I'm headed on a moose hunt...with a camera!

Last night, I was fortunate enough to meet a couple locals that were confident they could show me a moose early this morning.  After a little hesitation, and confirmation from hotel restaurant manager that they were good people (not really to that extent but I was given an "ok") I agreed to be picked up at 4:30am.  Within 20 minutes, I saw my first moose and a couple moose toddlers too!

Now the pictures weren't as great as I had wanted them to be BUT I wasn't about to get out and take better ones with the mom and babies around.  That just screamed trouble for me so I watched from the truck and took pictures from my phone.  I did learn that if you wish to find a moose early morning or late in the day is best.  They are big animals and the worst thing to do is slow down if one startles you on the road.  Hopefully, you remembered your seat-belt, don't swerve and just hit the animal.  Kind of like deer but just a tad bigger!

I was invited to breakfast after the excursion as it was so short but sad to say I did pass on the invite as 4:30am was an early wake up call.  Anchorage or not, I was going back to bed.  I saw a moose and that was my task for the day! :-) I got dropped off at the hotel and noticed a strange thing above the window and asked the clerk what it was exactly.  This picture is one of the "combs" down a whale's throat.  I have to look up the word for it again but I guess this is how it gets it's food while gulping down the water.  Strange decoration but I suppose in Wisconsin we have plenty of deer heads on walls so kind of the same I guess!?

After my short nap I ventured back downtown to catch the trolley (spending $15 leaving me $7 but not thinking it was an issue since the ATM worked yesterday just not the debit purchase).  The ride was "so-so" but only because I wish I would have done it the first day here.  I could have used the info to explore more but being this was my last day here, I just took in all the info.  I did get to see another moose, so that was way worth the trip.

I took a video of the trolley ride so I will have to work on uploading to YouTube or something.  From there I went to eat lunch, and no such luck as my bank had now blocked all purchases AND ATM use.  This made it super hard being a Sunday and I was planning on getting groceries with cash today.  So my $7 and I headed back to the hotel in hopes they will feed me (charge to the room).  On my way back to the shuttle I had to stop for a couple pictures.

I was in luck!  My dad is taking care of the bank in the morning, the hotel fed me yet another fabulous meal, I have a full belly now and a lot to do tomorrow, so to bed I go!

Just one more for today.

So I needed to eat and I knew the restaurant in the hotel would charge my room if my card didn't work for them.  I headed down to the bar to work on my to-do list and eat of course.

I just HAD to have another round of tomato bisque soup and a chocolate martini.  I did how ever change the main entree to a BBQ steak quesadilla.  It was interesting but very tasty!

The main reason why there is more to post for this day was a nice long chat with a local, Pat.  He has worked construction and has traveled to many of the villages, so he gave me a lot of his perspective and insight which was helpful.  But more heart warming was this much older gentlemen that had been listening to my "Gia stories" from across the bar came up to me as he was ready to leave.

He says,"Hello, my name is, Harry.  Can I give you something?"
I don't answer right away as I am in a new place and my mom and dad always told me to not talk to strangers.  But very quickly he says,"it's a surprise."
"Oh, sure you can! I love surprises!"
I caved but sure glad I did because then Harry turned his hand over and opened it up to give me a Hershey's kiss.  "It's a goodnight kiss"
I couldn't help but smile real big and say thank you! After the night that I had it was amazing for someone like him to be around!
Then he says,"Well if I knew you had a smile like that I would have given you two right away, here is another one for morning.  Now you have a 'good morning' kiss as well."
"Harry, thank you, as I am pretty sure you have made my night!"

What a sweet man!  This is a memory that I would like to keep for a long time.

Everything can't be roses all the time.

Today I knew I needed to get moving early because there was a big farmers/craft market downtown that I wanted to see.  The weather was perfect and it was neat to see all the stuff that was brought to the market.  I do say stuff because as a crafter's daughter I can spot things that are "made in china" and presented as a craft.  However, it was a little more tricky to do that today.  So I stuck to buying the book from Rod Perry and also one called the Tundra Teacher.  As far as food I treated myself to a salmon quesadilla (that way I satisfied the Mexican craving with the desire to try new foods).

Further into the market, I was able to buy giant cookies and learned that they do in fact ship to the bush (if I absolutely NEED a cookie).  I also treated myself to a freshly squeezed lemonade, fresh peaches, and Washington cherries.  I was so excited to see those cherries as I had one about 6 years ago and HAD to have them again sometime in this life time and wha-la! There they were at the market.

Another very interesting find at the market was this couple with their green old school Volkswagen Beetle.  The had been traveling for almost a year and were on their way to ...well for the life of me I can't remember where exactly but it was way northern Alaska.  They decided they would take a year and travel.  Their first flat was on the way to the market in Anchorage today.  They did have a couple windshields break and a few minor car repairs but otherwise the trip was flawless to their plan.  It was nice talking to them about their adventure but then also get to see a Volkswagen beetle one last time before I go far far away.

Once I talked to as many people that were willing (including Jenny on the phone for a little time), I headed to the Anchorage Museum to indulge myself in a little culture and history.  I got to see some artwork from past to present times, displays of native people and their ways of life, animals, Alaskan history...but to be honest I didn't have all day to spend there so I did go through it at a faster pace than desired but nonetheless I did go and I did see things/learn about a few things which was part of my plan for the day.

I had to add the picture outlining the (what I believe) bullet hole.  I was at first concerned that the poor animal lost a part of its fur.  Then I realized as I stepped back at how that would most likely be the ideal spot to aim for a MDK moose style.  If that is a bullet hole, that is one massive wound!

So far my day had gone as planned and I was walking on Alaskan sunshine all day.  I decided that it was time to try out the public transportation system, and aside from one angry patron (very intoxicated and also using a lot of language not found in the children's Webster dictionary) the bus choice was way more affordable than the $60 round trip cab ride to the golf course which was essentially in the same area and a decent idea.  I headed to Wal-mart to pick up a months worth of food to have shipped to myself.

While shopping, I found that Sam Walton does a great job at attracting the same type of Wal-mart shoppers that I am used to even in Alaska.  I barreled right through my list and went to check out.  However, my bank had a different outcome for my story tonight because I didn't specifically mention to them that I was moving to Alaska and would like to spend my money while there.  The nice clerk told me if I would like I could call my bank (however this was 10pm CST on a Saturday) he would wait.  Since this wasn't an option, I bought what I had cash for and left deflated...a little.

I walked to the bus stop and ate my Washington cherries as I waited for the bus to come at 7:41.  The bus pulls up and I get on while asking the driver if it is indeed the correct bus to my hotel.  He says, "Yes, it sure is, but I am done for the day."  What!? On a Saturday night you are done before 8:00pm?  So I sit there even more deflated and starting to feel a little defeated as he drives me to the stop with an awning (what a guy).  He then heads downtown (which is where I wanted to go but for some reason this company doesn't want to take their customers back to the bus station?).  I ask a few girls who made the same assumption as I did, if they would like to share a cab...lucky for me, I didn't have to pay $25 extra for a bum trip to Wal-mart! They all gladly accepted the offer and we took a cab back downtown.

The picture above was taken as I was eating my cherries and waiting for the bus.  I was bummed while sitting there because of having to leave Wal-mart without food or money but then the skyline brought something to my attention.  I am in a beautiful city, I am now living in Alaska, and I am (no matter what) already having a better day than that moose, that I saw in the museum, did the day he lost a spot of fur.

I will have bumps in my road here...but I am so lucky to have this opportunity!

Friday and claiming Alaska as where I live

Today seemed like a great day to start grounding my feet further into the Alaskan soil so I headed to the mall to set up my new cell phone to work in bush Alaska.  Yes they do allow cell phones to work out here despite the recent thought that soup cans were used.  My phone is not much different than my HTC EVO so there are high hopes of keeping my phone life somewhat the same!

I had my phone and new number so off to the food court I went.  As I ascended up the escalator the first shop I spotted was "Taco King" and I briefly thought my Alaskan food adventure would have to wait until tomorrow...but for two tacos, beans and rice for $9.95, I decided to keep looking.  I did find the Hawaiian BBQ and ordered garlic salmon for only $7.00, not really sure why I thought this was strange but maybe I'm just too used to Taco Bell and its prices. :)

I continued my adventure downtown to see all the touristy stuff and ran into one of the Iditarod Race pioneers, Rod Perry.  We chatted for a long time about how to properly enter into a village of people all of a different culture than that of my own.  He suggested not to come on too strong and always say "yes" to tea (which means food).  People for many years have come together over meals and there isn't much different from that now.  He was a valuable stop on my downtown excursion and I was very lucky to run into him at his stand he had set up to sell his books.  I plan to find him at the market tomorrow and buy one.

I finished looking at all the trinket stores and headed back to my hotel where I made the final decision that I MUST go golfing in Alaska at a very odd time for "normal" golf.  So, I called and set up a tee-time for 9:30pm...and called a taxi.  My cab driver gave me a little insight on his thoughts of where I was headed and none of which were positive.  I didn't get worried but realized that what I am doing isn't for everyone so I need to continue to have an open mind before I make a decision on how I feel.

He dropped off at the golf course and there I was checking in for a tee-time for one...once again a very strange feeling but so glad I stepped out of my comfort box because this was amazing.  The course was very nice and here I was golfing at almost ten at night and it only felt like 6 at the latest.  I put my rental clubs and 6 golfballs in the cart and off I went to the first tee box where I had to stop my adventure and wait....for a foursome that clearly didn't know how to golf :-S

So I took my time but just like in Princess Bride where they felt like a ship was creeping up on them I felt that presence behind me as another solo golfer was moving in on me an my space.  I invited him to join me, so there I golfed with a complete stranger.  I had a great time with Jake (business guy from Utah) who also decided that it was necessary to golf in Alaska at a "strange" time of night.

This last picture was me looking back at the ninth hole at 11:32pm.  Incredible is one way to describe how that felt to finish a round of golf that close to midnight and still be able to see!

ANCHORAGE...and exhausted! :)

Well my days of selling, sorting, packing, and storing are done.  I was up all night Wednesday night working through my final things so it wasn't consuming my parents house while I am away.  So now here I am blogging in my hotel in Anchorage.  It is 10:03pm but if my phone didn't say PM there is now way to tell.  The sun stays out longer during the summer months so it is super weird at the moment to take in all the rays at this time of night.

My travels went very smooth thanks to my family and also friends that helped with packing or just being around for the final "see ya laters".  I was early for the shuttle thanks to my overly anxious sister Robin (or very loving, either one).  The shuttle was a smooth trip to Rochester for a quick lay over and then off to MSP we went.  Once there, I was left at the airport by the bunch of strangers I just met on the shuttle and there I stood...alone with 2 bags to check and my 2 carry ons.  I figured "no problem, I got this!"  and I did.  Checking in for the flight and checking my bags was super fast and painless.  Little did I know the feeling that was about to over take me as I am walking away from the baggage area, across the skywalk, towards security.  It then occurred to me, I am really doing this and I am really leaving a lot of important people in my life behind.  I was ok after a brief readjustment of thinking, my car may not be there when I return but the people that matter the most in my life and are important to me, they will be in touch and reachable at anytime I need them.

I breezed through security, walked a mile to my gate (with a dead cell phone and a panicking sister), plugged in phone to check in before I boarded, found my seat...and remember very little after that as I was cashed in.  I slept through the flight over the lower 48 states but miraculously I woke up just in time to see mountains, glaciers, and beautiful blue sky's.

So here I am, in Anchorage, ready to see a few things before I immerse myself in teaching...oh that excitement is just as great as seeing the Alaskan horizon!!

Until next time
-Me <3

The count down is getting shorter

Over the last couple weeks, I have been blessed with a few opportunities to be around people who came to show their support and excitement for my upcoming adventures.  It is a great feeling and warms my heart to know there is support at "home" while I will be away.

However, as I write this, stuff is waiting to have a final sort and boxes are ready to be packed and shipped.  I do hope that the procrastination drifts away for the next few hours and I just get this packing thing done!  The get togethers were absolutely crucial, but now I must get down to business...in like 10 minutes. :-P

Reality is:  I will sleep in Wisconsin tonight, tomorrow night, Wednesday night...and then I will be laying my head on an Alaskan pillow Thursday night in Anchorage.

The countdown is becoming more real!

The checklist is getting a little shorter...my plane tickets have been purchased, I have signed the contract for LKSD, my seat is reserved in the shuttle to get to the airport on Thursday, and today I tackled this blogging "thing".  I fully intend to use the blog to keep people involved with my adventures to and in Alaska over the next year.

Please keep in touch :)
Gia