Monday, July 25, 2005


Monday July 5th: We did rent a car at the low-low rate of $75/day (Normally $90/day). We took the car out towards the village of Teller (approximately 76 miles from Nome). We stopped around 72 miles out where Traci suggested we stop and I climb a small mountain off the road. Though the "mountain" wasn't very tall, the Tundra is very misleading. Things appear much closer than they really are. It was fun to climb up to the top and check out the view. (photo at right). I could see for miles in all directions. The village of Teller was hidden from my view, but I did find an animal carcass at the summit. I guess I wasn't the first to claim this mound. Afterwards we decided to pick some Salmon Berries among the Tundra. Along the way, we encountered a lone musk-ox (below), and herd of musk-oxen, a Bald Eagle (unusual for this part of Alaska since there are no trees), and several Reindeer.



On our way back into town we popped up to the top of Anvil Mountain, one of the White Alice project sites. (http://www.whitealice.net/ or http://www.arcticflash.com/wacs/). Basically a cold war duplex microwave communications system. Afterwards, we headed out towards the village of Council, but only went as far as the "The Last Train to Nowhere". You can read about it here http://www.nomealaska.org/vc/roads.htm. On the Nome-Council road. It's basically a relic of the Gold Rush Days.



Tomorrow, we're off to Vision in Unalakleet at the Covenant Bible Camp.



I'm currently in Nome, Alaska. From Portland, it's about 5.5 hours of flying, and with all the layovers it works out to be 11 hours of traveling. Traci and I got to sleep for an hour or two on a bench in the Anchorage airport. Once again, we are blessed to have good weather and great host. We've been staying with our friends Chris and Lloyd Perrigo who live along seawall here in Nome. (I'll post pictures when I get back).

Sunday evening, we made a spur of the moment trip to Salmon lake (picture at right). It's about 35 miles outside of Nome. Mostly on gravel roads, which makes it about an hour trip. We left around 9PM (still plenty of daylight). It's a beutiful lake in which salmon return to spawn. There we cast out a net to bring in some Sockeye Salmon and brought in 12. (picture below)

Chris and Lloyd bringing in Salmon from the dip net.


Today, the plans are to rent a car and make a trip out to White Alice among other sites. There's limited road here, but it should be a great day of sight-seeing and experiencing more of Western Alaska.

Saturday, July 16, 2005


Watch out this halloween... Posted by Picasa

Friday, July 15, 2005


Traci in Monte Rosso al Mare. Posted by Picasa

The red moped makes the picture... otherwise it'd just be another alleyway. Posted by Picasa

Woo hoo, Starbucks... and my Starbucks City Mugs. Posted by Picasa

Westminster Cathedral. Posted by Picasa

Big Ben. Posted by Picasa

Chris in Picadilly Circus Posted by Picasa

Traci and I on our terrace. Posted by Picasa

The Campo during the day Posted by Picasa

Il Campo, Siena at night. Posted by Picasa

Ponte Vecchio. The only bridge in Florence spared by Hitler during their retreat from Italy. Posted by Picasa

Just a cool picture. Posted by Picasa

The inside of the Duomo, Florence Posted by Picasa

Duomo, Florence. Posted by Picasa

Riomaggiore of the Cinque Terre Posted by Picasa

Trevi Fountain was very peaceful early in the morning. Notice that Neptune is missing his trident? Posted by Picasa

The Spanish Steps... not so exciting early in the morning. Posted by Picasa

The Pantheon Posted by Picasa

Spiraling down to the exit Posted by Picasa

The Colosseum at night Posted by Picasa

Piazza Navona and it's fountains Posted by Picasa

Vatican City Posted by Picasa