May 31, 2009
Yesterday was my first Alaskan hiking experience - WOW! It was a totally different world than I've ever seen - almost like a scene from a movie. While we were hiking and enjoying a beautiful (rain-free) afternoon, Jill, made the comment that Alaska is like Colorado on Acid. I would have to agree. Last time I was in Tongass Nat. Rainforest with Lance to go Ziplining, we were so high in the trees it was hard to observe the rainforest. This time is was so different. Everything was so green - and wet! The trees were spongy with so much water and the ferns all over were soft and spongey as well. The trail was even boggy when you walked on it. Speaking of the trail, it was more like a creek bed with rocks or tree roots you could use to step on. Needless to say, we hiked in our goloshes because we were shin deep in mud in some spots! It was amazing!
I'll try to post the photos on my facebook page tonight.
(Currently, I'm having some issues with my computer/the internet/gmail and this blog site, so until I can get that worked out, I won't be able to post photos on the blog - my applogies!)
As for work, we've been busy cleaning the lodge getting ready for the first guests who arrive on the 5th. Tomorrow we start a lot of the office training and Tuesday we will go into Ketchikan to the office there.
Today we had the last of the crew arrive, so it was good to finially meet everyone. I'll have to arrange a crew photo soon, so that you can meet them too.
Guess that's all I know for now - Take care everyone - Luv from AK!
-Sharon
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Watch out Yes Bay - I've arrived!
Stardate: May 28th 2009 (that's for you B!)
I've arrived!
Yesterday was all travel. I learned that the airport in Ketchikan is actually located on an island. (Which was quite interesting!) Fortunatly, I met a very nice "water taxi" driver who not only found me a hotel for the evening, but invited me out to dinner with him and his daughter!
I got to stay the night in Ketchikan at the Gilmore hotel (this great old hotel complete with heat registers! I think they said the hotel was 90 years old....) The weather in Ketchikan was sunny and warm (not at all what I expected.) So I had a great time wandering around town.
Today around noon they picked me up and took me to the lodge. I arrived by boat (thank goodness). It was about an hour and a half ride. It was raining the whole time (that's more like it! Don't know why I bothered to do my hair....)
Everyone so far has been super friendly and nice and I'm looking forward to work tomorrow.
Kayla (the bosses' 10- yr old daughter) took me on a tour around the lodge and I got some pictures. I'll try to get them uploaded tomorrow. Check out facebook - they are there! (Having trouble with the internet just now....)
Oh - and the sun rises at 4 a.m. here, so I shouldn't have any trouble getting up in the morning!
TTYL!
-Sharon
I've arrived!
Yesterday was all travel. I learned that the airport in Ketchikan is actually located on an island. (Which was quite interesting!) Fortunatly, I met a very nice "water taxi" driver who not only found me a hotel for the evening, but invited me out to dinner with him and his daughter!
I got to stay the night in Ketchikan at the Gilmore hotel (this great old hotel complete with heat registers! I think they said the hotel was 90 years old....) The weather in Ketchikan was sunny and warm (not at all what I expected.) So I had a great time wandering around town.
Today around noon they picked me up and took me to the lodge. I arrived by boat (thank goodness). It was about an hour and a half ride. It was raining the whole time (that's more like it! Don't know why I bothered to do my hair....)
Everyone so far has been super friendly and nice and I'm looking forward to work tomorrow.
Kayla (the bosses' 10- yr old daughter) took me on a tour around the lodge and I got some pictures. I'll try to get them uploaded tomorrow. Check out facebook - they are there! (Having trouble with the internet just now....)
Oh - and the sun rises at 4 a.m. here, so I shouldn't have any trouble getting up in the morning!
TTYL!
-Sharon
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Thoughts by Alexander Supertramp
For those of you familiar with the movie "Into the Wild" or the story of Chris McCandless, the following quote might sound familiar.
Although I have no intention of finding a 'happy van' of my own while in Alaska, I find some truth and insight in his words. I hope you do to.
"So many people live with unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality, nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each new day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life you must loose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear crazy. But once you have become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and incredible beauty."
~Alexander Supertramp; A.K.A Chris McCandless
Although I have no intention of finding a 'happy van' of my own while in Alaska, I find some truth and insight in his words. I hope you do to.
"So many people live with unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality, nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each new day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life you must loose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear crazy. But once you have become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and incredible beauty."
~Alexander Supertramp; A.K.A Chris McCandless
Destination: Yes Bay
Many of you have been asking where I'll be living and working for the ne
xt 4 months. So, to end your curiosity, here are the details:
I'll be working (and living) at Yes Bay Lodge located 50 miles north of Ketchikan. It's a secluded fishing lodge that specializes in salt and fresh water fishing. It's accessible by plane or boat only. (The Jetta will stay with mom and dad.)
I'll be working as an Office Assistant 6 days a week in the lodge. My hours are 5 am to 1 pm. (Which should be interesting since I'm such a morning person!)
I would love to post some pictures from their website, but since I don't have permission to use them, I'll ask that you check out their website at http://www.yesbay.com/ Then stay tuned for some of my photos to come! The website also has a map showing the lodge's location from Ketchikan. I've included a general map of Alaska for your reference as well....that way, you'll at least know where Ketchikan is. (I swear, some of you think I'm headed to the arctic circle, so this should put things in perspective.)
I fly out of Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 27th at 1:30. I'll fly to Seattle, and from Seattle to Ketchikan. Both flights are approx. 2 hours each. From there, someone from the lodge will pick me up.
As much as I'm excited to get there and explore my new home, I'm very nervous to fly in the float plane. With my motion sickness, I would hate for my their first impression of me to be puking at the end of the dock! Let's pray it's a calm day.
Ketchikan averages 150" of rain each year and has average summer high temperatures of 65 degrees. In the middle of summer they will get 18 hours of sunlight and 6 hours of darkness. (Don't worry mom, I packed my jacket and galoshes.)
You should also note that Alaska is in it's own time zone.....3 hours behind Minnesota!
No, I won't have cable or cell phone service (unless I'm in Ketchikan), I will however have Internet.
So, you can reach me by:
Email: partygalsharon@gmail.com
facebook, Skype, or this blog!
Hope to hear from you!
~Sharon
xt 4 months. So, to end your curiosity, here are the details:I'll be working (and living) at Yes Bay Lodge located 50 miles north of Ketchikan. It's a secluded fishing lodge that specializes in salt and fresh water fishing. It's accessible by plane or boat only. (The Jetta will stay with mom and dad.)
I'll be working as an Office Assistant 6 days a week in the lodge. My hours are 5 am to 1 pm. (Which should be interesting since I'm such a morning person!)
I would love to post some pictures from their website, but since I don't have permission to use them, I'll ask that you check out their website at http://www.yesbay.com/ Then stay tuned for some of my photos to come! The website also has a map showing the lodge's location from Ketchikan. I've included a general map of Alaska for your reference as well....that way, you'll at least know where Ketchikan is. (I swear, some of you think I'm headed to the arctic circle, so this should put things in perspective.)
I fly out of Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 27th at 1:30. I'll fly to Seattle, and from Seattle to Ketchikan. Both flights are approx. 2 hours each. From there, someone from the lodge will pick me up.
As much as I'm excited to get there and explore my new home, I'm very nervous to fly in the float plane. With my motion sickness, I would hate for my their first impression of me to be puking at the end of the dock! Let's pray it's a calm day.
Ketchikan averages 150" of rain each year and has average summer high temperatures of 65 degrees. In the middle of summer they will get 18 hours of sunlight and 6 hours of darkness. (Don't worry mom, I packed my jacket and galoshes.)
You should also note that Alaska is in it's own time zone.....3 hours behind Minnesota!
No, I won't have cable or cell phone service (unless I'm in Ketchikan), I will however have Internet.
So, you can reach me by:
Email: partygalsharon@gmail.com
facebook, Skype, or this blog!
Hope to hear from you!
~Sharon
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