Update from Mathews, VA

Mathews county has been unseasonably cool pretty much since we arrived here in March. I mean, like in the 50’s cool, a temperature which sends the minds of the locals reeling as they stagger outside under layers of sweaters and jackets to grab the mail or walk the dogs before returning to the warmth of the hearth. This dark rainy cool stretch ended today, and no doubt by the end of the week we will hear folks remarking on the oppressive heat. Such is our relationship to weather. 

This far into May I felt sure that I’d be deep into the trailer build, but we had a few delays and setbacks along the way. We are gaining momentum again. All the wood (which doubled and tripled in price compared to even 6 months ago), and all the camper parts have been purchased. The last two things that need done before construction begins in earnest are getting the frame parts that form the curve of the camper computer cut and routed out of wood, and getting a custom trailer welded out of steel. The wood bits we should see within the week. The trailer bit is unknown. We found a company to do it, but with worker shortages…

Oh, and a week ago I got back from a two-week stint in The Yupiit School District.  

The wind sock by the runway in Akiachak.

Quick aside: if you don’t already know I spent two and a half years working in and for a school district in the Yukon-Kuskowkim valley right before we took off and started this blog. Here’s the link for that blog: http://smallstones.net/2020/10/. I kind of stopped making posts once covid shut down the schools and kept me confined to my apartment for most of the year.

Old fuel tanks near the school serve as a parkour course.

Where was I? Oh, in Akiachak: They District brought me up to get a project that I had started that kind of withered under covid back up and running. The school in Akiachak has a low wattage FM radio station license. When I worked there full time I used some grant money to purchase the equipment to get it broadcasting again. I had the chance to visit all three villages in the District during my time there. It was good to see some of the folks I knew from my time there, all of whom are having a pretty positive outlook on the future. Hooray!

Riding on the back of the truck in Tuluksak from the village to the runway.

3 thoughts on “Update from Mathews, VA”

  1. Dear Matthew, At first glance I thought you were in Matthew Va, but soon sussed out the real truth. Great info, I sure am looking forward to more info on the build.
    back from Hazel land for short trip, she is a trip for sure. She will come over to Sitka for Fine Arts in June. Still squeaking on her violin but much better at it.
    Hello to Miss Kayla, hope you are both very well. Aloha, Jeff B

  2. Nice to get an update on the trailer build. I’d been wondering how it was going, in particular how it has been for availability of materials. Looking forward to seeing those final wings.
    Sounds like it’s a cold spring everywhere.

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