Homes

So a lot of you have been asking me about my living situation- great question, because it's been changing a lot ever since college got out.
So, first, Ian and Timm and I camped out on our way up to Alaska, either at campgrounds or at good-looking spots on the side of the road. Once we got past a rather soggy, rainy first night and dried out our gear, it was wonderful. We had some nice campfires and one great spot in particular that was in a valley, next to a river.


I stayed at Ian's for a few nights in Anchorage and then came down to Seward for work. A neighbor's friend, Alan, lives here and had arranged for me to stay at a friend's cabin for a bit. There was even a tiny shower and kitchenette in it that I could use! I got to stay in a cabin belonging to another one of Alan's friends after that- it was very simple but cute, with a small propane heater that I rarely used and an inflatable air mattress. It was about 4-5 miles outside of town.

Next I camped for a little while, also a few miles outside of town. I had company a few of the nights of friends from work who wanted to come hang out at the campsite and take a break from the rather crowded employee housing. The spot was beautiful- it looked out onto the flood plain just below a glacier and was across from a huge, snow-capped mountain. It was quite a sight to wake up to, but was a little chilly at night. I was sad to leave, but it would've gotten old (seeing as Seward's a rainforest)... plus, it was an 8-day camping area.

So... I tried to get a job on Fox Island, possibly to solve the housing question and possibly because it's a really great place and I'd be able to work in a kitchen... but no dice. Instead, I got conned into signing up to employee housing after a spot opened up. It's nice to have a fixed, long-ish term home where I can actually move my stuff in, but there are 19 people in this fairly small building. I do like our neighbors, however, pictured here. I also like that there is a wonderful hiking trail literally across the street from us that goes up to the peak of 4462-ft. tall Mount Marathon. I'm rooming with 2 Mainers (who would've guessed?) and, so far, enjoying my new home. I've been there for 2 nights now.

Antarctica?

One of my challenges at this job, since the tour is very much the same every single day, is to learn one new thing or be exposed to one new perspective on the world each day. This usually comes from talking to some of the hundred or so people that come through each day, to the captain or crew I'm working with, or from reading at night when I'm off work.

The other night, I had a crew of friends over to my campsite as a late birthday celebration. I ended up having a really interesting conversation with one of the guys who works on the island where our boat stops every night for dinner. He had just finished working in Antarctica for the winter (their summer) and then traveling around in New Zealand before coming up here. New Zealand! I've always wanted to go there! I had never met anyone who's been to Antarctica before, so I was really interested. If anyone's looking for an adventure for about 6 months, a job down there would be quite a choice of employment. Hey, that sounds like me. Anyways, Kevin was telling me about his time down there and it sounded- well, cold for one thing- sometimes down to 20 below before wind chill, which can be significant- but also amazing. The adventures, experience, people and opportunity to travel sound unreal. It was really neat to spend a whole night talking about a continent I had never even thought twice about before.

I hope all of you are learning or experiencing something new every day too, even if it's something small! I have a day off tomorrow, so I'm going hiking on Fox Island (where the snow is finally juuuust melting on the hilltops and mountains). Can't wait. Days are long but the wildlife has been amazing lately. We've seen at least 3 groups of 4 or so humpbacks cooperatively feeding the last few days, and they've gotten pretty excited about all the food they're finding. They've been tail-slapping, barrel-rolling, doing headstands and waving their pectoral fins at us. Today I saw one breach (jump all the way out of the water) for the first time! Someday I'll bring a camera and take some pics so all of you can see.

Thanks for keeping up with the blog; much love to all!