Alaska

Last year at this time, we were seeing the peak of Denali, and the entirety of the family, nearly everyday. I can count on one hand how many times I've seen the mountain so far this season. Such a special sight.

5/25/2023

It feels really good to be back in a lot of ways. It feels familiar. I missed a lot of people, and I’ve already met a lot of new friendly faces. And I’m so happy to be making money.

But I don’t really know if it’s where I’m meant to be. It feels like I took a step back in time. I had my first shift yesterday, and it was great. I loved the guests, they loved me, for the most part everything went smoothly aside from a few tedious things. I made good money for the day.

But I felt like I was having an out of body experience. As if I was there, but not really there.

A lot of people have shared with me that they’ve been reading my blog. People I would’ve never expected. When people tell me that, it fills my heart in ways they don’t even understand. It makes me emotional, because it shows THEY CARE. Again, people I would’ve never expected were in my corner. I would’ve never expected to even cross their mind, let alone them read what I write.

Maybe people aren’t actually reading it and they’re only telling me to make me feel good. Who knows.

6/28/2023

Over a month later I’ve gone back and reread that section above. It’s so vulnerable, and that’s something I’m really proud of. But it also makes me laugh how dramatic I was being, that being said, it's natural to feel those feelings during a transitional period.

On a lighter note, I had some really neat wildlife experiences the other day.

I was kayaking on a quiet, small lake by the Knik river. Gosh it was stunning. The little inflatable kayak, drizzling rain, listening to the birds, watched the lily pads with the blossoming yellow buds. The school of fish nestled tightly under the comfort of the nearby dock.

Before putting into the lake I was surprised with the sweetest family of a mama duck and all of her sleeping ducklings. It was so darling.

Later the same day along the Seward Highway I was greeted by Dall sheep that were SO CLOSE. Probably the closest sighting of Dall sheep I’ve ever had.

But the coolest sighting was just before the sheep, by Potters Marsh. Driving on the highway, and a big moose starts running across the highway.

I slowed down.

“So cool!”

Then her baby follows

“Wow a mama and baby!”

Then… a massive grizzly bear chasing them! His fur bounced as he ran along the traffic. It was magical.

The mama and baby moose braved the traffic to be saved from the grizzly bear, while the grizzly opted to call it a loss and didn’t run into the road.

7/7/2023

I’ve been working on the railroaddddd

Since the middle of May

Another day on the train, but I have some time without guests so I have some time to reflect and write.

I had a few days off, and I spent it hiking and exploring, no set plans. Sometimes these end with the best days.

Thunderbird Falls 7/4/2023

I wanted to find a family friendly hike that I knew would be well trafficked because I was hiking solo. Thunderbird falls accomplished exactly that. Tons of families with their dogs were out exploring for the holiday weekend. It was a small hike, but still enjoyable. Plus I had been curious about the trail for some time, since last season, so I was happy the check it off the list of places to see.

Exploring between Anchorage and Seward 7/5 & 7/6

Making my way all the way down to Seward, it was down pouring. So, no whale watching for me. Instead I found one of the many quaint art galleries and had a nice mocha before making my way north again, because I was hungry for nature!

I tried natural fiddleheads for the first time!!!! I’ve tried them pickled (do not recommend), but I finally found them and snatched them straight off the plant and ate it! The first one I tried was subtle and tasted like cucumber. The second one I tried was more in line with what I’ve always been told- the realm of asparagus or Brussels sprouts.

I also found another spot to get the kayak out. Beautiful blue water from the glacier silt, and gorgeous views of the glacier that (I think) feeds it. Saw some more ducks, and just enjoyed my time outside.

I’m exactly where I need to be. Exactly where I want to be. I love my job, and I love Alaska.

Cheers,

Tay