Pilgrim Hot springs

About 2 weeks ago, I got out of town into the tundra for the first time. We finally had some time off work, so a few of the nurses and myself went 60 miles north of town for a day of fishing and playing on the tundra. It was an over cast day in Nome, but the sun was shining over the pass!

This is a view of the tundra. All the white is actually tundra cotton, a type of flower that is in bloom right now. Looking over this, I felt like I was in Nebraska or something.














The Musk OX heard. There are a TON of musk ox in the area. These were on the road and running from the car.













When spooked, musk ox form a circle to protect their young. The start snorting and pawing at the ground and charge. Luckily for us, they lose interest quite quickly and run away.









This is Pilgrim Hot springs. At one time, in the early 1900's the area was used as an orphanage during the flu out break. There are a few small out buildings where the kids stayed still standing. The tracker is still used to help keep the grass under control.

The view from the actual spring. There are actual trees in this area. (there are none in Nome)











The hot spring. It was about 115 degrees. The tub is about 6 feet deep and you end up treading water when you go in. Also there mosquitoes are so bad, you have to be underwater or covered with bug dope to spend much time out here, but the view is amazing!


Standing on the tub.

Nurse Allen and myself at the springs.

Inside the church at the ranch. This painting was done in 1920 by a 12 year old boy.

Tundra cotton. The whole tundra was covered in it. It makes it look like it is still covered in snow.

The actual cotton.

frolicking on the tundra.....

Yellow tundra flowers.

Laying in the tundra cotton.