If you feel yourself so inclined to reach me via snail mail, please feel free to do so! I'll even write back in return :) So, you can now send me cards, letters, goodies, and whatnot to me at:
Alicia Jones
C/O: Petersburg Ranger District
PO Box 1328
Petersburg, AK
99833
xoxo,
Alicia
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Alaska thus far
Greetings!
Well, it's only been 2 full days since I arrived on the island, but boy has it been busy!
Upon arriving at the bunkhouse, I was immediately welcomed by my fellow bunkhouse-mates. The bunkhouse is set up in an apartment fashion, and I share an apartment with one of my crewmates. We all drove "out the road" (because there's only one main road on the island) to a friends home on the narrows. Boy was it beautiful! And buggy. They have whitesocks here, which bite you and hurt. Needless to say, they didn't waste anytime finding me after I'd been here 3 hours...We BBQ'd, had a bonfire, and shot off some fireworks. Pretty much a great introduction to life in Alaska.
Sunday I went to the grocery store, dropped $50 on food for 3 days (because I'll be leaving Wed. for 8 days), and settled into my new home. One of the timber crew guys then offered to show me around the island some more, so we (and his dog) went for a hike to an area on the Tongass called Three Lakes. There's really four (Sand, Shelter, Hill and Crane), but it was BEAUTIFUL. Because pretty much everywhere in the woods is boggy/muskeg, the FS builds elevated trails out of wood sourced right on the spot. The craftsmanship is pretty amazing. At Hill Lake (#3) we saw a mama moose and her young drinking from the lake, directly across from where we were hiking. I'm terrible at guessing distances, but it was maybe 50? 60? feet away. We kept on, but were cautious for the rest of the hike (especially since the trail eventually goes directly by where we saw them). All of the lakes have little docks with boats (oars included) so you can paddle out and fish, explore, and whatnot. That's on my to do list now. At Shelter Lake (#2) the YCC built a 3 walled shelter out of cedar many years ago. It was recently restored, and it is fantastic. It also has a fire pit and picnic table. After our hike, I got a decent tour of the natural beauties of the island-like the slough, the falls, green camp, an overlook where on a clear day you can see a glacier across the narrows, and probably more that but I am just forgetting right now.
That brings me to today. My first day of work. Let me just start by saying that HOW COOL is it that I got paid overtime because it wasn't in a regular 4/10 schedule or tour for my pay period?! I won't bore you with the boring stuff, but I will say that the coolest part of the day was when we went down to Lee's and I got my XtraTuff Corked Boots. They are beastly. I should've taken a picture and uploaded it. I will another day. Needless to say, I can't wait to go walk on some trees in those things.
Tomorrow I get a day off, but I'll be preparing to go to Kake (on Kupreanof,, the island across the narrows, and where I'll be spending most of my summer) for an 8 day tour. We are flying out on float planes, and from what I hear, the fieldcamp is awesome with a million dollar view.
I am thrilled to be here, and loving it so far. Everyone is super friendly, and I just love the weather (so far...maybe that's also because the sun shined all day today...we'll see what I have to say in a few weeks!)
Be sure to become a follower of my blog if you want to receive my new posts. I am eager to share my adventures with you!
Until next time,
Alicia
Well, it's only been 2 full days since I arrived on the island, but boy has it been busy!
Upon arriving at the bunkhouse, I was immediately welcomed by my fellow bunkhouse-mates. The bunkhouse is set up in an apartment fashion, and I share an apartment with one of my crewmates. We all drove "out the road" (because there's only one main road on the island) to a friends home on the narrows. Boy was it beautiful! And buggy. They have whitesocks here, which bite you and hurt. Needless to say, they didn't waste anytime finding me after I'd been here 3 hours...We BBQ'd, had a bonfire, and shot off some fireworks. Pretty much a great introduction to life in Alaska.
Sunday I went to the grocery store, dropped $50 on food for 3 days (because I'll be leaving Wed. for 8 days), and settled into my new home. One of the timber crew guys then offered to show me around the island some more, so we (and his dog) went for a hike to an area on the Tongass called Three Lakes. There's really four (Sand, Shelter, Hill and Crane), but it was BEAUTIFUL. Because pretty much everywhere in the woods is boggy/muskeg, the FS builds elevated trails out of wood sourced right on the spot. The craftsmanship is pretty amazing. At Hill Lake (#3) we saw a mama moose and her young drinking from the lake, directly across from where we were hiking. I'm terrible at guessing distances, but it was maybe 50? 60? feet away. We kept on, but were cautious for the rest of the hike (especially since the trail eventually goes directly by where we saw them). All of the lakes have little docks with boats (oars included) so you can paddle out and fish, explore, and whatnot. That's on my to do list now. At Shelter Lake (#2) the YCC built a 3 walled shelter out of cedar many years ago. It was recently restored, and it is fantastic. It also has a fire pit and picnic table. After our hike, I got a decent tour of the natural beauties of the island-like the slough, the falls, green camp, an overlook where on a clear day you can see a glacier across the narrows, and probably more that but I am just forgetting right now.
That brings me to today. My first day of work. Let me just start by saying that HOW COOL is it that I got paid overtime because it wasn't in a regular 4/10 schedule or tour for my pay period?! I won't bore you with the boring stuff, but I will say that the coolest part of the day was when we went down to Lee's and I got my XtraTuff Corked Boots. They are beastly. I should've taken a picture and uploaded it. I will another day. Needless to say, I can't wait to go walk on some trees in those things.
Tomorrow I get a day off, but I'll be preparing to go to Kake (on Kupreanof,, the island across the narrows, and where I'll be spending most of my summer) for an 8 day tour. We are flying out on float planes, and from what I hear, the fieldcamp is awesome with a million dollar view.
I am thrilled to be here, and loving it so far. Everyone is super friendly, and I just love the weather (so far...maybe that's also because the sun shined all day today...we'll see what I have to say in a few weeks!)
Be sure to become a follower of my blog if you want to receive my new posts. I am eager to share my adventures with you!
Until next time,
Alicia
Saturday, June 18, 2011
the day of airports
Hello family, friends, and followers!
I was originally opposed to the idea of creating a blog about my summer travels, adventures, activities, and yes, work, in Alaska. However after sitting in the airport for an hour waiting for my Kindle to charge, I decided to give it a shot. I know plenty of bloggers, and although I am not one myself (well, before I reached the Seattle airport), I figured there had to be something intriguing, interesting, captivating, or exciting about following a blog. Plus, this is a way for me to capture my Alaskan adventure on "paper" over the interweb.
I was hired back in February to work for the USFS out of Petersburg, Alaska. What a relief to have a job upon graduation, nonetheless in a dream location. Way to go America on getting Alaska. I'm looking forward to exploring it.
So, 4 long months later, after a wonderful graduation celebrated with my even more wonderful family, and after a very short week of packing and preparing, and after many goodbyes at 5:30am at the Sacramento airport, I am sitting in the Seattle airport awaiting my 10:55am departure for Juneau (gosh, I hope that is spelled correctly...autocheck seems to think so, so I will go with it), after which I will fly in a 737 jet to Petersburg. According to Alaska Airlines, I'll arrive at my new home around 4pm. Whereupon I look forward to seeing a friend and meeting a few more.
I am excited, not at all nervous (is that odd?), and absolutely thrilled that I am (a) employed! and (b) working in a place where I dreamed of someday traveling to for a couple of weeks. Who knew that my dream vacation would turn into my home for the summer/fall?
I am needing to get of the internet now--got to throw away my coffee cup, check my flight status, and go sit in the correct terminal. Plus, the internet is being really slow (although, I should be thankful to have internet in the first place...apparently it is a rare commodity up north). So, until the next time I am in an internet cafe, library, or airport with internet, I wish you farewell and hope you continue following your true north.
Cheers!
Alicia
PS-in case you were curious, my Kindle is charged...almost :)
I was originally opposed to the idea of creating a blog about my summer travels, adventures, activities, and yes, work, in Alaska. However after sitting in the airport for an hour waiting for my Kindle to charge, I decided to give it a shot. I know plenty of bloggers, and although I am not one myself (well, before I reached the Seattle airport), I figured there had to be something intriguing, interesting, captivating, or exciting about following a blog. Plus, this is a way for me to capture my Alaskan adventure on "paper" over the interweb.
I was hired back in February to work for the USFS out of Petersburg, Alaska. What a relief to have a job upon graduation, nonetheless in a dream location. Way to go America on getting Alaska. I'm looking forward to exploring it.
So, 4 long months later, after a wonderful graduation celebrated with my even more wonderful family, and after a very short week of packing and preparing, and after many goodbyes at 5:30am at the Sacramento airport, I am sitting in the Seattle airport awaiting my 10:55am departure for Juneau (gosh, I hope that is spelled correctly...autocheck seems to think so, so I will go with it), after which I will fly in a 737 jet to Petersburg. According to Alaska Airlines, I'll arrive at my new home around 4pm. Whereupon I look forward to seeing a friend and meeting a few more.
I am excited, not at all nervous (is that odd?), and absolutely thrilled that I am (a) employed! and (b) working in a place where I dreamed of someday traveling to for a couple of weeks. Who knew that my dream vacation would turn into my home for the summer/fall?
I am needing to get of the internet now--got to throw away my coffee cup, check my flight status, and go sit in the correct terminal. Plus, the internet is being really slow (although, I should be thankful to have internet in the first place...apparently it is a rare commodity up north). So, until the next time I am in an internet cafe, library, or airport with internet, I wish you farewell and hope you continue following your true north.
Cheers!
Alicia
PS-in case you were curious, my Kindle is charged...almost :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)