Sunday, July 26, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
July 22 – Wednesday
I’m back at Denali. My roommate just returned from a day off shopping in Fairbanks. That's her favorite thing to do on a day off - 120 miles to town and the Princess shuttle takes us there and back. I said – The internet is down again? Yup, she said – again!
So here I am, writing in Word – setting down my thoughts on the blog – without the blog. Anyway, I’ll be calling Martin & Trudy- I can’t log onto my own blog anymore. I guess I went more than two weeks without touching it and now it doesn’t remember me. So much for modern technology.
I am not up for much talking about my sister Jan yet. It’s not that I’m not thinking about her. There are just not many words yet – and my ideas are still forming – but
My sister died Sunday morning at 10:27a.m.
I am grateful that I was able to get home so fast and spend two weeks with her, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for a couple of short breaks. We had time together. We talked. We listened. We held hands. She comforted me sometimes. Sometimes I comforted her, I hope. I slept with her at night. That way she could just touch me and I would know – she needed medicine or to go to the bathroom or whatever.
It was just like when the babies were small. I woke so easily – it was like we shared brainwaves all night –and the blessing of that is that I still wake in the night – and I hear her breathing – and I am comforted. I have felt at peace because I hear her breathe when I sleep.
There are 73 wildfires burning in Alaska. More than 1,000,000 acres have burned. One of the largest fires is at Nenana, the closest town to us. It has a gas station. On the way in, we could see it like a giant fieldburn in the valley – with smoke streaming into the sky. We are used to the air smelling of campfires here. My roommate said that on the way home from Fairbanks, the sky became so dark from the fires that it reminded her of the movie, Independence Day – when the spaceship made the world underneath it all dark – like a big, dark shadow. Since we don’t have nighttime up here - yet - , she says it made it so dark it SEEMED like night.
I got back here at about noon. We “dead-headed” it – that is, I caught a Princess bus coming to Denali to pick up tourists – but it was just the driver, his friend and me. (Dead-heading means driving the bus without passengers. His friend and I didn’t count as “real” passengers, of course!) The whole bus to ourselves. As soon as I arrived I got it into my head to change into my uniform and show up at the lodge – just in case everyone was busy and they could use me. I came in at the far end of the lodge and guests came to me with questions before I ever got to the desk. It was amazing to realize that in uniform, people thought I’d have the answers – even though I felt like someone who had just returned from a very long trip myself. And I did happen to be able to help with their questions. When I got to the desk, there were people standing deep in lines and I asked if they could use me. I got to get back to work on the spot and worked for about 8 hours. It was cathartic – I’m happily exhausted. I’m among dear friends, albeit new friends – people I am so glad I was able to come back to work with.
Tonight I teeter on the fence of two worlds, the one there that centers at 4th Street, with true and longtime friends whom I love like family, and the world up here of moose and beavers, of wildfires and sore feet and guests from all over and new friends who have prayed for my sister and who have been calling me. One of them bought a Hawaiian blouse for me for Friday – some kind of Hawaiian party and she wanted to be sure I could dress the part. I still don’t know where the party will be but I’ll be there – with friends.
I was home there in Lebanon – but I wasn’t really HOME. I stayed with my sister until the day another sister took over and then I slept all day and then she passed away and then I only sat in my lounge chair on the front porch reading my book and trying to be as still as my thoughts. I missed visiting with my friends – with a few tiny and terrific exceptions. I tried to attend church but that was when I learned of Jan’s death-and I needed to leave even before church began. I tasted the cherries on the trees in the back yard and I made a glutton of myself with my blueberries. I weeded only where the weeds were disgraceful – and I have a very loose definition of disgraceful when I see weeds and have little time.
Speaking of weeds, the Fireweed up here is extraordinary! Huge patches. How I wish I had a hive of bees to set in the middle of a patch – the very best honey in the world is Fireweed. One can actually can peaches with Fireweed honey – the taste is so mild.
I love Fireweed honey just on a spoon – it makes every other honey taste strong and way too sweet.
The Fireweed is all over wherever trees and tundra have been chopped back or burned – and the first thing to grow back after a forest fire is Fireweed. Next year there will be more than a million new acres of Fireweed. Perhaps a beehive will be necessary.
I’m back at Denali. My roommate just returned from a day off shopping in Fairbanks. That's her favorite thing to do on a day off - 120 miles to town and the Princess shuttle takes us there and back. I said – The internet is down again? Yup, she said – again!
So here I am, writing in Word – setting down my thoughts on the blog – without the blog. Anyway, I’ll be calling Martin & Trudy- I can’t log onto my own blog anymore. I guess I went more than two weeks without touching it and now it doesn’t remember me. So much for modern technology.
I am not up for much talking about my sister Jan yet. It’s not that I’m not thinking about her. There are just not many words yet – and my ideas are still forming – but
My sister died Sunday morning at 10:27a.m.
I am grateful that I was able to get home so fast and spend two weeks with her, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for a couple of short breaks. We had time together. We talked. We listened. We held hands. She comforted me sometimes. Sometimes I comforted her, I hope. I slept with her at night. That way she could just touch me and I would know – she needed medicine or to go to the bathroom or whatever.
It was just like when the babies were small. I woke so easily – it was like we shared brainwaves all night –and the blessing of that is that I still wake in the night – and I hear her breathing – and I am comforted. I have felt at peace because I hear her breathe when I sleep.
There are 73 wildfires burning in Alaska. More than 1,000,000 acres have burned. One of the largest fires is at Nenana, the closest town to us. It has a gas station. On the way in, we could see it like a giant fieldburn in the valley – with smoke streaming into the sky. We are used to the air smelling of campfires here. My roommate said that on the way home from Fairbanks, the sky became so dark from the fires that it reminded her of the movie, Independence Day – when the spaceship made the world underneath it all dark – like a big, dark shadow. Since we don’t have nighttime up here - yet - , she says it made it so dark it SEEMED like night.
I got back here at about noon. We “dead-headed” it – that is, I caught a Princess bus coming to Denali to pick up tourists – but it was just the driver, his friend and me. (Dead-heading means driving the bus without passengers. His friend and I didn’t count as “real” passengers, of course!) The whole bus to ourselves. As soon as I arrived I got it into my head to change into my uniform and show up at the lodge – just in case everyone was busy and they could use me. I came in at the far end of the lodge and guests came to me with questions before I ever got to the desk. It was amazing to realize that in uniform, people thought I’d have the answers – even though I felt like someone who had just returned from a very long trip myself. And I did happen to be able to help with their questions. When I got to the desk, there were people standing deep in lines and I asked if they could use me. I got to get back to work on the spot and worked for about 8 hours. It was cathartic – I’m happily exhausted. I’m among dear friends, albeit new friends – people I am so glad I was able to come back to work with.
Tonight I teeter on the fence of two worlds, the one there that centers at 4th Street, with true and longtime friends whom I love like family, and the world up here of moose and beavers, of wildfires and sore feet and guests from all over and new friends who have prayed for my sister and who have been calling me. One of them bought a Hawaiian blouse for me for Friday – some kind of Hawaiian party and she wanted to be sure I could dress the part. I still don’t know where the party will be but I’ll be there – with friends.
I was home there in Lebanon – but I wasn’t really HOME. I stayed with my sister until the day another sister took over and then I slept all day and then she passed away and then I only sat in my lounge chair on the front porch reading my book and trying to be as still as my thoughts. I missed visiting with my friends – with a few tiny and terrific exceptions. I tried to attend church but that was when I learned of Jan’s death-and I needed to leave even before church began. I tasted the cherries on the trees in the back yard and I made a glutton of myself with my blueberries. I weeded only where the weeds were disgraceful – and I have a very loose definition of disgraceful when I see weeds and have little time.
Speaking of weeds, the Fireweed up here is extraordinary! Huge patches. How I wish I had a hive of bees to set in the middle of a patch – the very best honey in the world is Fireweed. One can actually can peaches with Fireweed honey – the taste is so mild.
I love Fireweed honey just on a spoon – it makes every other honey taste strong and way too sweet.
The Fireweed is all over wherever trees and tundra have been chopped back or burned – and the first thing to grow back after a forest fire is Fireweed. Next year there will be more than a million new acres of Fireweed. Perhaps a beehive will be necessary.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Janet
Sometimes things go along smoothly.
Sometimes things change on a dime.
And they stay changed and everything after is different from anything that came before.
My sister Jan's illness is progressing quickly - more quickly than any of us could have imagined.
It's difficult for her to talk. It's hard to understand.
The doctors have told her that there is no chance of recovery.
She wants to go "home" - where she grew up. Hospice will start immediately. I'm sitting in the Anchorage airport. waiting 6 hours for the next plane to Portland. Laurie will pick me up at 5:30AM tomorrow. This morning I thought I was headed to work. Before I got there -at Denali.
My supervisors found me a flight. A co-worker drove me to Fairbanks to catch the plane to Anchorage.
I'm coming home.
I want to be home. I want to help. I want my sister to know that she is in the center of a family that loves her.
I want her to be comfortable and unafraid.
Sometimes things change on a dime.
And they stay changed and everything after is different from anything that came before.
My sister Jan's illness is progressing quickly - more quickly than any of us could have imagined.
It's difficult for her to talk. It's hard to understand.
The doctors have told her that there is no chance of recovery.
She wants to go "home" - where she grew up. Hospice will start immediately. I'm sitting in the Anchorage airport. waiting 6 hours for the next plane to Portland. Laurie will pick me up at 5:30AM tomorrow. This morning I thought I was headed to work. Before I got there -at Denali.
My supervisors found me a flight. A co-worker drove me to Fairbanks to catch the plane to Anchorage.
I'm coming home.
I want to be home. I want to help. I want my sister to know that she is in the center of a family that loves her.
I want her to be comfortable and unafraid.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Simple Things
Today was extraordinarily beautiful here. The sun baked us at almost 75 degrees, very warm for here. The sun shines all day and all night but today everything just looked even better than usual - mountains all around us - and everyone commenting on the gorgeous day - all day.
A French couple came in and I was called over to help. That was SO much FUN! I believe my French is actually getting better. I had to apologize to them for how bad it was - but they kept thanking me. They're traveling in a foreign country and not speaking the language. We had a great time and they signed up for some tours and we worked out how to be sure they got aboard. I also talked to the night desk person and she'll watch out for them when then are there tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. for their Kantishna experience. Oooh. That was the high point of today.
The low point of today was at the train. I had my radio - but when my supervisor called me, I tried to turn the radio UP but instead turned it off. So, I didn't realize she wanted me to bring the 100 persons WITH me to the north gate. I did not look smart. People got gummed up getting aboard the train.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Tonight a group of us played cards. That was a second high point of the day.
My mother let me know last week that the doctor found something sinister in a recent test and that there is some kind of blockage. They stopped the chemo she has been taking. She was very, very low about that so I've been calling each day and checking on her. Now, after a week of being low, she doesn't seem to recall how low she was or that there was a blockage. Now, she thinks she's just doing real fine - and the chemo starts again in two weeks. I do not know which end is up.
I do know that my brother called today. My sister who just battled throat cancer is having difficulty breathing and they've found suspicious spots on her lungs. Janet was my first, best friend. She's two years younger than me. Every damn thing that could go wrong for her did go wrong - ever since she caught Chicken Pox from me when we were little and she got encephalitis - She was never the same. She has smoked heavily for all her adult life. Now this. I only know this. She was my first best friend. In many ways, I lost her a long time ago, but this is a crowning blow.
I remind myself that even if I were home, I could not fix anything. I try to live day by day and moment by moment but some days I just want to say it. I do not know how to make some horrible truths better.
A French couple came in and I was called over to help. That was SO much FUN! I believe my French is actually getting better. I had to apologize to them for how bad it was - but they kept thanking me. They're traveling in a foreign country and not speaking the language. We had a great time and they signed up for some tours and we worked out how to be sure they got aboard. I also talked to the night desk person and she'll watch out for them when then are there tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. for their Kantishna experience. Oooh. That was the high point of today.
The low point of today was at the train. I had my radio - but when my supervisor called me, I tried to turn the radio UP but instead turned it off. So, I didn't realize she wanted me to bring the 100 persons WITH me to the north gate. I did not look smart. People got gummed up getting aboard the train.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Tonight a group of us played cards. That was a second high point of the day.
My mother let me know last week that the doctor found something sinister in a recent test and that there is some kind of blockage. They stopped the chemo she has been taking. She was very, very low about that so I've been calling each day and checking on her. Now, after a week of being low, she doesn't seem to recall how low she was or that there was a blockage. Now, she thinks she's just doing real fine - and the chemo starts again in two weeks. I do not know which end is up.
I do know that my brother called today. My sister who just battled throat cancer is having difficulty breathing and they've found suspicious spots on her lungs. Janet was my first, best friend. She's two years younger than me. Every damn thing that could go wrong for her did go wrong - ever since she caught Chicken Pox from me when we were little and she got encephalitis - She was never the same. She has smoked heavily for all her adult life. Now this. I only know this. She was my first best friend. In many ways, I lost her a long time ago, but this is a crowning blow.
I remind myself that even if I were home, I could not fix anything. I try to live day by day and moment by moment but some days I just want to say it. I do not know how to make some horrible truths better.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hi there!
What a great day!
The truth is – after I write on the blog, I’ll come back into my room for a couple of days to see if anybody wrote back! Today I see there are three comments – but, unfortunately, before I could open more than the first one (Thanks, JANE!) the internet was OFF again and is still off 6 hours later.
That’s OK – It was so nice to know that somebody (including Jane) wrote back! Cool.
So, I get to answer Jane, anyway, and sometime , the internet will work again.
Did we feel the earthquake? I was already at work. Didi and her friend were on their way to Denali and I hadn’t gotten coverage yet to have a day off with them. The only person who could cover for me had been working for 7 days and was feeling a bit like having a day off. Further, the lodge was really full and we weren’t sure there’d be a room available –
Finally, Didi and her friend, Michelle arrived! My co-worker decided to give me his day off if I would take his shift the following Sunday – DONE. Then I received a call that they’d found a room available in Building 5 (There are 5 Buildings 5 – but that’s another story!)
Shortly after Didi arrived, the earthquake struck. I didn’t feel it – but my supervisor had enjoyed the morning off and was lying down. She certainly felt it. We all went into emergency mode – not knowing what damage had occurred – Trains were stopped. Guest departures were delayed. Roads were closed until bridges were inspected. I had planned to get off work at 5ish. I was finally able to leave at 8. It was wonderful because no one was reported injured. The tracks were not damaged. I watched employees being so careful for everyone’s safety.
Our guests are generally extremely nice and very patient – they’re on vacation, after all. One lady, however, came up to me to let me know that her train had been delayed by more than two hours. I explained that we had experienced a Level 5.5 earthquake earlier that afternoon and that all tracks needed to be inspected before the train could carry passengers.
She replied, “Well, that’s just unacceptable.”
I guess she really WAS on vacation. It is sad that life doesn’t settle down for people on vacation. Some people have been notified while on vacation that their parent or that their child was dying. They’ve been quickly driven to an airport and every effort made to get them to their loved one. At least two people have died during their vacation. Another woman fell and broke her hip. Yet another broke her ankle on the ATV’s.
Generally, though, there are thousands of people who come through, are treated like royalty and have a very fine time. As employees, we generally have a fine time too! Today I was helping a couple when the wife said to me very slowly, “I do not speak English.” She spoke FRENCH! Wahoo! We were able to talk in French – very simply and briefly – but it sure was fun and she was happy. Me too.
I am very proud of this employer. Our managers have real heart. The bottom line isn’t the dollar. The people who are in charge love this company and really enjoy the guests.
There are so many stories that I’ll forget if I don’t write them down.
My roommate just showed me pictures of wolves that she took the other day inside the park. There are signs posted on every door at the lodge – and at people’s rooms – there is a grizzly who is wandering through the lodges – and it’s important to look around before going outside – and to never walk alone. My supervisor says last year a grizzly hung around the parking lot. Keeping the guests away and preventing them from going up to the grizzly gave some of them headaches – and they’re hoping this distress doesn’t last too long. Evidently, somebody threw out some ice that had been chilling salmon. The smell attracted a hungry bear. No more tossing ice out.
I have a story about Stanna. It’s another moose story. Stanna and her husband, Bob, brought their pickup and camper up for the summer with a green canoe riding on top. They found a section of the Nenana River, about 17 miles upstream, that was calm enough for the canoe. They set the canoe beside the river and Stanna stayed there with the canoe while Bob drove down the road to park the pickup at their decided take-out point. Then he was to ride their scooter back up to Stanna. Stanna was enjoying the outside reading time by the canoe when a teenage male moose walked over to her. Teenage moose are the most dangerous. They have more power than brains. Stanna immediately tried to hide behind the canoe – crawling along on the gravel. The moose kept coming toward her. There were no trees around but there was a traffic sign. Stanna tried to hide behind the sign. The moose peeked around the sign as if to say hi. Then he returned to the canoe and rummaged through their supplies, finally wandering off again.
This is a great place to spend the summer. Those who travel through with one or two nights here are missing so much!
When Didi was here, we went all the way to Wonder Lake. That happens to be the lake that Martin put up on the picture above this blog. It’s beautiful. It’s 4 miles long and ½ mile wide, AND 280 feet deep. It’s a young lake with few fish, only some grayling and a few large trout that eat rodents unlucky enough to fall in (and I wonder who is sitting around Wonder Lake long enough to notice such phenomena!)
Ask Didi about the mosquitoes.
Thank heaven for DEET.
My next day off is Sunday – it’ll be the first day off since Didi was here. I’m thinking of going to Kantishna – go up on the bus and fly back out – but I have to stay rested or by the day off I only want to sleep –
Please write to me. Either on the blog or by e-mail or (thank you, Per) by letter.
I really enjoy the people here – but hearing from home is SO comfortable! And if I can’t open the internet one day, surely it will open the next – or at least in a few days!
G' nite friends and family! I miss you! Stanna loaned me a book she found in the library about an Eskimo woman of the early 20th century. I'll finish the last chapter tonight.
This is simply an amazing place. Wish you all were here.
much love,
barb
Martin - you would love this place! About the work - I tend to sleep more up here than I would at home - many of us have noticed that - we think it's from pure exhaustion - but it's good work and there's lots of fun.
Tracy - I'm glad you like your soap - I love the smell of that one! I'm sure glad you have the summer off and understant that this may not be a time for a family vacation up here - perhaps we can plan for NEXTsummer - ha, I think I want to do this again - if only I can! Hug each of the boys for me, ok? (including Will!) And have Will hug you for me.
love, Mom
What a great day!
The truth is – after I write on the blog, I’ll come back into my room for a couple of days to see if anybody wrote back! Today I see there are three comments – but, unfortunately, before I could open more than the first one (Thanks, JANE!) the internet was OFF again and is still off 6 hours later.
That’s OK – It was so nice to know that somebody (including Jane) wrote back! Cool.
So, I get to answer Jane, anyway, and sometime , the internet will work again.
Did we feel the earthquake? I was already at work. Didi and her friend were on their way to Denali and I hadn’t gotten coverage yet to have a day off with them. The only person who could cover for me had been working for 7 days and was feeling a bit like having a day off. Further, the lodge was really full and we weren’t sure there’d be a room available –
Finally, Didi and her friend, Michelle arrived! My co-worker decided to give me his day off if I would take his shift the following Sunday – DONE. Then I received a call that they’d found a room available in Building 5 (There are 5 Buildings 5 – but that’s another story!)
Shortly after Didi arrived, the earthquake struck. I didn’t feel it – but my supervisor had enjoyed the morning off and was lying down. She certainly felt it. We all went into emergency mode – not knowing what damage had occurred – Trains were stopped. Guest departures were delayed. Roads were closed until bridges were inspected. I had planned to get off work at 5ish. I was finally able to leave at 8. It was wonderful because no one was reported injured. The tracks were not damaged. I watched employees being so careful for everyone’s safety.
Our guests are generally extremely nice and very patient – they’re on vacation, after all. One lady, however, came up to me to let me know that her train had been delayed by more than two hours. I explained that we had experienced a Level 5.5 earthquake earlier that afternoon and that all tracks needed to be inspected before the train could carry passengers.
She replied, “Well, that’s just unacceptable.”
I guess she really WAS on vacation. It is sad that life doesn’t settle down for people on vacation. Some people have been notified while on vacation that their parent or that their child was dying. They’ve been quickly driven to an airport and every effort made to get them to their loved one. At least two people have died during their vacation. Another woman fell and broke her hip. Yet another broke her ankle on the ATV’s.
Generally, though, there are thousands of people who come through, are treated like royalty and have a very fine time. As employees, we generally have a fine time too! Today I was helping a couple when the wife said to me very slowly, “I do not speak English.” She spoke FRENCH! Wahoo! We were able to talk in French – very simply and briefly – but it sure was fun and she was happy. Me too.
I am very proud of this employer. Our managers have real heart. The bottom line isn’t the dollar. The people who are in charge love this company and really enjoy the guests.
There are so many stories that I’ll forget if I don’t write them down.
My roommate just showed me pictures of wolves that she took the other day inside the park. There are signs posted on every door at the lodge – and at people’s rooms – there is a grizzly who is wandering through the lodges – and it’s important to look around before going outside – and to never walk alone. My supervisor says last year a grizzly hung around the parking lot. Keeping the guests away and preventing them from going up to the grizzly gave some of them headaches – and they’re hoping this distress doesn’t last too long. Evidently, somebody threw out some ice that had been chilling salmon. The smell attracted a hungry bear. No more tossing ice out.
I have a story about Stanna. It’s another moose story. Stanna and her husband, Bob, brought their pickup and camper up for the summer with a green canoe riding on top. They found a section of the Nenana River, about 17 miles upstream, that was calm enough for the canoe. They set the canoe beside the river and Stanna stayed there with the canoe while Bob drove down the road to park the pickup at their decided take-out point. Then he was to ride their scooter back up to Stanna. Stanna was enjoying the outside reading time by the canoe when a teenage male moose walked over to her. Teenage moose are the most dangerous. They have more power than brains. Stanna immediately tried to hide behind the canoe – crawling along on the gravel. The moose kept coming toward her. There were no trees around but there was a traffic sign. Stanna tried to hide behind the sign. The moose peeked around the sign as if to say hi. Then he returned to the canoe and rummaged through their supplies, finally wandering off again.
This is a great place to spend the summer. Those who travel through with one or two nights here are missing so much!
When Didi was here, we went all the way to Wonder Lake. That happens to be the lake that Martin put up on the picture above this blog. It’s beautiful. It’s 4 miles long and ½ mile wide, AND 280 feet deep. It’s a young lake with few fish, only some grayling and a few large trout that eat rodents unlucky enough to fall in (and I wonder who is sitting around Wonder Lake long enough to notice such phenomena!)
Ask Didi about the mosquitoes.
Thank heaven for DEET.
My next day off is Sunday – it’ll be the first day off since Didi was here. I’m thinking of going to Kantishna – go up on the bus and fly back out – but I have to stay rested or by the day off I only want to sleep –
Please write to me. Either on the blog or by e-mail or (thank you, Per) by letter.
I really enjoy the people here – but hearing from home is SO comfortable! And if I can’t open the internet one day, surely it will open the next – or at least in a few days!
G' nite friends and family! I miss you! Stanna loaned me a book she found in the library about an Eskimo woman of the early 20th century. I'll finish the last chapter tonight.
This is simply an amazing place. Wish you all were here.
much love,
barb
Martin - you would love this place! About the work - I tend to sleep more up here than I would at home - many of us have noticed that - we think it's from pure exhaustion - but it's good work and there's lots of fun.
Tracy - I'm glad you like your soap - I love the smell of that one! I'm sure glad you have the summer off and understant that this may not be a time for a family vacation up here - perhaps we can plan for NEXTsummer - ha, I think I want to do this again - if only I can! Hug each of the boys for me, ok? (including Will!) And have Will hug you for me.
love, Mom
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Air Traffic Control - on the ground in Alaska
We saw the mother and calf moose on the road in to work again this morning. The calf has grown to nearly 1/3 his mother's height. I believe it's the same pair we've seen repeatedly - grazing along the Parks Highway. It's a pretty smart place for them to hang out - the grizzlies generally tend to avoid proximity to the highways - and it's the grizzlies who pose the greatest danger to the calves. The first time we saw that pair, the calf's legs were so wobbly they didn't tend to move his body in any particular direction! It's pleasant to get to watch him grow up this summer.
In fact, a grizzly and a man (tourist) surprised each other this past week along my favorite trail. Both went in opposite directions, thank heaven!
Generally, hiking is invigorating and safe, but my work partner today was jogging along the highway and accidentally locked eyes with a moose who was also out jogging. The moose began a charge. The young man backed up. The moose continued to glare but walked off.
Didi was here! That visit was SO enjoyable! I have pictures. A friend will help me post them later when we have the same evening off again.
We did get up to Eielson Center and we hiked a bit - my favorite part is remembering that we sat on a ledge overlooking a canyon and watched caribou and a moose. The moose was lovely. The moose walked, posed for photo op's and then lay on the grass. I remember that Sharon & John MIGHT be coming in this direction but I don't have any idea when or if, for sure.
Today my job was "Expeditor". It was my first day in this part of the work. My partner (and leader!) was a young man who has his masters degree in Parks & Rec and who just moves from one national park to another - getting varied experience - very, very bright! (but same man who locked eyes with moose)
Our job was to facilitate the loading and unloading of busses. My partner refers to this job as - air traffic control - on the ground. I counted what I thought were 39 busses and two trains on our agenda - but quickly discovered those were only the ones we got to know about before they arrived - the actual number was half again more. Our day started 1/2 hour before the first bus arrival - 5:00 a.m.
I am only up that early if I'm going deep sea fishing.
usually.
In order to be at work by 5, it's necessary to get up at 3:45.
We worked fast and hard and the end of the day came quickly - but I needed a nap when I got back here. That young man will really go places in Parks and Rec within the next ten years. I learned a lot from him - and he's terrific with the people. If you figure there were about 36 people on each bus, well - lots of people were coming and going today. A few missed their rides and I got to drive a large van to get people where they meant to go but missed.
It was fun. I'm glad that tomorrow I'm behind the tour desk again and being cashier -whew, that'll be easier! But I hope I get to expedite again soon.
It's COLD up here today - and the north wind is blowing.
Yesterday was beautiful, almost 70 degrees and blue sky.
In fact, a grizzly and a man (tourist) surprised each other this past week along my favorite trail. Both went in opposite directions, thank heaven!
Generally, hiking is invigorating and safe, but my work partner today was jogging along the highway and accidentally locked eyes with a moose who was also out jogging. The moose began a charge. The young man backed up. The moose continued to glare but walked off.
Didi was here! That visit was SO enjoyable! I have pictures. A friend will help me post them later when we have the same evening off again.
We did get up to Eielson Center and we hiked a bit - my favorite part is remembering that we sat on a ledge overlooking a canyon and watched caribou and a moose. The moose was lovely. The moose walked, posed for photo op's and then lay on the grass. I remember that Sharon & John MIGHT be coming in this direction but I don't have any idea when or if, for sure.
Today my job was "Expeditor". It was my first day in this part of the work. My partner (and leader!) was a young man who has his masters degree in Parks & Rec and who just moves from one national park to another - getting varied experience - very, very bright! (but same man who locked eyes with moose)
Our job was to facilitate the loading and unloading of busses. My partner refers to this job as - air traffic control - on the ground. I counted what I thought were 39 busses and two trains on our agenda - but quickly discovered those were only the ones we got to know about before they arrived - the actual number was half again more. Our day started 1/2 hour before the first bus arrival - 5:00 a.m.
I am only up that early if I'm going deep sea fishing.
usually.
In order to be at work by 5, it's necessary to get up at 3:45.
We worked fast and hard and the end of the day came quickly - but I needed a nap when I got back here. That young man will really go places in Parks and Rec within the next ten years. I learned a lot from him - and he's terrific with the people. If you figure there were about 36 people on each bus, well - lots of people were coming and going today. A few missed their rides and I got to drive a large van to get people where they meant to go but missed.
It was fun. I'm glad that tomorrow I'm behind the tour desk again and being cashier -whew, that'll be easier! But I hope I get to expedite again soon.
It's COLD up here today - and the north wind is blowing.
Yesterday was beautiful, almost 70 degrees and blue sky.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
HO HO HO
Happy Solstice DAY
It's 12:10 a.m. here on June 21!
Special THANKS to KACEE who has taught me how to POST PICTURES!
There are parties everywhere tonight -
but this is as late as I can stay up -
That first picture, by the way, is the state bird. The Willow Ptarmigan.
There's a town of Chicken about 10 hours outside of Tok which is about 320 miles from here (a.k.a. 6 hours)
The people of Chicken wanted to name their town after the state bird, as the story goes - but no one could agree on how to spell Ptarmigan.
HAPPY SOLSTICE DAY
love,
barb
p.s. Kacee is pretty darn sure that I have not spelled Ptarmigan right either.......
p.s. Kacee is pretty darn sure that I have not spelled Ptarmigan right either.......
g'nite!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
