After posting the rest of the family’s point of view on our recent trip to Sitka and Barrow. I knew I needed to jump in and add my point of view. It amazes me how we can all have the same experience, but yet walk away with completely different point of view on the trip. It has given me a whole new meaning when I read the Gospels and why they each have such a different points of view of the same experience!
Sitka! What do I want to remember about Sitka! For me the highlight was the kayaking trip. Watching the sea lions thrash their fish up close was quite an experience! Jadon and I were on the same kayak. As I wanted to get closer to the sea lions, he wanted to move further away. We were both startled when one popped up about 15 feet away from us! I even gave a little scream of surprise! After the shock we both thought that was pretty amazing! Watching Jadon persevere paddling through the complete 4 and half miles, made me one proud momma! I loved watching and listening him explore the ocean. His awe of the starfish and the excitement of the Alaska jet taking off in front of us. Pure joy of exploring with my family a new city for me and the kids!
Now Barrow, that was a completely different trip. As we were waiting on the ground in Prudhoe Bay for the weather to clear so we can land in Barrow. The thought of getting ‘stuck’ in Barrow crossed my mind. What would we do in Barrow overnight?! I was praying “God if you take us in you have to keep the weather good enough for the next flight to take us home.” God is good! He provided seats for this amazing day trip to Barrow and the weather stayed clear enough to the next flight to get take us out!
What intrigued me the most in Barrow was the influence God had made on the Inupiat people. It was evident! His Word will reach all nations. We toured Inupiat Heritage Center. Reading their history about whaling was amazing. They used to have strict rules about what they could and could not do to find ‘favor’ in catching a whale. Now they pray! Relying on the Lord to provide the whales not ‘favor.’ They still have the way to run a whaling camp, in order to catch a whale. For example, they must wear white to be camouflaged and no cooking at the site. Whales have an incredible sense of smell. I would love to be apart of that whole process. The feast they have every spring to celebrate and thank God for the whale sounds amazing. Truly thankful to learn more about whaling.
We even got to catch a glimpse of the dancing they do at these feasts. Rahab came home trying to imitate what she saw. Very precious.
Touching the fridge Arctic Ocean and standing under the Whale Arch was an amazing once in a lifetime thing to experience! It’s hard to image that people live there year round. The sun never sets in the summer months…no really it doesn’t! The contrast is in the winter there is no sun light for months! I’m still trying to wrap my head around those facts. I’m thankful I got to check Barrow of my list to see and experience. Even if it was for only 8 hours!
Chris Ireland