Over And Back Again...

The problem was solved, and we got to Bethel, but not without incident. The company with which we had chartered seemed to be having a hell of a time of it actually flying over and picking us up, so we ended up going over with another company. However, flying was the only viable way into Bethel today, which meant that there were an immense number of flights coming into the airport, and which meant that we took 15-20 minutes to complete a five minute flight. What seemed like endless circles over the tundra made me think mostly about how anyone finds their way around out here. I found even more respect for the locals making a living out of such a challenging environment.

Unfortunately, while we were circling, my two rather more motion-sensitive companions were becoming rather queasy. For my part, I thought the flight was pretty smooth, but I have spent a fair amount of happy time on boats without sea sickness. Finally, one of us had gone through one too many orbits, and was forced to use a backpack as an improvised airsickness bag.

We landed without further incident, and got on with the complex business of Saturday Market, a delicious sushi lunch at VIP restaurant, and a grocery shopping expedition designed to stock me up for my bride's departure for Fairbanks in a week, among other things.

On the whole, the day was a success despite a rocky start, and a quick nap finds us perched by our DVD player, ready to watch Lawrence of Arabia. The thermometer has fallen sharply as the day has gone on, and winter appears to have returned in earnest. Tomorrow, we will be off to school to work, as we are unable to put it off any longer. Three full weeks to go...