"Well Grandma...We Lost the Futon"

While we are all excited about the move, the quote in the title for today's entry suggests that some of us are concerned about the effect this decision is having on our possessions. In fact, we sold the futon. However, the distinction between "sold" and "lost" is not very significant when you're seven. Are we going to sleep on that $80? To quote Marian Wright Edelman, "Never work just for money or for power. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night." Literally!

As for Megan, she's knee deep in the nitty-gritty of moving. There is always one more box, that last drawyer you forgot to empty, or that one last thing to move down to the car. I think most of the houses in Bethel are single story, this will be a blessing. By the way, if you are reading this and you have a strong back and a pickup truck, please contact me soon about your new couch. You must pick it up by Thursday, or the deal's off.

--Terrence

Moving Day

This will be the first in a series of moves before we leave for Bethel. We rented a UHaul truck, which Jamie always loves. His love affair with UHaul began when his Grandma and Grandpa moved to New Hampshire. That truck was much bigger. It was love at first sight. He is going to ride in the truck today. We are moving things to Grandma and Grandpa's house, and our place is getting pretty empty.

The short drive reminds me that family is what we will miss the most when we move to Bethel.
No more meandering walks around the meticulously groomed neighborhoods of Bristol, Rhode Island...

--Terrence

The Journey Begins

This is the first entry in what I hope will be an ongoing journal of our time in Bethel. It is now a little over a month until we move to Bethel. We are all very excited, though a little nervous. James is probably the most excited. I wonder what he thinks Bethel will be like?


I am excited about the move, but a little nervous about the job. This will be my first experience working day-to-day in a courtroom. My jobs up until now have been the "desk" sort. Along with moving to the Arctic and living in a small town hundreds of miles from "civilization"... you get the point.


A few facts about Bethel:


Population: A little over 6,300 hardy souls


Land Area: About 44 square miles, no roads in or out


Location: 60°47′32″N, 161°45′21″W (Bethel is located at the mouth of the Kuskokwim River, 40 miles inland from the Bering Sea. It lies in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, 400 air miles west of Anchorage, about 350 miles south of the arctic circle).


Climate: Precipitation averages 16 inches a year in this area, with snowfall of 50 inches. Summer temperatures range from 62 to 42; winter temperatures average 19 to negative 2.


Demographics: 68% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. (Mostly Yup'ik). Subsistence activities and commercial fishing are major contributors to residents' livelihoods. Bethel serves as the regional center for 56 villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.


Facilities: Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital (a qualified Acute Care facility); 6 schools located in the community, attended by 1,320 students; approximately 75% of households have water delivered and sewage hauled by truck. Bethel Airport is the regional transportation center, and is served by two major passenger airlines, two cargo carriers, and numerous air taxi services.


Fun Fact: Bethel has the highest number of taxi cabs per-capita in the United States.

39 Days to Go.

--Terrence