Alaskan Summer

End Of The Season

2007-09-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

September 20, 2007 was the day I left Denali National Park for the season. It's crazy it's over already, I swear this has been the longest yet the shortest summer ever.

Anyway, so the summer job is now over. Everyone keeps asking, "So what's next." And this is my answer. . .In about one week I'll have an answer actually.

Right now I'm in Anchorage just playing and such. I met up with an old roomate of mine from Hawaii who moved here a few weeks ago. Tomorrow we're going to go on a hike and such. Fun fun :)

Hail Storm

2007-08-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here I am at work when one of my employees (the video happy one you will see in the video, Asen) starts freaking out and telling me some kind of gibberish about how there is something falling from the sky about 5 yards away. I'm kind of confused and finally one of my other employees, Gabriel, runs over and grabs a large ping pong sized hail. At that point I freak out and yell at them to get into the Polaris and we drive as fast as the little thing will take us back to the safety of the hotel. Lucky for us we barely made it, and they both learned new English vocab. Happy Day. So this is the movie I made when we got back.

Denali Nights

2007-08-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

Well, it just so happens that it can get a little boring here at times. Since I don't really live in a city, rather a very small seasonal town with several touristy shops and bars. It's hard to find something to do if you're sick of movies, hiking and if your not into drinking. But, lucky for us we discovered a new game.

BREADBALL

It started out as another night in Denali. Danita and I had gotten some sandwiches from the kitchen where we work because we were going to go on a hike and picnic, but then it started to rain. Deciding on another course of action we had the picnic in our humble abode. Unfortunately, much to our dismay the bread was soggy. I don't like soggy bread so I did not finish mine. Somehow, one thing led to another and we got a few other people in on our "game." The game is very simple, yet entertaining. All you need are 2 players and one piece of soggy bread wrapped up in plastic wrap forming the main component to the game. Player one throws the breadball as hard as she or he can at player two. The object is to hit the other player until they cry and decide to leave the game. Winner is whoever stays in the game the longest.

Seward Trip

2007-08-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

So some of my fellow Hawaiian friends and I went to Seward for a weekend. We did two major things: sea kayak and a day cruise.

Sea Kayaking
This was probably my favorite. I thought it was so fun! I've never been kayaking before and where else better than Alaska? We saw our friend Fred the river otter, as well as a glacier. We also got off our kayaks at this place and hiked in a little bit to see the salmon. And you know what I noticed?? It was the same place my family and I went salmon fishing when I came the first time forever ago. It was pretty crazy stuff. I got very excited though :)

Day Cruise
We spent all day on Saturday doing the 9 hour extravaganza. We saw pretty much every kind of sea animal you'll find in Alaska as well as icebergs from glaciers. One glacier in particular we saw we got fairly close to it. Close enough anyway to hear the ice cracking because it was melting from the warm summer weather. We even saw two large chunks of glacier fall into the ocean. It roughly had a diameter of 1 mile, give or take a few feet. The sound of the ice cracking echoed through the whole area sounding almost like a gunshot.

The 8th grade handbook was dusted and used this trip. For some reason, to liven things a bit, we had a bet going on, to see who could get one of the employees to say the word "poop." Whoever did this first the others had to buy ice cream. I must say Vickie won that one. Whereas I would have just pointed to some and asked, "What's that?" She came up with this whole thing to get this guy to say it because of Winnie the Pooh, very creative. I think the poor boy thought we were hitting on him, but no. We just wanted him to say pooh, yes very mature on our part. But it was funny. Good job Vick for winning that one ;)

I do have a confession however, I was so tired on the trip that I did take a nap. . .several to be completely honest. I wasn't the only one though. Everyone I was with sometime or another took one as well. We all fell asleep on our table or laying on each other. All the other people around us thought we were crazy. Here we are 6 young adults in their prime completely exhausted and have to take naps when all the old people who were there were perfectly fine. But I think it had something to do with the fact that all of us were sleep deprived. This is what happens when you don't sleep. You end up crashing on your day off. Oh well, no worries.

I did try sleeping in the car because I wasn't driving. But Quinn yelled at me because I was in shotgun and I was supposed to keep him awake not fall asleep myself. Whoops! Gotta love road trips though, the sing-a-longs and snacks as well as the cool view driving. When we got rid of the rental cars though and had to catch the shuttle back to Denali all of us took up 2 seats and slept the whole way. Waking only to get out and get breakfast at the stop at one of the Princess Lodges along the way.

About Alaska

2007-08-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

So. . .it's starting to get really cold and rainy. Which is very sad because it's only August. And the days are starting to get darker earlier. Around midnight it is almost dark. I'm kind of sad, but on the bright side pretty soon I'll be able to get to see the Northern Lights :) When it gets a little bit darker anyway. The berries are starting to come out too. So every time I walk up that dang hill on my way to work I pick some blueberries or salmonberries to help me get to the top. They're still a little bit on the sour side, but in another week or so they will be so good! I with I had a kitchen that I could actually cook something like a pie with them or whatnot. Or make at least a shake, YUMMY!

Mount Mckinley

2007-07-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

Ben and I got to go fly around Mt. McKinley!!! In a tiny little airplane. For those of you who don't know Mt. McKinley or Denali, "the high one" by the locals, is the highest peak in North America reaching 20,320 feet. Since 1903 people have been trying to climb it. Only 50% of the climbers today actually reach the top.

It was soo cool! I cannot explain how amazing it was to see the mountain and up close too. Since it's so high and we were in a tiny little plane we had to wear oxygen masks. Cool huh? There were clouds everywhere but I think that just added to the awe of it all. We also flew around glaciers that surrounded the area. The mountain is just amazing. And it's hard to express just how much unless you see it. So, I suggest you all to see it ;)

Jeff King

2007-07-28T21:36:00.001-07:00

In short the Iditarod is a 1,151 mile dog mushing race held every year in Alaska starting in Anchorage (technically Wasilla) and ending in Nome lasting 8-15 days. The race is held in March when it is still snowy and with temperatures dropping as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit (or even -100 with the windshield). Jeff King has won this race an astonishing 4 times. In the summers he has tour groups come and see his dogs and explains the whole process and race. So after work one day Danita, Quinn and I all went to see. We got to hold the new puppies as well as see how they trained the dogs and of course we met the celebrity Jeff King. Which I must say, reminds me of Jeff Foxworthy. Danita brought it up and we all agreed.

Camping

2007-07-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

One thing you must do while you are in Alaska is. . .camping. Me, Ben, Quinn and Vickie all decided to go one Saturday night. The way things work at Denali National Park is a little bit different than other National Parks. You can only drive in to the 15 mile marker and after that you have to take one of the buses they offer to go into the park. That's all fine and dandy, except for when you miss the last bus that goes in. Which, due to unfavorable circumstances happened. So we decided to hike the 8 miles on the dusty inclined road to where we were going to stay the night. After the first mile we were afraid it was going to downpour on us. There were clouds overhead and rain was starting to fall. however, much to our delight the weather only toyed with us, it got sunny and hot again. But we made it through another mile until a road construction worker was able to pick us up. This is the first time in my life I've really gone hitchhiking. I stuck out the thumb and everything. It was quite exciting.

When we finally arrived at our destination we set up camp and started making some food. We were sooo hungry by this point. One of our meal options was the freeze dried lasagna stuff in a zip-lock package. Our chef at the time got a brilliant idea to make the lasagna cook faster. After adding the water to the bag, turn it upside down and shake. Just a note for all you readers out there. . .zip-locks don't hold. Vickie tried to clean it off the ground with a plastic spoon and zip lock bag, but obviously it didn't work. I've never laughed so hard in my life. Although, we did have to change campsites because we were afraid a bear would come in the middle of the night. The next morning we went to check it out and it was licked clean. There was not even a trace of the splatter left. Those wolves, rabbits or something did a good job of getting rid of the evidence.

The next morning we packed up camp and went bushwhacking through the wilderness destined for adventure. We didn't come across anything except for a bunch of rabbits, squirrels and ptarmigans. We spent the first several hours hiking along a river and then branched off and managed our way up a scree field. From there we walked through patches of wild berries and large bushes. On top there was an amazing view of the whole place. Times like those you are grateful for such a beautiful area.

When we finally made it back to the bus stop we had yet another adventure with the buses. Things worked out the way they should have. We went further into the park and went hiking in another area, then went home.

Jeep Safari

2007-07-24T23:27:00.000-07:00

Imagine if you will, riding along in a jeep going through mud puddles and rocky terrain scaring moose along the way. This is what it was like off-roading in Alaska. A few of us (Me, Quinn, Ben, Cheslyn) got to do one of the tours with a company here. The only drawback to doing a tour is the possibility of getting stuck behind someone slow who doesn't know the meaning of off-roading. Which is what did happen to us. However, none of us have jeeps, trucks or even cars up here it worked out fine.

We did break one jeep though, woops! 2 minutes into the ride it started overheating really bad. So we got a new one brought to us. We named it, "The Bumblebee." Because it was yellow. Once we got going we stopped once to go blueberry picking in a field. They were still really sour, but soon they will be all over the place and sweet as can be. The raspberries too. I can't wait! I've already picked a few on my way to work every morning up the dreaded hill. We also stopped and got some food from this guy who works with the Jeep Safari company who lives in a tent out in the woods and makes fried bread and stampede stew for the tours. YUMMY! It was really quite delicious.

Pro Golfer in the Making

2007-07-24T23:02:00.000-07:00

Aramark decided to have a manager appreciation night were we would be served dinner and do a fun little thing afterwords. A few friends and I, Jesse and Amber, got to golf. Now, before I go any farther I think it would be good to mention I have never been real golfing before. I have only gone put put. For those of you who don't know, it is a tad bit different. There were 9 holes, and I completed them all in a very impressive 94 strokes. I know what you all are thinking, "Watch out Tiger Woods!" But I think I may leave the sport to him, I have other fish to fry. For instance, we did end up taking the golf cart for a spin on the ATV trail (quite by accident of course). Quite an accomplishment for a cart ready to fall apart.

Quinn's Birthday

2007-07-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

For Quinn’s birthday several of us friends from Hawaii decided to take several days off and play. We took a train down from Denali to Fairbanks on Wednesday (July 11) and watched Harry Potter on opening day because we’re cool like that J

The next day (Thursday July 12) we went to Chena Hot Springs, after a little bit of shopping to celebrate Quinn’s 25th birthday!!! All I have to say is, hot springs are pretty much amazing!!! We spent several hours before going to dinner then another hour or so after in the hot spring, tubs and pool.

The next morning (Friday July 13) we slept in a bit and then went to the ice museum. I was so glad they had extra jackets you could put on because it was so cold inside. All the ice sculptures were made from Alaskan ice found in the hills. The museum also had bedrooms in it were you could stay for a night if you really wanted too. Or you could get married; there was a spot to do that too. . .RANDOM. And of course there was a bar. But I think they only served apple martinis with the martini glass being made completely out of ice.

Later in the day we went to the North Pole and Santa’s Workshop. Yep, this was definitely the biggest tourist trap we did. But we figured, when in Rome. Besides it wasn’t too far off from where we were going. We got to talk to Santa and Mrs. Clause and get pictures with them. As well as play with the reindeer and take pictures in the sled. Honestly, can you ask for more?

That night we had to drive back to Denali so we could drop off Vickie and Amanda so they could go to work the next morning while Quinn and I had to drop the rental car off in Fairbanks. It’s a long story on why we had to do it this way, but this is what we had to do. So we get back at about 1am, and Quinn and I had to leave by 4am (Saturday July 14). Surprisingly, we got up and were actually gone by that time and weren’t tired the whole trip to Fairbanks. After dropping off the car and getting a taxi we soon realized due to a misunderstanding we were 1 hour early. So our taxi drive took it upon himself to play tour guide for over and hour and take us around the sights. However, Quinn and I were both convinced he was going to kill us and throw our bodies in the forest never to be found. When all is said and done it turned out alright. We got to the train depot safely, late but safe. We had to run in order to make the train; we were definitely worried about that one. We didn’t even have tickets. We worked for the company so it was all standby.

After our train ride we made it back to Denali safely, YAY!

ATVing

2007-07-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

FIRST TRIP: My first week in Alaska I met a guy, Curt, who had an ATV. This was my first real introduction to these kinds of toys. We trudged through mud and snow on a trail till we reached the peak of a mountain. When we reached the top we didn’t think it was enough, so we went were no ATV has gone before and made our own trail down the almost vertical side of the mountain. There was a river at the bottom we wanted to ride beside. I thought we were going to die as we drove down. We rode through thick brush as large as the ATV itself to get to the bottom. However, when we got down to the bottom we realized there was no way we could ride by the river because of all the brush and trees. Another guy who had come with us, Gary, had gotten his ATV so stuck there was no way we could get him out. This left us with only one choice, go back up the mountain we just came down to find recruitments.

We went back to town and found a friend who could help us out. We again went back down the steep, bushy mountain. We were able to free the stuck ATV but there was no way it could go back up. The only choice we had left was to make another trail, this time by the river. Instead of all brush we rode through a combination of brush, rocks, glacier run off river as well as snow and ice ledges.

What started out as a normal ride turned into a wild all night adventure. We started around 6pm and finished around 1am. That is when you are grateful for the never ending light in Alaska during the summer months.

SECOND TRIP: The second time we went out was much tamer but still fun. We rode all over Healy on his ATV and saw a moose and even a lynx. We went to the coal mine, forest, and several mountain tops.

Denali National Park

2007-07-05T16:23:00.001-07:00

Denali is completely breathtaking. This time of year is just awesome because there are hundreds of wildflowers everywhere all along trails and just any place were they can fit. As appose to the -50 degrees Fahrenheit and snow in the winter months.

In order to get to the entrance of the park I just walk a few miles and from there I can find a trail and hike. My favorite is the Horseshoe lake trail. This is a 7 mile roundtrip hike where you go to a lake were families of beavers live and an otter. A lot of times you can see a Moose with her two calves. However, I do swear Nessy (the lockness monster) lives here in the summertime.

The other day I was walking with some friends and we came upon a Moose with her 2 calves about 15 to 10 feet away. We were able to watch her. Then about 20 minutes later we came across another Moose with her 2 calves 20 feet away. That last one was a little scary because I swear it was going to charge us. She put her ears back and everything. But we backed away till she crossed.

I also have had the opportunity to do a TWT (Tundra Wilderness Tour) where you take a bus further into the park to see wildlife and Mount McKinley. We saw 2 lynxes, 9 bears, tons of doll sheep, and ptarmigans. One of the lynx walked right up to the bus we were in. One of the set of bears we saw had two bear cubs fighting and playing in the snow while the mother waited and watched.

The Grande and Denali

2007-07-05T16:13:00.000-07:00

I’m working as one of the assistant managers at “The Grande Denali Lodge” in Denali, Alaska. All those who work here all know the saying, “Who knew Hell was so high.” I can’t complain though, for the most part. I get a walkie talkie and I get to drive a Polaris and golf cart at work. What more can you ask for?

In order to get to work I have to do a ½ mile hike every morning. I live down at the bottom of the hill in employee housing, while the hotel is at the top. This is where the food is as well. The employee dining room (EDR) is up there as well. So when you’re not working if you want to eat you must still go up. I will tell you this; I have never eaten so much canned fruit in my life. I do miss the days in Asia where I could get a whole, chilled, fresh, cut up pineapple for less than 50 cents. Hmm, yummy!!

The town of Denali is not exactly what I would call large by any means. It consists of 2 companies, Aramark and Princess who control a majority of the lodging and a then there are a few stores on the “strip” where you can go to purchase such things such as a subway sandwich, ice cream, clothes, and sign up for a few random tours. Then there are the grill and bars which is where all the employees seem to end up most nights.

With such a roaring city it leaves only a few options of things to do at night after work. Most nights I end up hanging out with friends and go hiking or watch a movie.

I came here knowing 4 other people from when I lived in Hawaii: Quinn, Vickie, Amanda, and Rachael. I mostly hang out with Vickie and Quinn, and then some new friends I made while I've been up here. Here's a picture of the 5 Hawaiians in Alaska after church one Sunday afternoon.