North To Alaska

Last night I had the best nights sleep since I left. It was nice to shake the gout AND get some rest.

Looked online for work, then went and had some pages with my references printed up. While I was out, I took the chance to check some local places for work (lots of fast food jobs if it comes to that). Also checked out a guitar store and a small preserve where the sand cranes (and other animal) come in force during the spring. Do you realize how sad my life is if i’m taking pictures of SAND CRANES?????

The Chena River runs through the center of town so while I was downtown looking for jobs, I stopped and took a couple of pictures…

Then I took a few minutes to stop and have some fun.

Overall, an o.k. day.
If you’re interested this is the local newspaper.

I feel like I’m in a VERY strange new world. Folks here are wonderful, I’ve been allowed to stay here for a couple weeks, and then we’ll look at it again. They have allowed me the use of an office, which makes life MUCH easier. And, on top of all that, they are a wonderful family.

I have an appointment with an agency for Monday, also have an IT contact to call tomorrow.

Downside has been gout and the fact that I’m lonesome. But… This too shall pass.

Upside, great folks, a great place in a great state. Weather has been warm, but it’s 58 and rainy out right now. Now THAT’S the Alaska I expected. They’ve had some serious forest fires of late and the smoke has been sitting in the valley here something terrible. The rain is helping a lot.

I’m now reserching how to move our stuff up here. We really only have a couple of options. Have stuff shipped or moved is WAY too expensive. So it looks like it will come down to a u-haul truck, or trading the towncar for a truck down there and then using it to pull a trailer up here. I AM open to ideas though, so feel free to ping me on any you have. The hardest part is going to be getting my guns up here. Can’t carry them up here, so i will have to ship them via UPS I think. Will be a bit on the expensive side, so might have to ship just a few at a time over the next several months. lol

Well, I miss you all and hope you are having a great week in the 100* PLUS weather…

Gout is killing me. No meds, can’t even find tylonol.

It was great getting here, making new friends and having a WONDERFUL dinner at The Pump House. We ate out on the patio overlooking the Chena River. It started cooling down as soon as we got there. It was a wonderful evening.

The area has a LOT of great history about it. And my hosts are great folks. Great food and great new friends. Can’t beat it. Unless I could be here with my family.

Well, I just got a little nap and thought I would post another quick note before dinner and such.

This is where i’m staying. The first picture is the “office”. It’s BEAUTIFUL here. Denise will love the last picture.

It’s 86 out and I can NOT stop sweating. It’s not humid – it’s just HOT.

Well, spent the night last night in a campground. it was so hot and light out that i couldn’t sleep. Set up the tarp instead of the tent just to try and get a little air. With no breeze i knew i would sufficate in the tent.

Voicemail and txts yesterday to my friend up here got hung up in the ether. Got a call from him this morning, then several phone tags, and I’m now here at a BEAUTIFUL home. The folks that own the place have an office on the property that is nicer than alot of homes. They have been kind enough to let me stay in a bedroom in the office, so no camping tonight – and REAL darkness to sleep in.

I have a dinner meeting tonight and I believe another meeting tomorrow. This connection with these folks is a real miracle. My friend has shared some of the things that have been talked about and if they come together it will be an amazing work by God. Please keep me in your prayers, especially over the next couple of days.

Well, I got into Fairbanks about 2 pm. Drove around a bit… Visited a WONDERFUL store – Frontier Outfitters.

Oh mylanta! They had about 20 ARs. They had Desert Eagles. They had one of these:

Yup, that’s right it’s basically a 12ga AK. This one shows the 8 round mag, but i understand there is a drum for them
Worst part is, ammo prices are going through the roof up here. Something about hazmat fees…

Staying here tonight.

Tomorrow, I start looking for work. Keep me in your prayers.

First, my apologies for no contact yesterday. I had no cell coverage since Friday at 2pm. I did post a note on Facebook Thursday night. Sorry anyway…

So I drove 17.5 hours and 977 miles yesterday. With no radio I had the ear buds in all day. My ears were hurting more than my butt. Had to drive 90 miles into AK to Tok to get cell coverage. I have 205 miles to Fairbanks today.

I’ve pushed a bunch of pics up again here.

Saw a LOT of animals…

Sorry, the pics wouldn’t post- see the link above. (mobile.me stinks)

That’s all for now. Cell is on though so text/call as you please. I AM missing you all.

Started out with rain.
Then I blew a tire and had to have both rear tires replaced. Lost two hours on the tow and tires.

The day got better..
Drove through SEVERAL storms. The last one the sky was black and i got dumped on. Then hail. Lasted for about 15mins. It’s following me and since it is supposed to get here about 3am, i got a motel.

Sites for the day…
- instead of folks walking around with golf clubs like i’ve seen them do in our old neighborhood, the folks in Prince George were walking around with hockey sticks.
- two bald eagles in nests
- three bear eating by the road and one crossing it.
- 2 elk (possibly three in the group)
- almost hit a small buck

It was a good day, but went from an easy 10 hour drive to right at 15 hours. Oh well. Still a beautiful ride.

Beautiful campsite, and great weather when I went to bed.

Woke up at 4:30 with it pouring rain. Grabbed the tarp out of the trunk (thanks Gorgeous) and covered up the the cot. All was well until 5am when i found out that i hadn’t covered the foot of the cot well. Found that there was a low spot in the cot where my butt should have been. Got cold real quick.

Damage:
Wet: Sleeping bag, cot, chair and shotgun case (Mossy is fine).
No big deal really.

Packed up in 10 minutes, putting the wet sleeping bag in the ice chest. Hot shower a few minutes later felt real good. Was out of the campground at 5:45 and it had stopped raining. lol

Easy day today, only driving 10 hours unless i can find a place farther up the road to stop within 3 more hours.