Nobody is Promised Tomorrow. . .
Way too early in the morning we were kicked off the boat and let loose in Nome.
Well it’s also where the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ends. And, Wyatt Earp owned a saloon in Nome.
I am safely hoteled in Vancouver tonight and tomorrow. Got to the hotel about 7pm. Ate cheese and an apple for dinner and now am really looking forward to a shower and a good night’s sleep.
Hope you all enjoyed the great adventure in the far north. Hey don’t laugh. You can only be but so adventurous at my age!
There’s almost no WiFi today. I blame the Russians.
Get kicked off the boat at 8am tomorrow. Next stop Nome and Vancouver.
N65°02′ W167°33′
68.72N/ -166.79W
Maybe tomorrow l will pack up. Or sign up for the next 16days of the voyage.
70.94956 N / -160.22325 W
Not enough WiFi today for photos. But there’s not much to see anyhow. The Beaufort Sea is rather rough. They drained the swimming pool. I think that might be because they expect a bumpy ride.
No more activities on tap. I get off the boat at 8am in Nome on September 7th. And at 11am get bused to Nome International Airport for a flight to Vancouver hopefully arriving at my hotel by 8 or 9pm.
Today I had breakfast with a boat friend. Walked 2 miles around the deck with another boat friend. And I have dinner plans with 3 other boat buddies. I also did origami, napped and read. It’s all good.
We have been about 5000 miles with maybe 800 more to go.
N71°03′ W149°04′
One Last Zodiac excursion later today. Weather and Parks Canada permitting. As of 4PM the walruses are scheduled to go ashore from 6 to 7 PM. That’s not my best time of day and it’s wicked cold with howling wind. I may wimp out.
It’s a sad day losing Bill Richardson and Jimmy Buffett both in the same day. Not too mention that they were both younger than I am. Peace and comfort gentlemen.
More later? Maybe.
It’s later. The zodiac landing was cancelled due to excessive waves. So once again I am saved from wimping out.
N69°31′ W148°41′
A serious shortage of connectivity and just about everything else today.
Spent all day in the fog helping a sailing yacht with engine troubles.
But at about 3pm they broke out the hotdogs and beer. Things are looking up. Except for the WiFi.
N70°46′ W128°14′ underway again at 10 knots.
There’s a perfectly fine grocery/hardware store. I had a fine visit with the manager. He gets produce and dairy by plane. But everything else comes in once a year by barge. And he is expecting the barge next week.
It was another fine day in the artic.
N70°43′ W117°46′
I almost missed Murray Island. It didn’t look like much. And there’s all the gear to put on. I was feeling a little sore and tired. And the walruses were scheduled to leave at 0900. All good reasons to ditch the trip.
Spoke the spirit of Carlton: Shut up. Suit up. Show up.
It was a good trip.
Got so WiFi so off this goes
N68°28′ W111°08′
Don’t know if there will be WiFi or if I will have energy left after visiting Cambridge Bay. Foggy but calm this morning.
N68°02′ W104°58′
Actually, I think I have more energy than WiFi. So let’s get some photos of Cambridge Bay. I could live in Cambridge Bay, I wouldn’t like it. But I could do it.
Saved by bird flu. Today’s outing on this romantically named but bleak looking Island was cancelled due to dead birds. Sorry for the birds and birders, but I wasn’t going to go. Still recovering from yesterday.
More later. WiFi permitting.
Very little connectivity yesterday. Big event was meeting up with our sister ship the Amundsen to pickup a supply of US approved life vests.
Hovering off shore. Wondering how to get the zodiacs to shore in 45 knots wind, but there is some connectivity. ..more later. Wifi permitting.
Getting ready to go ashore. Wind still 45knots.
At least the snow is tapering off.
All suited up. I am going to freeze my saggy old ass off. Oh well, I’ll not be the first person to freeze to death in the arctic. Not worried about the cold. Worried about the wind.
Some pictures.
I tramped around in 45knot winds wearing heavy rubber boots. 5 miles according to my watch. Then I was drenched.
I would not have missed it for the world.
Grateful for Patagonia Overpriced Rain Pants. Worth every penny. And yes, I bought them used.
(Photos added Aug 28)