Exciting news was buzzing all over Bethel today. The long
anticipated and much celebrated breakup of the Kuskokwim River began last night.
The tripod situated on the icy river (see previous post for picture) began to
float away from shore at exactly 7:42pm. It had been hooked up to a clock,
which was tripped as soon as the ice broke and the tripod started to move
downriver.
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| BEFORE - Brandon's attempt to push the tripod over failed, in case you were wondering |
The closest guess as to when the breakup would occur was
made by the town’s auto mechanic. He guessed May 28th at 6:34pm. He
won the betting pot and is now $6,500 richer.
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| AFTER - A speedy ice chunk. |
It really was an incredible thing to experience. The whole
town gathered by the docks to watch the ice break and huge chunks float faster
and faster down the river, occasionally crashing and with loud cracks and
splashes. An impromptu “Breakup Bash” was even held on the docks; a live band
atop an old oil truck and hot dogs for all!
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| Headed to the "Breakup Bash" |
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| Award for most creative stage goes to this band right here. |
After the party, we walked back to the house and hung out
outside for a while. There are wooden steps leading down to the river about 20
feet from our front door, which provided a perfect place for us to enjoy the sunshine and watch the last of the ice
chunks float by.
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| Enjoying the 8pm sunshine |
We are FINALLY done with hospital orientation, so tomorrow
is the first day we get to see patients. Wish us luck!
Love your post! Glad you got to experience break up! God has put you there for a reason... I'm certain there are great things in store for you!
ReplyDeleteLove and Prayers,
Lyndee
Thanks for the kind words and all the info you have sent us (: Looking forward to seeing you guys in Anchorage!
DeleteThat is so awesome you guys got to be able to see that! Got there just in time!! Me and Toby are going to try our best to see you guys up there
ReplyDeleteThat would be AWESOME!! We really miss you guys already!
DeleteFUN, FUN, FUN.... for you to be getting to know the community. I don't see anyone with suntan's!!! Probably not a place to sunbath near the icy beach? I don't see any trees, maybe the city is built on all ICE!.....
ReplyDeleteYou guy's are pros you'll do just fine in your new jobs. much love to you both!!
PS. Are you getting any sleep since it's daylight 24 hours a day?
Nura
The town is actually built on an ever-shifting tundra, so you're right, not many trees. Just a ton of tundra grass... and berries soon!
DeleteAs for the everlasting daylight - it has definitely been an adjustment. Our bodies don't feel tired in the evening, so if we never look at the clock it would be easy to stay up all night. We have learned to black out our room 1-2 hours before bedtime, and that has helped a lot.
Thanks for keeping in touch, its been nice hearing from you (: