Boat Show

Glacier Bay

Once again, the universe is complying with my master plan. For starters, I’m leaving today on a five day whale watching and camping tour. This would be the one for teachers, they have to pay thousands of dollars and receive university credits. I on the other hand, get paid (not much) for guiding this trip with the two instructors (Hank and Bob), one of which I met with today. His name is Hank and he wrote this book, Faith of Cranes, read it, it’s really good. He basically outlines the dichotomy that a lot of us find ourselves in, trying to balance life in the 21st century with the inherent desire to just be outside all of the time and love the Earth (my words, not his). I met with Hank today; I asked him if there was a syllabus for the class and what his objective is for the next five days. He told me that the focus of the “class” is on the human beauty of nature. He elaborated to say that he wants people to reflect on how they feel when they see something unbelievably beautiful, like humpback whales feedings, or eagles fishing, or the Fairweather Mountain Range (OMG, still so excited that I saw them all last week). When he said this, I was speechless, I was first like, wow, other people think about this shit, and then I was like, did he just say that the focus of the class is on the human beauty of nature, holy shit, this next week is going to be f-ing awesome…….it was a long thought. So yeah, I spent ALL DAY yesterday packing and preparing for this trip, but I know it’s going to be totally worth it. I’m sure it will be a life changing experience…details to follow. 

Other ways that the universe is conspiring to make me happy include getting the third weekend in July off from work which means that I get to go to the SE Alaskan State fair. There is a party boat leaving Gustavus on Friday headed to Haines for a weekend of fairing, and debauchery I’m sure. I’m really excited about the music and dancing. I’m pretty sure my old boss/really good friend Carrie Sabochik is going to meet me in Haines, you should come too, read all about it here:

I also got word today that my last day of work will probably be August 14th. This is great news too!! This means that Kara Nelson can come visit me in Gustavus, and then we are going to travel back to Thorne Bay together. This will give us an entire week, instead of three days like I originally agreed to.

After spending almost three weeks sleeping in tents, I’m convinced that you haven’t really lived unless you've spent a night (and a morning) in a canvas tent while it’s raining. My tent has a screened window that looks into a meadow, it’s unbelievably beautiful and peaceful to lay in bed, look out the window, and listen to the rain. I do it everyday for several minutes, I’m pretty sure it’s the best way to start the day. You should really try it. I’m also convinced that every person should visit Gustavus and Glacier Bay National Park in their life, this place is something else, believe me, you want to experience it.

So yes, life is good on the hippie front, most of my needs are being met. I have switched medications, it’s warmed up so I don’t have to take aspirin everyday, instead I’m taking Benadryl. I am getting absolutely destroyed by mosquitoes and noseemus, worse than anybody else I’ve seen in this town. I wake up in the middle of the night scratching and have to put this ointment on them, it’s awful. I’m not surprised however, my wall tent is not sealed so it’s constantly full of bugs, it’s kind of funny, for some reason it doesn’t bother me, even though I know the little bastards are going to devour me once I go to sleep. I actually really love living in “tent city” as we call it. Did I mention it’s beautiful?

Last thing, another guide scored a halibut today from one of the fisherman. So for dinner I had halibut served three different ways, all good. Okay, I think that is it for now.


Peace in the Southeast

Life at the Commune

Me and Karen, my partner in Peace

 It shouldn't come a surprise to anybody that I've found myself living in a commune. This wasn't exactly intentional but I don't know what else to call my current living situation. The whole wall tents and shared living space, combined by the fact that we divide up chores and share almost every meal together. There are only four of us but we're pretty tight. To my delight, two of the people working for Spirit Walker (this should have been a clue to the fact that I was going to work for a bunch of hippies), are musicians and they have promised me that Kirtan is in my near future. Excited!

Margerie Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park

 Yesterday I took a boat "up bay." This is basically a cruise up into Glacier Bay, I think it costs around $200 for a day trip, I wouldn't know because my boss arranged for Karen (work hommie) and me to go. This is one of the most "Alaskan" experiences I've had recently. In the course of several hours, I managed to see humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, sea otters, seals, countless (and unidentifiable) birds, two grizzlies, three glaciers, and icebergs. AND it was sunny so I saw the entire Fairweather Mountain range. I can't even find words to describe how moving this experience was.

Glaciers! What?

Perhaps the best part of the trip was doing yoga on the boat. Karen, like me, loves yoga. We found other people on the boat that wanted to practice yoga too, it was awesome.

Other super exciting happs include it being sunny and WARM in Gustavus for the last week. On Sunday, I went swimming in the ocean. I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times = You simply cannot beat Southeast Alaska when it's sunny. I have LOTS of photos to document this occurance but the Internet here is SLOW and it's super annoying so maybe later........?

Probably the best thing about being here right now is the fact that we are not in full swing and I've had time to sleep 8 hours a night (most nights anyways) and I've had time to read. Two things that I desperately missed last year.

So yeah, life is good on the hippie front. How are you!?!

Kayaking, Kicking Ass and Taking Names

Ketchikan

Gustavus

Summer Digs

I've been really busy since my arrival in Gustavus one week ago. Happs include lots of kayaking, camping, open water rescues in Icy Straits (OMFG) and generally working my ass off. I have to say that I almost forgot how much work guiding requires. I've never guided for such a respected company before. These people are true professionals. My days of making up shit on the spot, showing up to work hung-over and general recklessness are behind me....for now anyways.

I think I'm coming to terms with the fact I'm going to be wet and cold all summer. I didn't really think about the fact that I would be camping ALL summer. This is a pic of my housing while I'm NOT guiding. So far I've been sleeping with two sleeping bags and two Nalgene water bottles full of hot water. This keeps me warm at night. During the day I wear lots of layers, take aspirin, and practice breathing techniques to keep my Renaud's in check. I'm having a great time, but think that at some point I might have to face the reality that I have a circulation problem and Alaska might not be the best fit for me. If only there were glaciers, bears and whales in warmer climates!?!


Tomorrow I'm leaving for Point Adolphus. Look it up, it's one of the best places in North America to view humpback whales. It's pretty awesome. I feel very fortunate that I have gotten the chance to visit, as to get there, first you have to get to Gustavus, and then it's a $200 water taxi ride EACH way, I've already been there three times. 


I'm pretty jazzed about the summer solstice in three days. There is supposedly a huge party on the beach. Pictures and stories to follow.........


"We're the ones we've been waiting for."
  

Gustavus, Alaska

Okay, it's been rainy, but it's been awesome. I've pretty much been on the water since I arrived. I've burnt my face and the top of my hands, so yeah, it's summer. So far I've seen countless humpback whales (in extremely close proximity), bald eagles, stellar sea lions, moose, and a couple of deer. 


I'm living in a wall tent, which is exactly what it sounds like: a platform with a frame and canvas walls. It's wet, everything is wet but it's all good. I'm pretty jazzed because I'm going to lead an all teacher trip for UAF next week, a great opportunity to network with other teachers in Alaska. Other good things about Gustavus include a good coffee shop, a natural food store, the library, AND a community thrift store. The place is adorable, I think I would like to teacher here someday. Oh, the school, the school is beautiful. 


Clearly, I've had way too much coffee (I'm at the coffee shop right now), which might explain why this post has no real order............. any who, I've managed to find a place to live that is even more expensive than Thorne Bay, so if you have anything that you want to get rid of, send it to me at this mailing address:


Emily Moody
C/O Spirit Walker
PO BOX 240
Gustavus, AK 99826


My phone number has temporally changed as well, you can catch me at this number now:
907-254-9026 ------ I don't know how long I will be at this number but the other def doesn't work, so it's your best bet.


Funny Quotes:


"I'm guessing that you're not going to want to sign a contract."
 
- an Alaska Communication Services representative helping me buy a cellphone and pick a service plan. --------- > What!?! Am I like wearing a sing or something? She read me like a book!

"Wow, Thorne Bay to Gustavus, you must really like the sticks."

- The guy checking my ID and taking my ticket as I was boarding the ferry.


Pics to follow shortly!

no words

  Peace

I can't even begin to describe what I've been up to for the last month. Let's just say that I finished my teaching portfolio, got a contract (.5/part-time in Thorne Bay, teaching social studies!!!), cleaned my classroom, submitted my grades, completed end-of-the year paperwork, AND AND finished my first year of teaching. I will never ever have to do that again!!


Other happs include three camping trips with the school, sunshine in Thorne Bay, 14+ hours of daylight and my long-awaited travels north. I'm currently sitting in Ketchikan for the evening. Tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut and hopefully purchasing a new cellphone, as the screen on mine has been broken for over a month. Tomorrow evening I'm flying to Juneau where I'm going to stay with my friend Kayl, only to get on the ferry at 6am to head to, you guessed it, GUSTAVUS, where I will be kicking it with moose, whales, and glaciers. In two words: hella jazzed.


I will try to blog more frequently this summer, but there is absolutely no guarantees as I have no idea what my Internet situation will be. 


I hope that everyone is as excited about summer as I am.


Peace in the Southeast!