Whimsical Weather.

Pure, unadulterated happiness right here.

I'm just going to come out and say it.
Last week I launched a giant weather balloon miles into the sky and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life.  There.  Now that I have it off my chest,  I can begin to go into a little more detail about the weather adventure us volunteers had last week.

When a friend at the National Weather Service called the station last week during my Late Afternoon Show, we volunteers were invited to come out and launch a weather balloon sometime in the future.  At the risk of sounding way too eager, I called him back the very next morning and made us an appointment to come out that very day for a launch.  I mean, when you are given the chance to fill up a balloon the size of elephant's head, you should just go for it.   Not only will this experience be one of the few times you get to maneuver enough helium to make you feel like you're going to lift right up into the air a 'la some Banksy art piece, it's also the chance to snag a peek at just how weather information is received.   Afterall, weather is a big part of KNOM's programming.  No one wants to be out kayaking during a small craft advisory, and a sudden winter storm could put more than an uncomfortable damper on a hike.  Western Alaska depends on accurate weather forecasts and current conditions to live safely and productively in this very unique part of the world.
Before heading out with the Weather Service guys, I wasn't exactly sure what a weather balloon was.  I figured that thinking it was a giant balloon that acted as a conveyance for gathering weather information seemed way to simple.  I was expecting some kind of only slight balloon-esque contraption complete with propellers, antennae, and possibly some kind of futuristic looking doppler radar.  Wrong.  It's just a balloon with what looks like a take-out box of sesame chicken attached by a string.  Okay, I'm probably under emphasizing the technology behind all of this, nonetheless, the launch was a simple process free of the propeller and doppler gadgetry I was expecting.
At the end of the day, I was just excited to be holding a giant balloon.  I love it when whimsy meets practicality.

Liftoff!

 

 

 

 

*Thanks to Margaret for being a wonderful photographer!

Outsiders In Nome.

It was a strange feeling being in the shoes of the person who acts as a tour guide of Nome.  After all, it wasn’t that long ago that former volunteer, Matt, was walking me down the streets of Nome showing me the Subway, post office, and Nome’s unofficial mascot, Velvet Eyes the pet reindeer.    However, when some friends from my days in AmeriCorps NCCC came to visit last week, I found myself in the position of certified “Nomeite” over “small town newbie”.

See? Look how lost Eva and I are.  I’m a terrible tour guide.

Luckily however, I don’t think my friends Andrea and Nicole saw through the facade that I actually know where I’m going in this town.  You’d think that I’d know where I was going seeing as how this is a small town and there’s plenty of time to explore.  As my mother says however, “that boy couldn’t find his way out of a paper bag”.  It’s true.  I’ve been known to avoid carrying homemade lunches for this very reason.
We can talk about my lunchtime habits during some other blog post though.  All in all I feel like I did a good job of showing my friends around.  Not only was it great getting the chance to introduce my friends to the voyage I’ve embarked on here in Nome, visiting places like Anvil Mountain, the White Alice Site, and the icy shoreline was also a much needed reminded for myself of how much adventure awaits just outside of the Volunteer House.
The best part of having visitors in Nome is surprising them with facts about day-to-day life here in Town.  Some of my favorites to name a few include:
“Here’s the post office.  It’s also the Chiropractor’s.”
“What kind of restaurant is that?  Well it serves sushi, pizza, Korean, Barbeque, Japanese, and burgers.”
“Here’s our only chain restaurant, Subway.  It’s also the movie theater.”

I am looking forward to more Volunteer House guests as my time here progresses.  Until then, I’m going to studying up on how to get from all the point A’s to point B’s in this town before more company arrives.

Andrea and Nicole on Anvil Mountain.

Andrea and I.

Andrea at sunrise.

Touching the sea.

Getting ready for a hike!

Welcome to Nome!

When a friend arrives, you steal their talent.

Nicole recording an educational spot.

Anvil Mountain Sunset.

Outsiders!

See? Look how lost I am.

Dinner time.

Everybody!

Inside the studio.

Andrea and I on Anvil.