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subsistence living.
Visitors to Nome can capture stunning photos
of birds, fish in pristine waters, hike across wild drawn to Nome—from the Inupiat, who forged a
tundra landscapes, or pan for gold in historic relationship with the land and built communities,
streams. The land transforms with the changing to the gold rush era, when prospectors came
Today, it features lush vegetation, warm pools, seasons, from spring’s wildflowers scattered ashore hoping to strike it rich.
and historic ruins. Visitors can rent cabins or across the rolling hills, to summer’s mid-night sun Here, neighbors measure value not by
campsites, and a fee is required for entry. The warmth, autumn’s fiery foliage, and the blanket of glittering nuggets but by their bonds, community
Mary’s Igloo Native Corporation considers much snow covering the land in a frozen, icy stillness. strength, and enduring relationship with the land
of the surrounding land sacred, and they require Each season bears the hand of the creator as it that gives back and sustains generations. The
permits to explore beyond marked areas. provides, sustains and captures the essence of heartbeat of Nome can be found in the songs and
The discovery of gold in the creeks around life below the Arctic Circle. music of the Inupiat who voices echo across the
Nome has been a defining feature of the land. The Experience tundra and through the stories of the residents
Years after the Klondike gold rush, prospectors Nome is very community minded and there who know that the seasons shape life and bring
found large gold nuggets in Anvil Creek. Eroded are festivals and events throughout the year that both hardship and abundance.
from rock veins, gold collects in slow-moving celebrate this close-knit town. The people who call Nome home have
waters like riverbeds and floodplains. The The Iditarod discovered a wealth that goes beyond gold. In
discovery of gold on Nome’s beaches sparked a Over a thousand people descend on Nome this remote corner of Alaska, those who choose to
second rush, as locals flocked to dig up this “poor for the finish line of the Iditarod dogsled race. stay find a city rich in spirit, meaning and promise.
man’s paradise”. Today, companies like AKAU The Iditarod is the world’s greatest race and For those that make their home on the edge of
Resort offer gold prospecting experiences from there is nothing like cheering on the musher and the Bering Sea, Nome is their city of gold.
June to September, with all-inclusive packages their team as they pass under the fabled Burled
featuring lodging, meals, and activities like Arch finish line. Accommodations fill up early and
panning, metal detecting, and high-banking. bookings need to be done a year in advance.
Nome’s unique eco-system supports several The Midnight Sun Festival
fishing opportunities, including road side, This takes place on the closest weekend to
backcountry, and helicopter fly-out fishing the summer solstice (June 21st). This festival
provided by companies such as Twin Peaks celebrates Nome with parades, a 5K gold dust
Adventures who offer weeklong, world class, fun run, a polar bear swim, and the Nome River
fly-fishing tours. Spawning salmon thrive in the raft race.
rivers’ healthy, pollution-free waterways. Other Nome Salmonberry Jam Folk Fest
variety of fish include large Arctic grayling, trout This three-day music festivals has something
and pike, making Nome an angler’s dream. For a for everyone including workshops, guest artists,
unique take on sustainability there are companies local musicians, dancers, handmade crafts and a
such as Alaska NW Adventures who specialize cookout and a community jam.
in eco-culture tours that combine fishing and Nome Today
hunting with history, culture, along with Native For thousands of years, people have been
Photos courtesy of
Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum

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