2 weeks in

Tomorrow marks the 2 week mark. It's hard to believe. Last night I told Gabe that it's finally sinking in, and I am fully freaked out. This was only partially true. I do feel that it's finally sinking in, how far we are from home, the isolation, missing friends and family, etc. But I am only sometimes freaked out. Sometimes the peace, and beauty is very calming. There are times though when we're stuck inside at 3:30 because it's dark and cold outside, and I get tired of sitting on the floor and reading through all the books I've checked out from the Haines library. This is when I start to feel a little trapped. I've combated this by making lists of fun things that I should do like bake bread, write blog, go running, etc.

On a higher note we had a good thanksgiving, it was just us of course but we made a gigantic meal of stuffing, potatoes, chicken, biscuits, all the goods. We ate ourselves into a coma, Gabe said half way through the meal, I think we will always remember this thanksgiving. I couldn't agree more. It was a little lonely, and I could feel emotions come up since we are usually surrounded by family at this time of year, but talking to them on skype, and the phone helped ease my anxiety and sadness. Because of Thanksgiving I had a 4 day weekend! This hasn't happened to me since I was a child. This is sad but true, there has always been work, or school, or work. I haven't even known what to do with myself through these 4 day's. Hence the lists of fun things to do.

Yesterday we went on our first Haines hike. It went through the rain forest, and out along the beach, where we hung out for a long time. It was a sunny day and the mountain tops were bright with snow. There was a beautiful sailboat out on the water, and we watched a ferry come in from neighboring Skagway. There were lots of friendly people out, all with dogs, which made me want one. Gabe say's no, and I am listening. The hike was lovely and full of roots coming out of the ground.

We've got to watching the tides which are amazing, tide pools are everywhere, and large ice chunks wash up on the shore, Gabe will be doing an ice series. The tides go down for miles it seems like. There is a huge sand bar that emerges at low tide which goes almost all the way out to pyramid island. It's a huge contrast to our visit to Hawaii this summer where the tides barely moved. Gabe got a tide chart at the local gear shop since I think he's a little afraid the tide will come up and swallow him while he's absorbed in photo taking.

Yesterday Gabe and I got into this big discussion about relaxation, and how I suck at it. Gabe didn't say I sucked for the record I said that about myself, because it's true. I have been on automatic pilot for the last 6 years, and as much as I love to proj, there are times I don't know what to do with myself. The author I'm reading right now Mary Pipher expresses that she feels people are addicted to their own adrenaline. I feel this is completely true of the common person. There's so much pressure to go go go. When we're not going, we tend to feel like something is wrong. Which is what I'm experiencing currently, withdrawals from my own adrenaline. I have begun the detox and hopefully I will make it through without hallucinating bugs on me or something. Who knows, I'll keep you posted.

Today it is snowing, a beautiful gentle snow, I love it. I love snow because it means snowshoeing, and cross country skiing, are near. Also it's just beautiful. I am going running in it, it's been a long time since I've run in the snow, and looking forward to a hot shower will get me through. Gabe's decided to organize his office since I think he's become unable to move.

A punch to the gut..

I titled this such because that's what I feel like right now. We've been gone from SLC for 8 day's today, and it feels like it's been weeks. I miss it more than I realized I would. Our house is bare, and doesn't have the homey feel that our house in Salt Lake had. My office is very bare and none of my books can go on the shelf until they come in the mail. There's a huge stain in the middle of my office floor which is not going to be fixed any time soon, and Haines of course is beautiful. We live in the most beautiful place I think I've ever seen. The mountains com roaring out of the ocean and are capped with peaceful snow which you can see blowing around on blustery day's. Oh my gosh the wind, the north wind is what people call it around here but when it got going on Tuesday it was painful to walk in, it tears through your clothes, and makes your eyes water. Gabe saw a bald eagle out of our window yesterday, Olive didn't see it. Right now I'm sitting in my bare office- which isn't so bare anymore since I got Kelly's husband to put of some shelves and move my desk to a better spot. Kelly is one of the other therapists here, she's from Florida and moved here 3 months ago. She's got a strong southern accent, and is such a relief for me since she is new too, and equally as freaked out as I am. Everyone is very nice here and welcoming. My boss brought us a bunch of crab legs and smoked salmon which we ate last night for dinner- it was amazing, her husband is a fisherman so I'm really lucky. It's been stressful because we have barely a bar of cell phone service at our house, it works but people cut out fairly often. We've been trying to set up Internet yesterday evening and today but it's been difficult because of the phone service. We ordered our land line phone yesterday from amazon, tonight I will bring the phone from my office home to see if we can call tech support to get the Internet set up. All I want is one of the commodities of life, just to feel a little connected would be great. Or like if a bear came through my front door if I did get to the phone at least it would work. I miss home pretty bad today,and I think Gabe does too. Although I'm excited for the weekend as I will get to enjoy the festivities of the women's bazaar, and the remaining Bald Eagles who are up the road still. I miss you friends and family, and wonderful dessert. I'm sure this blog entry shows how overwhelmed I am since I'm everywhere at once. Just need a weekend- hopefully we get internet tonight:)

Rough sea, cozy cabin

When I called my Mom this morning from the first town on our route she had never sounded so happy to hear from me. We had been out cell range for 38 hours. Last night we were awoken by what they call around here 'the motion of the ocean' which essentially means rough seas. I woke up feeling like I was spinning and had to get up and move about our small cabin to regain my sense of up and down. It calmed down about an hour later. The ferry is fun and I don't want it to end yet, it's nice to spend time with Gabe and have absolutely nothing to do all day but read and eat and look at the beautiful scenery. We discovered the observatory today, a spacious lounge with airplane like seating and huge windows, I think it's the most peaceful place I've ever been in my life. This morning when we got off the ship in Ketchikan to eat breakfast there was a bald eagle just sitting on the dock, it was still there when we returned calm and stoic. Heather sounded like she was next door when I talked to her on the phone, I already miss her a ton and want her to move up here too. The scenery gets more beautiful the closer we get to Haines, so far this is the life.

November 13th

Today has been the opposite of all our days for the last two weeks. It has been mellow it's early afternoon and while Gabe naps will write this- Olive will try to steel the pen while I write. We are sailing between mountains of dense pine trees on either side of us. The ferry experience is cool. Everyone on the ferry looks like an adventurer, with the exception of a couple 'freaks' as Gabe calls them. The pine trees are so thick they go right to the waters edge. Today right after we woke up we crossed a rather rough patch of open ocean which tossed us around making it difficult to walk without holding onto something. Now we are safe in the inlet and on the lookout for wildlife out of our cabin window. The ferry is big, and many people don't have rooms but just sleep in common areas, or observation lounges. There's a gift shop, dinning room/cafe, playroom, several lounges, a bar, and even a movie theater where they play movies all fatback to back. The deck is a nice place to hang out although it's always misty and breezy. Everyone so far has been really friendly, even the freaks. Later today we will cover the birds and try an afternoon movie. We won't be in a port until tomorrow morning, for now lots of ginger tea.

November 12th

No blog yesterday, it was to crazy of day- not to mention there's no Internet or cell service on the ferry. I hope my Mom isn't too worried right now. I will post this handwritten portion of the blog as soon as we port where I can use Internet. Yesterday was a lot of dealing with the unknown trying to find the port of Bellingham was extremely stressful, mostly because I made Gabe drive and then gave him faulty directions. We fought a little but made up with a victory dance when we reached the sea. Boarding the ferry too hours of waiting, luckily they boarded us quickly compared to others. Then we hauled our bags and birds upstairs to our 'stateroom'. Olive and Iggy were spotted by two small children and quite liked the attention. The Dad, trying to distract his two small sons. Said "look over there!" pointing to stuffed bald eagles in a glass case. The little boy replied "those are dead birds Dad I don't care about dead birds, I only like live birds." once we got to our cabin it was time to relax, take a shower, and let Olive out. She thankfully came out with no screaming and made a nest in Gabe's hand. Iggy just stared into his small mirror. Gabe and I went out on deck as the boat was unhooked from the dock and began to drift into the dark sea. Goodbye lower 48.

Safe in Washington

It's been a crazy day full of emotions, but we are safely in Washington somewhere about 50 miles from Yakima. We're at a best western much to Gabe's dismay. When you've been robbed 3 times in the last 2 years it's understandable that Gabe will want to take shifts tonight watching the car. Me from 10- 2 Gabe from 2-6 then off to Bellingham to catch the ferry. After my night shifts at the inpatient unit this should be a breeze. Olive clicked for an hour in her covered cage with Iggy while we situated ourselves, ate dinner, and cracked a bottle of wine. We were terrified to let her out because we neglected to tell the hotel we had birds with us. Imagine that. Once we let Olive out surprisingly she did great, and sat on Gabe for hours. Iggy sat calmly and stared at himself in his mirror like nothing ever happened. As soon as it got dark I sensed my anxiety growing, it's scary to be in the dark in a strange place - makes me miss home. Chinese food never tasted as good as it did tonight, even though my poor husband is out of his mind with worry for our belonging stuffed truck. Gabe had a back scare earlier today just outside of La Grand Oregon, we had to pull over for some quick downwards facing dogs at a rest area. Thankfully Gabe is feeling much better after downing some midol- the only form of ibeauprofin we had on hand. Tonight will be interesting now that Olive has gotten a taste for freedom she probably will be sleeping on Gabe's shoulder to prevent her from waking up the whole complex, for now I'll watch mama Tacoma while Gabe rests. . .

Last Day

Yesterday was our last day in salt lake, it started with a cup of earl gray tea and then we started packing up the truck jigsaw puzzle. By the end of it we literally could put nothing else in, it's like a brick of belongings. We even found space for Olives favorite stick, and Gabe's bike will go on the back to put us at exactly 19 feet- our limit on the ferry. Once the truck was finally all priced together at about 7pm we left our dear home with the french doors dark and empty. We spent the evening with the family eating dinner and laughing, Heather and her Mom came by to bid farewell. It was hard to know I won't see that lady for 6 months, she is my best friend next to husband, my heart hurt when she left. I felt kind of numb until we pulled out of the driveway of my parents house, then I cried all the way to the gas station. I cried also when I read outloud to Gabe from 'If you lived here I'd know your name' about a young fisherman's death at sea- I could barely make it through without sobing into Olive and Iggy's cage cover. We are in Idaho now, it's farmland and lonely, I'll drive in twin falls.

Packing Part Two

So today was insane, well the last few have been. They're all blurred together right now in one big huge storm. Today I woke up not feeling to great which could have been linked to the Melting Pot and wine binge fest last night with Brett and Heathers. It's hard not to let loose a little when your feeling sad, anxious, and excited. It's scary to leave Heather, I know I will miss her so much. We took more stuff to the thrift store today then I ever realized we had in our house, and no not everything is going to fit in the truck. Today on top of other errands we loaded 15 boxes into the truck, then into the post office and then paid $525 to get them on the way to Haines. All I can say is I hope we like it there Alaska. Tonight we will continue to edit what few belongings we have left into a pile for packing into the truck, dehydrater, juicer, and sewing machine will be boxed for a later shipment or for pick up next summer when we visit. Heather is bringing us dinner tonight, it will be great to have the company and the laughter.

Moving sucks

So little did I know how overwhelming moving out of state can be especially when you have good friends to leave behind, a family who is nervous for your departure, a husband worried about tires, a parrot who is screaming all morning because she is freaked out that everything in the house has moved, and a huge platform in the back of your truck that won't come out unless it's sawed out. Yikes! But it's ok I keep telling myself, everything will somehow be ok. With the help of our good friend Wayne we successfully got the platform out and the truck bed ready for packing. It was so great to have his help while drinking a beer and hanging out with his cuter than a bugs ear daughter Maya, who happily took the rest of the yard sale toys off my hands. Today we packed boxes and boxes of goods, I get frantic at times and just start shoving random things in the cracks to make the most of the space. That's how the coffee maker ended up in the same box as all of my hair supplies. For now a little football and beer sounds so good- then a little more packing and some dinner. I'm excited for a delicious Melting Pot dinner with dear friends tomorrow night, and I'm nervous to feel like there isn't time to breath. Yikers!

The Begining

So it wasn't long ago that my husband Gabe and I decided to accept a job offer I had in Haines Alaska. Haines is a small town in southeastern Alaska which is known for it's heli-skiing, hiking, snow caped mountains, summer recreation of hunting, fishing, kayaking, trail running, camping, and anything else you can think of to do in the woods. It's also well known for the Bald Eagle Festival - the annual gathering of over 2500 bald eagles in a small state park near the Haines. If it indicates to you how small of a town this is, the eagles outnumber the residents of Haines during their stay in the Chilkat Valley. The decision to take this job was one of opportunity, impulsivity, and general sense of adventure. My husband and I were married last June in Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah. One of our goals as a couple has been to go camping/adventure at least once a month, and I must say we almost have met that goal:) For our honeymoon we went to Hawaii for 4 weeks, no no not the vacation type of Hawaii you might picture, but the trekking through the rain forest, and exploring the culture type. Knowing this about us it might not come as such a surprise that we decided to take this job in Haines Alaska, and try something totally outrageous. So more about the job: This past spring I graduated from the University of Utah with my Masters in Social Work. 20 long years of education system finally coming to an end, well too bad the economy is in disaster and much of the mental health system in Utah is in disaster. After a few long months of trying to find work, my husband and I sat down and decide some of the places we might want to live. Santa Fe, Northern California, Oregon, Washington, New England, and Alaska. Haines popped up and along went the process, after many skype interviews, a lot of anxiety, a great job offer, and more anxiety, we decided to accept and begin the relocation process. We accepted the job offer on the 10th of October, they needed us on the 16th of November giving us just a little over a month to get our shit together if you will. It's gone by quickly between spending time with friends and family, finishing up our current jobs, yard sales, packing boxes, and all the in-betweens. Here we are only several days away from the big move and the anxiety/excitement is building. There is a lot still to be packed, tons of errands to run, and people that I still wish I had more time to spend with. Let's just hope it all fits in the truck.