After our movie about the oil fields in the Arctic Caribou Inn, we boarded a bus where we were given a very quick escorted tour of the Prudhoe Bay oil fields. The only place where the bus actually came to a halt was at...the Arctic Ocean, more specifically the Beaufort Sea. We were given only a few minutes to explore the very small area. The tour was nearly cancelled
because there was a polar bear 30 miles away in Endicott. They can run for extended periods at 35mph! If he came closer, NO TOUR! And...no dip in the ocean! One lady on the bus hoped for a polar bear
....I, for one, was glad we didn't see any because I really really REALLY wanted to get in that water! I know its crazy, but I feel the need to swim (or at least get my feet into it) in every ocean in the world. I guess.....really ANY body of water. Why not?! So, I rolled up my pant legs and donned my flip flops and waded into the 28 degree salt water! WOW, refreshing!
I was having fun in the murky water, and it really wasn't bothering me! Everyone couldn't believe it and was asking me to pose! I begged them to join me! When else might you get this chance I cried!
Just a few seconds after this...wow, INTENSE pain set it! TIME TO GET OUT! One lady wanted 1 more picture I told her no way. Jackie said she was just getting ready to make me come out because she didn't like the purple color of my legs, I was only in 3-5 minutes.
I didn't get all the way out to the point, only where the lady on the left is standing, but I can tell you...from the water to the bus was only 200 feet or so, but that was the most excruciating walk I have ever taken. It felt like I was walking on crushed glass. As soon as I got on the bus, I toweled off and put on socks and started to wiggle my toes and feet. Within 5 minutes the color returned to normal and they were toasty warm. But it was definitely worth it! The driver stated that a 90+ year old native lady went in last week, but went ALL THE WAY IN! Her grandkids helped her out of the water after she went under. The water was sort of icky though, I'm not sure I would want my face in it!
Each "house" is a well with a feeder line into the Prudhoe Bay oil field.
Spectacled Eiders near Arctic Caribou Inn.
Saying goodbye to guide, Jackie before boarding the 9 seater Piper Navajo that will have us back to Fairbanks in just a few short hours.
Simone and Gaspere from the Netherlands and Lee & Eileen were seated in front of me for our journey back. Beryl and Chrissy from Australia were behind me. Tom & Linda from New Hampshire had left just before lunch as they were headed to Barrow! I wish I had time that I could have fit that in!
Up up and away.....adios to Prudhoe Bay and Lake Colleen.
The Dalton winds around on the right while the pipeline and corridor are to the left.
....I, for one, was glad we didn't see any because I really really REALLY wanted to get in that water! I know its crazy, but I feel the need to swim (or at least get my feet into it) in every ocean in the world. I guess.....really ANY body of water. Why not?! So, I rolled up my pant legs and donned my flip flops and waded into the 28 degree salt water! WOW, refreshing!
I was having fun in the murky water, and it really wasn't bothering me! Everyone couldn't believe it and was asking me to pose! I begged them to join me! When else might you get this chance I cried!
There was grise ice all around and for the sheer hell of it I plopped my foot in that!
Just a few seconds after this...wow, INTENSE pain set it! TIME TO GET OUT! One lady wanted 1 more picture I told her no way. Jackie said she was just getting ready to make me come out because she didn't like the purple color of my legs, I was only in 3-5 minutes.
I didn't get all the way out to the point, only where the lady on the left is standing, but I can tell you...from the water to the bus was only 200 feet or so, but that was the most excruciating walk I have ever taken. It felt like I was walking on crushed glass. As soon as I got on the bus, I toweled off and put on socks and started to wiggle my toes and feet. Within 5 minutes the color returned to normal and they were toasty warm. But it was definitely worth it! The driver stated that a 90+ year old native lady went in last week, but went ALL THE WAY IN! Her grandkids helped her out of the water after she went under. The water was sort of icky though, I'm not sure I would want my face in it!
I tried the best I could to take pics from the 15 mph moving van while still trying to absorb everything I was seeing.
Each "house" is a well with a feeder line into the Prudhoe Bay oil field.
Spectacled Eiders near Arctic Caribou Inn.
Red Necked Phalarope in the same pond.
Saying goodbye to guide, Jackie before boarding the 9 seater Piper Navajo that will have us back to Fairbanks in just a few short hours.
Simone and Gaspere from the Netherlands and Lee & Eileen were seated in front of me for our journey back. Beryl and Chrissy from Australia were behind me. Tom & Linda from New Hampshire had left just before lunch as they were headed to Barrow! I wish I had time that I could have fit that in!
Up up and away.....adios to Prudhoe Bay and Lake Colleen.
The Dalton winds around on the right while the pipeline and corridor are to the left.
I could hardly pry my eyes away from the window as I was amazed by the beauty of the snow capped mountains of the Brooks Range. I was too mesmerized to be scared about being in such a tiny plane!
A river winds through the Brooks Range in or near Gates of the Arctic National Park.
This was one of my most favorite adventures of all time and I hope someday to travel the Dalton again!
A river winds through the Brooks Range in or near Gates of the Arctic National Park.
This was one of my most favorite adventures of all time and I hope someday to travel the Dalton again!
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