We didn’t see any live whales due to the ice. Once it melts they see bowhead, grey, orca and beluga whales. Residents showed us photos they had taken on their phones, some right from town.

The pressure ridges in the ice grew during our 47 hours in town. The “pyramid” in the photo is just ice. The temperature ranged around 34 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. With the wind off the ice it was chilly.

Buildings in Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) range from modern to late 1800’s. I believe the photographed Presbyterian church and house were constructed around 1930.

This Inupiat Heritage Center houses a library (with elder parking), a marvelous museum, and a workshop for traditional native arts. Well worth a lingering visit!

What a weekend!