And that’s a wrap! veggie wrap

THE END

I didn’t know it would be my last. Not really. Not officially. But maybe I subconsciously knew?

My last day on the train for the season.

NB 9/17

SB 9/18

We picked guests up from Whittier, one of the only days all season it wasn’t a torrential downpour. Got to say my final goodbye to sweet Riana- hands down one of the coolest and most inspiring women my age.

We started off strong with a few moose… before seeing BIG PAPA. Seriously the largest bull moose I’ve ever seen.

Throughout the day we were also blessed with views of the Alaska range, bald eagles, and trumpeter swans.

Some of you understand trumpeter swans. Some of you don’t. If you know me, you know that I LOVE trumpeter swans.

the tour guide inside me is holding myself back from, “and let me tell you why…”

Halfway through the day I realized it was my last tour for the season. Logistical explanation aside, I didn’t have guests even though I still had to go south the next day.

I got emotional. I choked up saying goodbye to my guests.

The next day, was a cleaning shift and the sequence of events went like this

• Enjoying the canyon and the fall foliage and the longest consist id been on all season: ten cars! Got some rad pics. “The only thing that could make this more magical is if it snowed.”

• Broad pass… aka my favorite area during September… SNOW

• MOOSE 🫎 MOOSE IN THE OPEN FIELD… nice spot MC.

• We get to the meet and wait..wait..wait… never did confirm why we waited for so long. But as we’re waiting I see… “BEAR! BLACK BEAR” he was so curious and I was so HAPPY that I spotted him. Conductor Will told me that Deadhorse (the name of the siding) is known for lots of black bear and usually they walk across the tracks in front of the engine and behind locomotive. I didn’t believe him…

• … soooo I walked my way to the caboose. I was the only one there. And sure enough, as soon as we started moving along, the same black bear came out and crossed. My mouth DROPPED. He was just being a respectful little guy waiting his turn.

• I got to see the Hurricane Turn one more time and say bye to Conductor Grant.

• The base of the Alaska range was out

What a perfect end to the season. I was supposed to work one more shift. I was on the official last train. But, this day had gone so perfect, it just seemed like it needed to be my last. So I gave it to someone really eager to be on THE last train ride for the 2023 season. Everybody wins.

I’ve been blessed enough to see northern lights a handful of times. But this time was different. They danced so intensely… it was incredible.

THE AFTERTHOUGHTS

The next morning I woke up, did my mandatory cleaning shift, and I currently lay, after packing my bags for another quick turnaround for my next adventure. I’m reminiscing. The good, the bad, the ugly. And I love it all just the same.

Here’s the stone cold truth about working a seasonal job (or at least mine): you stare at the blanket of wise (that’s my pr word choice for old) eyes everyday that end up forming into a sea of the same. I’m convinced that I’ve already met a guest before. They all look the same. They all ask the same questions that make me internally roll my eyes but I’m forced to fake a smile so they’ll tip me at the end of the day.

I swear if I have to explain the spruce bark beetle one more time I’ll throw myself off at Hurricane Gulch.

I work the lift for guests with limited mobility that they ALWAYS seem to need at the busiest time. And I am not payed enough to have to clean up peoples… mess… when they go to the bathroom and miss the toilet. But I have to do it anyway. I argue with a coworker because our levels of organization are different. Or the work flow gets off, and we get in an argument- caught up in the moment. People argue about not wanting to work with someone else, there’s always drama. Just like high school.

At the same time… I get to share my love for Alaska. I get to help make people’s bucket list trip memorable. I’ve never met someone with cooler office views than me. I’ve met some COOL people, and I’ve gotten to do some life changing things that I would’ve had no other way of experiencing.

All these people, although “old”, they’re still living life for the first time. How special that my work is giving them a grand adventure. One they’ve waited their ENTIRE life for.

It feels really good to not only work a cool job. But be good at it. It makes me feel good to know I’m good at what I do. And I mean this with the most profoundly humble mindset.

So, some days I found myself feeling more of the former attitude. Others I found myself in the latter. At the end of the day, change is hard whether you’re ready for it or you’re not. So, when I said goodbye to those guests, it made sense that I got a bit choked up. But I’ve noticed I’m getting more comfortable in the uncomfortable. For anyone who’s made it this far into actually reading all this nonsense, you know me well enough to know I’ve been doing this transient lifestyle for a bit of time now. Always packing up and going somewhere new. Often times, this gets messy. There are a lot of moving parts, often times not within my control.

I had a conversation with someone recently about settling down and why it’s “normal”. Guests on the train tell me all the time that I’m smart for “doing what I’m doing while I’m young.” People tell me they’re jealous of what I’m doing.

“So why don’t more people do it?”

“Because people want to feel safe. People feel safe getting married and having the familiarity of the same person. People feel safe going home everyday, to their things, a place where everything is familiar. Comfortable.”

I’m really proud of myself for how far I’ve come. I’m getting better at rolling with the punches. I’m better at asking for help. But I also am independent, and although I’m getting more flexible with change, I think I have a good balance with also still caring

Making lists, having a schedule, an idea of what I want. But also being fluid and open to change.

CHOICES

Life's all about 'em. That's what Bill's always told me.

My 2023 season in Alaska has come to a close. It went by unbelievably fast. Where did the time go?

I have to stop myself from comparing this year to last year. When I came this summer, I had the intention on coming to make money. And I did that, I worked a lot. In doing so I cut myself off from getting to do a grand list of fun adventures- although I still found the time for some show stoppers!

I didn't drink this season. Wow- that feels good. I haven't drank since June 9th. I feel healthier, happier, I slept better, and I saved so much money. But in doing so I found myself in a lot of solidarity because that seems to be the social "fun" everyone on the train does.

Yes I know I could still go out without drinking. But, for those of you who understand the atmosphere of the train, you understand the peer pressure of drinking when going out. It's elevated to what I decided was an unhealthy level for me. Food for thought: if all you ever do is drink/party are they really friends? Or are they just people you go drinking with?

I think I choose solidarity.

THE FUTURE

Good ole Huckleberry is packed in true Granola Girl fashion... now heading south. Way south.

Are we taking bets on if I’ll come back next year?

Cheers,

Tay