Waking in Alaska: July 2013

My first glimpse of the frontier I was about to embark upon was from the airplane, leaning over a young gal sleeping soundly on her food tray to my left. The view was spectacular, even with the limited perspective. I felt bad for the unaccompanied minor to my right; he could hardly see anything at all! Goodness, it was beautiful though. So so so so so many mountains. Far different from the rolling hills of prairie (okay, more like farmland) of my home state of Iowa. The locals have said the mountains typically have far more snow coverage, and this weather is strangely warm for this time of year. Right now it is approximately 9 AM and it is 61 degrees out. The window open next to me has no screen as I would typically presume should be there. "Bugs aren't a problem here," I was told. That sounds marvelous. Although I must say I have been doing a fair amount of hiking, and there are definitely some significant mosquito populations near lakes and streams.

On my hikes I have discovered so many wonderful things, like freshwater that is clear through to the bottom (even when it is deep) and beautiful purple flowers called fireweed that simply dominate the landscape in elegant patches. There is a road here in Anchorage named after this plant. Legend has it that this plant, which blooms from bottom to top throughout the entire summer, marks the end of the season when the top has bloomed. There are many wildflowers and the wilderness smells of them and the trees. I walked through the woods and discovered the ground is very soft, perhaps softer than the bed I have been sleeping on in the dorms at the University of Alaska at Anchorage. Maybe I should be sleeping outdoors, I think. But then I remember the street sign only a few miles away that warns of moose for the next ten miles. We are near a heavily wooded area that leads right up into the most gorgeously tall mountain range I have ever seen. I have taken many photos and will post a few! Yesterday we went for a drive along the coastline and got to hang out and rock climb on the beach. I have not even seen the ocean since I was 17 years old so getting to dunk my feet in was pretty magical. I braved some rocks to get a better view of the oceans and mountain. What a rewarding climb!

I was also able to get my Alaskan driver's license after passing an exam. I missed the most you could miss while still passing. Go me! ;) I also had to reapply for a SS card because I did not think to bring mine with me. I brought a passport imagining that would suffice, but alas, passports do not even document your SS number. OOPS! That was only an additional hour and a half wait. I think the lady at the counter was reluctant to grant me a new one because I could not remember my school's address in White Mountain. I was a little panicked until I discovered that I could just use my parent's address. Hallelujah! I do not anticipate that I will be driving much, but I hope to enjoy a ride on an ATV or snowmobile (AKA snowmachine) from time to time.

The people I have met up here have been marvelous. Every single teacher that I have met that will also be working for my school district has been so friendly and equally as excited as I am. We have been running around for days together catching meals and buying supplies. Lots of business to take care of in such a short time! I now have my driver's license, about 2-3 months worth of food shipped or ready to ship to the bush, a cell phone through an Alaskan provider, and a new found confidence that no matter what happens in the bush, there are so many people who care about my safety and happiness out there that I WILL survive and be a better person because of it!!! <3