Breakup 2009

So the big excitement for the last few days/week has been breakup. The word “flood” (as I write this I am noticing what a strange word "flood" is. I don't know why that is looking strange to me right now but it looks weird...I even looked it up to make sure I was spelling it correctly) was on everyone’s lips and minds. Due to ice jams upriver a few places have already flooded and everyone in this area was just waiting for that ice jam to clear and for all that ice to move downriver. Complicating the situation was the fact that the Johnson River, which is below Napakiak, hadn't yet broken and if that ice didn't go we were all going to be up some sort of creek. (Don't worry though, we all have paddles....and boats.)

Today was the big day. We got word before lunch that the ice was starting to move upriver and there was a bolt of excitement that ran through the school. Napaskiak and Napakiak both released their students before lunch but we held on until 2:30. At that point Chris made the decision to let the kids go home.

As of right now, I hear the Johnson is in fact breaking and the anticipated flood (that word still looks weird) is not likely going to happen.

While we wait to see how all this pans out I'm going to post some pictures from the last couple of days to give everyone an idea of what it looked like here.

Usually there is a small hill here and a beach where boats are parked. As you can see now, it's completely filled with water.


I think this chunk of ice just looked big. What a big chunk of ice! Goodness.


We've been watching chunks of ice like this float by for days now. Last night I pondered aloud what it would be like to jump on a chunk of ice and ride it downriver. Christina seemed to keep a closer eye on me after that...lol.

The cool thing about flooding is that everyone has been out and about to check the river. It's been quite nice to meet up with people and go walking with them this past week.

Here is what it looked like behind the school and by some houses today. So far this is as wet as we are getting...let's keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't get any worse.

Today as I dismissed my high school I gave them all a little lecture about how although this is all really exciting it is super important that they use their heads and be safe. I told them how they had to be role models and help their parents if need be.

Shortly after I saw some Junior High students in refrigerators on the lake that had formed in back of the school.

(It actually looked like a lot of fun!)

Ten minutes later Christina and I were at the river and I was contemplating jumping on a make-shift raft and floating out to the ice. I gave up that idea after my "raft" sunk when I stepped on it.

A few minutes after that Christina and I were reenacting the famous log scene from Dirty Dancing.

**(Andre-if you are reading please pay attention to the footwear I am sporting...I would fit in quite well with any lady in London or Boston, wouldn't I?)

Based on the next picture I'm sure everyone can guess how successful the reenactment was.

As we were walking home I went a different way to avoid kids and elders seeing my wet legs. I actually saw them standing all around and headed off in a different direction, much to the amusement of Christina. The last thing I wanted was to be scolded by an elder for playing around while the kids were all standing there watching.

One of my most favorite things is watching the boats all go out when the ice comes downriver and watching people collect logs. It always looks so scary and dangerous but it's pretty fun to watch the boats as they drift and dodge chunks of ice. I'd like to do it just to do it.

As of right now I'm sitting in the sun and the water doesn't look like it's getting any higher. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that it stays that way. I have a lot to get done in my classes and I need every second I can get with my kids. The end is quickly approaching and I'm not at all ready.