Satellite!

YAY! We're offically online with satellite internet at the Gustavus office! I feel like I'm able to work at the speed of light!

Sigurd

Pete and I came to the library to catch up on some higher speed internet for a bit, which means I can upload pictures!

This is Sigurd. Mostly known as Sig, but also commonly refered to as "small one", "monster", "little man" and "sig pig". He keeps me pretty busy during the day, because he is in serious chew phase and wants to eat everything he can get his little teeth on. We've discovered that he has two modes, he's either asleep or he turns into a total wild child (this is known as "wombat mode" in our house, even though he acts more like a tazmanian devil.). We tell ourselves he's going to grow out of this and calm down, but who knows. 

Today he is 3 months old, and he's growing like a weed. I think he looks like he has bat ears, but Duane disagrees. 

I'll post pictures of our house as soon!

Family Time

Greetings from Gusto! For a very small and quiet town things have been super busy. We had our first trip go out of the Gustavus base of AMG this weekend which kept me pretty busy. The students and staff arrived on Thursday evening, and then all day Friday I was working with the staff to get them prepped for their trip. Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to another deepwater rescue training class and then Monday was their food pack day. So there went my weekend. As much as I would have enjoyed some rest this weekend, it was pretty nice to have people around for a few days and keep things interesting.

Then on Monday my brother, Peter, arrived in Gustavus. He’s going to be staying with us here in town for a few weeks, just spending some time relaxing and seeing Alaska. It’s been fantastic to have him around the last few days, and I’m hoping we can get some good paddling adventures in around Gustavus while he’s here. 

Sunny Days

Today was one of those days you really appreciate in southeast Alaska, even if you have spent just a little time here. This part of Alaska is enveloped in the Tongass National Forest, which is also a rainforest. The Tongass is the world's driest rainforest, but a rainforest none the less. 

Summers like 2008 remind us how truely wet it can get here. Between May 1 and Sept 15, 2008 (the typical summer season) Haines, AK saw 5 days where there was no rain. 5 days! So the fact that Gustavus, AK, only about 50 miles away as the crow flies, has pretty much been sunny since May started is really a blessing. I decided to take every opportunity I could to spend time outside today, because I know the rainy season will come eventually and then I'll be tired of being stuck inside. 

Life in Gustavus, when there aren't trips packing in or out, or students mulling about, can be pretty mellow. I enjoy days like today for that reason. I was able to get up with Duane at 7a, make breakfast, answer some emails, take Sig for a walk, check off some of the to-do list, etc (all in flannel pants and a hoodie!)

In other news today, I was able to get some seeds in the ground today (mostly salad mixes, they seem to do the best up here). Let's hope I can keep Sig and the moose out of the garden for the season!

In Gustavus!

Ok, I've been bad, I know, but somehow in all the chaos of transitioning I've completely lost the blog. 

Update from the last few weeks:

 

April 29th: Duane and the Puppy arrived in Juneau! We had a great day together exploring the city and playing with the pooch. We've decided to name him Sigurd, or "Sig" for short. Sigurd Olsen is Duane and I's favorite author, so it only seemed natural that our norwegian dog should inherit his norwegian name. 

April 30th: The three of us jumped on a plane over to Gustavus from Juneau. We were lucky enough to have a high ceiling to fly over on, so Duane got to see all the snow capped mountains of AK for the first time from a small plane. 

May 1st to May 4th- We spent the days getting moved into the house, picking up the car from the barge, and both of us getting started with our jobs in Gustavus. 

May 5th- Sig and I took off for Haines. I had to go and teach a 3 day Kayaking Rescue skills clinic for the new staff in Haines, and Sig came with me to meet the crew in Haines. 

May 6th-8th- Rescue Training in Haines. Most of it was done in Pool Sessions, which I am really grateful for. Teaching rescues to new paddlers in cold water can be really challenging. The new staff made the best of the warm water in the pool and then we had our test out session in the ocean on Friday with the help of some dry suits. 

May 9th- Charter flight back to Gustavus. Both Sig and i were very excited to see Duane again and get back to our house. I must have been really exhausted because I slept for almost 16 hours or so when I got home. 

My camera is broken, so getting new pictures up is a bit challenging, but I'll try to get some pictures of the house and pup up soon!

Waking up to Snow

I woke up early this yesterday hoping that I was going to be able to get a run in before heading into the office, but sadly, it was sleeting outside, so I decided against getting soaked to the bone in 40 degree weather. This my friends, is spring in Alaska. However, we did have 3 absolutely beautiful days in Haines before this, so I can't complain. We've finally lost all the snow off the beaches, and there are just little piles left all over town.

I can't believe the month has flown by so quickly. I leave Haines a week from yesterday to go meet up with Duane in Juneau for a few days before we both head to Gustavus for the summer. I feel like arriving in Gustavus will be when the good times of the summer can really get started. However, I did just find out today that I'll be coming back to Haines on May 6,7, & 8 to run the kayak guide training for Haines. At least its only a few days, and I'll have time to get moved into Gustavus, and get settled at the Gustavus HQ.

This morning though was beautiful again. The sun is back out and we're all loving that the temperatures are starting to come back up. (Highs this week are in the low 50s.) I also received these pretty things on my desk

 this week from that lovely man who will be joining me in Gustavus next week. Thanks baby!

The View from my Office

I was struck today by how lucky I am to be looking at this view out my window from my office everyday. Gosh I love Haines.