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For those of you who are my visual learners (that would include me), I posted a map to show the relation of the villages I have traveled so far. You can zoom out on the interactive Google map to see the villages. [A] is Hooper Bay was south of Alakanuk along the coast. The flight took about a forty-five minutes. On the flight back, I got the courage to ask if I could sit up front in the co-pilots seat. Taking off along the shore of the Bering Sea was a bit sketchy. It was so windy that the pilot had to point the nose of the plane almost perpendicular to the runway!
Flying to St. Mary's took about thirty minutes. St. Mary's shows up on the map as [C]. I should have put a destination [D] for Anchorage.
I'll be flying there again today, to head out to Anchorage for a doctor appointment. After discussing my issue of facial numbness around my left cheekbone with a couple dentists, they both feel this issue is not dentistry related. I have no idea what types of tests or questions they'll have for me when I get to Anchorage, but going to the doctor is no quick or easy thing around here. Figuring out new insurances, making phone calls to doctors, buying flights, and planning subplans was not the funnest.
And on top of that, I've had an extremely sore throat for three full days and nights now. We do have a clinic here in the village, but they don't have nurses or doctors. The place is fairly clean and functional. The man who asked me questions while I was getting a strep test (which was negative), told me he had been in jail 60 days for a domestic violence case that happened while he was on the clock. However, he saved the part for last about how he was really trying to stop a guy from committing suicide. So, the clinic was an interesting experience and apparently a wonderful place to go if you need a "poke" to jumpstart your antibiotics if you do have strep.
On the bright side, even if I'm sick and will be going to doctors appointments, my parents will be meeting me there. My dad has had some health issues of his own lately and it's tough to be separated when you need family. I'm happy that I get to see them (as well as food, paved roads, and coffee) on my quick trip!
I've been up since 3:30AM and it is now 6:13AM. I think I'm done gargling salt water, drinking hot tea, and typing on my blog.
More pictures of the river freezing up and snow soon to be added to the blog!
