Day 16, June 21, 2010 (Sunday)
From Norm to Kotzebue
After a night at Norm, I decided to takeoff to Kotzebue, but the ceiling was low all morning, I made two attemps to takeoff to the north, but end up turning around and came back to land, the 2nd try I flew a little bit further, but still enconted low clouds, unable to proceed. Two other pilots followed me soon after I takeoff, but we all end up on the ground. Finally around 4PM, the Wx becomes VFR, after a few miles of flying east, I turned NE and fly direct to Kotzebue.
This is the place I entered the Artic circle. Kotzebue village is on the north tip of this Peninsula, floating ice in the water.
Kotzebue is a friendly little town, population is around 3500 to 4000. The ratio between native and white is about 70/30. It's a trading town back in the early 1900. People are more friendly than Norm, less drinking problem. I feel comfortable walking on the street after the dinner at Empress Chinese Restaurant restaurant. This woman happen to walk in to get a ice cream, she is the lady on the postcard. The post card photo was taken 10 years ago.
This is the picture of Kotzebue Airport, I was a little busy at this moment. I line up with the runway, grab the camera with two hands, aim and take a couple shots, drop the camera, hand back to the stick, and a couple seconds later, both wheels are on the ground. It's about 8PM local time. Sun never go down in June.
The view of Kotzebue Airport and village. See the runway in the middle of the bay, the long strip with the runway markers. A unique view from the sky.
Lovely Kotzebue kids playing in the water, I asked them "is the water cold ?" they said it loud, NO, IT'S WARM. But when I touch the water, it's freezing.
They said, the ocean doesn't usually get this calm, it's a very special day for me to arrive at Kotzebue.
Noatak River, I was on my way to Noatak village, Red Dog mine and Grand Canyon. I didn't make it to Grand Canyon due to the low fuel concern.
Noatak River, Checking the sandbar and having fun. Always watch out for birds when flying low over the water.
