Smoked salmon, Trevor Study # 5 and the flight to Barrow; Aarigaa Java (Good Coffee) with the temperature closing in on 40 below
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 4:00AM 
The lady at the baggage counter informed me that the current temperature in Barrow was -33, and then I went through security where a huge man with gigantic hands patted me down. Frankly, I would have been less uncomfortable if it had been a petite woman with small hands.
I then continued on through the concourse toward Gate C-4, when I saw Janey coming in the opposite direction. We stopped to give each other hugs and then she pulled a packed of king salmon, smoked Yup'ik style, out of her bag and gave it to me.
Janey had been in Bethel, where someone had given her a bunch of salmon. When she learned that I was going to Barrow, she wanted to come, too, but she was going south.
;)
The kid sitting by the window is Trevor, who graduated from Wasilla High with Caleb. Over the past few years, I have happened upon him a number of times at airports and in villages where he has gone to work on construction projects.
Even before I started this blog, I kept a photo journal, so I always photographed him and put him in it.
I have enough photos of Trevor to start calling him a study. So I will call this, "Trevor Study, #5" - five being a number I just picked out of the air, because I really don't know how many times I have photographed him so far.
He was on his way to Wainwright, via Barrow, to work on the ongoing water and sewer project there.
I wonder where "Trevor Study, #6" will be photographed?
;)
These two board in Anchorage. They will debark in Fairbanks.
The flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks is only 40 minutes, so they offer you a choice of only two beverages, water or orange juice. I went for the water. I was parched, so I was glad to get that water.
;)
We dropped the Fairbanks people off, picked up a few dozen more passengers, then headed on to Barrow. Now we are about to get off. I am sorry, but I have forgotten their names.
;)
I join my fellow passengers and debark in Barrow, where the temperature is still - 33. I am a little disappointed. I had hoped it would be colder.
People come from all over the world to drive Taxi's in Barrow. I have had drivers from Latvia, the Middle East, Korean, Phillipines - from all over. This fellow is from Asia and had a strong accent, but I don't know what country.
;)
He dropped me off here, at Roy Ahmaogak's house. Roy is my host and that is his dog, Dawson, who has been around for a long time.
In the summer, Dawson jumps in the boat and goes to caribou and fish camp.
;)
This morning when I got up, it was still -33, but then temperature started to drop. I took this picture at 12:30, as I walked to lunch at Osaka, eager to order Bento Box #3, which comes with three pieces of sushi, Terriyaki chicken, miso soup, rice, and a wide array of tempura vegetables and shrimp, plus a pot sticker.
;)
About 3:30, I headed over to Aarigaa Java. "Aarigaa" is the Iñupiat word for "excellent, superb - very good."
;)
"Hi Bill. You want your Americano?" Thelma asked when Noe drove us up to the window. Thelma does not forget, even though it has been six months since I last came to this window.
By now, the temperature was approaching -40 and still dropping.
This caused me to feel better about things.
;)
In the evening, I took a short walk and photographed the steeple of the Utgiaqvik Presbyterian Church. I brought my big DSLR's on this trip, but I did no photography work today so I never got them out.
I stuck with the pocket camera.
No, it can't match the DSLR's in so many ways, but I love the pocket camera. It is so much fun.
Reader Comments (14)
I just looked up the satellite view of Barrow. Wow.
Hope the rest of your trip goes well!
looks cold enough for me, have to say i prefer cold over hot though. Have a god stay
Wow! This is going to be an interesting trip.
I love your life, except for the cold part. I think I'm exactly the opposite. I thrive in 110 degrees. Sigh.. no Alaska living for me.
Love the steeple, love the coffee shops, even that far north, that remember your name and drink 6 months later. LOVE IT!!!
Um, I'm missing Kalib though.....
i like how you are integrating yourself in more shots...LOVE the church and moon shot...awesome composition. coffee huts in barrow!! who knew! another great post from my favorite blogger!
I love barrow. I've been there quite a few times for work. It's great to see it again. Isn't Osaka's just GREAT?! They always cater for us when we work there. Pepe's is great because the owner has such an interesting past (as seen in the photos of her displayed in her banquet room). I can't wait to see what you post next. Thank you for sharing.
How cold does it have to get before the dog gets off the chain and indoors?
How cold does it have to get before the dog gets off the chain and indoors?
How cold does it have to get before the dog gets off the chain and indoors?
I'm with conchscooter, when does the dog get off the chain and indoors? LOL
Reading the temp in Barrow at 40 below makes me awfully glad that I spent the day on Maui. And tomorrow. And the next. Visiting family, of course, this is not a superficial nor touristy visit..just here because of family.
At home we have freezing rain and ice glazing everything.
Martha - Thank you and so far the trip has gone very well.
Thanks Twain.
Michelle - yes, but a short one and not as visually interesting as many of my trips up this way.
Mikey - Well, in a couple of days I will see what I can do about the Kalib part.
Dahli - Why, thank you.
Tanya - To know Barrow is to love Barrow. Some people don't believe that, some don't believe it at all - but its true.
Conchscooter by 3: Keep in mind that Dawson is a genuine husky, recently descended from hard core sled dogs who never spent one day indoors in all their life despite the fact that they lived in places like this when they were even colder than they are now. He's got his little shelter, if he wants it, between Roy's house and Savik's, but he is as suited to his cold environment as the polar bear is to its.
Whitestone - Maui! One day. Wow, you are just having an extreme winter at home, aren't you?
Oh, gosh! Reading the name Roy Ahmaogak was very exciting. I feel like I know him, a little, from your book. I can't wait to see pictures. I think that you should have enough pictures to do a study of Mr. Ahmaogak. And Savik, as well. And it made me laugh. Where ever you go, you're going to find a coffee house.
And, yes, that WhiteStone is having an extreme winter. The lucky duck. Probably surfing too. Just saying, Bill.
That is Tuuq Okakok zipping up her daughter Sarah's parka, with her son Jeremiah behind her. Hey I'm still identifying pictures for you hehe
Thanks Mary!