We have flown in a 10 passenger plane 40 miles past the Artic Circle to a town called Bettles. We had to stand on luggage scale and be weighted!!! It is the smallest city in the United States , boasting of their 12 full time residents. The lodge we stayed in is owned by the mayor( wife) and fire chief (husband). It is the quietest, whitest , most desolate place. It has Chef Ray who makes the best food I’ve ever put in my mouth, friendly staff ( Donna, Jason, Connie, and Ty). We ate and slept and waited for the Aurora Borealis Lights that never showed up during our two day stay. We drank hot chocolate, got to know staff and other guest ( Naji from Japan and Jarin and Sarah from Portland). We sat out under the stars in totally quiet. We changed in and out of boots, balaclavas, parkas and gloves over and over and over again. It went between -26 below to 10. There is only one way in or out during most of the year and that’s by plane. You share it with supplies and local Alaskans from small surrounding villages. We met Pastor Rich who is also the weather observer and head of their Republican Party. The guys rode snowmobiles with a guide because I tell you this, you can get lost in a second if you get off the 2 streets in town. It is solid Dry white snow with a snow mist ,and twilight kind of sky, with Brooks Mountain Range in the distance. The sun does come up but it’s so low on the horizon it puts out shallow angles of light. You would have to like quiet, 🥶and no need for a doctor. It take an hour by plane that only comes once a day to get you out of there which is also how you get any food or supplies which cost $1 a pound to bring. I believe it may be the remotest place to visit or live. They are a special bunch of folks!
Salmon
Gillsrborne2travel 