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