July 22 – Fun in Eagle
The last couple of days in Eagle have been a blast! A friend, Carol, and I went floating down river in her canoe.
Carol and her canoe ready to float down riverThe Canoe ready to float down the Yukon River (7/16/08 8:30pm)
Floating on the Yukon
The sun was set perfectly just behind a cloud – so as not to blind us as we floated towards Eagle.
Sun setting over the top of the canoe (8:30pm)
Sunset on the Yukon River (8:30pm)
A stop at another friend’s house provided the opportunity to take a swing and flower photos.
Soup being prepared at our stop
Arctic Poppy
May 28 – Beginning Tours
Within the last 17 days I have taken 2 tours to Eagle Alaska, and I’ll start my third on Saturday. It has been an interesting beginning. For both trips
I helped out some of our newer drivers, and they both did great. However, the motor-coaches have been running into some problems recently, and three of the buses (of 6 I have seen on the road) have had problems with the Air Conditioning. After attempting to fix the coach on the road,
they always seemed to work, and then later down the road the cooling system just stopped
working. I am grateful that I have mechanics in Fairbanks that do everything they can to keep these motor-coaches in the best working condition they can.
I have enjoyed meeting and reuniting with good friends in Tok and Eagle. One special moment was being able to hold Andy’s three-week old puppy. While I’m typing this journal up, I am also able to hold Wesley – Heidi Bohanan’s littlest – and it is so comforting.
Another exciting opportunity, is to watch the ice on the Robertson River slowly melting away. Watching passengers react to animals we see along the road (and watching them react to the Taylor Highway). And best of all, I get to witness green-up and the first wild flowers beginning to bloom. On my last trip I saw the first Lupine and Arctic Poppy of the season. I hope to take pictures of these flowers sometime in the near future.
So it has been a busy but exciting start to the new season. I pray that everyone is doing well. My thoughts are often turned toward my parents and cat: Morris. Family and friends are often missed.
So until next time – Count your blessings and watch for flowers and animals!
May 11th – Happy Mother’s Day!
The last couple of days has been very eventful. On Saturday I completed my dual driving – and at this point I’m permitted to drive passengers around. We had another training meeting today – yes, on Mother’s Day – but it went well. I look forward to sharing my love of Alaska with passengers.
Praise God! I have a place to stay for this Summer. Bonnie Chapman has graciously given up a room in her house so that I can use it this summer. She already has a roommate – Robbyn – and now I am added to the mix. It should be a fun this summer. Because her house is quite a distance from work, I was concerned about transportation. Then she mentioned that she has a car that I can use if I get insurance.
Wow: God is good.
May 8th
Today I did my refresher training and drove around town (in a tour bus of course) for the first time this summer!
The tours start this coming week, so I have a couple of days before ‘work starts’. On Saturday I will complete the driving requirements before I’m permitted to drive passengers. Sunday I’m supposed to be in training. Yes! I have training on Mother’s Day! No one is really happy about it, but some things you can’t change. This Monday I will probably (not 100% sure) be sharing all my knowledge about Fairbanks with the new drivers as a training run. Then the season will be starting in earnest!
I have not found a place to stay yet. Currently the Bohanan’s are putting up with me until the driver’s come off the training run on Saturday. We will see what happens at that point!
It has been an interesting couple of days, and I look forward to sharing the incredible state of Alaska with you soon. :0
Hilde
May 5th
I’ve Arrived! Here in Sunny Fairbanks. It may be ‘cool’ outside, but I’m enjoying it so far.
The flights were uneventful, and a big thank you to my Father who provided me with a ‘Board Room Pass’ for my hour and a half wait in Seattle.
THANKS>>>
A huge thanks to all who made it possible for me to get here.
In Vancouver, a big thanks to Debbie Toland and Amy Williams for the ride to the airport. (Yes Amy, I know you didn’t take me, but your willingness gave me a peace of mind.)
In Fairbanks, a BIG thanks to Sean and Heidi Bohanan who not only picked me up at the airport, but are letting me stay at their house for a few days until I can figure out my ‘situation’.
I’m hoping to get an apartment with others near the office so that I can walk to work. (Go Green) 
As soon as I know anything new, I’ll post it. Until then – Have a great week!
Hilde
May 1st
I haven’t left for Alaska yet, but I will be arriving on May 6th.
Some photos are available from the last nine years for anyone who is interested. Look for the Alaska Photos page.
