Picture of the day.

Sunset 6/29/08

Picture of the day.

Old Pulp Mill (no longer in operation) just north of Penisula Point.

Pictures of the day.

Picture of the day.

Mussels

Picture of the day.

Denali pics

My Moose Pictures

Caribou in Denali National Park

More Misty Fjord Photos

Sunset at Refuge Cove

Wall Drug Pics

I found more pictures! Here are a few from Wall Drug in Wall, SD. A store filled with cowboy boots, every girls dream! (Maybe not every girl's dream, but certainly mine) I want them all! I found a new favorite brand, Old Gringo, they're hand made in Mexico from the finest leather.

Mail Call

To all of you who have sent mail and care packages: I LOVE YOU. I appreciate it immensely! Going to the post office is my favorite part of the day. I love those few minutes of openning the PO box and tearing openning my mail. (I know the little things in life make me happy!) I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. All the letters and cards are clearly displayed on my fridge and bulletin board. I adore being surrounded by those little slices of home. Thank you!

Grounded in Seattle

Sorry no new pics. Wish I brought my camera seeing as how we were grounded in Seattle for the night. We brought a patient south for further medical care but en route a light came on in the cockpit, therefor a no go on flying until fixed (Don't ask me what was wrong, that info is classified for those well above my pay grade). They put us up a great hotel out in Renton, near all the shopping. The girls (myself and the nurse) quickly hit the mall before it closed. Always go shopping when in Seattle that is if you live here in Ketchikan where there is no shopping. I bought a few things-sunglasses, shoes, a new dress, a few things at Target. They have a great store called Nordstrom's Rack which I love because they have name brand shoes for less. We then met up with the boys for dinner then to a local sports bar for a game of pool and a few rounds. The Hotel we stayed in was extremely nice, complete with pool and hot tub which a few of us took advantage of when we got back at 3am. We didn't catch a flight back until 5pm so we did a little more shopping, hit the Cosco and had Chipotle for lunch. I love Chipotle! Made my day to see a Chipotle. All in all I kinda dig getting grounded. It's a change of scenary and pace. Plus I got my shopping fix for a while.

6.1.08 Pictures

A few shots taken from the helo en route to Hyder to pick up a patient.

Lake nestled in the mountains, strange coloring due to oxygen release during melting.

Sometimes we get close enough that the vibration from the helo will knock a little snow loose causing an avalanche.

Pictures from 6.1.08

I found the pictures that I thought I lost. Apparently the pictures saved to the camera instead of the card. Therefore when the card is in the camera I couldn't view the pics. Doesn't make any sense to me but whatever, at least I got the pictures. Here are a few from my flight seeing tour with my neighbor Joe in his personal plane.

Crab traps left until next season are resting on the boat above.

Glacial silt

Swan Lake Dam from the air.

Ready to depart Fairbanks

I'll be heading back to Ketch, tomorrow, flying the milk run south through Anchorage, Juneau, and Petersburg. I'll be back in Ketch around 1300. I'm ready to be back sleeping in my own bed and driving my Jeep instead of this crappy rental!

Pics of the Boys

The boys from home decided that they missed me so much that they had to send me a few photos of themselves to remind of my days at the FD. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Perhaps they should find ten friends and make a calendar. I'd buy one!

Luv,
Meg

Sorry no posts

Sorry no post in the last couple of days, been a little under the weather. Nothing's worse then having the flu in a foreign place while you're trying to learning how to properly do your job. Not that having the flu is all the much fun to begin with. I promise I'll get the moose/Denali pictures up soon.

Reindeer at Santa's Workshop, North Pole, AK

Highway 3 just south of Fairbanks

Denali Pics from the digital 6.7.08

Downtown Fairbanks

6.7.08 Denali

After a night of junky sleep, people in the apartment above had a party that lasted well in to the morning hours, I set out on the road. Armed only with my camera and a map, I travelled about two hours south to Denali National Park. Denali National Park is breathtaking at over 6 million acres it's larger then the state of Massachussetts. Around every twist and turn of the road is another beautiful sight. Definately something everyone should see once in their lifetime. I will most certainly be back when I have more time to explore.

While in the park I seen a heard of elk grazing in a field about half a mile away. While driving I seen something move in the brush, I stopped for a better look and there stood a Grizzly, who in turn spotted me and headed the other direction. Wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a picture. Sorry! After a few hours in the park and a little hike, I was feeling kinda bummed, still no moose! Moose crossing signs everywhere but no moose! So I headed to the car and began the trek out of the park. About a mile from the exit I spotted several cars and a bus stopped by the side of the road, so I slowed down to see what was so facinating. And then I saw it! A female moose not more then 10 feet from the road chewing on a tree! I almost shit myself, no joke! She was amazing, like 8 foot tall, didn't seem to notice all the people making a fuss to see her, just went about her business. I was able to capture a few shots but there on my good camera with a zoom lense so you'll have to wait a few days until they get developed. So all in all it was totally worth four hours of driving.

I realized on the drive back that in 21 days I've seen an awful lot of this continent. Three U.S. National Parks: Denali, The Black Hills in South Dakota, Tongass National Forest/Misty Fjords Monument in AK. Two Canadian National Parks: Jasper National Park and Banff National Forest. Many state parks: Custer State Park-SD, Totem Bight-AK, Refuge Cove-AK, Settler's Cove-AK, Ward Lake-AK. Seven states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Two Providences: Alberta and British Columbia. I've been very fortunate to experience what I have. I've learned a lot, mostly about myself. I'm not the same person I was 21 days ago. Before this endevor began there was a lot of fear and anxiety. I've always been independent, but was I able to be so far away from everything I've ever known. And I do miss my family (especially my mom), friends, and my puppy! I miss Sophie! But I'm happy here. And I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity that I've been awarded.

6.6.08 Fairbanks

So I've arrived in Fairbanks, and to say the least I'm not impressed. Fairbanks is kinda behind in the times. You feel like you stepped back in time like 20 years. Unlike Ketchikan there is no new construction, nice beach front homes, or fun tourism stuff to do. I have a rental car. $641 a week for a toyota carolla. That's a rip off. So tomorrow I'm heading to Denali for the day, it's only about a two hour drive. Hopefully catch a glimpse of a moose!

Storm rolling in, Refuge Cove Beach

Packing Again

So I'm packing again, since I'm leaving for a 8 day stint in Fairbanks for training, I'm really not that excited about it. I kinda thought I would be, but I'm just starting to get acclimated to my new apartment/city/job when I have to head north. I already feel like I might miss something important in that short week. Crazy I know. But I hear it's insanely hot in Fairbanks like approaching 80 and over 20 hours of daylight. So hopefully I get a little time to tour and take in the sights. Like maybe one of a giant moose! I'm suppose to have a rental so I'd like to take a little trip to Denali! Maybe be fortunate enough to get good weather to view Mt. McKinley.

Ward Lake Trail