Welcome to the bush. We are all hanging out playing on the new computers waiting for a plane to get here to wisk us away to Katmai lodge. However, flying in the bush requires sight. Sight doesn't happen when there is fog and low rain clouds. So, here we wait. Eating the leftover lunch from yesterday and getting special passwords to be on Facebook through the district internet while we wait.
I guess it's the life of the bush, waiting around and making sure that the pilots can see the hills we don't want them to fly into. I'm ok with that. I hear that the plane I'm scheduled to fly on is the cadalliac of the small planes. Made in Switzerland and it can fly faster than the other little planes too. We'll see how those plans change too! All types of new information presents itself on the fly and we learn in the same manner. It's exciting and we'll all figure it out as we go.
So for now, no cool Katmai pictures. I hope I'll get some for you tonight. For now, here's the link to the lodge.
http://www.katmai.com/fishing.html
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
What sound does "y" make?
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| Anchor anyone? |
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| The bus ride was a bit bumpy but they had fun |
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| Our dinner diner |
Aside from that, we have not much going on. We fly to Katmai tomorrow for some more inservice and exciting adventures! There should be some AWESOME pictures coming from those days. I'm also happy to report (maybe) that I did receive my first skeeter bite last night and forgot to tell you all about it. Bad Dorothy!
Purchasing Power
Day 3
So if yesterday's post wasn't enough. We got to do it all over again! Dry non-perishable foods ship through the mail just fine but what do you do for the frozen and cold stuff? Opps, forgot about that huh? Well, here's what happens.
You buy coolers (or totes we found out) take them with you to Costco and fill them to the brim. That is, as long as it is under the 50 lb. weight limit the airlines impose. Coolers are not as light as we thought. Nor are the pounds of meat, cheese, egg beaters, butter, etc that we stuffed in them. In addition to that I had my big suitcase to ship which had to stay with me because of the gun.
So here's what it feels like. I go in with this well planned out list of the cold stuff I'd need for 4 months. As I get to the ground turkey portion (my first stop) and start to pile it into the cooler I watch the space disappear. What?! I haven't even put a single other item in here yet! Ok, let's see what half of that looks like in here. Ok, half of what I had put down on the list....I can deal with half. Head to the roast section. Thank goodness, I can fit one of those nice roast packages in my tote, that took up a TON of weight. Ok, let's not concern ourselves with weight, lets see how much we can fit in here. How about pork chops, they were thick, I can half those before I freeze them for good, my fillet knife will go right through those. Head to the frozen/fridge section and toss in some cheese and other frozen chicken etc. Where is that other cooler? This one is already full. Ok, second cooler, now it's full too. Darn it. Um, how much is another checked bag or is it better to have one overweight? Call Mom. She's a lifesaver and I purchase another cooler.
It was a good thing too. I ended up with 4 checked bags, 3 of them coolers. They were all overweight which was going to cost me money on each one so we did some shifting and made just one of them such. A big pillow came out of my checked bag and into the carryon because it was too heavy as well. Someone should have video'd the "lay and spin" technique I used to get that carry-on closed! Instant classic, I bet the airport security had a blast watching that one on tape.
We were all checked in and then proceeded right to the gate. Not through TSA. No TSA. At least for this airline. Heck yes! I don't know if I could have dealt with taking off the shoes, opening bags, opening computer cases and such after so many long days and then putting things all back together again. Much less the thought that my carry-on might just react like Mentos and Diet Coke!
We got to King Salmon after a small plane ride of about an hour. It was pretty loud and I'm glad I grabbed the earplugs they passed out as you boarded the flight. I figured if they are offering, it's a good idea to get them! Everyone has to give their weight for the flight so they can balance out the plane. No switching seats if it's not full. I didn't get the window seat so no great pictures this flight sorry guys. Another time maybe. We were met in King Salmon by a team of district principals and such that helped us with our bags.
We got into our decommissioned Military base dorms and went to the Superintendents house for dinner. Met a few new people and enjoyed seeing part of the new "family." Dinner was fantastic and the first home-cooked meal I've had in awhile. Broccoli, roasted potatoes, carrots, prime rib, oh...and King Salmon.....it's like candy. SO GOOD! I think I'll be just fine.
So if yesterday's post wasn't enough. We got to do it all over again! Dry non-perishable foods ship through the mail just fine but what do you do for the frozen and cold stuff? Opps, forgot about that huh? Well, here's what happens.
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| My coolers and me getting ready for Costco |
So here's what it feels like. I go in with this well planned out list of the cold stuff I'd need for 4 months. As I get to the ground turkey portion (my first stop) and start to pile it into the cooler I watch the space disappear. What?! I haven't even put a single other item in here yet! Ok, let's see what half of that looks like in here. Ok, half of what I had put down on the list....I can deal with half. Head to the roast section. Thank goodness, I can fit one of those nice roast packages in my tote, that took up a TON of weight. Ok, let's not concern ourselves with weight, lets see how much we can fit in here. How about pork chops, they were thick, I can half those before I freeze them for good, my fillet knife will go right through those. Head to the frozen/fridge section and toss in some cheese and other frozen chicken etc. Where is that other cooler? This one is already full. Ok, second cooler, now it's full too. Darn it. Um, how much is another checked bag or is it better to have one overweight? Call Mom. She's a lifesaver and I purchase another cooler.
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| So much luggage. Not the kind I thought I'd have! |
We were all checked in and then proceeded right to the gate. Not through TSA. No TSA. At least for this airline. Heck yes! I don't know if I could have dealt with taking off the shoes, opening bags, opening computer cases and such after so many long days and then putting things all back together again. Much less the thought that my carry-on might just react like Mentos and Diet Coke!
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| SAAB 340 to King Salmon |
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| Special Airport Greeter! He wanted to play fetch with his rock (chunk of asphalt) I just couldn't resist! |
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| Signs near the base |
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| Right outside the airport |
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| Spruce trees out my dorm window |
Pack N' Ship
Day 2.
It's an exclusive club. I'm not sure that I really wanted to join it. You gotta have money, willingness to shop on end and the desire to not starve for 4 months. I guess that last part would help the second part out but I gotta tell you, the first part, it's a shocker! If you wanna join it, get a job in the Alaskan bush and you to could join the ranks of those who buy in mass quantities and learn how to pack and ship the Alaskan way!
Dry food, non-perishable items and anything you need for the apartments all gets bought and shipped either via bush orders at the stores (wonderful!) or you take it with you, pack it yourself and then take it to the post office. The Bush Mail at Wal mart....wonderful!!! Here's the stuff I want, you pack it and bill me for shipping. Yeah, I don't have to deal with it anymore. Thank goodness. Shopping at Costco, they don't have that option but they have the stuff I want. It comes home with me and I make it ready to ship.
I didn't ever think i'd be duct taping boxes together as close to 70 lbs. as possible. (as long as they were the same exact size and squared off) All boxes shipped needed both a return and to address though the "to" was so big and taped to it so well that if Godzilla tried to take it off it would only make a scratch in it so there was no way it could get "lost". Totes were zip-tied on one end so if it was over the limit we could remedy the situation quickly before closing them for good.
We got everything bundled up, ready to go and headed to the post office at 7 pm. It's the busiest one I guess and they are open until midnight. We took in several totes, boxes, etc and waited in line. It started out with our "guide" asking if they had carts or a special procedure for so much stuff and "Richard" said to just get a hand truck and start bringing it in. Not so nice of a tone.....we knew it wasn't a good night for him. Guess who was my teller?...Richard. Oh, kill him with kindness. Beg for mercy as it was my first time ever shipping and I had just left my family 2 days ago. Play the victim card. It worked. I got a few smiles, some passes and of course a "Nooooope! 3 lbs. overweight!" or the like when something was just a bit heavy. Good thing I had room in another tote!
The others were glad I got him and worked my magic while they enjoyed the fruits of friendlier cashiers. Our evening ended with a Subway fix and a late night in the front room. Headed to bed for another day of more shopping for the cold and frozen items to again pack and then fly with us to King Salmon. It will end, then we won't have to shop for 4 months! I'm ready for that for sure!
The rest of you....please comment and add your memories of me and my craziness.....I'm sure your accounts of me making you laugh or doing something weird are much better than mine!
Day 2, in the books. Yes, It's the end of day three but I think that blog will have to wait until tomorrow morning. Good grief I'm tired!
It's an exclusive club. I'm not sure that I really wanted to join it. You gotta have money, willingness to shop on end and the desire to not starve for 4 months. I guess that last part would help the second part out but I gotta tell you, the first part, it's a shocker! If you wanna join it, get a job in the Alaskan bush and you to could join the ranks of those who buy in mass quantities and learn how to pack and ship the Alaskan way!
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| All the totes we need. Or so we thought. |
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| A view from the back seat. |
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| No where left to sit |
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| Look at all this! |
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| Unloaded, some packed...so much work left! |
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| It's famous now. The face that created giggles! |
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| My new Costco personal record! |
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| Duck Taped boxes of fruits and veggies ready to go |
We got everything bundled up, ready to go and headed to the post office at 7 pm. It's the busiest one I guess and they are open until midnight. We took in several totes, boxes, etc and waited in line. It started out with our "guide" asking if they had carts or a special procedure for so much stuff and "Richard" said to just get a hand truck and start bringing it in. Not so nice of a tone.....we knew it wasn't a good night for him. Guess who was my teller?...Richard. Oh, kill him with kindness. Beg for mercy as it was my first time ever shipping and I had just left my family 2 days ago. Play the victim card. It worked. I got a few smiles, some passes and of course a "Nooooope! 3 lbs. overweight!" or the like when something was just a bit heavy. Good thing I had room in another tote!
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| Shipping at the Airport Post office |
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| Receipts from Post office |
The rest of you....please comment and add your memories of me and my craziness.....I'm sure your accounts of me making you laugh or doing something weird are much better than mine!
Day 2, in the books. Yes, It's the end of day three but I think that blog will have to wait until tomorrow morning. Good grief I'm tired!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Whirlwind, perhaps a tornado even.
So, I know it's way overdue. You are all waiting with anticipation as to what Anchorage is like, how I'm dealing and what's been going on. It's the end of day 2 now and it's 11:27 pm. I'm making the time to write a blog so that I don't keep everyone in the dark any longer. It's been a long two days and I know that if I wait any longer I will start forgetting some of the cool things.
Here we go. Day one was crazy. A flight away from the ones I love to a new place I'm sure to love. As I got off the plane I felt like a celebrity (kinda) as Kathy and I walked from the plane and were met by Bill holding a piece of paper with our names on it. Oh ya! It got even better when the bags were waiting for us all bundled up by person. I didn't have to search through bags or anything.
I came back to the house to meet everyone else here already. I figured that I would have been one of the first people here because I had come in so early in the day. Not so. Some people had come in during the middle of the night. I got about half an hour to compose myself and get ready to head out for some brunch and the start of shopping. It was good though because it got me right into the idea of getting ready!
First stop was the DMV. We needed drivers licenses. Walk up to the window, show your passport and they say, "ok, do you have your Social Security card?" What?! No, is the passport showing that I'm a US citizen not good enough? I didn't bring my social security card. What the heck for!? Darn it. I need that driver's license! They gave us (there were two with this same issue) an address to go to and we were able to obtain a letter that showed our name and number that was stamped by the office. All we had to show them was our passport. Go figure! Back to the VERY CROWDED DMV to wait in a line, fill out a piece of paper, wait in a line, take the computer test and answer 16 questions right, wait in a line, let the lady write our score down so we can take a number to wait in the big line of which 80 numbers were in front of us at ticket taking time. 80! So, what did we do? We people watched. We watched the motorcycle guy get upset when another motorcycle guy parked his bike touching his. We watched the mentally unstable guy use the back of that same unhappy motorcyclist's bike as his podium and fill out his form on it. That same unstable guy was lots of entertainment for the duration of our wait. He told the motorcyclist he used his bike and almost got the snot beat out of him. He begged people for cigarettes, talked to everyone he could and we think he was trying to sell his number. Oh and if you are wondering, the DMV, it's near a really spectacularly designed McDonald's. We've seen it from every angle.
We started off shopping with a bang. Wal-Mart has this great thing going for them where you pick all the things that don't contain alcohol, won't explode and won't spoil; you take it to their back registers, they ring it up and add some for handling and they pack and ship it for you! The shipping is added to your card once they get the weight all put together but dang! It beats having to pack it and drag it down to the post office yourself. (more about that later!)
Tons of shopping it felt like later and a graduation from summer excel camp for some students of LPSD we were headed to dinner. I'd heard stories about this famed place, stories that it's the best pizza ever and that I had to have it when I went. Well, we made it there. It was late at night, we were starving and I knew I had to make a phone call. Poor Jen. She said her mouth watered via phone. Just an FYI, 2 people at the table had cream soda for you!
The end of day 1 came to a close with a heavy sigh and knowing that a new day full of shopping was to commence. I fell into bed without even thinking about the blog because I had been up for almost 23 hours by the time I finally was able to get some rest. Now I'm a day behind and I hope to catch up tomorrow morning with tales of Richard and the wonders of packing. For now though, please know that I'm doing well. I've met new friends, enjoyed a day of sun and now a day of rain. It's green and lush here like Oregon with the Mountains of Bend in the backyard (maybe a bit bigger then Bend!) The city sprawls out like Salem and Keizer all rolled into one with a little bit bigger city feel.
Day one is in the books. Day two.....it's there too, but you'll know about it later! :)
Here we go. Day one was crazy. A flight away from the ones I love to a new place I'm sure to love. As I got off the plane I felt like a celebrity (kinda) as Kathy and I walked from the plane and were met by Bill holding a piece of paper with our names on it. Oh ya! It got even better when the bags were waiting for us all bundled up by person. I didn't have to search through bags or anything.
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| Our "Brunch" Stop |
I came back to the house to meet everyone else here already. I figured that I would have been one of the first people here because I had come in so early in the day. Not so. Some people had come in during the middle of the night. I got about half an hour to compose myself and get ready to head out for some brunch and the start of shopping. It was good though because it got me right into the idea of getting ready!
First stop was the DMV. We needed drivers licenses. Walk up to the window, show your passport and they say, "ok, do you have your Social Security card?" What?! No, is the passport showing that I'm a US citizen not good enough? I didn't bring my social security card. What the heck for!? Darn it. I need that driver's license! They gave us (there were two with this same issue) an address to go to and we were able to obtain a letter that showed our name and number that was stamped by the office. All we had to show them was our passport. Go figure! Back to the VERY CROWDED DMV to wait in a line, fill out a piece of paper, wait in a line, take the computer test and answer 16 questions right, wait in a line, let the lady write our score down so we can take a number to wait in the big line of which 80 numbers were in front of us at ticket taking time. 80! So, what did we do? We people watched. We watched the motorcycle guy get upset when another motorcycle guy parked his bike touching his. We watched the mentally unstable guy use the back of that same unhappy motorcyclist's bike as his podium and fill out his form on it. That same unstable guy was lots of entertainment for the duration of our wait. He told the motorcyclist he used his bike and almost got the snot beat out of him. He begged people for cigarettes, talked to everyone he could and we think he was trying to sell his number. Oh and if you are wondering, the DMV, it's near a really spectacularly designed McDonald's. We've seen it from every angle.
We started off shopping with a bang. Wal-Mart has this great thing going for them where you pick all the things that don't contain alcohol, won't explode and won't spoil; you take it to their back registers, they ring it up and add some for handling and they pack and ship it for you! The shipping is added to your card once they get the weight all put together but dang! It beats having to pack it and drag it down to the post office yourself. (more about that later!)
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| The breadsticks were to die for! |
The end of day 1 came to a close with a heavy sigh and knowing that a new day full of shopping was to commence. I fell into bed without even thinking about the blog because I had been up for almost 23 hours by the time I finally was able to get some rest. Now I'm a day behind and I hope to catch up tomorrow morning with tales of Richard and the wonders of packing. For now though, please know that I'm doing well. I've met new friends, enjoyed a day of sun and now a day of rain. It's green and lush here like Oregon with the Mountains of Bend in the backyard (maybe a bit bigger then Bend!) The city sprawls out like Salem and Keizer all rolled into one with a little bit bigger city feel.
Day one is in the books. Day two.....it's there too, but you'll know about it later! :)
Friday, August 5, 2011
We have lift-off!
By far one of the hardest things I've ever done is leave my family. My husband, my "babies" and my mom. Mojo knew something was up, he quivered the entire ride to Portland. Eric and Mom both cried when they hugged me goodbye. It's hard knowing I won't see them again until Christmas.From here, I want to thank you all for the well wishes. I do appreciate them all. I look forward to seeing my friends and family again but I am excited for what not only the immediate future but the next few months will hold for me.
Stay tuned for all the updates you could ever want!
25 minutes and counting....
Thursday, August 4, 2011
What would you miss?
I got up this morning, printed boarding passes that are not valid for security and say: "ATTN AGT: DANGEROUS GOODS" Great. They also say "Airport Service Document/DNGR" and "Not valid for Security" FANTASTIC! Prepare for a full body cavity TSA search now is what they should say. All because I must take a locked, clean, handgun with me and some ammo to kill a bear that could possibly charge me. So sorry.
What am I going to miss? (Hopefully the TSA pat down)
-Old Spice Fresh on my one and only.
-Lunches with Mom on a whim.
-Seconds off the plant strawberries; they melt in your mouth with the sweetness of the earth and the warmth of the sun.
-The excitement and joy in a dog’s pounce when he sees Fancy Frog waiting for him on the bed.
-Daily Buzz Hot Chocolate
-Black Friday: yep, I'm a crazy!
-Harvest Fest, though it's long days it's still fun.
-Picking out a Christmas Tree.
What would you miss? Comment below!
The list could go on but why dwell on it? I'll be back at Christmas time to see family and friends. In the meantime, I'll be experiencing a whole new world full of new things to miss I'm sure.
22 hours.....
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