one night which we have missed so much. It was so hard to get back on that plane to head back to Alaska, but we got there on time and once we were on the plane, they deiced the wings and we taxied out to the runway. But it was snowing so hard that after several minutes of waiting, they announced that we had to go BACK to the tarmac and deice once again. We really thought we weren't going to get out of Portland, but the second time did the trick and we were on our way home.
Over the winter in Bethel, it has been a record breaking cold streak. The temperatures were below -30 for about 45 days straight and it was soo cold! Once, we went to church and after going inside, I decided that I shouldn't have left our friends truck turned off (it was around -55) so I went back out to turn it back on again to start it up and when I got back to the church door, it was stuck and I couldn't get in!!! I wasn't wearing a hat and after about 3 minutes of banging and yanking on the door, I could feel my ears start to hurt. Another girl came up and once she knew the door wouldn't open, she told me there was a door around the back. We RAN around to the door and when we finally got inside, my ears were hurting so bad, I had to rub them for about 10 minutes to thaw them out. That's apparently how close I got to getting frostbit on my ears. Thankfully, I got inside just in time.
The last year here has been something else in regards to crimes and deaths. In the last 12 months, there have been more than 12 deaths and since it's such a small community, the gossip gets around fast. People have died from suicides, murders, freezing, being drunk, getting lost and suspicious alcohol/drug related deaths. It certainly doesn't help that it was so cold during the wintertime. It's been pretty sad with all these deaths.
Anyways, we didn't get to see everyone when we went back to visit so we'll definitely make sure to get everyone in when we come back in August. It's my dreaded 30th birthday and if I can't be in Hawaii, I'd rather be with my family! :)
For a fun little note, this article ran on our news website today:
Expensive heat is a reality for most Bethel residents as oil prices remain high. For some, the monthly bills are more than their regular pay checks will bear.
We spent Christmas at our friends house and then played some wii games for awhile which was fun, but still not what we're used to with our families.
Then in January, we finally flew down to Oregon to visit our families! We were so excited to see everyone and wanted to have as much time as possible that we left Bethel on a Friday night and spent the entire night traveling to Boise and then we drove two hours west to be with Jeff's parents and I have to say that it was soo nice to see a friendly face!!!
After a few days in eastern Oregon, we spent the rest of the time in Hillsboro, visiting my family and staying at the beach one night which we have missed so much. It was so hard to get back on that plane to head back to Alaska, but we got there on time and once we were on the plane, they deiced the wings and we taxied out to the runway. But it was snowing so hard that after several minutes of waiting, they announced that we had to go BACK to the tarmac and deice once again. We really thought we weren't going to get out of Portland, but the second time did the trick and we were on our way home.
Over the winter in Bethel, it has been a record breaking cold streak. The temperatures were below -30 for about 45 days straight and it was soo cold! Once, we went to church and after going inside, I decided that I shouldn't have left our friends truck turned off (it was around -55) so I went back out to turn it back on again to start it up and when I got back to the church door, it was stuck and I couldn't get in!!! I wasn't wearing a hat and after about 3 minutes of banging and yanking on the door, I could feel my ears start to hurt. Another girl came up and once she knew the door wouldn't open, she told me there was a door around the back. We RAN around to the door and when we finally got inside, my ears were hurting so bad, I had to rub them for about 10 minutes to thaw them out. That's apparently how close I got to getting frostbit on my ears. Thankfully, I got inside just in time.
The last year here has been something else in regards to crimes and deaths. In the last 12 months, there have been more than 12 deaths and since it's such a small community, the gossip gets around fast. People have died from suicides, murders, freezing, being drunk, getting lost and suspicious alcohol/drug related deaths. It certainly doesn't help that it was so cold during the wintertime. It's been pretty sad with all these deaths.
Anyways, we didn't get to see everyone when we went back to visit so we'll definitely make sure to get everyone in when we come back in August. It's my dreaded 30th birthday and if I can't be in Hawaii, I'd rather be with my family! :)
For a fun little note, this article ran on our news website today:
$800 heating bills not uncommon in Bethel
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Coming up on Christmas
Well, it's Christmas Eve and never has it been so obvious we're so far from home and family. We're invited to a friends dinner tomorrow, which will be nice, since otherwise we wouldn't be going anywhere. We're going to midnight Mass tonight at church, which we've finally included pictures of below. :)
The weather was warmer until last week and then a few days ago, it started getting really cold again! Today, it got to a high of -18 degrees! But the skies were clear and blue and the sun was shining which was a great change.
The following pictures are of the frozen fog we had last week that accumulated on everything. The trees are stunning and white and it's beautiful outside! This is our porch...
A tree (or "tall brush" as Alaskans call it) by our house.
Our fake Christmas tree! It's not horrible, right?!? I always said I'd never have a fake one, but trees up here had to be shipped in and were quite expensive, so we ordered one from walmart for $20 instead. It'll be staying, whenever we leave.
This is the back of our church. On the right side of the alley, there's a store that we shop at, and the church is located on a small dead end, mostly surrounded by buildings, so it's hard to see it from farther away.
The inside of the church.
This is a view from the back porch of the church. I think that's normally a lake, or an offshoot of the river when it's melted.
This is the entry to the church. It's all quite plain, but that's our church. Oh, the truck and boat there are Father Chucks. :)
And this is the tundra right now. I think it's the best looking in the winter (and we don't have to worry about dust, allergies, mosquitos, etc.)
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We'll be coming back for a visit in the middle of January and hope to see you all then! Love you all very much! Jeff and Laura
The weather was warmer until last week and then a few days ago, it started getting really cold again! Today, it got to a high of -18 degrees! But the skies were clear and blue and the sun was shining which was a great change.
The following pictures are of the frozen fog we had last week that accumulated on everything. The trees are stunning and white and it's beautiful outside! This is our porch...
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We'll be coming back for a visit in the middle of January and hope to see you all then! Love you all very much! Jeff and Laura
Shopping in Bethel
I brought my camera shopping today, so I can share with you all how very lucky you are. :P I mostly showed things that you all buy every so often so you can be more comparable.
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| Large jar of peanut butter, $14. 15! |
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| Block of velveeta cheese, $12.99 |
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| I was actually shocked about this one. This is only 4 (100 calorie) packages of popcorn, $11.39!!! |
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| Ruffles chips, $8.29 |
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| This is a fun one. The cans on the left is pie cherries, per can, $9.15! The jar on the right is mincemeat for pies, $11.59 per jar! |
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| I think is an 8 pound bag of sugar, $14.39 |
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| Flour, 10 pound bags, $18.65 |
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| 1 box of cornflakes, $7.59 |
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| 1 Lb. Jimmy Dean sausage, $7.15 |
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| 1 gallon of milk, $8.19!!! |
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| 1 block of cheese, $13.49 |
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| And because of these, I'm very grateful I went on shopping sprees for canned vegetables before we left. For a can of corn, $2.55 each! |
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| Same for the green beans. |
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| And this is a fun one. For one of those tiny cans of Campbell tomato soup, $3.25... For ONE can. |
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| One can of chili? $3.89. :) |
Monday, December 12, 2011
Great update
It's crazy how fast the time has flown since we've been here! It's been over 9 months already, leaving us with only 2 years and 2 1/2 months to go.
Lately, we're at our darkest with the winter solstice coming up in a week or so. In the mornings, it stays dark until 10:45 and in the evenings, it starts getting dark around 4:45. I'm excited for when it starts getting lighter again!
We have alot of snow on the ground and until last week, it was probably 1 1/2 feet. I shoveled the snow for the first time in my life, only to go outside later and discover our landlord came over with his snow plow and took care of it again. :) At least it was good exercise! But then, a few days ago, the weather warmed up to the 30's and it started to rain which melted most of the recent snows. However, on top of the snow and ice from the last month or so, it made the roads very treacherous to drive/ walk on, as I discovered when I slipped in our neighbors yard and landed on my bum. But we're good! No injuries or bruises to speak of!
On Thursday of last week, in the town that never shuts down due to snow or ice, the schools actually shut down for the day because the roads were so dangerous and the weather was pretty bad. But we still had to go to work...
This morning, this email was going around our work bulletin, where they send out warnings, or news, or sell item. It's kind of like a local craigslist.
Lately, we're at our darkest with the winter solstice coming up in a week or so. In the mornings, it stays dark until 10:45 and in the evenings, it starts getting dark around 4:45. I'm excited for when it starts getting lighter again!
We have alot of snow on the ground and until last week, it was probably 1 1/2 feet. I shoveled the snow for the first time in my life, only to go outside later and discover our landlord came over with his snow plow and took care of it again. :) At least it was good exercise! But then, a few days ago, the weather warmed up to the 30's and it started to rain which melted most of the recent snows. However, on top of the snow and ice from the last month or so, it made the roads very treacherous to drive/ walk on, as I discovered when I slipped in our neighbors yard and landed on my bum. But we're good! No injuries or bruises to speak of!
On Thursday of last week, in the town that never shuts down due to snow or ice, the schools actually shut down for the day because the roads were so dangerous and the weather was pretty bad. But we still had to go to work...
This morning, this email was going around our work bulletin, where they send out warnings, or news, or sell item. It's kind of like a local craigslist.
"Bethel Search and Rescue
Travel Warning
Ice conditions in the Bethel area continue to deteriorate, with reports of growing overflow and open holes on the river.
Travel is not recommended at this time, especially at night. BSAR advises staying off the river until the weather improves.
Please advise anyone who must go out to be prepared for trouble and be safe. These conditions make S&R efforts difficult and dangerous.
Thank You"
Travel Warning
Ice conditions in the Bethel area continue to deteriorate, with reports of growing overflow and open holes on the river.
Travel is not recommended at this time, especially at night. BSAR advises staying off the river until the weather improves.
Please advise anyone who must go out to be prepared for trouble and be safe. These conditions make S&R efforts difficult and dangerous.
Thank You"
Apparently, now is NOT the time to drive on the river. The thought of falling through and being swept down river with the current is enough to keep me off of it completely, until it is frozen solidly all the way through!
As a last note, we're really getting a kick out of you Lower-48-ers complaining of the cold. Someone in Phoenix, Arizona (you know who you are) said something about having to layer up to go outside when it was in the 40's??? I think????? Jeff and I did the math (at the time, it was -45 degrees with the windchill) and realized there was a 85 degree difference between there and here, so quit complaining!!! LOL :)
Have a great week everyone!!!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Out the windows this morning
This is our view out the windows this morning. It's snowed several more inches overnight and looks even prettier than before!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Winter Storm 2012: Alaska
Just kidding! HEHEHE
This week, the weather folks predicted the worst storm for Alaska in something like 40 years. Bethel just happened to be along the edge of the storm so we got some of the effects. On the west and north west coast, the swells were 9 feet higher than normal. It flowed over their manmade berms and flooded the towns, with a foot or so of water, which partially then froze. So they got hit pretty hard. We on the other hand just got alot of wind; enough that I could hear it squealing through the cracks and edges around the windows and the doors. One task for the weekend; Caulk and seal said cracks and edges. It was a glorified windstorm. :)
We do have about 6 or so inches of snow on the ground right now. It kind of melted during the storm and became slushy, and then it froze again so it's now ice. Right at the base of our front porch stairs.
During the storm, the wind here in Bethel was about 50 mph gusts. See the video below! It didn't seem to snow too much, but the wind pushed the snow around so it piled up in some areas. In the video I took, it was actually snowing. It didn't really blizzard, though we were in blizzard warning.
Sorry, I can't seem to get the video on here. Here's the link to IT ON YOUTUBE.
This week, the weather folks predicted the worst storm for Alaska in something like 40 years. Bethel just happened to be along the edge of the storm so we got some of the effects. On the west and north west coast, the swells were 9 feet higher than normal. It flowed over their manmade berms and flooded the towns, with a foot or so of water, which partially then froze. So they got hit pretty hard. We on the other hand just got alot of wind; enough that I could hear it squealing through the cracks and edges around the windows and the doors. One task for the weekend; Caulk and seal said cracks and edges. It was a glorified windstorm. :)
We do have about 6 or so inches of snow on the ground right now. It kind of melted during the storm and became slushy, and then it froze again so it's now ice. Right at the base of our front porch stairs.
During the storm, the wind here in Bethel was about 50 mph gusts. See the video below! It didn't seem to snow too much, but the wind pushed the snow around so it piled up in some areas. In the video I took, it was actually snowing. It didn't really blizzard, though we were in blizzard warning.
Sorry, I can't seem to get the video on here. Here's the link to IT ON YOUTUBE.
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