Being a tourist is all well and good. I've been the tourist many times. My fiancee and I can't tell whether we are permanent tourists or temporary locals. Personally, I like to go with temporary locals. Part of that reason is because I dislike being lumped into the "tourist" group. The typical tourist. Many seasonal workers have many nick-names for them. Terrorist-tourists, tourons(morons), BOB's (bitches on busses). The list goes on.
It's unfair. Many people are quite GOOD tourists, there are just so many who ruin the title. So here I decided to give a few pointers on how to be a tourist.
Tip 1 - get away from the car. One of Chris' favorite statistics is how most tourists don't get more than 100 yards from the car. Silver Falls in Oregon - all the best falls are farther out. Yellowstone 2.2 million acres - come on people! Chicken, Alaska - seems small but all the amazing overlooks and hunting is a hike or a cars-won't-get-here-take-a-4 wheeler-ride road away. Cars are comfortable and remind us all of home, but you're not home anymore people! Get out there and EXPLORE! That's why you went out in the first place!
Tip 2 - Ask where the locals go. West Yellowstone has a DQ and a few pizza joints and a chinese place. Sure. Where do you find the locals? The Wild West Pizza joint has some of the best pizza EVER, the Chinese place is good. TACO BUS!! Everywhere else is almost pure tourists. There's a reason locals go where the go. They KNOW.
Locals would also rather watch Castle or Lonestar go off than Old Faithful. For the record.
Tip 3 - Read the menu. Then follow it. I understand some people have legit special needs and a small substitution now and then is no big deal. However, those that either don't look at the menu or look and then STILL order somethign COMPLETELY different need to be lobotomized. You're on vacation. What's so terrible about ordering something ON menu - even if it's new for you? You're not at IHOP or Burgerking. You can't count on getting it "your way". Beside - cooks generally know whats good. Pay attention, there's probably something AMAZING on that menu you won't look at.
Tip 4 - Talk to strangers. This is a hard one. I know - Momma always said not to talk to strangers. It was hard for me personally to break out of my shell - and I'm still working on it. It's worth it. There ARE idiots out there that you find yourself wishing you'd never smiled at (but there are back home too), however a lot of people will share awesome - or at least mildly interesting - stories abotu where they're from or their travels or what they saw while they were in that same space you're in too. Typically, I'll take my meal out to the dining area (which is out-doors here), cock my chair away from the table and listen until I find a friendly group who wants to talk. Knowing the area is my leg in. Where is this? How is that? When did that get there? Oh, I know! Pardon me, but here's your answer. I've met so many cool people. I don't know names, won't remember faces, but have stories and a general good feeling about the day. I get home and go "hey honey, you'll never guess where this couple was from today!" Things like that.
Tip 5 - Go to the bar. I didn't say drink. I didn't say get drunk. As long as you're not an AA member who can't stand the smell of alcohol, go to the bar. Order a soda, I don't care. This is another "talk to people" things. There's always locals there - usually they're the rowdy ones. The easiest way to get to a locals heart? Buy them a drink. Most of us will buy you the next. Suddenly we're lifelong pals and yeah lets go shooting, I know a great place up on the ridge, you game? (here in Chicken at least) In yellowstone it'd be "This bars to spendy, I got some vodka in the room, just don't tell people you're a tourist and come along! There's a dorm party tonight!" But you see what I mean? The tour directors won't know where the very best hunting spots, the perfect-temp hot springs, the coolest watering holes are. But a drunk local? Holy hell, people.
Tip 6 - Prepare for it all. The easiest way to blow money is to pack for sunshine and summertime only to encounter a typical Chicken thunder storm and suddenly need rain gear. Oh they'll sell it to you, but there goes the money you wanted to use to buy that kitchy thing you found in the gift-shop. I'm Oregonian - I rock it layer style. It helps me to not have to pack super amounts and still be prepared. A cute shirt or two and a tanktop, jeans and shorts (and swimwear - ALWAYS swimwear), 2 pairs of socks and underwear MORE than I need, shoes and sandals, and a lightweight jacket that's mostly rainproof will last me a 3 or 4 days and weather. Keep in mind also when you pack to save room for the stuff you know you'll buy to bring home. AND that some of what you buy will be clothes. You don't need five shirts for a three shirt vaca if you're going to be buying at least one "Been Here" shirt.
Tip 7 - Leave wiggle room. Some can afford only a few hours of wiggle room, some up to a day. I try to always leave a day. You never know. Traffic jam, animals on the road, airport delay, hey look at that cool trail/overlook, that wasn't on the brochure but I want to see it, hungover and overslept (damn local drank me under the table last night! But it was fun), Any number of things, good and bad will delay you. Practically Murphey's Law, isn't it?
Tip 8 - Allergies. Be aware. If you have allergies, realisitcally, you can't count on eating out. Not everywhere can accomodate every allergy. Especially the deadlier they are. A little backed up with a milk so "no cheese on my sandwhich" - no big deal. Going to die if I eat peanuts - so please no nuts. Seriously? Then bring your own food. First off, most places have that sign up, that allergen warning. That clears their ass in case you DO die. Second, a lot of places just won't go out of their way. LARGE volume joints don't have the time or space typically. People that will go out of their way for you - be nice to. It takes time. Sanitize the entire area especially for you, make sure nothing touches anything else, basically baby your dish specifically through production - taking extra time AND taking their time and energy away from everyone else's food. Think about it. Be courteous if you DO bring allergies to a food joint. If you have BAD allergies, just bring your own food. Sure, look at menus, talk to the people, maybe you can get something - but dear lord don't count on it. Also keep in mind the farther into Middle of Nowhere territory you go, the less they are able to accomodate your allergies.
Tip 9 - Tag shock. We all get it - 'A shirt is HOW much?' Again - remember where you are and why you're there. Vacation to some kind of middle-of-nowhere. Think about how far you drove to get there and how far they have to ship ANYTHING from clothes to wine to food. Yes, your soda is 75 cents back home, they don't have to pay for shipment off the normal route. Even ski resorts - just because they're not OUT there doesn't mean they're not OUT there. Up this mountain off that side road is NOT on ANYONE's normal route, I can assure you. Again - the farther out into Nowhere territory you go, prices go up. Realize, then get over. Our most spendy item is halibut - because it costs more to get it here. Our burgers are more spendy than anywhere else, because the price of BEEF in ALASKA is high - it makes sense.
Tip 10 - Vacation or trip are not code words for brainless. I know people are smarter than they let on, but they think that it's Disneyland and everything is supposed to cater to them so they leave their valubles and their brain at home. Unacceptable people. Almost all of the above qualifies as "just think about it" if only you would kindly take your brains with you next time you leave the house.
Ten tips. A good start. Keep in mind tips is all this is. Just things to think about. If you opt to not follow my advice a little or at all that's perfectly fine too. There's more to be said on the subject I'm sure, and maybe I'll add to the list at a later date.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Over a Month!
I hadn't even realized it's been that long, folks! Boy howdy, over a month. Things settle so fast into the day-to-day scene. There isn't much that happened all through June. Not in Chicken. The entire cast and crew have been here all month and truly, I've never dealt with so few people! I have one co-worker, technically. Chris. In the giftshop there are five, one lady who owns her own space upstairs, the twin 4 year olds, the boss man, the big boss owner, the five at the mine. I think that's it. Almost all the personalities have been figured out. And basically everywhere you go you meet the same personalities, so noting real new to report there, other than the girl who avoids me. I don't know why but I also find I don't really care. She's nice enough - just doesn't seem to enjoy my company. Eh.
The tourists have been slow this year. Today is the last big rush and it's even dead-er than usual. It was supposed to be big because it's the fourth, and all the miners from miles around come in for the big picnic and miner-meeting. Well, picnic means no one needs little ol' me in the food trailer. There is only one toursist truck in the parking lot right now.
Puppies were born. Alaskan huskies. One is theoretically going to be mini. Quite unintentional. They're born to dog sledders, so of course they didn't do it on purpose if they could. Just the runt... I want her. She's scrappy and adorable - goign to be a tan colour with a white streak on her forehead. She's called Thimble right now. But, alas, I know better. I don't need kids at this point in my life. I've been having puppy fever bad lately and with this one, Chris was even going to let me have her! Sadly, reality crashed in on me anyways. Having our van in the lower 48 is going to hinder us as much as it frees us. A dog would be so good for Chris and I, but at the same time would hinder us greatly. Maybe in a year or two. Hopefully. It's too bad though. They were going to give her to us free.
The cart is running at a loss. Most days I don't even make my own salary - I can tell when I close out my till. The funny part to me is that they would loose LESS money by shutting us down two or three days in the middle of the week, but they wont. Shutting us down on our two or three slowest days (Tues/Wed, Wed/Thurs or Tues/Wed/Thurs) would mean not using electric or propane OR having to pay our manhours for two to three days. In man-hours alone, that'd save 450 for two days - and when those days we're LUCKY to reach 200 in sales it seems obvious to me. But they wont. They keep us open when we tell them it's pointless. Granted, we don't fight to hard - we're hourly, not commision. I'll dink around all day waiting for that one last guest at 12 an hour. Sure.
We get a vacation week after next. Last month I had three days off - total. We take one day off each every 7 to 10 days. It's working, and we're not burning out in a hardcore way... But burnout can be subtle too. Dead days day after day, not exploring where you're at... It can get depressing. I don't see the point in coming to work. There are too few customers to really CARE. It's not good. The three-day vacation will be good. We're going down to Valdeze together and I'm very excited. Chris is planning it out and a few of the things he's told me I already feel like I'm going to get spoiled.
The little valley of Chicken is currently surrounded by forest fires. Seven in a 50 mile radius, generally AROUND us. sometimes you can see the smoke rise up and haze out. Last week when it was REAL hot up here Chris and I sat on a picnic table and saw all seven plumes. It was kind of freaky. Today it looks hazy and smells like a campfire outside. Just to generally walk around you feel like your in a campsite. But you can't see any fire. They're still somehow too far away for that, beyond a ridge or something. It sure smells tho.
I've started reading Dean Koontz. I always thought they were scary because they were lumped in with Stephen King. Not so, I've realized. I'm on my second book and I quite like it. Chris convinced me to try them. Both books he's reccomended have been good. :)
So you're caught up. That's my June. Happy July. The fourth is here. No fireworks in the Land of the Midnight Sun of course. I will try to update more frequently. Since we almost got fired I think things could get more itneresting soon.
The tourists have been slow this year. Today is the last big rush and it's even dead-er than usual. It was supposed to be big because it's the fourth, and all the miners from miles around come in for the big picnic and miner-meeting. Well, picnic means no one needs little ol' me in the food trailer. There is only one toursist truck in the parking lot right now.
Puppies were born. Alaskan huskies. One is theoretically going to be mini. Quite unintentional. They're born to dog sledders, so of course they didn't do it on purpose if they could. Just the runt... I want her. She's scrappy and adorable - goign to be a tan colour with a white streak on her forehead. She's called Thimble right now. But, alas, I know better. I don't need kids at this point in my life. I've been having puppy fever bad lately and with this one, Chris was even going to let me have her! Sadly, reality crashed in on me anyways. Having our van in the lower 48 is going to hinder us as much as it frees us. A dog would be so good for Chris and I, but at the same time would hinder us greatly. Maybe in a year or two. Hopefully. It's too bad though. They were going to give her to us free.
The cart is running at a loss. Most days I don't even make my own salary - I can tell when I close out my till. The funny part to me is that they would loose LESS money by shutting us down two or three days in the middle of the week, but they wont. Shutting us down on our two or three slowest days (Tues/Wed, Wed/Thurs or Tues/Wed/Thurs) would mean not using electric or propane OR having to pay our manhours for two to three days. In man-hours alone, that'd save 450 for two days - and when those days we're LUCKY to reach 200 in sales it seems obvious to me. But they wont. They keep us open when we tell them it's pointless. Granted, we don't fight to hard - we're hourly, not commision. I'll dink around all day waiting for that one last guest at 12 an hour. Sure.
We get a vacation week after next. Last month I had three days off - total. We take one day off each every 7 to 10 days. It's working, and we're not burning out in a hardcore way... But burnout can be subtle too. Dead days day after day, not exploring where you're at... It can get depressing. I don't see the point in coming to work. There are too few customers to really CARE. It's not good. The three-day vacation will be good. We're going down to Valdeze together and I'm very excited. Chris is planning it out and a few of the things he's told me I already feel like I'm going to get spoiled.
The little valley of Chicken is currently surrounded by forest fires. Seven in a 50 mile radius, generally AROUND us. sometimes you can see the smoke rise up and haze out. Last week when it was REAL hot up here Chris and I sat on a picnic table and saw all seven plumes. It was kind of freaky. Today it looks hazy and smells like a campfire outside. Just to generally walk around you feel like your in a campsite. But you can't see any fire. They're still somehow too far away for that, beyond a ridge or something. It sure smells tho.
I've started reading Dean Koontz. I always thought they were scary because they were lumped in with Stephen King. Not so, I've realized. I'm on my second book and I quite like it. Chris convinced me to try them. Both books he's reccomended have been good. :)
So you're caught up. That's my June. Happy July. The fourth is here. No fireworks in the Land of the Midnight Sun of course. I will try to update more frequently. Since we almost got fired I think things could get more itneresting soon.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Hunting!
Real quick - to follow up the Spring post, where spring has decided not to show up...
The next day after posting that (today I suppose), we woke up to 29, and within four hours it was up to 33 degrees. On it's way up, it maxed out at 55 and a lot of snow melted. The hoses thawed, we even got water back after lunch! Just like that -*snap*- the clouds were gone this morning and it's been bright (really really bright) and clear. It was warm enough that I even ran around in a T-shirt without a jacket most of the day!
So. I went hunting for the first time today. 1.5 hour trip. Took the Ranger (known to me as a mule from my days in Yellowstone) up to the airport strip. Yes, Chicken, Alaska has an air field. Typically for flying in THINGS not people or life-flighting people out. Also for the mail. Lining both sides of the air strip are long relatively skinny lakes, upon which were many duck. An owl. A beaver (well in a lake). And many small birds of air and water kind.
I went with a girl here, Rebecca, and her puppy Charlie. Charlie is a natural retriever. Kind of a dark-chocolate lab. Took to bringing the bird back like fish to water. When Rebecca fired that shotgun, my ears RANG. Charlie shook. The shotgun was not a happy cooperating participant. It was hard to pump, often times getting stuck, so was hard to fire with any kind of speed, so mostly it was a one shot run then wait for the birds to settle.
We (Rebecca - I didn't shoot) actually hit three birds. Only retrieved one. The other two were WAY far in the water. I personally suspect the beaver stole one of them. We only brought back to Chicken one. Bummer. Even more a bummer - it wasn't a duck. It was, unfortunately, a very small water bird that was not worth shooting, truly. But it was an adventure, tromping around through the boggy areas and snow. I got snow in my boots and mud all over my boots. I think I have a blister because I tied my boots down like tennis-shoes and not up tight like proper boots (didn't know we were going out at the time!). So worth it. All the work is basically done. I can take tomorrow easy. Paper work, to re-coup the feet. It was very exciting.
First hunting trip.
First trip in that kind of vehicle.
And eventually - I'm going to shoot the gun!
Or. A gun. Maybe not THAT gun.
So that's all for now. Signing off!
The next day after posting that (today I suppose), we woke up to 29, and within four hours it was up to 33 degrees. On it's way up, it maxed out at 55 and a lot of snow melted. The hoses thawed, we even got water back after lunch! Just like that -*snap*- the clouds were gone this morning and it's been bright (really really bright) and clear. It was warm enough that I even ran around in a T-shirt without a jacket most of the day!
So. I went hunting for the first time today. 1.5 hour trip. Took the Ranger (known to me as a mule from my days in Yellowstone) up to the airport strip. Yes, Chicken, Alaska has an air field. Typically for flying in THINGS not people or life-flighting people out. Also for the mail. Lining both sides of the air strip are long relatively skinny lakes, upon which were many duck. An owl. A beaver (well in a lake). And many small birds of air and water kind.
I went with a girl here, Rebecca, and her puppy Charlie. Charlie is a natural retriever. Kind of a dark-chocolate lab. Took to bringing the bird back like fish to water. When Rebecca fired that shotgun, my ears RANG. Charlie shook. The shotgun was not a happy cooperating participant. It was hard to pump, often times getting stuck, so was hard to fire with any kind of speed, so mostly it was a one shot run then wait for the birds to settle.
We (Rebecca - I didn't shoot) actually hit three birds. Only retrieved one. The other two were WAY far in the water. I personally suspect the beaver stole one of them. We only brought back to Chicken one. Bummer. Even more a bummer - it wasn't a duck. It was, unfortunately, a very small water bird that was not worth shooting, truly. But it was an adventure, tromping around through the boggy areas and snow. I got snow in my boots and mud all over my boots. I think I have a blister because I tied my boots down like tennis-shoes and not up tight like proper boots (didn't know we were going out at the time!). So worth it. All the work is basically done. I can take tomorrow easy. Paper work, to re-coup the feet. It was very exciting.
First hunting trip.
First trip in that kind of vehicle.
And eventually - I'm going to shoot the gun!
Or. A gun. Maybe not THAT gun.
So that's all for now. Signing off!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Spring is in the Air
Day before yesterday, it was about 65 degrees. A bit chilly, but warm enough most of us were running about without jackets or hoodies for the first time since I arrived. Spring, it looked like, finally - belatedly - was going to bloom.
Yesterday it started to snow. We went through a couple times when the generator shut down for whatever reason. It was... foreboding, but it stopped around seven oclock (dinner time, here). All in all it had snowed around 4 to 5 inches, but in most places only 1 to 3 inches stuck. Very few areas had all four or five inches stacked up to bear testament to the days work.
This morning, I woke up cold. The generator had gone out again. When I got up to make breakfast, Jeff (the only other guy here at the time as Nate lives in Eagle and everyone else was in Tok) said the generator had just run out of fuel. Not such a huge deal. Well, it took Nate and Jeff a good 15 minutes longer than they thought it would, but we got power back, regardless. It has already gone out on us once again today. On the up side - it hasn't be falling. No snow, no rain, nothing. It has also warmed up four degrees since breakfast (breakfast at 8:30 our time).
It's now 30 degrees.
We woke up to a 26 degree morning. Not cool, man. Does not bode so well for a spring. Everyone is now grumbling that it is a cold late spring beyond what they've seen in simply years. No one is pleased. All the running water we had yesterday has frozen, so we're back to buckets from the creek. The creek itself is starting to re-freeze. Ruby is going home - she can't do any real cleaning with ice-cold creek water. Can, technically, but wont. I came in from the trailer. Can, technically, clean with ice-cold creek water, to sanitize. Wont. And beside - I can't clean the dirty dishes with ice-cold water! That would do nothing to cut grease. I'm going to mend and clean and so forth in side. Basically take the day off from the trailer and just cook the crew meals. Ruby said she's noticed all the guys (Thor and Shane returned - Shane brought his girlfriend who will be working out at camp as the camp cook) looked like they were feeling as we are. It's just a miserable discouraging day. Too cold to want to do anything. To cold to efficiently do much. Just not worth it.
So that's the beginning of my spring so far. The ground is still mostly thawed - the roads all muddy. It's the pipes and fingers and tools that are all frozen. (We're worried that a pipe may crack from the frozen water. Could be issues when the thaw finally arrives.)
Speculation and hope is that it will warm back up within the week. Two to three days, they keep saying. I keep looking at the horizon the clouds keep coming in from and seeing nothing but a thick grey layer.
So much for spring.
Yesterday it started to snow. We went through a couple times when the generator shut down for whatever reason. It was... foreboding, but it stopped around seven oclock (dinner time, here). All in all it had snowed around 4 to 5 inches, but in most places only 1 to 3 inches stuck. Very few areas had all four or five inches stacked up to bear testament to the days work.
This morning, I woke up cold. The generator had gone out again. When I got up to make breakfast, Jeff (the only other guy here at the time as Nate lives in Eagle and everyone else was in Tok) said the generator had just run out of fuel. Not such a huge deal. Well, it took Nate and Jeff a good 15 minutes longer than they thought it would, but we got power back, regardless. It has already gone out on us once again today. On the up side - it hasn't be falling. No snow, no rain, nothing. It has also warmed up four degrees since breakfast (breakfast at 8:30 our time).
It's now 30 degrees.
We woke up to a 26 degree morning. Not cool, man. Does not bode so well for a spring. Everyone is now grumbling that it is a cold late spring beyond what they've seen in simply years. No one is pleased. All the running water we had yesterday has frozen, so we're back to buckets from the creek. The creek itself is starting to re-freeze. Ruby is going home - she can't do any real cleaning with ice-cold creek water. Can, technically, but wont. I came in from the trailer. Can, technically, clean with ice-cold creek water, to sanitize. Wont. And beside - I can't clean the dirty dishes with ice-cold water! That would do nothing to cut grease. I'm going to mend and clean and so forth in side. Basically take the day off from the trailer and just cook the crew meals. Ruby said she's noticed all the guys (Thor and Shane returned - Shane brought his girlfriend who will be working out at camp as the camp cook) looked like they were feeling as we are. It's just a miserable discouraging day. Too cold to want to do anything. To cold to efficiently do much. Just not worth it.
So that's the beginning of my spring so far. The ground is still mostly thawed - the roads all muddy. It's the pipes and fingers and tools that are all frozen. (We're worried that a pipe may crack from the frozen water. Could be issues when the thaw finally arrives.)
Speculation and hope is that it will warm back up within the week. Two to three days, they keep saying. I keep looking at the horizon the clouds keep coming in from and seeing nothing but a thick grey layer.
So much for spring.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Frustrated in Chicken!
My fingers hurt from the cold, but at least they're getting warm again. My back and shoulders hurt from the bending and lifting. My brain hurts from trying to understand what the woman who ran the shop before me was thinking...
I just spent the last four hours in the freezer room. There are three big chest freezers and one half-sized chest freezer to organize and take inventory of. To say that nothing was organized and it was total chaos, would sound mean. Surely she had her own system? Surely even though I can't understand it, she knew what she was doing? No. No no no. Everything was everywhere. There were a few feeble attempts at organization, attempts so depressing they'd make the most chaotic person you know cry.
The worst part, to me, was all the junk that wasn't necessary for menu items last year, let alone that aren't necessary for menu items this year. I was told repeatedly that the biggest problem with her menu is that she wanted to do everything. It was simply too much. That being said, knowing the amount of space in the storage and in the diner, I literally cannot fathom what she used some of this stuff for. And - if she was using this stuff for her menu - why such odd packages? 8 oz bags of pre-shreddd mozzarella? Yes - those ARE the ridiculously small bags you find in the grocery stores that are too small for even your personal use. Those bags. In storage for a diner? Anyone? Yeah - I don't know either.
On top of that there were items everywhere. There is no way even she could have walked in (let alone after a winter of not working here!) and knew what all she had. Under these chicken strip bags, that look like they go to the bottom of the freezer? BREAD! But the frozen bread was over there, on top of all the french fry bags.... But wait - there are more french fry bags over there underneath the hamburgers! It's amazing. Stupefying, truly. And I can say that because I literally lost the ability to think and do my job properly. I became so amazingly frustrated that I had to shove everything back into whatever holes they would go into and leave. I packed up for the day, two hours early. Why? Because I truly couldn't take it any more. It was one of those moments when not even a normal ten minute "smoke break" would have been enough to regain my composure and my wits to continue my job. There were items in there with names written on them - they belonged to othe man I believe was her husband, and they didn't take it with them...
Moreover, the part, I think, that annoys me the most is that she now has her own cart. She should not be running a business. I can tell you plain, if I were my boss, I would never hire her back ever, should the chance arise. The way she treated the storage area, the condition she left the diner in shows her lack of respect for the business, for her boss, for the whole lot of it. If she was a woman of any capability, she would not run her own diner like that, if you know what I mean. Even in all this ranting, I feel I haven't conveyed the fullest extent of her inability.
Truly. I don't want to sound mean toward one person. I would be this mad at, this disapproving of, and this disdainful of anyone who kept their place of business like this. As a carpenter, my boss tells me all the time, it's all about the tools. I figure it's like that. A carpenter or mechanic or any of those kinds - you can tell the mechanic by his shop. His shop is in such utter disarray that even he does now know what he has or where it is, or so dirty that you can tell he only surface cleans and you're afraid to touch much of anything - you know something important about the mechanic. You can CERTAINLY tell a cook by their kitchen - or station if the kitchen is not theirs. The way she left her kitchen, the way she obviously kept it by the state of uncleanliness of some things tells a lot about the woman. If I get the chance, I will not meet her nor will I eat at her shop. I don't care to know the personality that goes with that sort of behavior and I don't want to feel pressured to eat her food when I know what her kitchen is likely to look like.
Rant oer. Thanks for listening.
On the up side, duck randomly appeared in the fridge today. Bronk said to be careful when using, it might still have a few feathers in there. But it was the meat, no carcass and no bones from waht I could tell, so at least the feathers will already be disconnected from the bird. That's to be dinner. Randomly appearing duck. There's enough random shit in the freezer that I hope to use some of it. Maybe a duck shepherd's pie?
I find it hilarious - I cooked and ate moose for the first time yesterday. Tonight I cook duck for the first time (third time eating it - yumm!). What I find so funny is that these things to me are exciting and exotic and to them these things are common place. You can't buy it - you hunt your moose and ta-da moose meat. But still it's so common up here. Everyone here finds moose.... commonplace. Except me. Anyway. Off to cook dinner.
Thanks for listening! :D
I just spent the last four hours in the freezer room. There are three big chest freezers and one half-sized chest freezer to organize and take inventory of. To say that nothing was organized and it was total chaos, would sound mean. Surely she had her own system? Surely even though I can't understand it, she knew what she was doing? No. No no no. Everything was everywhere. There were a few feeble attempts at organization, attempts so depressing they'd make the most chaotic person you know cry.
The worst part, to me, was all the junk that wasn't necessary for menu items last year, let alone that aren't necessary for menu items this year. I was told repeatedly that the biggest problem with her menu is that she wanted to do everything. It was simply too much. That being said, knowing the amount of space in the storage and in the diner, I literally cannot fathom what she used some of this stuff for. And - if she was using this stuff for her menu - why such odd packages? 8 oz bags of pre-shreddd mozzarella? Yes - those ARE the ridiculously small bags you find in the grocery stores that are too small for even your personal use. Those bags. In storage for a diner? Anyone? Yeah - I don't know either.
On top of that there were items everywhere. There is no way even she could have walked in (let alone after a winter of not working here!) and knew what all she had. Under these chicken strip bags, that look like they go to the bottom of the freezer? BREAD! But the frozen bread was over there, on top of all the french fry bags.... But wait - there are more french fry bags over there underneath the hamburgers! It's amazing. Stupefying, truly. And I can say that because I literally lost the ability to think and do my job properly. I became so amazingly frustrated that I had to shove everything back into whatever holes they would go into and leave. I packed up for the day, two hours early. Why? Because I truly couldn't take it any more. It was one of those moments when not even a normal ten minute "smoke break" would have been enough to regain my composure and my wits to continue my job. There were items in there with names written on them - they belonged to othe man I believe was her husband, and they didn't take it with them...
Moreover, the part, I think, that annoys me the most is that she now has her own cart. She should not be running a business. I can tell you plain, if I were my boss, I would never hire her back ever, should the chance arise. The way she treated the storage area, the condition she left the diner in shows her lack of respect for the business, for her boss, for the whole lot of it. If she was a woman of any capability, she would not run her own diner like that, if you know what I mean. Even in all this ranting, I feel I haven't conveyed the fullest extent of her inability.
Truly. I don't want to sound mean toward one person. I would be this mad at, this disapproving of, and this disdainful of anyone who kept their place of business like this. As a carpenter, my boss tells me all the time, it's all about the tools. I figure it's like that. A carpenter or mechanic or any of those kinds - you can tell the mechanic by his shop. His shop is in such utter disarray that even he does now know what he has or where it is, or so dirty that you can tell he only surface cleans and you're afraid to touch much of anything - you know something important about the mechanic. You can CERTAINLY tell a cook by their kitchen - or station if the kitchen is not theirs. The way she left her kitchen, the way she obviously kept it by the state of uncleanliness of some things tells a lot about the woman. If I get the chance, I will not meet her nor will I eat at her shop. I don't care to know the personality that goes with that sort of behavior and I don't want to feel pressured to eat her food when I know what her kitchen is likely to look like.
Rant oer. Thanks for listening.
On the up side, duck randomly appeared in the fridge today. Bronk said to be careful when using, it might still have a few feathers in there. But it was the meat, no carcass and no bones from waht I could tell, so at least the feathers will already be disconnected from the bird. That's to be dinner. Randomly appearing duck. There's enough random shit in the freezer that I hope to use some of it. Maybe a duck shepherd's pie?
I find it hilarious - I cooked and ate moose for the first time yesterday. Tonight I cook duck for the first time (third time eating it - yumm!). What I find so funny is that these things to me are exciting and exotic and to them these things are common place. You can't buy it - you hunt your moose and ta-da moose meat. But still it's so common up here. Everyone here finds moose.... commonplace. Except me. Anyway. Off to cook dinner.
Thanks for listening! :D
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Chicken
Today was the day! Finally, and with much finality, I drove up to Chicken. I was warned and warned and made quite efficiently nervous by the women at the gift shop and by Bronk himself to be cautious and take my time. I slid very little. There were really very few icy sections of road. Most of it was nice looking paved road. Some of it was dirt, some of it was gravel.
Mostly, it was incredible. The views you see as you go down this road make you quickly forget you're only 80 miles - or less on the road - from the nearest real town. Mostly, it's nothing but many and many rolling hills. Covered at the base with a layer of pure white snow with hundreds of bare trees that barely had a branch on them, the rolling hills looked like nothing so much to me as so many porcupines lying together for warmth waiting for the late-coming spring. In the distance, at times, you would catch sights of one long hill with more evergreens in patches huddled together, while in other places bare white snow. That reminded my too- caffeinated brain of the Luck Dragon from Never Ending Story - if only he were a dalmatian. I imagined him waiting out the winter up here at the top of the world....
The entire land looked like it was hibernating, just waiting to come back to life. The presence of little sparrows everywhere and the occasional bird that looked like a baby duck but couldn't have been assured one that spring was on the way. These birds, from driving, truly to me looked like baby ducks, but baby ducks to hang around solo on the road or on the side of the road. I saw 8 on the way up, and only three of them were in a group. And they didn't scare so easy. Didn't take to flight right away but rather seemed to prefer to waddle around. I have no clue what they were but I intend to ask.
Meanwhile, I have settled into the rooms Bronk has provided. The two rooms he is providing us with are small enough to need both. One is used for our bed, clothes, and general bedroom stuff. The other will be something of an "office" used as storage for the kitchen stuff we THOUGHT we'd need along with my craft stuff and our computers. I have the laptop in the bedroom (from which I am sending this) primarily for the music it provides. Since this was meant as a hotel room, mounted to the same wall as the door is on in front of the beds is a TV screen with a dvd player in it. It's a bit small for Chris, I'm sure, who has bad eyes, but I think it's cool.
Out my door, ten seconds to the right- down the wooden walkway/patio thing that rings the building - is the office. Both doors lock with the same key. Thirty seconds straight ahead of my door are the bathrooms/showers. I have made up a small shower bag out of a little bitty backpack style bag Chris gave me. Had I not left my shampoo and conditioner in Bronk's house they would be in the bag as well. It contains, also, tooth brushing stuff. Basically, other than hairbrush and deodorant, it holds the bathroom stuff. Thirty seconds to the right of my front door is the trailer we will be working.
It is literally a blue food trailer. No adornments, but none needed as there's a big sign saying "CAFE" above it. Right outside the order/pickup windows is a big covered patio where patio tables and chairs will be put for the guests. Beyond that, on the same wooden patio slab, is a building area where the buffet style crew meals will be put out, or it will be used as extra seating or in bad weather. I will have to clean up after guests who don't clean up after themselves, but largely I will not have to do any typical waitress-ing, which I am relieved about.
So that's our side of town! The town is, to my amusement, kind of segmented. The first section you come to belongs to a woman. She owns the whole "historic downtown" area. Bronk has the middle section, a little farther down. Up the hill, at the end, I'm told is another man's section. He owns everything up there. I find it amusing. While everything within each section is well within walking distance, each section is not truly within walking distance from the other section. Everything here is dirt road, so it's apparently always either muddy or dusty, with very little in between.
Welcome to Chicken, friend! :D
Mostly, it was incredible. The views you see as you go down this road make you quickly forget you're only 80 miles - or less on the road - from the nearest real town. Mostly, it's nothing but many and many rolling hills. Covered at the base with a layer of pure white snow with hundreds of bare trees that barely had a branch on them, the rolling hills looked like nothing so much to me as so many porcupines lying together for warmth waiting for the late-coming spring. In the distance, at times, you would catch sights of one long hill with more evergreens in patches huddled together, while in other places bare white snow. That reminded my too- caffeinated brain of the Luck Dragon from Never Ending Story - if only he were a dalmatian. I imagined him waiting out the winter up here at the top of the world....
The entire land looked like it was hibernating, just waiting to come back to life. The presence of little sparrows everywhere and the occasional bird that looked like a baby duck but couldn't have been assured one that spring was on the way. These birds, from driving, truly to me looked like baby ducks, but baby ducks to hang around solo on the road or on the side of the road. I saw 8 on the way up, and only three of them were in a group. And they didn't scare so easy. Didn't take to flight right away but rather seemed to prefer to waddle around. I have no clue what they were but I intend to ask.
Meanwhile, I have settled into the rooms Bronk has provided. The two rooms he is providing us with are small enough to need both. One is used for our bed, clothes, and general bedroom stuff. The other will be something of an "office" used as storage for the kitchen stuff we THOUGHT we'd need along with my craft stuff and our computers. I have the laptop in the bedroom (from which I am sending this) primarily for the music it provides. Since this was meant as a hotel room, mounted to the same wall as the door is on in front of the beds is a TV screen with a dvd player in it. It's a bit small for Chris, I'm sure, who has bad eyes, but I think it's cool.
Out my door, ten seconds to the right- down the wooden walkway/patio thing that rings the building - is the office. Both doors lock with the same key. Thirty seconds straight ahead of my door are the bathrooms/showers. I have made up a small shower bag out of a little bitty backpack style bag Chris gave me. Had I not left my shampoo and conditioner in Bronk's house they would be in the bag as well. It contains, also, tooth brushing stuff. Basically, other than hairbrush and deodorant, it holds the bathroom stuff. Thirty seconds to the right of my front door is the trailer we will be working.
It is literally a blue food trailer. No adornments, but none needed as there's a big sign saying "CAFE" above it. Right outside the order/pickup windows is a big covered patio where patio tables and chairs will be put for the guests. Beyond that, on the same wooden patio slab, is a building area where the buffet style crew meals will be put out, or it will be used as extra seating or in bad weather. I will have to clean up after guests who don't clean up after themselves, but largely I will not have to do any typical waitress-ing, which I am relieved about.
So that's our side of town! The town is, to my amusement, kind of segmented. The first section you come to belongs to a woman. She owns the whole "historic downtown" area. Bronk has the middle section, a little farther down. Up the hill, at the end, I'm told is another man's section. He owns everything up there. I find it amusing. While everything within each section is well within walking distance, each section is not truly within walking distance from the other section. Everything here is dirt road, so it's apparently always either muddy or dusty, with very little in between.
Welcome to Chicken, friend! :D
Monday, May 13, 2013
Tok
I’m sitting here in the guest room in Bronk’s appartment. Bronk is my boss, the owner of Chicken’s Café. Apparently it’s standard behavior for him to let people stay the night. I've been here two nights now, but hopefully I'm up to Chicken today to get settled in.
When I roadtrip alone, I have a tendency to just drive straight through. I’m not going to stop and walk around in an area that could have any number of animals by myself. I dislike stopping in bigger cities because I have a tendency to get lost. Really I need to stop only to refule myself or my car and to relieve myself. Truly, that doesn’t add up to stopping very often. As such, I made better time than Bronk, or just about anyone else, thought I would…
I’m sitting here instead of in my new bedroom or living room because I made better time than I was supposed to. There’s currently no running water at Bronk’s properties in Chicken. Because they don't simply use well water like I am used to, it's a bit more complex than I thought. They use surface water and a filtration setup. There will be running water - when it's feasible. Perhaps tomorrow, more likely next week. It's been a cold late spring so the rivers have not thawed properly. So many being still frozen over has kept progress back quite a ways. Bronk has told me that there is a thawed creek, however, so I do have a source of water - it's just going to be a touch difficult. Electricity and the rest they have, I'm assured. They are also a tad unsure what to do for my living situation. I think it’s been fixed, but if it doesn’t work out they have a backup plan so that’s good. The way it’s been phrased to me is we will get two of the “back rooms”… I have reason to suspect we will be connected to the kitchen of the café we’ll be cooking at. Talk about a short commute! Though I am unsure how it's to be laid out and look, I am assured we will be using the cafe kitchen as our own personal kitchen as well as using it for the business. It'll be interesting.
We will be doing a comparably small volume of people. Typically, I’m used to the hundreds-of-people style tourism. This is more along the lines of 50 to 100 a day. I am sure when we get those rushes of EVERYONE wants lunch at the same time it will seem like high volume, and I do not think for an instant this summer will be without it's challenges. However, for the most part - a smaller volume than Chris and I initially conceived...It will be a good example to see how well Chris and I will work together. Hopefully we’ll be a dynamic team seeing as how we plan to buy our own food cart within five years and have our own joint to travel with.
Bronk has explained to me the different types of people up there. Trying to brace me for some of the rougher people. He has assured me I need not take crap from anyone. We reserve the right to refuse service, and if someone is harassing me, he says to not only turn them away but to tell him about it. He keeps using the previous cook as an example, how she was so rough-and-tough and didn't take shit. I think after our brief time together, I look and sound like some young, sweet and innocent, can't handle all the bad stuff kind of person. I think he'll be surprised. Not only can I handle them, but I can wiggle around and make them work to my advantage. I have no fear in that matter.
Meanwhile, his descriptions have been interesting. Talking about the dredgers and hard-core guys who CAN get super grumpy and pissy if they're having a bad year. Not enough gold coming up, they get all pissed off and take it out on those around them. Then you have the Porch Miners, as he calls them. Or the Too Miners. They sit on the porch all day and whine - it's too hot, it's too cold, the water is too high, the water is too low - instead of going out there and mining. He says he still tolerates the porch miners because since they don't mine, they sit on the porch and spend a lot of their money at our establishments. Then, of course, you get the tourists who go to gold pan. Tourists are easy for me to handle. He says for the miners that they're a lot like backwoods ranchers. Well, I've dealt with all kinds, and even though miners are new I don't think their personalities are as new to me as I feared.
So yes, that's the word. Heading up to Chicken today. VERY excited. Going to stop by the grocery store and pick up some food before heading up so I have some basics to cook with. Still have the charcoal briquettes for the bbq and matches if I want to grill. Lets do this!
When I roadtrip alone, I have a tendency to just drive straight through. I’m not going to stop and walk around in an area that could have any number of animals by myself. I dislike stopping in bigger cities because I have a tendency to get lost. Really I need to stop only to refule myself or my car and to relieve myself. Truly, that doesn’t add up to stopping very often. As such, I made better time than Bronk, or just about anyone else, thought I would…
I’m sitting here instead of in my new bedroom or living room because I made better time than I was supposed to. There’s currently no running water at Bronk’s properties in Chicken. Because they don't simply use well water like I am used to, it's a bit more complex than I thought. They use surface water and a filtration setup. There will be running water - when it's feasible. Perhaps tomorrow, more likely next week. It's been a cold late spring so the rivers have not thawed properly. So many being still frozen over has kept progress back quite a ways. Bronk has told me that there is a thawed creek, however, so I do have a source of water - it's just going to be a touch difficult. Electricity and the rest they have, I'm assured. They are also a tad unsure what to do for my living situation. I think it’s been fixed, but if it doesn’t work out they have a backup plan so that’s good. The way it’s been phrased to me is we will get two of the “back rooms”… I have reason to suspect we will be connected to the kitchen of the café we’ll be cooking at. Talk about a short commute! Though I am unsure how it's to be laid out and look, I am assured we will be using the cafe kitchen as our own personal kitchen as well as using it for the business. It'll be interesting.
We will be doing a comparably small volume of people. Typically, I’m used to the hundreds-of-people style tourism. This is more along the lines of 50 to 100 a day. I am sure when we get those rushes of EVERYONE wants lunch at the same time it will seem like high volume, and I do not think for an instant this summer will be without it's challenges. However, for the most part - a smaller volume than Chris and I initially conceived...It will be a good example to see how well Chris and I will work together. Hopefully we’ll be a dynamic team seeing as how we plan to buy our own food cart within five years and have our own joint to travel with.
Bronk has explained to me the different types of people up there. Trying to brace me for some of the rougher people. He has assured me I need not take crap from anyone. We reserve the right to refuse service, and if someone is harassing me, he says to not only turn them away but to tell him about it. He keeps using the previous cook as an example, how she was so rough-and-tough and didn't take shit. I think after our brief time together, I look and sound like some young, sweet and innocent, can't handle all the bad stuff kind of person. I think he'll be surprised. Not only can I handle them, but I can wiggle around and make them work to my advantage. I have no fear in that matter.
Meanwhile, his descriptions have been interesting. Talking about the dredgers and hard-core guys who CAN get super grumpy and pissy if they're having a bad year. Not enough gold coming up, they get all pissed off and take it out on those around them. Then you have the Porch Miners, as he calls them. Or the Too Miners. They sit on the porch all day and whine - it's too hot, it's too cold, the water is too high, the water is too low - instead of going out there and mining. He says he still tolerates the porch miners because since they don't mine, they sit on the porch and spend a lot of their money at our establishments. Then, of course, you get the tourists who go to gold pan. Tourists are easy for me to handle. He says for the miners that they're a lot like backwoods ranchers. Well, I've dealt with all kinds, and even though miners are new I don't think their personalities are as new to me as I feared.
So yes, that's the word. Heading up to Chicken today. VERY excited. Going to stop by the grocery store and pick up some food before heading up so I have some basics to cook with. Still have the charcoal briquettes for the bbq and matches if I want to grill. Lets do this!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Canada....
On the fourth day of the trip....
After dropping Chris off at the Amtrak, I left back north for Canada. Now, remember how I said they're peculiar and specific but no two the same? Going through by myself, the guard didn't seem to car at all about my car. Didn't ask me what I had - plants food pets. Didn't ask me if I had weapons or alcohol or money. Asked where I was going. Why? Can you prove it? Have an email saying you have the job? Not printed, well don't you have an iphone or something? No?! Well...
He let me through. To set your mind at ease. But BOY did he not want to! Couldn't believe I didn't have proof I had a job. Couldn't believe I didn't have an iPhone. Then when I told him I didn't know exactly what the names of the Canadian towns were but simply that I was planning on driving til sundown and catching a hotel room he looked even MORE dubious. Hmph! The other guy didn't care! But this time, at least, I didn't get my car tossed.
So I get through. But I get lost. I know I need Trans-Canada 1. But... I took it East. Then went, EAST?! I NEED NORTH! So I turned around. Almost made it to Victoria (for those who don't know - that's WAY the wrong way.) before going wait... when I looked at the map, it showed it going east THEN north.... ok! So I turned around- for the second time- and went BACK down that stretch of highway. And was finally correct. But I didn't have a map with me. I didn't have directions. My silly self was relying on Chris knowing everything. The man kept talking about the Al/Can and it should be so easy and he seemed to know exactly what he was talking about. Well, he didn't get in, did he?
So on my own, relying on a half-remembered image of a map. Yeah, anyone who knows me and my LACK of directional sense is already cringing. Well, ladies and gentlemen - assuming either still exist - I went basically the right way. See, if you pull it up on a map it kind of looks like an 8 in there. Two separate sides of the eight that meet at Prince George then again farther up. I haven't QUITE reached Prince George yet. I stopped at a very small truck-stop of a town Alavon or something like that. The hotel up here is cute and quaint. I don't know many that would actually like it though. It's got a bit of an old broke-down feel. Internet is shabby, phone service is nonexistent, TV isn't worth bothering with. But it's got a tub, a comfy bed, and the woman who's running it while her friend who actually runs it is out of town is a nice woman. Very chatty. Two men downstairs that seemed nice and welcoming. Another older guy who lives in the RV outside with his old dog.
The kind woman informed me that I only went a little out of my way.. Basically - should have taken the left side of the loop - the west side - and took the east instead. Quite on accident. Funny part is that I MEANT to go down the road she suggested and just didn't hit all the right exits on time. Wound up on the wrong side and kept going. I'm close to Valemount, but still south. In the morning, I head out for Valemount and then cross the invisible eight to take the west side up the coastal side, through Whitehorse. I know I will get well beyond Prince George tomorrow. Perhaps even up to Whitehorse? Wouldn't that be something.
I've been taking pictures. I can't get my computer to upload them like I want them to just now however, so I will try back again. I will let you know when I get them up so you can look back and scroll through. I have some awesome pictures. Mumford (my cousin's tree fairy) in several. I take more pictures when I have someone to put in them, I've noticed.
Anyway. That's what I've got for now. Update you again later. Last word - still alive. :D
After dropping Chris off at the Amtrak, I left back north for Canada. Now, remember how I said they're peculiar and specific but no two the same? Going through by myself, the guard didn't seem to car at all about my car. Didn't ask me what I had - plants food pets. Didn't ask me if I had weapons or alcohol or money. Asked where I was going. Why? Can you prove it? Have an email saying you have the job? Not printed, well don't you have an iphone or something? No?! Well...
He let me through. To set your mind at ease. But BOY did he not want to! Couldn't believe I didn't have proof I had a job. Couldn't believe I didn't have an iPhone. Then when I told him I didn't know exactly what the names of the Canadian towns were but simply that I was planning on driving til sundown and catching a hotel room he looked even MORE dubious. Hmph! The other guy didn't care! But this time, at least, I didn't get my car tossed.
So I get through. But I get lost. I know I need Trans-Canada 1. But... I took it East. Then went, EAST?! I NEED NORTH! So I turned around. Almost made it to Victoria (for those who don't know - that's WAY the wrong way.) before going wait... when I looked at the map, it showed it going east THEN north.... ok! So I turned around- for the second time- and went BACK down that stretch of highway. And was finally correct. But I didn't have a map with me. I didn't have directions. My silly self was relying on Chris knowing everything. The man kept talking about the Al/Can and it should be so easy and he seemed to know exactly what he was talking about. Well, he didn't get in, did he?
So on my own, relying on a half-remembered image of a map. Yeah, anyone who knows me and my LACK of directional sense is already cringing. Well, ladies and gentlemen - assuming either still exist - I went basically the right way. See, if you pull it up on a map it kind of looks like an 8 in there. Two separate sides of the eight that meet at Prince George then again farther up. I haven't QUITE reached Prince George yet. I stopped at a very small truck-stop of a town Alavon or something like that. The hotel up here is cute and quaint. I don't know many that would actually like it though. It's got a bit of an old broke-down feel. Internet is shabby, phone service is nonexistent, TV isn't worth bothering with. But it's got a tub, a comfy bed, and the woman who's running it while her friend who actually runs it is out of town is a nice woman. Very chatty. Two men downstairs that seemed nice and welcoming. Another older guy who lives in the RV outside with his old dog.
The kind woman informed me that I only went a little out of my way.. Basically - should have taken the left side of the loop - the west side - and took the east instead. Quite on accident. Funny part is that I MEANT to go down the road she suggested and just didn't hit all the right exits on time. Wound up on the wrong side and kept going. I'm close to Valemount, but still south. In the morning, I head out for Valemount and then cross the invisible eight to take the west side up the coastal side, through Whitehorse. I know I will get well beyond Prince George tomorrow. Perhaps even up to Whitehorse? Wouldn't that be something.
I've been taking pictures. I can't get my computer to upload them like I want them to just now however, so I will try back again. I will let you know when I get them up so you can look back and scroll through. I have some awesome pictures. Mumford (my cousin's tree fairy) in several. I take more pictures when I have someone to put in them, I've noticed.
Anyway. That's what I've got for now. Update you again later. Last word - still alive. :D
The First Attempt...
As many of you know, the third of this month my boyfriend and I struck out for Alaska. Slowly, rather.
The first day we made our way up to Portland to visit his mother and sister. From there we went up to Alaska to spend the first night with my brother. Had a good time, everything went smooth and successful.
The second day, we made our way up to Bellingham, WA to visit his niece and her daddy. Nice guy. From there we went to cross the border. Not so smooth. But interesting.
You see, the border people are peculiar and specific. But no two are specifically peculiar or peculiarly specific in the same way. The guy we got as absolutely fixated on our car. First the usual - where are you going, where are you coming from, how long in Canada, what are you going to do when you get there, how long are you staying. Ok. Cursory questions out of the way, this one was fixated on the car. That's a lot of stuff back there, what's in there, any plants foods or animals, any weapons, any alcohol, any drugs. Well, you got a lot of stuff so we just want to have a look. Pull over there, give this paper to the folks on the other side. Long story short, our car got tossed. By Canadians. Very nicely done packed it up EXACTLY as they found it. On the down side, due to silly complications Chris wasn't allowed entry. So, before we even really make it INTO Canada - still in the border parking lot, we're told to turn around. From there we have to sit in ANOTHER line to exit Canada - crossing the border the other way. Even though we didn't make it out of Canadian Purgatory. So we get to the front of our line, hand the guy our paper that said Chris was denied entry so we're turning around. You know what he says? You got a lot of stuff back there. Pull into that parking lot and give this paper to the guy on the other side. That's right - our car got tossed AGAIN. By Americans. Everything EVERYTHING was rifled through, one of my earrings was still on the counter when everything else was put in (attention to detail fail), everything was shoved in mismash to where it didn't even properly FIT, AND they broke one of our fishing poles! I need to contact my father to see if it can be repaired. AMERICANS! I was ASHAMED of being an American that day.
So we turn around and go camp in Birch Bay. One night in a hotel, two in a tent. Tent was more fun. And cheaper. I have many pictures but not much to say. We managed to scare off four couples that tried to move into the area beside us. The fifth couple stayed and were super uptight. Kept giving us dirty looks so Chris started antagonizing. Flashing them. Making faces. It was funny. Sleeping on the hard ground sucked when I tried to sleep on my side. Partly because of the cold - super hot day turned to COLD night - and partly because of the hard ground the first night I didn't sleep so good. The second night we got out another blanket and I laid on my back. I slept SO well. Apparently I woke up to barking coyotes and didn't even remember.
After two nights camping, one night in a hotel, and one night with my brother - that's today! Today, we woke up, broke down our site, and I took Chris to the Amtrak in Bellingham. Unfortunately, he has to do some family stuff in Arizona before flying up to Fiarbanks. I have to go on without him. So from here it's just me. And that's the next entry!
The first day we made our way up to Portland to visit his mother and sister. From there we went up to Alaska to spend the first night with my brother. Had a good time, everything went smooth and successful.
The second day, we made our way up to Bellingham, WA to visit his niece and her daddy. Nice guy. From there we went to cross the border. Not so smooth. But interesting.
You see, the border people are peculiar and specific. But no two are specifically peculiar or peculiarly specific in the same way. The guy we got as absolutely fixated on our car. First the usual - where are you going, where are you coming from, how long in Canada, what are you going to do when you get there, how long are you staying. Ok. Cursory questions out of the way, this one was fixated on the car. That's a lot of stuff back there, what's in there, any plants foods or animals, any weapons, any alcohol, any drugs. Well, you got a lot of stuff so we just want to have a look. Pull over there, give this paper to the folks on the other side. Long story short, our car got tossed. By Canadians. Very nicely done packed it up EXACTLY as they found it. On the down side, due to silly complications Chris wasn't allowed entry. So, before we even really make it INTO Canada - still in the border parking lot, we're told to turn around. From there we have to sit in ANOTHER line to exit Canada - crossing the border the other way. Even though we didn't make it out of Canadian Purgatory. So we get to the front of our line, hand the guy our paper that said Chris was denied entry so we're turning around. You know what he says? You got a lot of stuff back there. Pull into that parking lot and give this paper to the guy on the other side. That's right - our car got tossed AGAIN. By Americans. Everything EVERYTHING was rifled through, one of my earrings was still on the counter when everything else was put in (attention to detail fail), everything was shoved in mismash to where it didn't even properly FIT, AND they broke one of our fishing poles! I need to contact my father to see if it can be repaired. AMERICANS! I was ASHAMED of being an American that day.
So we turn around and go camp in Birch Bay. One night in a hotel, two in a tent. Tent was more fun. And cheaper. I have many pictures but not much to say. We managed to scare off four couples that tried to move into the area beside us. The fifth couple stayed and were super uptight. Kept giving us dirty looks so Chris started antagonizing. Flashing them. Making faces. It was funny. Sleeping on the hard ground sucked when I tried to sleep on my side. Partly because of the cold - super hot day turned to COLD night - and partly because of the hard ground the first night I didn't sleep so good. The second night we got out another blanket and I laid on my back. I slept SO well. Apparently I woke up to barking coyotes and didn't even remember.
After two nights camping, one night in a hotel, and one night with my brother - that's today! Today, we woke up, broke down our site, and I took Chris to the Amtrak in Bellingham. Unfortunately, he has to do some family stuff in Arizona before flying up to Fiarbanks. I have to go on without him. So from here it's just me. And that's the next entry!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Almost There
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, audiences of all ages! We're almost there. Tomorrow we head up to Alaska.
We've got the camera charged and memory empty. We're burning CDs. We'll be packing the car. And we'll be stopping periodically to post and keep updated! :D
Oh, and very exciting, there will be a new blog coming out. This will be a collaboration between myself, my amazing other half, and our newest friend Mumford! Mumford is a mischievous alcoholic wood fairy who will be joining us on our travels. After a few trips he will probably settle down with my cousin Heather, but by then I'm sure we'll have new traveling companions. You've seen the Expedia gnome but just know he's got NOTHING on Mumford!
I will still be continuing my postings on this blog as they tend to be more than just travels - more rambling about work, life, and lifestyles. Mumford's blog will probably have restaurant/bar reviews, amazing photos, that sort of thing.
Back to the trip! I'm very excited. Everything is falling together. Mostly. We'll make it up, I'm sure. As long as we make it across the border!
I have been stressing all this time about this trip; Chris has been trying to keep me calm. Now that we're a day out I'm considerably less stressed and SUPER excited. Chris meanwhile is stressing out pretty bad unfortunately. We all respond to these things differently. I get the butterflies until it's here, then I'm all calm and business. Chris is a bit the opposite it seems, though even as he's nervous and stressed now he's still very on top of things.
There's really very little to post right now. But I will try to keep you updated! :D
We've got the camera charged and memory empty. We're burning CDs. We'll be packing the car. And we'll be stopping periodically to post and keep updated! :D
Oh, and very exciting, there will be a new blog coming out. This will be a collaboration between myself, my amazing other half, and our newest friend Mumford! Mumford is a mischievous alcoholic wood fairy who will be joining us on our travels. After a few trips he will probably settle down with my cousin Heather, but by then I'm sure we'll have new traveling companions. You've seen the Expedia gnome but just know he's got NOTHING on Mumford!
I will still be continuing my postings on this blog as they tend to be more than just travels - more rambling about work, life, and lifestyles. Mumford's blog will probably have restaurant/bar reviews, amazing photos, that sort of thing.
Back to the trip! I'm very excited. Everything is falling together. Mostly. We'll make it up, I'm sure. As long as we make it across the border!
I have been stressing all this time about this trip; Chris has been trying to keep me calm. Now that we're a day out I'm considerably less stressed and SUPER excited. Chris meanwhile is stressing out pretty bad unfortunately. We all respond to these things differently. I get the butterflies until it's here, then I'm all calm and business. Chris is a bit the opposite it seems, though even as he's nervous and stressed now he's still very on top of things.
There's really very little to post right now. But I will try to keep you updated! :D
Saturday, April 20, 2013
It's Been A While
It's been about a half a month since I've written - basically this is because Chris and I have been at my folks house and this blog is largely for my family.
To recap life, we've been having a lot of changing of plans. Between miscommunications, lack of funding, and general confusion we've gone through several plans. The basic thoughts on life are as follows:
Driving our new(to us) motorhome up would cost all in all approximately $3000
Driving our car without hotels would cost all in all approximately $1000
Driving our car AND taking the ferry (to avoid Canada's border crossing) would cost about $2000
Driving our new motorhome AND taking the ferry would still cost about $3000
Flying up and buying a beater car would cost about $2000
Costing all in all included food cost, gas cost, passport cost, room-in-the-ferry cost, with about 1 or 2 hundred wiggle room. I ALWAYS program wiggle room into my plans.
We took the "cheapest" route. It's got a lot of room to go wrong but I have faith. It is not just the cheapest. I secretly really wanted to drive up, even if we can't take all the time in the world this time around to see everything there is to see. It will be an amazing trip and we will still get to see a lot of beautiful sights.
The most expensive and risky part of the trip is actually the passport portion. Passports for two people expedited we suspected would cost $520. We were luckily mistaken as we were calculating for both the book and the card. It cost almost half that in reality, now we just have the risk of getting across the border. Canadian border crossing can be iffy from what we've heard, and they can refuse you for any reason what-so-ever. Anything we can do to help that we are doing. We're trying to make the car look nicer, make sure all our paperwork is in order, everything. Wish us luck on that though.
After that, it should be smooth and beautiful proverbial sailing.
My car, though small, holds a deceptive amount and we are completely confident we can pack everything we need and still have space to kick the seats back to sleep. I hope to be able to hold the bbq that my father has donated to "the cause" in the back and we will be able to cook much of our own food. We plan on taking the tent so that if it is nice enough and we find enough space we can actually camp.
I think it's a good plan that can and will be executed well. My biggest problem is the endless to-do list. We have gotten nearly done with a lot of the things on our list but so little is truly done. It's stressful. I think a lot of the things are basically partial-day-projects, however. This next week we should be able to pull it all together well.
So that's life. Just need to remember - concentrate on the solution, not on the problem. Oh! and to read my next Sword of Truth novel. : D
To recap life, we've been having a lot of changing of plans. Between miscommunications, lack of funding, and general confusion we've gone through several plans. The basic thoughts on life are as follows:
Driving our new(to us) motorhome up would cost all in all approximately $3000
Driving our car without hotels would cost all in all approximately $1000
Driving our car AND taking the ferry (to avoid Canada's border crossing) would cost about $2000
Driving our new motorhome AND taking the ferry would still cost about $3000
Flying up and buying a beater car would cost about $2000
Costing all in all included food cost, gas cost, passport cost, room-in-the-ferry cost, with about 1 or 2 hundred wiggle room. I ALWAYS program wiggle room into my plans.
We took the "cheapest" route. It's got a lot of room to go wrong but I have faith. It is not just the cheapest. I secretly really wanted to drive up, even if we can't take all the time in the world this time around to see everything there is to see. It will be an amazing trip and we will still get to see a lot of beautiful sights.
The most expensive and risky part of the trip is actually the passport portion. Passports for two people expedited we suspected would cost $520. We were luckily mistaken as we were calculating for both the book and the card. It cost almost half that in reality, now we just have the risk of getting across the border. Canadian border crossing can be iffy from what we've heard, and they can refuse you for any reason what-so-ever. Anything we can do to help that we are doing. We're trying to make the car look nicer, make sure all our paperwork is in order, everything. Wish us luck on that though.
After that, it should be smooth and beautiful proverbial sailing.
My car, though small, holds a deceptive amount and we are completely confident we can pack everything we need and still have space to kick the seats back to sleep. I hope to be able to hold the bbq that my father has donated to "the cause" in the back and we will be able to cook much of our own food. We plan on taking the tent so that if it is nice enough and we find enough space we can actually camp.
I think it's a good plan that can and will be executed well. My biggest problem is the endless to-do list. We have gotten nearly done with a lot of the things on our list but so little is truly done. It's stressful. I think a lot of the things are basically partial-day-projects, however. This next week we should be able to pull it all together well.
So that's life. Just need to remember - concentrate on the solution, not on the problem. Oh! and to read my next Sword of Truth novel. : D
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Doing What You Love as Work
I've been thinking about the possibility of coming back to Meadows. Chris actually has a good job opportunity lined up. It's not in food and beverage. If I come back there are two jobs I would do - drive or greeter. Neither are in food and bev. It got me to thinking.
I love cooking, but I have had the thought before that I need to take a break. A season off. It will help keep things fresh, help me still to do what I love and love what I do. I know some people never do what they love and I know some people never love what they do. Worse, though, is when someone does what they love and then stop loving what they're doing. My little sister, for instance, works part time as a computer-fixer-person. She's still in high school so part time is all she works and it's totally acceptable. She LOVES fixing computers. She loves working with computers, software and hardware. I'm computer-stupid. I can do a bit more than most people but I can't come close to what she does. She used to help me out and laugh and joke and it was no big deal. Now that it's her job and she deals with SO MANY computer stupid people she has gotten to the point where any computer fixing is a chore. She hasn't admitted to it, but it's not hard to tell. She needs a break. She needs to get out of computer fixing fast or she'll hate working on computers. She did Chris a favor with his computer and instead of joking and laughing and no big thing she was unhappy and treated him like a common stupid person. She would never have done that without being burned out.
So I'm taking heed from my little sister's plight. I think next winter I will not do food and beverage. I think I will take a "break" and work at something else. I joke about staying home a winter and doing the house-stuff while Chris works. We all know that's not going to happen though.
This is one of the things I love about what I do. Seasonal nomads change it up every six months. New work, new places. I firmly believe the reason it's taken me five years to even BEGIN to burn out on food and bev is partly due to the fact that even when I do F&B two seasons in a row everything is new. New kitchen, new menu, new co-workers. Nothing to burn out on. The reason I'm starting to now I firmly believe is because of a string of bad F&B jobs. More to do with the company and less to do with the actual work. But, because I'm a seasonal nomad, it's no problem. This summer I'm committed to a cooking job that I'm SURE I'll love, but the season after that I can take off from food and beverage. Next summer I'm thinking maybe I'll do front-of-house. Get a feel for it. I need/want to know how to do it, and I think it's about time. Then I'll have more flexibility. I've also kind of wanted to try front desk somewhere. I think that could be interesting. As my social skills improve I find I almost enjoy working with customers. Almost. I definitely think it's an avenue worth exploring, especially since once we get our food truck, I'm going to HAVE to work with guests and BETTER be good at it/ok with it.
It's nice - never being so burned out you hate everything. Being able to change it up every six months into a new job and new location. It really makes all the difference in the world. Think about your job, and what you would do if you KNEW it was ONLY SIX MONTHS. What job would you try? Would you try your hand at cooking for a season? Maybe try being front desk where it's constant guests.... Or get your liscence and bar-tend for a season. Or get your CDL and drive employee or tourist buses for a season. The possibilities are near to endless. What would you try - if you knew it was only for six months? Where would you want to go, if you knew it was only for six months?
Kinda fascinating, huh?
I love cooking, but I have had the thought before that I need to take a break. A season off. It will help keep things fresh, help me still to do what I love and love what I do. I know some people never do what they love and I know some people never love what they do. Worse, though, is when someone does what they love and then stop loving what they're doing. My little sister, for instance, works part time as a computer-fixer-person. She's still in high school so part time is all she works and it's totally acceptable. She LOVES fixing computers. She loves working with computers, software and hardware. I'm computer-stupid. I can do a bit more than most people but I can't come close to what she does. She used to help me out and laugh and joke and it was no big deal. Now that it's her job and she deals with SO MANY computer stupid people she has gotten to the point where any computer fixing is a chore. She hasn't admitted to it, but it's not hard to tell. She needs a break. She needs to get out of computer fixing fast or she'll hate working on computers. She did Chris a favor with his computer and instead of joking and laughing and no big thing she was unhappy and treated him like a common stupid person. She would never have done that without being burned out.
So I'm taking heed from my little sister's plight. I think next winter I will not do food and beverage. I think I will take a "break" and work at something else. I joke about staying home a winter and doing the house-stuff while Chris works. We all know that's not going to happen though.
This is one of the things I love about what I do. Seasonal nomads change it up every six months. New work, new places. I firmly believe the reason it's taken me five years to even BEGIN to burn out on food and bev is partly due to the fact that even when I do F&B two seasons in a row everything is new. New kitchen, new menu, new co-workers. Nothing to burn out on. The reason I'm starting to now I firmly believe is because of a string of bad F&B jobs. More to do with the company and less to do with the actual work. But, because I'm a seasonal nomad, it's no problem. This summer I'm committed to a cooking job that I'm SURE I'll love, but the season after that I can take off from food and beverage. Next summer I'm thinking maybe I'll do front-of-house. Get a feel for it. I need/want to know how to do it, and I think it's about time. Then I'll have more flexibility. I've also kind of wanted to try front desk somewhere. I think that could be interesting. As my social skills improve I find I almost enjoy working with customers. Almost. I definitely think it's an avenue worth exploring, especially since once we get our food truck, I'm going to HAVE to work with guests and BETTER be good at it/ok with it.
It's nice - never being so burned out you hate everything. Being able to change it up every six months into a new job and new location. It really makes all the difference in the world. Think about your job, and what you would do if you KNEW it was ONLY SIX MONTHS. What job would you try? Would you try your hand at cooking for a season? Maybe try being front desk where it's constant guests.... Or get your liscence and bar-tend for a season. Or get your CDL and drive employee or tourist buses for a season. The possibilities are near to endless. What would you try - if you knew it was only for six months? Where would you want to go, if you knew it was only for six months?
Kinda fascinating, huh?
Saturday, March 23, 2013
i,Robot
I'm sitting here flipping channels on TV and I notice a movie that I've seen a zillion times that I like. Nothing else on, so here I sit. Watching i,Robot. It brings to mind endless conversations Chris and I have had.
Technology, getting to big. Everything now-a-days is computerized, automatic, and doesn't need you. Now people don't have social skills, don't understand the art of making things by hand - that espresso is better when you have a barista pulling the shot not a machine. Now - not to sound too conspiracy theorist - the government can find anyone anywhere any time. Now we do nothing for ourselves, but have everything done for us. Now our cars can control us, instead of us controlling it.
So we bought an old car. We plan on tricking it out over the years so that we are self-contained and self-sufficient. And not computerized. Our car is a car. "Technology uncomplicated" is how Chris phrases it. Low-tech life. Not no-tech, low-tech.
We do not want to get to the point where our car can decide where we go, that someone could hack our car and keep us trapped. We're going to have computers and phones and so forth. But at the end of the day, we are the ones in control.
I find it interesting that fictional writers and some movie people can see the potential. Writers going "no man, look, this stuff can get outta our hands real quick" (but more eloquently) but the daily Joe who USES all this technology can't see past his belly. And I suppose that's what it is - people even before all this technology didn't use it, could get by without it, and didn't much care for it I would theorize. People now-a-days not only use it but NEED it. Of course he can't see past his belly - he doesn't know how to do otherwise.
I say a barista pulling a shot is better than a machine doing it, but how long will it be until people no longer know how because they don't need to - machines just always do it. People already have started to loose the ability to cook, to entertain themselves, to communicate. Will we be surprised when we can't even make our own espresso any more?
And truly, it won't be their fault. We can't breed useless people then blame them for being so. Like that line from Ever After (that's right, I like my Cinderella stories). She proclaims that the kingdom basically breeds thieves, then punishes them for something they have no say over. Society is doing that to the next here. Society pushes us to go with this way of life - this technology-driven way. Now how many parents are proclaiming that their children can't do half the stuff they did when they were the childrens' age? Even you 20-40 year old children. I know a lot of people with kids tell me how we young whippersnappers don't know how to do this, or won't do that, or can't do the other anymore.
In twenty years we'll be saying how back in our day we pulled our own espresso shots. Had people who's entire job it was JUST to pull espresso. Now you stick your cup under a machine and speak the words of what you want to it and it spits it out. No skill needed. No effort needed. People anymore don't appreciate espresso. Can't. Don't know what goes into it. Why, back in my day it took SKILL! Not everyone could do it. Some were better than others. But you kids anymore just don't get it.
Yeah, that'll be us. Because of technology. Nope - me, I'm avoiding all that stuff. Have fun with that....
Technology, getting to big. Everything now-a-days is computerized, automatic, and doesn't need you. Now people don't have social skills, don't understand the art of making things by hand - that espresso is better when you have a barista pulling the shot not a machine. Now - not to sound too conspiracy theorist - the government can find anyone anywhere any time. Now we do nothing for ourselves, but have everything done for us. Now our cars can control us, instead of us controlling it.
So we bought an old car. We plan on tricking it out over the years so that we are self-contained and self-sufficient. And not computerized. Our car is a car. "Technology uncomplicated" is how Chris phrases it. Low-tech life. Not no-tech, low-tech.
We do not want to get to the point where our car can decide where we go, that someone could hack our car and keep us trapped. We're going to have computers and phones and so forth. But at the end of the day, we are the ones in control.
I find it interesting that fictional writers and some movie people can see the potential. Writers going "no man, look, this stuff can get outta our hands real quick" (but more eloquently) but the daily Joe who USES all this technology can't see past his belly. And I suppose that's what it is - people even before all this technology didn't use it, could get by without it, and didn't much care for it I would theorize. People now-a-days not only use it but NEED it. Of course he can't see past his belly - he doesn't know how to do otherwise.
I say a barista pulling a shot is better than a machine doing it, but how long will it be until people no longer know how because they don't need to - machines just always do it. People already have started to loose the ability to cook, to entertain themselves, to communicate. Will we be surprised when we can't even make our own espresso any more?
And truly, it won't be their fault. We can't breed useless people then blame them for being so. Like that line from Ever After (that's right, I like my Cinderella stories). She proclaims that the kingdom basically breeds thieves, then punishes them for something they have no say over. Society is doing that to the next here. Society pushes us to go with this way of life - this technology-driven way. Now how many parents are proclaiming that their children can't do half the stuff they did when they were the childrens' age? Even you 20-40 year old children. I know a lot of people with kids tell me how we young whippersnappers don't know how to do this, or won't do that, or can't do the other anymore.
In twenty years we'll be saying how back in our day we pulled our own espresso shots. Had people who's entire job it was JUST to pull espresso. Now you stick your cup under a machine and speak the words of what you want to it and it spits it out. No skill needed. No effort needed. People anymore don't appreciate espresso. Can't. Don't know what goes into it. Why, back in my day it took SKILL! Not everyone could do it. Some were better than others. But you kids anymore just don't get it.
Yeah, that'll be us. Because of technology. Nope - me, I'm avoiding all that stuff. Have fun with that....
Friday, March 22, 2013
Problems on the Verizon
I switched my cellular service to Verizon in '10 just before heading to Yellowstone for the second time. The previous year in Yellowstone was a bummer in the cell-area due to lack of service provided by T-Mobile.
Verizon was great. I had coverage NO MATTER WHERE I went. I had a cheap plan that was consistent.
Well, I upgraded. I put Chris on my plan and we made it a bit bigger. We added internet and data onto his phone. And this is where it went to Hades in a handbasket. Since we've done this, the bills have been inconsistent, and they've been charging us for one thing then giving us another -then charging us for overages!
So when we hit Chicken, since there'll be no coverage there, we're going to make sure they aren't charging us for a service they're not providing. We'll probably go the entire summer without cells, since apparently Chicken gets absolutely no cell service at all. Internet we will have, however. So don't worry TOO much.
When the summer is over, I think we'll go to one of those oddly unlimited month-to-month without contract phones from Wally World. If anyone has any input as to network range, dependability, etc, it would be greatly appreciated. Obviously we will be researching before we choose our plan and we will do what we can to keep our current phones and phone numbers so that our contacts aren't affected.
Verizon was great. I had coverage NO MATTER WHERE I went. I had a cheap plan that was consistent.
Well, I upgraded. I put Chris on my plan and we made it a bit bigger. We added internet and data onto his phone. And this is where it went to Hades in a handbasket. Since we've done this, the bills have been inconsistent, and they've been charging us for one thing then giving us another -then charging us for overages!
So when we hit Chicken, since there'll be no coverage there, we're going to make sure they aren't charging us for a service they're not providing. We'll probably go the entire summer without cells, since apparently Chicken gets absolutely no cell service at all. Internet we will have, however. So don't worry TOO much.
When the summer is over, I think we'll go to one of those oddly unlimited month-to-month without contract phones from Wally World. If anyone has any input as to network range, dependability, etc, it would be greatly appreciated. Obviously we will be researching before we choose our plan and we will do what we can to keep our current phones and phone numbers so that our contacts aren't affected.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Taking This Hippie Show on the Road
Until I started traveling I was under this odd misconception that travelers are hippies. Granted, some are, but many people travel, not just hippies and retired people. There are many lifestyles that just don't agree with being stationary.
Me? Yeah, I'm kind of a hippie. Tattoos that don't seem hippie-ish, piercings, attitude and sarcasm that doesn't fit the typical hippie image... On the other hand.... Health foods, no pills/pharmacy (but yes vitamins), hippie styles, natural stuff - soaps and such. Taking my hippie style on the road will actually be quite easy too. Each area will have it's own kind of hippie stuff, new takes on old ideas and new ideas of their own. New products that rock.
Chris is also a hippie - he just hides it better. Comes off a punk rocker / surfer boy (odd combo, I know) but added to it is the all-natural hippie stuff just like me. And we want to take our hippie lifestyle to go!
What hippie stuff will Alaska hold? I don't know but I know hippies show up everywhere you DON'T expect them, including your NY high rises I bet.
And with this hippie stuff, we're planning on adding some technology. Solar panels and an interesting water heating system that uses sunshine....Chris is talking about a water-wheel generator. When we get our food trailer we want to convert our van to run off fryer grease. Recycle that stuff! Ultimately, within a matter of years - not decades - the plan is to go off-grid. Not need power, gas, or electric from outside sources.
We will still be purchasing our product for our food trailer, but we want to purchase from local sources. We will still purchase soaps and daily use items, but the "hippie" versions, ya know?
To do that on the road will actually be easier than these fine people that have "brands" to follow I think....
Me? Yeah, I'm kind of a hippie. Tattoos that don't seem hippie-ish, piercings, attitude and sarcasm that doesn't fit the typical hippie image... On the other hand.... Health foods, no pills/pharmacy (but yes vitamins), hippie styles, natural stuff - soaps and such. Taking my hippie style on the road will actually be quite easy too. Each area will have it's own kind of hippie stuff, new takes on old ideas and new ideas of their own. New products that rock.
Chris is also a hippie - he just hides it better. Comes off a punk rocker / surfer boy (odd combo, I know) but added to it is the all-natural hippie stuff just like me. And we want to take our hippie lifestyle to go!
What hippie stuff will Alaska hold? I don't know but I know hippies show up everywhere you DON'T expect them, including your NY high rises I bet.
And with this hippie stuff, we're planning on adding some technology. Solar panels and an interesting water heating system that uses sunshine....Chris is talking about a water-wheel generator. When we get our food trailer we want to convert our van to run off fryer grease. Recycle that stuff! Ultimately, within a matter of years - not decades - the plan is to go off-grid. Not need power, gas, or electric from outside sources.
We will still be purchasing our product for our food trailer, but we want to purchase from local sources. We will still purchase soaps and daily use items, but the "hippie" versions, ya know?
To do that on the road will actually be easier than these fine people that have "brands" to follow I think....
Pet Dreams
One of the things I am very excited about with our new van is the possibilities of getting a pet.
Zoey - "my" cat - lives at home and she really isn't about to move now. A few years old and VERY comfortable in her stationary home, she'd probably flip out if I tried to take her with me.
However, Chris and I are very much pet people and very much dog people. We hold dreams of getting a puppy or maybe two (his/hers scenario) to take on our journeys. We both, like many people, long for the companionship that comes from a four-legged-friend. In our van, taking our "home" with us wherever we go, having a happy, healthy pet is a very do-able dream. There are many mobile people that take their furry families with them.
It would make a few things tricky, but pets make a few things tricky regardless. We could see more difficulty traversing major borders. When we go over-seas (and yes, we will be going over-seas) we will have to take special consideration for them. They will add costs onto our lives. Knowing Chris and myself, our lives will probably wind up revolving mostly around our pet(s)....
Having a puppy/dog/pet even on my travels has been a dream and a want since I first went to Yellowstone. Four legged friends give a different kind of companionship than humans can give. A much different bond. I can see vividly having a pup on a leash and taking a hike, going fishing and letting him run around about the area and splashing in the lake/river....
Also, to put minds to ease, Chris and I are both of the opinion that pets are family. Like children, you don't get one and decide two months later you don't want/can't handle him anymore. Life isn't like that. You get one, you get one FOR LIFE. He/she is in your care for the rest of your/his/her days. You can't handle that? DON'T TAKE ON A PET! Easy. But if you have it in your heart and mind to take on a pet, there are ways. Almost any life-style can support a pet if you're dedicated enough. I believe Chris and I are.
And goodness I found the CUTEST bulldog puppy on craigslist. Chris wont let me right now.... He's probably right.... Sigh.
Off to oogle more pups! :D
Zoey - "my" cat - lives at home and she really isn't about to move now. A few years old and VERY comfortable in her stationary home, she'd probably flip out if I tried to take her with me.
However, Chris and I are very much pet people and very much dog people. We hold dreams of getting a puppy or maybe two (his/hers scenario) to take on our journeys. We both, like many people, long for the companionship that comes from a four-legged-friend. In our van, taking our "home" with us wherever we go, having a happy, healthy pet is a very do-able dream. There are many mobile people that take their furry families with them.
It would make a few things tricky, but pets make a few things tricky regardless. We could see more difficulty traversing major borders. When we go over-seas (and yes, we will be going over-seas) we will have to take special consideration for them. They will add costs onto our lives. Knowing Chris and myself, our lives will probably wind up revolving mostly around our pet(s)....
Having a puppy/dog/pet even on my travels has been a dream and a want since I first went to Yellowstone. Four legged friends give a different kind of companionship than humans can give. A much different bond. I can see vividly having a pup on a leash and taking a hike, going fishing and letting him run around about the area and splashing in the lake/river....
Also, to put minds to ease, Chris and I are both of the opinion that pets are family. Like children, you don't get one and decide two months later you don't want/can't handle him anymore. Life isn't like that. You get one, you get one FOR LIFE. He/she is in your care for the rest of your/his/her days. You can't handle that? DON'T TAKE ON A PET! Easy. But if you have it in your heart and mind to take on a pet, there are ways. Almost any life-style can support a pet if you're dedicated enough. I believe Chris and I are.
And goodness I found the CUTEST bulldog puppy on craigslist. Chris wont let me right now.... He's probably right.... Sigh.
Off to oogle more pups! :D
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Vision
When I say that I plan on living full time with my loving boyfriend out of a 21 foot conversion van at least summers and hopefully winters for the foreseeable future, what do you think?
I have come to realize that the reason people look at me sideways, give me the "it isn't what you think" lecture, so forth.... is because it isn't what anyone thinks.
Everyone, no matter who you are or what you do or how you live, has ideas of this life-style. Maybe you've thought about it as an awesome vacation. Maybe you've thought about it as a terrifying thing your child is opting to do with her life. Maybe you've thought longingly about doing a similar thing for yourself and being free of your current life. Regardless of the why, we all have our own version of how it would play out.
Let me share mine. I envision no golden-brick roads and no easy ride. For most of you that know me, you know I never really have. I envision a work in progress. As I see it, that's all life is. That's all you or I are. That's all our van is. Work in progress.
I want to turn myself into my own boss, owning my own traveling food cart going on adventures. I know this will mean a TON of work and for the first season or two I will probably miss almost ALL adventures just simply trying to get it right. I know I have personality issues I need to get past in order to make this work. I know I have money issues I have to get past to make this work. Finding suppliers in each area will suck. Getting licensed in each area will be a pain. Being the self-motivator and self-starter to such an extreme will be a challenge. I realize this. I also see enjoying my job immensely, sharing my creations and my pride and love with the world one place at a time. I envision seeing sights and meeting people and hearing stories. I don't envision getting rich, only getting by. I envision working hard and potentially never retiring. But I envision being happy and working hard. That's good enough for me.
Our work in progress van has two big issues right now - being water-proof and new brakes. Musts before we launch our first adventure with it. Beyond that, I envision slowly building onto it to make it JUST how we want it over the seasons. I envision doing maintenance and upkeep, that things will break. I envision it guzzling gas no matter what we do. Not always finding places to hook it up. Sleeping in rest stops and showering in truck stops. I envision getting a tent with a bug net and a small BBQ for outdoor stuff. Pulling into a parking lot and not being afraid of taking too long exploring. I envision having to fold out the bed every night.
My life is no more sunshine and roses than yours is. I don't hold illusions of grandeur that would suggest my life is any greater or easier. Just different. And as you deal with the bumps in your road, I know I'll have bumps in mine. I know I will have to deal with them.
So next time you think about your vision of my lifestyle, reconsider. For all those that expect I'm not thinking rationally and realistically, may I suggest that you do the same? As I know it's not all sunshine and roses, I know it's not all hardship and things going wrong. Therefore, I'm excited.
That's my vision - excitement.
I have come to realize that the reason people look at me sideways, give me the "it isn't what you think" lecture, so forth.... is because it isn't what anyone thinks.
Everyone, no matter who you are or what you do or how you live, has ideas of this life-style. Maybe you've thought about it as an awesome vacation. Maybe you've thought about it as a terrifying thing your child is opting to do with her life. Maybe you've thought longingly about doing a similar thing for yourself and being free of your current life. Regardless of the why, we all have our own version of how it would play out.
Let me share mine. I envision no golden-brick roads and no easy ride. For most of you that know me, you know I never really have. I envision a work in progress. As I see it, that's all life is. That's all you or I are. That's all our van is. Work in progress.
I want to turn myself into my own boss, owning my own traveling food cart going on adventures. I know this will mean a TON of work and for the first season or two I will probably miss almost ALL adventures just simply trying to get it right. I know I have personality issues I need to get past in order to make this work. I know I have money issues I have to get past to make this work. Finding suppliers in each area will suck. Getting licensed in each area will be a pain. Being the self-motivator and self-starter to such an extreme will be a challenge. I realize this. I also see enjoying my job immensely, sharing my creations and my pride and love with the world one place at a time. I envision seeing sights and meeting people and hearing stories. I don't envision getting rich, only getting by. I envision working hard and potentially never retiring. But I envision being happy and working hard. That's good enough for me.
Our work in progress van has two big issues right now - being water-proof and new brakes. Musts before we launch our first adventure with it. Beyond that, I envision slowly building onto it to make it JUST how we want it over the seasons. I envision doing maintenance and upkeep, that things will break. I envision it guzzling gas no matter what we do. Not always finding places to hook it up. Sleeping in rest stops and showering in truck stops. I envision getting a tent with a bug net and a small BBQ for outdoor stuff. Pulling into a parking lot and not being afraid of taking too long exploring. I envision having to fold out the bed every night.
My life is no more sunshine and roses than yours is. I don't hold illusions of grandeur that would suggest my life is any greater or easier. Just different. And as you deal with the bumps in your road, I know I'll have bumps in mine. I know I will have to deal with them.
So next time you think about your vision of my lifestyle, reconsider. For all those that expect I'm not thinking rationally and realistically, may I suggest that you do the same? As I know it's not all sunshine and roses, I know it's not all hardship and things going wrong. Therefore, I'm excited.
That's my vision - excitement.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Plans. They change.
Life is, as they say, what happens when you make plans.
Two weeks ago, the plan was to fly up to Anchorage three weeks ahead of time, buy an rv/camper/car something, stay in Anchorage for two weeks, and drive the new car in a week ahead of our start date.
Last Monday, however, we bought a camper. An AWESOME camper that reminds EVERYONE of the old Trans-Van my mother used to use as a daily commuter.
Now our plan is to fix up the few problems with it and drive it up, leaving my great-gas-mileage car with Mom and Dad. We want to turn a 5 day drive into a two week drive, taking our time and exploring Washington and Canada.
I for one am VERY excited. The van is solid with few mechanical issues, although the inside needs some work. We have a half month to work on that, and by the time we leave it'll be perfectly liveable.
The crazy part is that even though it's only 21 foot long and the bed has to be converted to/from a dining room table/chairs or couch each day, we're seriously considering making this our home. Living out of it "permanently." Permanently as in for the summers when it's warm. Probably not for the winters as we're not THAT sure how insulated and warm it will be. It'd be a bit tight but think about it. How much time do you spend in your house anyway? In your bedroom?
Chris and I, when we are at home, spend almost all our time in our little bedroom anyways. We don't need and probably wouldn't use any kind of expansive house.
In the winter I spend more time at home, but in the summer, we're out doing things. Hiking, fishing, gold panning up in AK this summer. We want to bring a couple of fold out chairs and a fold down card table for a 'patio' to spend time out side enjoying the good weather. A big tent or awning. It'll be great. I'm super excited. The point is that we don't NEED that kind of space people usually equate with a living area.
We both came from dorm style housing where you have even less that what we'll be in.
If you had your kitchen, dining room, bathroom, bedroom, and living room all in the same 21 feet what else would you truly need? Sure, some people wouldn't want to convert their bed into their couch each day, but I have BIG plans for that couch.
Think about it for a sec. A lot of you will realize you seem to go EVERYWHERE. A lot of you will realize living how we want to live is no big thing. Chances are some of you already do. You spend time in your bed, on the couch, in the kitchen, and in the bathroom, right? So what big difference is it? That's what I thought.
Meanwhile! Our van! I'm so excited.
Two weeks ago, the plan was to fly up to Anchorage three weeks ahead of time, buy an rv/camper/car something, stay in Anchorage for two weeks, and drive the new car in a week ahead of our start date.
Last Monday, however, we bought a camper. An AWESOME camper that reminds EVERYONE of the old Trans-Van my mother used to use as a daily commuter.
Now our plan is to fix up the few problems with it and drive it up, leaving my great-gas-mileage car with Mom and Dad. We want to turn a 5 day drive into a two week drive, taking our time and exploring Washington and Canada.
I for one am VERY excited. The van is solid with few mechanical issues, although the inside needs some work. We have a half month to work on that, and by the time we leave it'll be perfectly liveable.
The crazy part is that even though it's only 21 foot long and the bed has to be converted to/from a dining room table/chairs or couch each day, we're seriously considering making this our home. Living out of it "permanently." Permanently as in for the summers when it's warm. Probably not for the winters as we're not THAT sure how insulated and warm it will be. It'd be a bit tight but think about it. How much time do you spend in your house anyway? In your bedroom?
Chris and I, when we are at home, spend almost all our time in our little bedroom anyways. We don't need and probably wouldn't use any kind of expansive house.
In the winter I spend more time at home, but in the summer, we're out doing things. Hiking, fishing, gold panning up in AK this summer. We want to bring a couple of fold out chairs and a fold down card table for a 'patio' to spend time out side enjoying the good weather. A big tent or awning. It'll be great. I'm super excited. The point is that we don't NEED that kind of space people usually equate with a living area.
We both came from dorm style housing where you have even less that what we'll be in.
If you had your kitchen, dining room, bathroom, bedroom, and living room all in the same 21 feet what else would you truly need? Sure, some people wouldn't want to convert their bed into their couch each day, but I have BIG plans for that couch.
Think about it for a sec. A lot of you will realize you seem to go EVERYWHERE. A lot of you will realize living how we want to live is no big thing. Chances are some of you already do. You spend time in your bed, on the couch, in the kitchen, and in the bathroom, right? So what big difference is it? That's what I thought.
Meanwhile! Our van! I'm so excited.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Purging the old, gaining the new.
One of my favorite things bout moving all the time is the purging. I'm not one of those sentimental people that keep everything. I have a few things that I've kept forever in my room at my folks house. I have a few things that I've kept with me time after time... But primarily I actually enjoy the purge. I used to, every couple of years, go through and get rid of clothes, books, all sorts of old possessions. I didn't use it anymore, didn't need it anymore... Now I can do so every few months. And it's awesome. Freeing myself of more and more material things I put less and less stock in material things. While I enjoy walking through the touristy shops and looking at all sorts of things. Enjoy looking at beautiful rocks, incredible little collectible statues, posters, etc. Then I leave the store and go to the next one. I don't have to buy any of it. I don't feel the need to. If it serves no purpose, why?
It's like the George Carlin bit about STUFF. People are all about STUFF. Having more STUFF than the next guy. Better STUFF. And when you get too much STUFF for your current residence, you either get a storage unit or a bigger place.... All for your STUFF. Not me.
I know a guy who boils down to a backpack. Anything he gets over the season he gets rid of by the end. Boils right back down to that backpack. He travels with ease. He's the happiest guy I know. It's awesome.
I boil down pretty small. I have a three piece set of luggage that I use, and I always have extra space. Always have extra STUFF that I don't use. Clothing I don't wear. I keep things that I WANT to wear but still I don't.
As I purge time after time year after year, I have kept thinking about what I need versus don't need. Use versus don't use. The more I free myself of the more I appreciate what I have. The more I value what I do use and the more I realize I can do without.
There are things I want. There are things I will never get rid of. Still, at the end of the day, those clothes are just clothes. Those books are just books. Nothing that I'll die without. Still, I don't need those nick-nacks.
As we get closer to our travel date, we are working on purging. Deciding what to take with us. As we are flying instead of driving we have to really cut it back. One carry on, one checked. Max per person. I'm excited. I'm excited to leave behind more stuff. Clothes, laptop, a few books, a little craft stuff. Truly, what else do I need? When we get there I want to buy fishing rods. And a puppy, but Chris says no.
So those are my thoughts on purging. It's good for you. I think everyone should do it more often. I know far too many people put far too much stock in material possessions. Too many people don't even know what they have anymore they have soo much STUFF.
Last thought - PURGE PEOPLE! It's GOOD FOR YOU! :D
It's like the George Carlin bit about STUFF. People are all about STUFF. Having more STUFF than the next guy. Better STUFF. And when you get too much STUFF for your current residence, you either get a storage unit or a bigger place.... All for your STUFF. Not me.
I know a guy who boils down to a backpack. Anything he gets over the season he gets rid of by the end. Boils right back down to that backpack. He travels with ease. He's the happiest guy I know. It's awesome.
I boil down pretty small. I have a three piece set of luggage that I use, and I always have extra space. Always have extra STUFF that I don't use. Clothing I don't wear. I keep things that I WANT to wear but still I don't.
As I purge time after time year after year, I have kept thinking about what I need versus don't need. Use versus don't use. The more I free myself of the more I appreciate what I have. The more I value what I do use and the more I realize I can do without.
There are things I want. There are things I will never get rid of. Still, at the end of the day, those clothes are just clothes. Those books are just books. Nothing that I'll die without. Still, I don't need those nick-nacks.
As we get closer to our travel date, we are working on purging. Deciding what to take with us. As we are flying instead of driving we have to really cut it back. One carry on, one checked. Max per person. I'm excited. I'm excited to leave behind more stuff. Clothes, laptop, a few books, a little craft stuff. Truly, what else do I need? When we get there I want to buy fishing rods. And a puppy, but Chris says no.
So those are my thoughts on purging. It's good for you. I think everyone should do it more often. I know far too many people put far too much stock in material possessions. Too many people don't even know what they have anymore they have soo much STUFF.
Last thought - PURGE PEOPLE! It's GOOD FOR YOU! :D
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Wait...
While I'm glad we know where we are going and the anxiety has gone down drastically now that we have a destination - I'm still antsy/anxious.
With five-ish weeks of work left and over a month before we get going, there's too much time. There's so much that still needs to come together, so much that could fall apart. That's one of the worst things about the lifestyle. It is, luckily, something that having an rv/motorhome will help alleviate and so by this time next year I will not be so anxious and stressed. But it's not this time next year yet. Chris is smoking more than usual. Due to the anxiety. I can't blame him, I would be too. My anxiousness manifests in stress and OCD and knotted shoulders. I would drink more, but luckily we don't have the drink to do so!
We've a lot planned out already. Nothing really is set in stone yet and that's what makes it hard. I will breathe easier when we have plane tickets bought. When we've got a hostel/hotel booked. When we have a few good CraigsList people willing to wait and see with us. We got the job, that's one thing off the checklist, but the list is a lot longer than that. It's not like looking for a job in your area, where you just have to figure a new route to work. Our route is a little.... intense in comparison.
The stress is a killer. I know some that the stress half kills the pre-trip excitement. It's not fun if you're so worried. For me it's half fun and half worry. I manage because I have faith in the universe. Somehow we'll make it work. Easy or hard, quickly coming together or dragging it's feet the entire way, we will make it work. The universe will not fail us so horribly.
Meanwhile, life is too short not to live it. No matter the temporary stress of right now, the ultimate adventure, the experiences we'll have are worth it without a doubt.
People ask me if we're coming back next winter. Nope, probably not. Well, why not? Always the response. Why not? Where will you go?
ANYWHERE is what I want to say. But instead.... Oh, Telluride maybe, there's a beautiful spot in Canada Chris showed me, or maybe back to Jackson Hole....
I went back to Yellowstone four summers running. I'm ready to move on and have new adventures. When you're ready to move on, why stop again? It's like getting your car goin' real good, like you're about to get on the interstate. You feel like you're flyin by.... Then you get on the interstate and it's stop-and-go Portland rush-hour style. Who wants that? Or finding out you have to turn back around.... No man, keep going. Keep moving forward. I think if I go back to Yellowstone it'll be for a visit. Tourist style.
Life is about moving forward. No one wants a dead-end job. You want to get promoted. People want to own their own business - which is always moving forward. Technology is always trying to move forward. Homemakers, raising kids IS moving forward. It's all about the future. What I'm sayin, what I'm doing, is not so unlike what everyone else is doing and saying in their own right. I take a different path, but we're all going in the same direction. Forward.
Granted, there are people with life on backward, but we won't talk about them. The rest of us, we're going places. We call it the future. Grown respectable kids, good job, own business, whatever your forward is. Whatever your bliss is. Chase it.
And that's the message of the day, I suppose. Keep moving forward. And good luck.
With five-ish weeks of work left and over a month before we get going, there's too much time. There's so much that still needs to come together, so much that could fall apart. That's one of the worst things about the lifestyle. It is, luckily, something that having an rv/motorhome will help alleviate and so by this time next year I will not be so anxious and stressed. But it's not this time next year yet. Chris is smoking more than usual. Due to the anxiety. I can't blame him, I would be too. My anxiousness manifests in stress and OCD and knotted shoulders. I would drink more, but luckily we don't have the drink to do so!
We've a lot planned out already. Nothing really is set in stone yet and that's what makes it hard. I will breathe easier when we have plane tickets bought. When we've got a hostel/hotel booked. When we have a few good CraigsList people willing to wait and see with us. We got the job, that's one thing off the checklist, but the list is a lot longer than that. It's not like looking for a job in your area, where you just have to figure a new route to work. Our route is a little.... intense in comparison.
The stress is a killer. I know some that the stress half kills the pre-trip excitement. It's not fun if you're so worried. For me it's half fun and half worry. I manage because I have faith in the universe. Somehow we'll make it work. Easy or hard, quickly coming together or dragging it's feet the entire way, we will make it work. The universe will not fail us so horribly.
Meanwhile, life is too short not to live it. No matter the temporary stress of right now, the ultimate adventure, the experiences we'll have are worth it without a doubt.
People ask me if we're coming back next winter. Nope, probably not. Well, why not? Always the response. Why not? Where will you go?
ANYWHERE is what I want to say. But instead.... Oh, Telluride maybe, there's a beautiful spot in Canada Chris showed me, or maybe back to Jackson Hole....
I went back to Yellowstone four summers running. I'm ready to move on and have new adventures. When you're ready to move on, why stop again? It's like getting your car goin' real good, like you're about to get on the interstate. You feel like you're flyin by.... Then you get on the interstate and it's stop-and-go Portland rush-hour style. Who wants that? Or finding out you have to turn back around.... No man, keep going. Keep moving forward. I think if I go back to Yellowstone it'll be for a visit. Tourist style.
Life is about moving forward. No one wants a dead-end job. You want to get promoted. People want to own their own business - which is always moving forward. Technology is always trying to move forward. Homemakers, raising kids IS moving forward. It's all about the future. What I'm sayin, what I'm doing, is not so unlike what everyone else is doing and saying in their own right. I take a different path, but we're all going in the same direction. Forward.
Granted, there are people with life on backward, but we won't talk about them. The rest of us, we're going places. We call it the future. Grown respectable kids, good job, own business, whatever your forward is. Whatever your bliss is. Chase it.
And that's the message of the day, I suppose. Keep moving forward. And good luck.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
How We Do It: Getting There
Times they are a-changin!
Getting there is different for everyone and every situation. My first trip out, I flew. MUCH fun. Out from Portland which is a big airport. Wound up in two SMALL airplanes. Small as in two rows on one side, one on the other and I got the window seat! We - me and the person I went with - were booked for the row on the wing, so out the window I got a PERFECT few of the propeller. It was super cool to me. My second time ever flying and here I was in this super small plane with old school propellers.
But I was stuck in the park without transportation to the nearest town 3 hours away.
The next time - I got a car. My crazy self, I got the car AND learned to drive in two weeks, got the license and was out the door. Absolutely the best route. Sure. The point is - ROAD TRIP! Yellowstone is only a 14 hour drive away, but since it was my first time and I was taking my best friend, her parents came with. It was SUCH fun. We made a two day deal of it. Took our time. Like one should with a road trip. You don't want to rust off and just BE where you're going. You don't want to drive through all that country and only see roads and hotel rooms... Drive to Idaho, stay, then drive to Montana. Then drive in to the stone. I went to the Cracker Barrel for the first time. I had interesting conversations. I saw new places.
My second year I did it again - but by myself. Espresso from a cart in Idaho talking to a woman who transplanted FROM OREGON where I was from. Who'da thunk?! Such interesting things.
The next year I went with a boyfriend-of-the-time. Went to yet new diners I hadn't been to before. Stopped to see different things.
And now I'm planning my trip to Alaska. The options! We thought about taking the ferry up from Washington. We thought about driving up - getting passports and going through Canada and into Alaska. We thought about flying up. We TRIED to think about taking the train, but alas, no trains through Canada.
We settled on flying. But it's not just fly up, go in, be done. Just like a road trip. You don't just go. You take your time. We are flying up three weeks early. We found an awesome hostel to stay in for two weeks. Go up with a few light bags and check out Anchorage for a few weeks. Buy a car while we're up there - thank you inventor of Craigslist. Then drive in to Chicken - a WEEK early so we have time to settle in and get a feel for the area. It's not like driving to work.... Get up, go, get there. No. Take your time, see the world as you go not just the bit of the world you land in.
The goal for this summer is to end it with our own rv/mobile home kind of thing. Then our next trip to winter seasonal we can take longer see more. I'm super excited for a mobile home. No more new housing. As much as I enjoy packing and unpacking, coping with new housing can suck. No more hotels. Which also helps with our timeline. Having our own kitchenette we won't necessarily need to budget for as much eating out. Groceries are cheaper. AND! We could get a pet! :D
So yes. I get side tracked. Getting there. The point is that it's never the same and the possibilities are almost as endless as the places you're going TO. The only option that is not an option is to go straight there without passing go or collecting 200 dollars. Take a stroll around the board people! See the sights, stay at Park Place. Even when it seems I took the same route twice, it was so different. The similarities were drowned out by the unique experiences.
Speaking of getting there - as a last note, one more thing I love about my work. Every day you get up, get ready for work. You take the bus, you drive, you commute somehow to your job. Right? So do I. The difference? My commute is through a mountain with amazing views (especially if you can catch the sunrise over the white river turnout!). My commute back to my folks house is a lot of I5 just like yours, but first, the drive down to Gresham - through all that forest. Amazing. There is little beauty in asphalt and concrete to me. The incredible skylines and high rises aren't as stunning to me as they are to some. I'm not saying my life, my commute is any better than anyone else's. On the contrary, I believe my chosen life really isn't for everyone or even most. I'm only saying TO ME (the one that matters), my commute is better for the sake of the beauty. TO ME, the mountain drive is more appealing than the high rises in Seattle with its Space Needle or the asphalt mazes of Portland that some I'm sure enjoy.
So yes. Getting there. Even if you DO enjoy the high rises and asphalt. Take the time to enjoy it now and then. Realize the beauty around you. Try not to take it for granted. If you prefer nature for beauty, find it. And enjoy it. Whatever is around you. Just notice it. Take a look round the next drive your own. Inhale real big. Notice anything new? Notice anything you didn't notice before?
There you have it. We're gonna get there. :D
Getting there is different for everyone and every situation. My first trip out, I flew. MUCH fun. Out from Portland which is a big airport. Wound up in two SMALL airplanes. Small as in two rows on one side, one on the other and I got the window seat! We - me and the person I went with - were booked for the row on the wing, so out the window I got a PERFECT few of the propeller. It was super cool to me. My second time ever flying and here I was in this super small plane with old school propellers.
But I was stuck in the park without transportation to the nearest town 3 hours away.
The next time - I got a car. My crazy self, I got the car AND learned to drive in two weeks, got the license and was out the door. Absolutely the best route. Sure. The point is - ROAD TRIP! Yellowstone is only a 14 hour drive away, but since it was my first time and I was taking my best friend, her parents came with. It was SUCH fun. We made a two day deal of it. Took our time. Like one should with a road trip. You don't want to rust off and just BE where you're going. You don't want to drive through all that country and only see roads and hotel rooms... Drive to Idaho, stay, then drive to Montana. Then drive in to the stone. I went to the Cracker Barrel for the first time. I had interesting conversations. I saw new places.
My second year I did it again - but by myself. Espresso from a cart in Idaho talking to a woman who transplanted FROM OREGON where I was from. Who'da thunk?! Such interesting things.
The next year I went with a boyfriend-of-the-time. Went to yet new diners I hadn't been to before. Stopped to see different things.
And now I'm planning my trip to Alaska. The options! We thought about taking the ferry up from Washington. We thought about driving up - getting passports and going through Canada and into Alaska. We thought about flying up. We TRIED to think about taking the train, but alas, no trains through Canada.
We settled on flying. But it's not just fly up, go in, be done. Just like a road trip. You don't just go. You take your time. We are flying up three weeks early. We found an awesome hostel to stay in for two weeks. Go up with a few light bags and check out Anchorage for a few weeks. Buy a car while we're up there - thank you inventor of Craigslist. Then drive in to Chicken - a WEEK early so we have time to settle in and get a feel for the area. It's not like driving to work.... Get up, go, get there. No. Take your time, see the world as you go not just the bit of the world you land in.
The goal for this summer is to end it with our own rv/mobile home kind of thing. Then our next trip to winter seasonal we can take longer see more. I'm super excited for a mobile home. No more new housing. As much as I enjoy packing and unpacking, coping with new housing can suck. No more hotels. Which also helps with our timeline. Having our own kitchenette we won't necessarily need to budget for as much eating out. Groceries are cheaper. AND! We could get a pet! :D
So yes. I get side tracked. Getting there. The point is that it's never the same and the possibilities are almost as endless as the places you're going TO. The only option that is not an option is to go straight there without passing go or collecting 200 dollars. Take a stroll around the board people! See the sights, stay at Park Place. Even when it seems I took the same route twice, it was so different. The similarities were drowned out by the unique experiences.
Speaking of getting there - as a last note, one more thing I love about my work. Every day you get up, get ready for work. You take the bus, you drive, you commute somehow to your job. Right? So do I. The difference? My commute is through a mountain with amazing views (especially if you can catch the sunrise over the white river turnout!). My commute back to my folks house is a lot of I5 just like yours, but first, the drive down to Gresham - through all that forest. Amazing. There is little beauty in asphalt and concrete to me. The incredible skylines and high rises aren't as stunning to me as they are to some. I'm not saying my life, my commute is any better than anyone else's. On the contrary, I believe my chosen life really isn't for everyone or even most. I'm only saying TO ME (the one that matters), my commute is better for the sake of the beauty. TO ME, the mountain drive is more appealing than the high rises in Seattle with its Space Needle or the asphalt mazes of Portland that some I'm sure enjoy.
So yes. Getting there. Even if you DO enjoy the high rises and asphalt. Take the time to enjoy it now and then. Realize the beauty around you. Try not to take it for granted. If you prefer nature for beauty, find it. And enjoy it. Whatever is around you. Just notice it. Take a look round the next drive your own. Inhale real big. Notice anything new? Notice anything you didn't notice before?
There you have it. We're gonna get there. :D
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
How We Do It: Money/The Job
There are many blogs on travelers, nomads, gypsies. There are even self-help how-to style books on it. No one is wrong. There are so many different lifestyles to lead that saying I'm a nomad, I'm a traveler doesn't narrow it down as much as you'd think. Reading this blog right now called Technomadia (look it up, it's pretty cool) got me thinking that even though there are millions of ways to live this style, I haven't seen my chosen path anywhere! So, here I am to describe it a bit for you. It may take a few blogs, but we'll start here....
Money/Job:
I am far from retired - not even 30! I have no source of income from a well of money sitting in some bank somewhere left by some loved relative or anything like that. I work.
Not from home or via internet, but a get up and go to work job. This is where the seasonal aspect comes in. I cook for a living. Luckily for me, everyone eats. Think about that cool resort you went to last week. You think all those people live there? You think they'll all be there next time around? Sure, a lot of them live in the area and there is a group of people that will be there for years. But many people move on when the work leaves. You went there mid summer - mid winter they probably won't have the business to keep that much staff but in summer they HAVE to have it. So they hire a seasonal employee. Just like Macy's hired you last winter during Christmas. You knew it wasn't a forever job, but it was money and it would be over soon. That's what I do, but on a larger scale.
I apply for jobs basically anywhere and everywhere I want to go that has seasonal work. In a way, where you get the job kind of dictates where you will be traveling. I don't just strike out in the morning for Maine because I simply WANT to go there and think I'll automatically get a job when I get there. (Don't get me wrong, I've a few friends that do just that - they're a lot less OCD than I am I believe) This winter, for instance, I wanted to stay near Oregon so I applied in all the ski resorts on every mountain. This coming summer I am not feeling tied to Oregon. I applied in Michigan, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier Nat'l Park, Jackson Hole, and a LOT of other places. Applying everywhere gets old fast, but you do it. I've stopped mid application and not applied for companies that revealed just how up-tight or ridiculous they were going to be BY the application process. I've also refrained from applying if I realized anything about them was not what I wanted.
So I've applied everywhere, done phone interviews, even driven to the location a few times for face-to-face interviews (something I only do when they're within 3 hours drive of my current 'home base'). Now the pool of potential employers has narrowed. Now's when I start my research. That's the linchpin of my existence - research.
I research all my potential employers that are researching me. I've made the mistake of going to work for someone you don't really know that much about. Turns out it's a crap job or a crap employer or a crap living situation. There's a lot that can go wrong. Research is key. Do they provide housing? Meals? Transportation to/from the workplace if they're too far from the nearest town or in winter conditions? Do I have any major problems with their policies and ethic? What can I learn about the owner?
When I'm down to two or three employers that I really want, I start trying to nail down the details. No housing? Ok, start looking in the nearby towns for SEASONAL month-to-month housing. Rooms to rent from someones house. Monthly rated apartments. That sort of thing.It's MUCH easier when they provide housing. By the end of this summer I hope to have an RV/motorhome so looking for housing will be easier. Just need a hookup space.
So I've found the job. I've found the place to live. Now I travel. I travel and when I'm there I have six months (approximately) to really explore the new area I'm in.
And basically, that's how we do it. See, it's not so hard. I'll post more with more detail in other areas of what's required for this lifestyle.
Money/Job:
I am far from retired - not even 30! I have no source of income from a well of money sitting in some bank somewhere left by some loved relative or anything like that. I work.
Not from home or via internet, but a get up and go to work job. This is where the seasonal aspect comes in. I cook for a living. Luckily for me, everyone eats. Think about that cool resort you went to last week. You think all those people live there? You think they'll all be there next time around? Sure, a lot of them live in the area and there is a group of people that will be there for years. But many people move on when the work leaves. You went there mid summer - mid winter they probably won't have the business to keep that much staff but in summer they HAVE to have it. So they hire a seasonal employee. Just like Macy's hired you last winter during Christmas. You knew it wasn't a forever job, but it was money and it would be over soon. That's what I do, but on a larger scale.
I apply for jobs basically anywhere and everywhere I want to go that has seasonal work. In a way, where you get the job kind of dictates where you will be traveling. I don't just strike out in the morning for Maine because I simply WANT to go there and think I'll automatically get a job when I get there. (Don't get me wrong, I've a few friends that do just that - they're a lot less OCD than I am I believe) This winter, for instance, I wanted to stay near Oregon so I applied in all the ski resorts on every mountain. This coming summer I am not feeling tied to Oregon. I applied in Michigan, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier Nat'l Park, Jackson Hole, and a LOT of other places. Applying everywhere gets old fast, but you do it. I've stopped mid application and not applied for companies that revealed just how up-tight or ridiculous they were going to be BY the application process. I've also refrained from applying if I realized anything about them was not what I wanted.
So I've applied everywhere, done phone interviews, even driven to the location a few times for face-to-face interviews (something I only do when they're within 3 hours drive of my current 'home base'). Now the pool of potential employers has narrowed. Now's when I start my research. That's the linchpin of my existence - research.
I research all my potential employers that are researching me. I've made the mistake of going to work for someone you don't really know that much about. Turns out it's a crap job or a crap employer or a crap living situation. There's a lot that can go wrong. Research is key. Do they provide housing? Meals? Transportation to/from the workplace if they're too far from the nearest town or in winter conditions? Do I have any major problems with their policies and ethic? What can I learn about the owner?
When I'm down to two or three employers that I really want, I start trying to nail down the details. No housing? Ok, start looking in the nearby towns for SEASONAL month-to-month housing. Rooms to rent from someones house. Monthly rated apartments. That sort of thing.It's MUCH easier when they provide housing. By the end of this summer I hope to have an RV/motorhome so looking for housing will be easier. Just need a hookup space.
So I've found the job. I've found the place to live. Now I travel. I travel and when I'm there I have six months (approximately) to really explore the new area I'm in.
And basically, that's how we do it. See, it's not so hard. I'll post more with more detail in other areas of what's required for this lifestyle.
...Chicken...
Our new summer job has finally been confirmed! After much searching and a little bit of being turned down, Chris and I got the one job we REALLY wanted. Well, two technically.
In little bitty Chicken, Alaska (Home Page Here), there is a diner that in previous years has been run and operated by one woman. The owner who hired us said that wasn't really the best plan. So I will be the manager and Chris will be the cook. Our new boss said he will probably be hiring one other guy to cover our days off. The amazing part is that this diner is actually a food trailer. For those of you who don't know, Chris and I are planning on owning our own food trailer within three years. PERFECT experience for that. :D
So we've been doing a bit of research, naturally, and found a menu from years past. Buffalo burgers, beef burgers, reindeer sausage, bbq chicken, chili, cold cut sandwiches. Then another menu, probably a more recent one as it had all the old stuff but had been expanded almost three times its size, and added on a lot of home made desserts. Home made pies and cinnamon rolls and potato salad and coleslaw....
I'm excited.
I LOVE the dark side. Chris dabbles in it now and then, but I know I have the talent and practice to take over home made desserts. I know people love my cinnamon rolls, I would rather make cookies instead of pie but I DO have an awesome pie crust recipe somewhere. I want to introduce my mashed potato doughnuts.
All the savory stuff will be an awesome breeze. It's all short-order cook stuff, and Chris is a master short-order cook. I can cook ANY breakfast on a flattop. I can make awesome chicken soup and Chris can make some awesome chili I believe. I think we can really take this diner to the next level.
Both Chris and I had this marked as the job we wanted most out of all that we applied for. It's going to be one heck of an adventure, and it'll be a lot of work, but I'm excited.
In little bitty Chicken, Alaska (Home Page Here), there is a diner that in previous years has been run and operated by one woman. The owner who hired us said that wasn't really the best plan. So I will be the manager and Chris will be the cook. Our new boss said he will probably be hiring one other guy to cover our days off. The amazing part is that this diner is actually a food trailer. For those of you who don't know, Chris and I are planning on owning our own food trailer within three years. PERFECT experience for that. :D
So we've been doing a bit of research, naturally, and found a menu from years past. Buffalo burgers, beef burgers, reindeer sausage, bbq chicken, chili, cold cut sandwiches. Then another menu, probably a more recent one as it had all the old stuff but had been expanded almost three times its size, and added on a lot of home made desserts. Home made pies and cinnamon rolls and potato salad and coleslaw....
I'm excited.
I LOVE the dark side. Chris dabbles in it now and then, but I know I have the talent and practice to take over home made desserts. I know people love my cinnamon rolls, I would rather make cookies instead of pie but I DO have an awesome pie crust recipe somewhere. I want to introduce my mashed potato doughnuts.
All the savory stuff will be an awesome breeze. It's all short-order cook stuff, and Chris is a master short-order cook. I can cook ANY breakfast on a flattop. I can make awesome chicken soup and Chris can make some awesome chili I believe. I think we can really take this diner to the next level.
Both Chris and I had this marked as the job we wanted most out of all that we applied for. It's going to be one heck of an adventure, and it'll be a lot of work, but I'm excited.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Old blog, new purpose
Nomads, vagabonds, tramps, gypsies. Travelers. All in different capacities. Tramps and vagabonds tend to travel constantly typically by foot begging. Never seeking more than perhaps an odd job for food, they just keep moving and begging. Not my style. Gypsies I've learned have their own completely unique lifestyle and culture that I know very little about. Nomads are simple travelers that travel mostly out of necessity. Following the animals, plants, seasons. They travel to survive.
I suppose I'm somewhere between a gypsy and a nomad. I figure the most accurate thing I could come up with is a seasonal nomad. I choose this life, so while I travel out of necessity it's also by choice. I don't travel constantly but seasonally. It seems to fit.
I get restless easy. Six months in any given place is long enough. Pretty soon "comfortable" turns into "stagnant." But I act like this happened on purpose. Like I "designed" this life for myself. Yeah right. Four years later, I'm just now getting to the "design" aspect of my life. See, I needed a job after high school. Save some money, have an adventure, then settle into "life" as we know it. So I applied to a bunch of places. I discovered http://www.coolworks.com/ and went wild. Wound up in Yellowstone. It was incredible. Beautiful places, interesting people, stories to be shared, sights to see. However, in six months we all knew it would end. We'd all go our own separate ways again. And that was ok. Because of the time crunch friendships happened faster. People got closer faster. It was like a time warp, where everything was sped up. More intense. One would see romantic relationships formed under such intensity, and others crack and break. It reminds me of making diamonds. Lump of coal - or people - under intense heat and pressure... Sometimes it's beautiful, even if not romantic it's incredible. I've met some people I will never let go. And sometimes you wind up with a cracked, dense lump of coal of a relationship failed. I've had that happen too. In both friendship and romantic means. It's because of the time warp.
So the season ends and I go back home. Out of the time warp into normal time. And it's.... slow. What was steady before became stagnant faster. What was acceptable now ground on me. It felt as if I wasn't just standing still for a time but that I was actively moving backward. So I went back out the next summer to Yellowstone. And the next one. And the next one. Four summers in Yellowstone later, now I'm wintering on a mountain and in a month this season will be over and I will be off to Chicken, Alaska for the next adventure.
I'm no longer breaking between summers but taking smaller breaks between seasons. I'm also making the lifestyle easier for me. By the end of this summer season I hope to have an rv/motorhome. I also want a pet sometime. And in a few years I want my own food truck/trailer. Travel still, seasonal still, but work for myself. Put out my own product.
Oh, and did I mention I'm not alone? Someone I met in the time warp of Yellowstone has joined me on my adventures. Someone of like mind even. He's been doing seasonal work longer than I have, and loves the traveling and seeing new things/places meeting new people. Our relationship, though it wasn't romantic from the start, was forged in that seasonal time-warp so we are confident that the seasonal time-warp that has killed so many relationships (including three of our own) will not destroy us.
This time next year, we see ourselves traveling to our next summer job in our motorhome - we found a half-converted old school bus we'd LOVE to finish - with our puppy. Hopefully a bulldog. I would ADORE a bulldog puppy.
AH! But to the main point. Old blog, new purpose. I'm sure it's self-evident by now. I started this when I thought it would only be one summer in Yellowstone. Now it's my adventures for who knows how many more years. I will be getting a nice camera soon and be posting pictures. I will be updating this much more frequently, I swear. It'll be a fun ride, and I'm glad to have this chance to share it.
Friday, February 8, 2013
This weeks update....
Alright ladies and gentlemen, assuming that applies.
As an update! I have heard word back from both Glacier National Park in Montana - and partly in Canada and Grand Teton Lodge Company in Wyoming. I realize as impatient as I am it's only the 8th and on the 2nd I heard word from Chicken, Alaska. Monday I plan to call a hotel on Macinac Island (pronounced Mack-in-ah) because a generic email was sent saying to call in for a phone interview.
The top of my list is still Chicken, then Macinac, then Glacier and Tetons tie. However I kind of feel bad about that. Glacier has been trying to work out me and Chris to get us in there. He's been working with us so much that I will actually feel bad if we end up choosing someone else. Ultimately it depends on where we want to be and what we are offered. But still. Luckily for me, anywhere we end up will be absolutely and incredibly beautiful. One of the favorite things about what I do for a living. :D
Meadows recently put out an employee survey. Tell us what you think about the season!! ...you sure you wanna hear what I have to say? So I told 'em. Most of their problems would be solved if they had any kind of disciplinary system in place and STUCK TO IT. They have a lodge full of proverbial toddlers testing their boundaries and finding the only thing to stop them is a feeble verbal wrist slap. Well hell! It's not even a harsh verbal wrist slap. Of course that's not gonna stop a lodge of toddlers. Have you ever asked a toddler to refrain from doing something? How'd that work for you? And the tenth time?? Did it work then? Exactly. Take the toddler, spank her, and put her back in check. But oh no. I did see one action of payback. More payback than discipline though. One girl called out to go to a concert. She was found out. You know what management did? To this HIGH SCHOOL GIRL?? They didn't schedule her to work this coming weekend. Oh yeah, lets discipline someone who didn't want to come in by NOT LETTING THEM COME IN! A high school girl with maybe MAYBE a cellphone bill to pay (probably paid by her folks, lets face it) will feel SSOOO reprimanded. Hmph. Sure. I didn't nay-say it though. It'll be a more peaceful weekend without her.
I am excited for the summer to start. Partly just to be out of here. I know I need hours but can't bring myself to offer up my services beyond what they ask for. Offer to be there with those people being the only one productive while they drive me crazy with their antics and their inactivity? No I'm good.
I had a meeting today, with the lead crew member, manager, and overall manager. So four people - the "leadership team" they call it. I flat out told them that NO ONE respects anyone at that table, let alone each other. Except MAYBE the overall manager. But even then a few have already proven that they respect no one in that shop. I half expect they respect no one at all.
I'm getting good at driving in winter conditions. I'm getting to not mind the snow so much. I will be perfectly willing to do another winter season. I think most of my trepidation was to do it alone. Having Chris around helps.
I have goals! Real, achievable goals. This summer I should be able to save enough - well, Chris and I combined - save enough to buy an RV. Motor home. Whatever you want to call it. Either a conventional RV/5th wheel/camper or tricking out an old Blue Bird bus or something liek that. Chris is psyched about the idea of tricking out a large vehicle into a custom home. I would LOVE to do that if we had somewhere to park it while we do this work on it. But we don't really have that luxury. Craigslist is an amazing thing however. We've found so many affordable options. Granted none will be available when we go to get ours. But it's proof positive that when that time comes we will find something.
THEN! NEXT summer after this one we should together be able to afford our own food truck. Either food truck or tow along thing.... or converted vehicle. Again - Chris really wants to do a custom bit. So do I but I'm not sure how we'll do it.
Now I understand what a few of you will say (Mom, Trina) - What if I'm not with Chris that long? Well, then I save two summers now don't I? Winters I've learned aren't really for saving. Their for surviving. No supplied housing, nothing to do but spend money, etc. I get it. BUT if I don't touch the money from the summer and save two in a row I'll be ok. Probably three if it's just me, need starter money for food and stuff. BUT the point is that within five years I should have my own small business. Hopefully within two years.
HELL YEAH!
I hitched down the hill the other day and rode along with this nice woman who picked me up. We chatted along and she was thoroughly impressed that someone 'so young' had ambition and plans and so forth. Made me sad that it was so impressive for someone of my generation to be motivated and have plans, but on the other hand I was rather proud of myself. I'm going to do it. I look around and see what she's talking about. So many people. My age, older, younger. No plans, no ambitions. Daily grind to survive. Some have families and to me that is ambition - that's a full investment in the future. But so many don't even have that. Just.... surviving. I'm LIVING. I'm going places and doing things and I'm going to own my own small business. And when I have this truck/tow along - I can still travel. I can still go places and see things, but I'll be the one in charge of my future, not the next seasonal gig. I'm super excited for myself and my own long term future. A brick and mortar place seemed unachievable. A food truck I know I can do. And if I want to settle I can settle my truck. Or I can use that reputation to start a brick and mortar. I have options.
Also - that was the first time I hitch hiked. Was fun once I got picked up but awkward until then. I put on my best smile and stuck out my thumb each time someone drove by and then waved as they kept on going. But it only took maybe 10 minutes and 5 ish cars.
Well, that's my story. Thanks for listening and tune in.... later....
Thanks all
~Cat
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Now that I have gotten that old post out of the way, let me update you.
I am still rather undecided on how I feel about the snow, however, I know I don't mind it enough to prevent me from doing another winter season. I actually have learned I'm comfortable enough with it that I may continue doing winter/summer and only have a few weeks off rather than an entire winter. It's one of those moderation things. I like the downtime, I love visiting home. But too much is too much.
I like to watch the snow falling, I hate driving in it. I like that snow brings me work, but walking through the snow is a pain, especially when it builds up and you're stepping through to your knees or when it ices over and you're walking like a penguin to avoid falling on your butt. But it's pretty. It brings me work. And as I said before, it's not as negative as I thought. It doesn't trap me. It won't kill me. So I guess it's not so bad. And maybe one of these winters I will let Chris teach me to snow board. Maybe not. We'll see. It hasn't been forced on me as I feared it would be, so I'm all good.
The job is a job. I won't complain too much because I could go on forever. Basically, if I come back to Mt. Hood I will not be reapplying at Meadows. Furthermore, I will never hire a bunch of high school girls when I get my own place, nor will I be shy to discipline and fire when needed. Not overdo it, but not doing it at all is just silly!
I've met some cool people though. Some you wouldn't expect up here. Met one girl who is a lift operator who doesn't ski or snowboard. That was quite interesting to me. And she's super sweet. Made me some earrings. They're black.
I haven't gotten any new piercings or tattoos. I have a few piercings on my list before I get any new ink... Chris is dying for new ink. He only has this outline of a tattoo that his artist passed out while doing. Apparently when he went to the bathroom just before starting the tattoo he did drugs. Passed out cold on poor Chris. And that's why I'm careful about where I go and who I let do work on me. Also - that was a long time ago, things have changed in the tattoo world. Breathe, Mom.
Now for what's on my brain lately. Summer. I have applied in Yellowstone of course. And I hope I make it. I always miss Yellowstone, and I have some amazing friends over there. One just got promoted. This summer he'll be assistant location manager. I'm super excited for him. He'd be a great manager, especially of such a broad spectrum thing like location. Problem solver, make sure it's all smooth. If I went back I doubt I'd be working in his location though.
Meanwhile, I also applied for the Grand Tetons, Crater Lake, Glacier Nat'l Park, and this little bitty gold mining town in Alaska called Chicken. I REALLY hope I get that one. Sorry Yellowstone, I love you but this would be SO cool! Look up pictures. Google it. Chicken, Alaska. It's like three shops on this old fashioned looking 'main street' kind of thing. Chris and I applied to work in the diner. Needed one cook and one supervisor. And it said specifically it's looking for couples preferably. It was hilarious though because the apply here was email us with all pertinent information including a resume if you have one. No application. Just 'hey hows it goin'. Ah hah. I don't have a passport so if we got it we'd have to fly to Fairbanks and they would provide us with transportation from there. No car for a summer, but Fairbanks is a five hour drive away from Chicken anyway. Where would I go?! Beside, a season car-less would probably be good for me.
Beyond those places, I'm planning on a few more. There's this amazingly cute island in Michigan - Macinac, I think. Technology-less. I've been wanting to learn to ride a bike. They have horse drawn carriages and bikes on the island, that's it. And apparently a lot of seasonal work. Since it's not a park or a vendor or anything I would have to apply specifically to the restaurants and diners there, most of whom supply housing from what the informational site told me.
I want to apply to a couple more places too. Oh, and very exciting. We found a website that has seasonal jobs WORLD WIDE. So once I get my passport, maybe I'll do a summer in New Zealand, doing what I do here. Cool, right? My background is currently a beautiful picture of wherever it is Chris really wants to winter next year. We've both got lists. Almost like a bucket list. I want to work Telluride once. I think the place on my screen is somewhere in Canada.
I love this time of year, and it comes twice for me! Change of seasons is so exciting. Applying to new places, looking at all these incredible places I could be. Waiting to see who gets back to me, where I get accepted. And then CHOOSING where to go! I imagine it is for me kind of like how Christmas would be to some. It's so much fun. My favorite kind of anticipation.
As tacky as it sounds, it's even better now. Finding someone as restless as me, who HAS TO get up and go every six months. Who wants to be somewhere incredible, to be able to say "yeah, I didn't just visit I LIVED there" I really experienced it. It makes things so much better and easier. All the bad kind of anxiety from going somewhere totally new totally on my own is gone. Now it's an adventure like it should be - shared. Every experience is better when shared.
It reminds me of a choir concert with the flow of energy. The choir is energized, and focused and amped up from the conductor. The choir feeds the energy to the audience who returns the energy mixed tenfold with their own, and the choir takes that returned energy and gives it to the conductor who amps it up and channels it and sends it back and so the cycle goes. Shared experiences are like that. Experiences are experiences. They can be cool.... but if you have someone to share it with... You become the choir, the the other person becomes the audience, and the experience is the conductor. Makes sense, right?
I'm super stoked about the change of seasons. It doesn't help that I'm kind of rather done with this season. Ready to move on. Getting restless. Surprising, right?
Okay, I think I'm done. My mind is wandering... I think I got out what I wanted to get out. Thanks for listening.
OH, and as a last note - if you've got a great idea for the blog name change, let me know. Thanks!!
Hello again, world!
I have once again been reminded I have a blog. Riiiight. Well, a blog that needs the name changed. I'm no longer in Yellowstone, and I'm doing a winter season for once. But the blog must go on (Thank you Queen). It's still the life and times and adventures and thoughts and ramblings of a potentially certifiably insane woman, but now she's been let loose. :D
I don't want to delve too much in without first posting the one I wrote up a few months ago back when all this winter-stuff was newer to me. What I will do, then, is post the old one with this intro and then hop back on and post a new one fresh from today. They might sound a little... out of sorts with each other, but I have a feeling most of mine do anyways.
Enjoy,
I hate the snow.
But… Let me rephrase. A bit more forgiving, perhaps? I have not learned yet to love the snow. That sounds better. More positive, and we all know I love pretending I’m positive.
Willamette Valley. Salem…. And more, of course. Other than one BIG snow storm that left us with six inches (if) on the valley floor and shut down half the town, we get a rough estimate of a half inch a year that melts by noon. Still, even then, even if it’s just coming down and not sticking to the streets, these white flakes of frozen water wafting oh so casually through the air will succeed in shutting down half the town. Including schools. I was raised, it seems, with this socially provided stigma against snow. It stops the world. It is cold and wet and keeps you in doors. Not enough to play or build snowmen, it just ruins your day.
Now, at 23, this stigma is deeper rooted than I would have believed. Goaded by many friends who live all four seasons, including a winter with snow, I finally decided maybe I don’t hate the snow. How would I know? I’ve never REALLY experienced it. A measly half inch that shuts down a ditsy town, that’s not experiencing anything. Thus, I find myself on the mountain. Above the snowline. And I just tried to uncover my car. My car is not uncovered completely. However I did knock off enough snow that I can stand on the banks now leaning against the car and the top of the car comes only to my waist. I broke the broom I was trying to use. My fingers went painful then numb. And finally I could really do no more. So I came back inside. Frustrated. And back to the thought that occurs to me at least once a week and usually closer to once a day. I hate the snow.
But this entrance is startling. It’s mid-experience. Not even! It’s only been ALMOST a month. Unfortunately we all know I wander off from my blogging. I don’t realize people read it. They do! And this information quite pleases me. I am used to my ramblings going unheard, and typically I believe they should be. To share my experience, however, is totally different. I am quite thrilled I am able to share my experiences and people not only DO read my sharing, but WANT to. So I shall attempt to pick back up my blogging. I believe it’ll be good for me. Channel my frustrations into something more coherent. So shall I recap?
My old job at EP was awful. I got my friend to replace me and I am quite frankly bemused that he can’t keep up with a pace I found gruelingly slow. He’ll learn. He says he enjoys kitchen work - I can’t wait until he actually tries REAL kitchen work. It’s not easy and he likes a challenge. I think it’ll be good.
Anyway! I got a new job. Decided setting down anywhere really wasn’t going to work for me. 3 months in and I was already restless. Winter, however, means winter jobs. Means snow. What the hell, right? Who knows! I might like the snow after all. Just give it a shot, Charlie Brown! It’s pretty, after all.
Meadows takes me on. Deli cook is not an experience I’ve ever had so I’m down. A small chance to work on my management skills as a lead. A chance to work on my customer service skills since it’s an open “kitchen.” I find a place to live, as I said, above the snow line in a town small enough to make my last place of residence big. Small enough to be comparable to Lake area - or most areas in Yellowstone. One or two bars/restaurants, coffee shop, general store, a few inns and hotels, and a few sport stores. For good prices or selection you drive about thirty minutes down the hill - out of the snow zone. I like small towns, believe it or not, so it works. Oh - and I bring a boy with me. Of course. As most of my great follies start.
At first it was cold, but it was pretty and as long as the stinging cold didn’t fall in my face it was ok. Not much on the ground but ice in the morning. As it came down thicker I tried my hardest to find it charming. For a while I even succeeded. It can still be walked through, and the quarter-mile trip to town was nice. I like the chance to walk and even through the snow I COULD walk to town.
Now? Now after trying to clear over a foot, probably over two feet of snow off my car, snow built up so high around the stairs that I cannot FIND the bottom stair and there is only one way to walk to get to the road, and stingingly cold flakes of blinding frozen water never ceasing to fall from the constantly grey skies I find optimism hard to maintain. Walking to town - or anywhere - now requires putting on what Chris calls “Crampons” which are snow chains for my shoes. Walking to town is so much a chore that I have to force myself to go. I only manage trips to town keeping in mind a firm idea that I WILL have fun when we reach town. With the optimism that the amount of fun will be enough to counterbalance walking carefully in chains through piled up snow. Bundling up like a child to keep from freezing and being all too aware that even if I’m warm once inside a building the snow on my shoulders, arms, and legs will melt and I will be wet and then inevitably cold.
It’s seasonal. I LOVE seasonal. I LOVE the people you find in seasonal places. And truly when I am warm or forced to admit it I will confess I am happy for the experience. You know, in the same way you’re happy for the experience of chopping off your fingertip with the meat slicer. Now you know. You know what it feels like, you know how to properly deal with it in the future, you know what you did wrong to GET it, and you know you don’t like the feeling. But you wouldn’t know if you hadn’t done it, would you?
Chris, bless his heart, is trying to teach me that snow isn’t bad. He gets so excited. Look at that car all piled in! Look at that beautiful powder! It’s so pretty, lets go for a walk. At the very least he is slowly but surely teaching me that snow doesn’t necessarily mean I’m trapped. One of my biggest dislikes about snow is that I feel so trapped it’s scary. I’m a restless soul. Gypsies soul. However you’d like to phrase it. I’ve never done well being chained to one place. Ask my Mom - I get restless fast. Have to go somewhere, do something, SOMETHING. With that knowledge of my personality, it shouldn’t be hard to imagine that feeling trapped is one of the worst feelings in the world for me. I end up shrinking into myself fighting urges to cry in frustration and desolate desperation and depression. I end up lashing out and being more bitchy than I even realize. It’s not good. And even though he doesn’t know it’s that bad for me. Even though he doesn’t know he’s even doing it, by forcing me out of the house and by maintaining so much enthusiasm he is helping me realize snow doesn’t mean trapped. Necessarily.
I do need to be better equipped. Better prepared. Having never needed anything for this kind of harsh weather I never acquired anything for it. I’m making do, as I usually do, but if I/we do a snow winter ever again I will be ready.
So that’s my rant and ramble. Hopefully ending on something that sounds cheerier than I feel. Something that sounds more optimistic than I can actually manage at the moment. If nothing else, I think, I can at least hibernate. I can learn how to hibernate winters in books and craft and work… We shall see. Wish me luck! And thanks for listening.
~Cat
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