Logbook: Barrow to Wasilla, entry 2: Exhausted man on a jet

After a long time spent sitting inside the plane that came in late on a delayed arrival, we encountered a second delay caused by an "aircraft swap" in Anchorage. We had to sit on the tarmac and wait for the swapped plane from Anchorage to land before we could take off from Barrow. The incoming plane had to be at least 100 miles out and maybe even 200 or more but that must have been deemed too close for safety at an uncontrolled airport.

I was so exhausted I laid my head against the window and closed my eyes. Finally, we began taxing to the runway. I kept my eyes closed while inside my head the gospel numbers from the funerals and singspirations continued in full strength and Inupiaq spirit. I became aware we were flying but still I did not open my eyes. After what seemed like half-an-hour, I opened my eyes and looked out the window, expecting to see the Brooks Range mountains below, or maybe the tops of clouds. I was startled to see the Barrow taxiway and to discover we still sat at the entrance to the runway. I was even more startled to see the swapped out Alaska Airlines jet suddenly shoot past on the runway as it decelerated after landing. We waited for it to clear the runway and then we took off.

I will have to wait to post this self portrait of exhausted me until we land in Anchorage - just as I must wait to post failed entry 1 until we land.

Logbook: Barrow to Wasilla, entry 1: Departing Barrow:

Logbook: Barrow to Wasilla, entry 1: Departing Barrow: The wireless signal inside the terminal did not follow me to the jet and I doubt that AT&T Edge has enough power to post this,* but I will give it a try...

*the edge didn't

A quick bite to eat

I found myself shedding tears more than once, but I must say the funeral of Johnny Aiken was a beautiful gathering - as the funerals of good people so often are. Along with deep sorrow, good people generate an outpouring of love at death and that love translates into beauty at their funerals.

This is the blessing of the food at the post-funeral dinner inside the house that Johnny Lee Aiken built and with wife Marietta made into a home for their famiily. That's Marietta to the right, with niece Ruby Aiken Donovan and her baby, Shaelynn. I had a plane to catch so I took just 5 minutes to eat a bowl of soup and grab three strips of smoked salmon and then headed toward the door, but it took longer than that to pass through all the hugs and to make it to the car of Marietta's brother, Tony Edwardsen, who drove me to the airport.

The plane is delayed. I could have stayed longer and enjoyed my food. If time permits before I leave again in just a few days, I will blog the funeral, but I don't believe I will Instagram it.

Between funerals, 2: dinner at the Aikens

This is from the community dinner that took place tonight in the home of my good friend, Johnny Lee Aiken, Executive Director of The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, who will be buried tomorrow, and his wife, Marietta. Johnny is the son of Kunuk, whose bowhead whaling crew I followed for four seasons and featured in my book, "Gift of the Whale."

Those who followed my posts before I went to Nuiqsut are reminded that I drove into Anchorage four days straight without ever saying much about why and on the final day featured a photo of the Christus statue outside Providence Hospital. Johnny was staying there after prolonged cancer treatment in Long Beach, California, just before returning home to Barrow to be with family and loved ones as he departed this life.

The woman in the middle with the yearbook is his sister, Anna. In October, 1988, I, who am not a wedding photographer, photographed her wedding to the late Joe Stenkewicz. The wedding started late because her dad Kunuk was out in a tiny motorboat helping to tow home a fall whale. Anna refused to begin the wedding until her father arrived. The beautiful young woman to her left is her and Joe's daughter, Amelia. Pikok, Marietta's sister, sits to her right. Today, Lloyd Nageak was buried. Tomorrow, Johnny. It is not an easy time in this very close-knit community.

Logbook: Wasilla to Barrow, entry 5: Barrow: Luggage

Note: I tried to post this about seven hours ago, but the wireless signal was too weak and it failed. much has happened since, but it is not material i want to post before I give it time and thought. As noted in my original failed attempt below, I could have problems accessing a strong signal until I leave for home. I may not post again until then.

Logbook: Wasilla to Barrow, entry 5: Barrow: I arrived in Barrow right on time, but could not get a signal until just now. I doubt it is strong enough to post, but I will try. My posts will probably be very infrequent now. No 4g and my access to wireless will be sporadic.