Oh and the title of this post is taken from a song I found in my research on Bethel. Here's the link to that song:
http://www.9hats.com/Parispage.htm
Monday, August 6, 2012
On the way to "Paris"
Well the flight to Bethel was originally supposed to leave at 6:40..now we are delayed until 7:45. Sitting waiting in the airport is really not so bad because I met my roommate and a group of other new teachers! I also snapped some pictures of the mountains to share :)
Oh and the title of this post is taken from a song I found in my research on Bethel. Here's the link to that song:
http://www.9hats.com/Parispage.htm
Oh and the title of this post is taken from a song I found in my research on Bethel. Here's the link to that song:
http://www.9hats.com/Parispage.htm
Poor Rudolph...
This morning Jeff and Terry took me to a nice little cafe for brunch in the Spenard section of town. Apparently that used to be where all the strip clubs were, but it's been cleaned up! As you see in the picture above, I have some delicious sausage on my fork! That would be reindeer sausage. At first, I thought reindeer on the menu was a joke, but I guess it's a pretty hot commodity around here. I did eat the sausage shown(hence the blog name), and would highly recommend trying reindeer! It reminded me a little bit of deer sausage.
Also, I learned a neat little factoid which some of you may already know. Reindeer and caribou are basically the same species, but reindeer are domesticated and caribou are not. So reindeer is on the menu around here like beef is in South Dakota! There are actually reindeer farmers (not exactly in the same way as in SD), as well as buffalo farmers in Alaska!
After brunch at the Spenard Roadhouse, we drove through downtown Anchorage and saw more of Cook Inlet, the Knik Arm to be specific. It was low tide so you can see quite a bit of shoreline. Also, in the very far distance there is on the top two picture you can see Mount Susitna, aka the Sleeping Lady. There is a really cool story behind the name of the mountain that is said to resemble a sleeping maiden here http://www.aurorahunter.com/lady.php.
The last two pictures are just ones I took on the drive to brunch. I am in love with the landscape of Alaska and will be sad when I'm on the west side of the state where there are not very many trees or mountains.
The rest of my last day in Anchorage was spent repacking for my trip to Bethel tomorrow. I will spend 3 days in Bethel for inservice before I head to Kwethluk on Wednesday night. I am just starting to get my bearings here in Anchorage and now I have to leave, but I am excited to be one step closer to settling in Kwethluk for the year! Speaking of heading out tomorrow, I should probably head to bed so I can be up for my early morning flight...good night!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world. ~ John Muir
I have to agree with John Muir's quote. Alaska is one of the most wonderful, spectacular, breathtaking, oh I could go on and on about the scenery here..but instead I'll share a few pictures I've taken today.
Today Terry and Jeff took me to dinner in Girdwood and on the way this is what we saw! This is called Turnagain Arm which is part of Cook Inlet. These mountains are so incredible even on a rainy day! We saw the mud flats, which appear(not sure if that is the technical term?) when the tide is low. There were also some parasailers out! On the mountain side of the road, there were tons of little waterfalls. As you will see, everything is green! Unlike Redfield right now. :)
Also today I went to get a new phone because Alaska does not have Verizon. However, I've been having problems receiving messages so I'll have to get that fixed tomorrow. The one cell service provider in rural Alaska is GCI. The GCI store I went to was in a mall nearby and I also found an ice rink in the mall! I guess they do play some hockey in Alaska, mostly in Anchorage and other urban areas.
After getting cell phone stuff taken care of, I went to Walmart to pick up a few more items that I forgot. This Walmart has a bush program that deals specifically with customers in the bush. You fax or call your order in to Walmart and they ship it to you! How very handy :)
Today Terry and Jeff took me to dinner in Girdwood and on the way this is what we saw! This is called Turnagain Arm which is part of Cook Inlet. These mountains are so incredible even on a rainy day! We saw the mud flats, which appear(not sure if that is the technical term?) when the tide is low. There were also some parasailers out! On the mountain side of the road, there were tons of little waterfalls. As you will see, everything is green! Unlike Redfield right now. :)
 |
| Parasailers and mud flats |
 |
| Mud flats |
 |
| One of many little waterfalls |
 |
| Mud flats |
Also today I went to get a new phone because Alaska does not have Verizon. However, I've been having problems receiving messages so I'll have to get that fixed tomorrow. The one cell service provider in rural Alaska is GCI. The GCI store I went to was in a mall nearby and I also found an ice rink in the mall! I guess they do play some hockey in Alaska, mostly in Anchorage and other urban areas.
After getting cell phone stuff taken care of, I went to Walmart to pick up a few more items that I forgot. This Walmart has a bush program that deals specifically with customers in the bush. You fax or call your order in to Walmart and they ship it to you! How very handy :)
I'll leave you with one last picture I took at Chair 5, the restaurant in Girdwood that we ate at which is near the Alyeska Ski Resort. I think I'm going to love eating seafood! :) Have a great night!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Chasing the Sun
Today has been an incredible day! After feeding the cows at my aunt and uncle's house, we headed out to meet up with the Steever's for lunch at IKEA! We had a great time catching up and I was so happy to see them before my Alaskan adventure. Wished Sharla could have been there. :)
I had a few butterflies before leaving IKEA, but it really hit me when we were on the way to the airport. I don't think I've ever been as apprehensive, nervous, and almost scared as I was at that point. My hands were shaking when I checked my bags. A few tears were shed when my family watched me go through security. I still couldn't believe that this adventure was actually happening! I'm sure I looked a nervous wreck waiting to board and even after I took my seat on the plane. (I think my face says it in this picture..a little uncertainty! :) )
After take off we had about an hour and a half of turbulence (not too severe) which meant I had to wait to go to the bathroom after too many cups of coffee! That may have had something to do with my nerves! After the first 2 hours, I began chatting with the lady next to me who was heading to Alaska for a cruise! She was originally from Nova Scotia, lived 30 years in Bethel, CT (I thought that was ironic) and currently lives in Florida. Donna also enjoys the show 2 and a Half Men which she watched on her Ipad. I enjoyed listening to her laugh while she watched it and sang with the theme song! :) She and I talked about so many things, which helped to calm me down.
I also had a window seat! So between chatting with my new friend Donna and looking at the scenery I finally started to BELIEVE that everything would be ok!
The pictures above are over Alaska near the end of the trip (if you look closely you can see frost on the window!). It was quite an enjoyable trip, although there apparently was quite a bit of unexpected turbulence. Our pilot kept us well-informed of the weather and landforms we flew over. I found out from Donna that he was an astronaut and here's a link to his biography!
At 10:55pm central time (7:55pm Alaska standard time) we finally touched down in Anchorage, and it is incredibly beautiful!
I had a few butterflies before leaving IKEA, but it really hit me when we were on the way to the airport. I don't think I've ever been as apprehensive, nervous, and almost scared as I was at that point. My hands were shaking when I checked my bags. A few tears were shed when my family watched me go through security. I still couldn't believe that this adventure was actually happening! I'm sure I looked a nervous wreck waiting to board and even after I took my seat on the plane. (I think my face says it in this picture..a little uncertainty! :) )
After take off we had about an hour and a half of turbulence (not too severe) which meant I had to wait to go to the bathroom after too many cups of coffee! That may have had something to do with my nerves! After the first 2 hours, I began chatting with the lady next to me who was heading to Alaska for a cruise! She was originally from Nova Scotia, lived 30 years in Bethel, CT (I thought that was ironic) and currently lives in Florida. Donna also enjoys the show 2 and a Half Men which she watched on her Ipad. I enjoyed listening to her laugh while she watched it and sang with the theme song! :) She and I talked about so many things, which helped to calm me down.
I also had a window seat! So between chatting with my new friend Donna and looking at the scenery I finally started to BELIEVE that everything would be ok!
At 10:55pm central time (7:55pm Alaska standard time) we finally touched down in Anchorage, and it is incredibly beautiful!
I was so excited to actually be in Anchorage that I did not take as many pictures as I should have, but I will take many more tomorrow when my brain is functioning on more sleep! Our family friend Jeff picked me up from the airport and I had leftover halibut for supper once we arrived at his house (his wife makes amazing food and I was hungry)!
I am so happy now to finally be here and know that everything will be spectacular! Before I ramble on too much though I think it's about time for bed. My body thinks it's 2am! So have a great rest of your night and I will add more pictures and updates tomorrow..err later today! :)
Friday, August 3, 2012
Leaving on a jet plane...
Good morning!
Hope everyone had as restful a night as I did. Carolyn - that couch is the MOST comfortable couch I've slept on!
Hope everyone had as restful a night as I did. Carolyn - that couch is the MOST comfortable couch I've slept on!
We had a delicious french toast breakfast with my family before I got all packed up to leave! The scenery here is so incredible, I wouldn't mind if Alaska looks like this!
We are planning to do a little last minute shopping this afternoon. Also, we are meeting the Steever family for some lunch at IKEA before I leave. This will most likely be my last post before I fly out at 5pm, so I hope you all have a great day! :)
Many thanks to the geometry class I student taught for introducing me to the song these lyrics come from..I'm headed "Way up north, North to Alaska"!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Goodbye South Dakota!
Packing update: I did clean up the living room before I left last night and the packing was a success! I have 2 checked bags and 2 carry-ons!
I have officially left SD, so if I didn't get a chance to say goodbye..I hope to see you over Christmas break! We left in the family van this morning at 7:30 am(after originally planning to depart at 6am) headed to the great state of Minnesota.
On the way, we made a couple stops(to say goodbye to Dana in Madison, to eat at Olive Garden in St. Cloud, and to shop in Albertville) on the way to my aunt and uncle's in Dayton.
I still haven't been that emotional about leaving, but driving away from my home today reminded me a little of leaving for college. I have been feeling more and more apprehensive throughout the day thinking about being in Alaska tomorrow night, but also so thrilled to have spent the last few days hearing from so many people in my life that are excited about my trip! Thank you to all of you again for the encouragement, each and every one of you have helped to prepare me for this great journey North!
Tonight we had a wonderful family gathering at my aunt and uncle's for supper and some great storytelling on the patio. It amazes me how some little thing like moving and a new job can cause so many great feelings and togetherness. I am truly thankful for the friends and family in my life!
I'll leave you with one last thought. While shopping in Albertville today I saw a sign that gave me a little boost that I'd like to share with you.
I hope that this gives you a little inspiration, like it did me, to try new things that may help you to change the world. Good night!
Proof of the clean up!
I have officially left SD, so if I didn't get a chance to say goodbye..I hope to see you over Christmas break! We left in the family van this morning at 7:30 am(after originally planning to depart at 6am) headed to the great state of Minnesota.
On the way, we made a couple stops(to say goodbye to Dana in Madison, to eat at Olive Garden in St. Cloud, and to shop in Albertville) on the way to my aunt and uncle's in Dayton.
I still haven't been that emotional about leaving, but driving away from my home today reminded me a little of leaving for college. I have been feeling more and more apprehensive throughout the day thinking about being in Alaska tomorrow night, but also so thrilled to have spent the last few days hearing from so many people in my life that are excited about my trip! Thank you to all of you again for the encouragement, each and every one of you have helped to prepare me for this great journey North!
Tonight we had a wonderful family gathering at my aunt and uncle's for supper and some great storytelling on the patio. It amazes me how some little thing like moving and a new job can cause so many great feelings and togetherness. I am truly thankful for the friends and family in my life!
I'll leave you with one last thought. While shopping in Albertville today I saw a sign that gave me a little boost that I'd like to share with you.
I hope that this gives you a little inspiration, like it did me, to try new things that may help you to change the world. Good night!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Last Day in Redfield
Today is officially my last full day in Redfield. I leave tomorrow (apparently very early) for MN and fly out on Friday. I don't know if this is too sappy for a blog, but I've started thinking about how much I'll really miss Redfield and SD when I'm in the "Great North" that is Alaska. I've been noticing the little things more and more like how the air smells here and the cornfields(even though they are dry!). Someone up above (I'm thinking Grandpa) has been making sure I've had a beautiful sunset the last few nights. Even the drive home from Aberdeen was so peaceful with a full moon (or nearly) that lit up all this beautiful South Dakota landscape.
On another note, I have had the most wonderful greetings and well-wishes from everyone I cross paths with over the last couple weeks. I want to thank you all for the encouragement and hope to stay in touch either through this blog or email. Growing up in a small town has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Mom, Maggie and I will be making one last trip to Simply Charming this afternoon to get my fix before I leave also! :)
One last tidbit to share in this post. I am ALMOST done packing!! We are still not quite sure if I'm safe to take just 2 checked bags, but it is quite amazing to see how much can fit into a little space. My poor parents have had to deal with an explosion in the living room, but I should be done with this before heading to Simply Charming!
I am not really sure how many people in Redfield are following this, but I would like all of you to know (and everyone in general) that I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people that have helped to prepare me for this journey up north..so...THANK YOU! :)
On another note, I have had the most wonderful greetings and well-wishes from everyone I cross paths with over the last couple weeks. I want to thank you all for the encouragement and hope to stay in touch either through this blog or email. Growing up in a small town has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Mom, Maggie and I will be making one last trip to Simply Charming this afternoon to get my fix before I leave also! :)
I am not really sure how many people in Redfield are following this, but I would like all of you to know (and everyone in general) that I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people that have helped to prepare me for this journey up north..so...THANK YOU! :)
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