Beggining the Alaska Adventure

My adventure began with a very long day of very little rest and many flights to catch. Fortunately I was able to use the USO in Seattle and the Military lounge at Anchorage. I was able to relax and rest for a short while, just enough to keep me going. It got interesting beyond Anchorage when I was not longer on typical comercial flights or cities.

The plane stopped at Kotzbue, Alaska and the airport was a building. When I think of an airport I think of several builidngs or atleast one of good size. Not a small building with several snow machines sitting in front. The only thing that designated it as an airport was the fact that Alaska Airlines was painted on the front wall where I could see it from the plane. I took the opportunity to take a couple pictures and ot redefine what an airport could be. The Nome airport was the same, but I wasn't nearly as amused this time around.

I had a small layover in Nome. I took the opportunity to get some breakfast and see a little bit of Nome. The locals were very kind and generous. I watched as the sun rise over Bearing Sea, it was incredible not only how different it looked from what I had seen before, but also the fact that the time was 1100. The flight from to Nome was strange because the sun had not rose yet. It is just one of those changes that I will have to deal with.





From Nome I took Bearing Air. The plane was an eight seater plane forward prop and was a new experience for me. The Runaways were not cleared of snow, it was just left there. Within sight of these snow covered runaways was a huddle of buildings, towns that can only be reached by aircraft. It is a very different life up here. the roads go all over, but they just stop or are not maintained. I easily believe that there is three hundred miles of roads that lead to no where. Regardless of this drastic change in lifestyle, the beauty was incredible. The landscape is covered with rolling hills. The bays and Bearing Sea is half frozen, chunks of every shape and size as far as the water goes or the eye can see. It sometimes looked very solid while at others cluttered with millions of small pieces of ice. I was told later that it was just starting to freeze and will freeze all the way over during the peak of winter. I felt like kid in a candy store. All this goregeaus senery to take pictures of.
When the plane landed at Port Clarence, It was larger than I thought it would be. The truck was waiting at the end the runaway ready to pick up my gear, me and the mail that was coming in on the flight. It is a good group of people. The pool is a little small to train in and hot tub does not exist, but the weight room is very nice. The station sits on a spit of land separting a large bay and the Bearing Sea. I need to figure out how I am going to get pictures of on the blog due to the bandwidth limitation, and will not be alble to skype anyone. What do you expect when you get the opportunity to live in the wilderness of Alaska. I can still stay in touch.
I got here in time to have a bonfire on the beach by the station. It was cold outside, but the fire was hot enough that you forgot about it. I got a tour of the station and will begin training this following monday. It will be different up here, but it will definately be a worthwhile experience. It is becoming the season of nearly all darkness. I am excited but it is still hard to believe that I am actually here. Just one day ago I was in the bay area. Now I have year to see what Port Clarence has to offer. I will keep everyone updated on how it goes.

Thoughts on Basic Training

  I graduated from basic training.  I cannot say that is was easy or that it did not challenge me, because it did both mentally and physically.  It was not what I expected or what I thought I was ready for.  

  I was ready for the physical tests like the pushups, sit-ups and the run.  What I was not ready for was them finding a way to push me to the physical limit.  You don't realize how much stress can effect your physical abilities until you are in the situation.  I can see why it was necessary to experience that, so we know how strong we really are.  To know what we can take, what we are willing to give and to test whether or not we will give up.  I was very tired at times, my arms felt like they could not hold me up anymore.  At times I did hit the deck and had to rest, or had to slow down.  I may have rested, but I never gave up or stopped trying.

  As for the mental aspect of the training, it was difficult.  It was constant and never predictable.  I suppose it was different for everyone, but for me it was the more difficult aspect.  

  I succeeded and have earned the honor of the title of a Guardian of the Sea.  Earned the honor to be a member of the United States Coast Guard.  Earned the opportunity to see the wilderness of Alaska.  I got stationed at Loran Station Port Clarence, 80 miles north of Nome Alaska.  It is isolated duty but what other time in my life would I have the opportunity to see that area or to live that experience.  It was not my first choice, but I am grateful for the opportunity none the less.  

  So now I have another challenge ahead of me.  To decide what I want to do in the Coast Guard, and what role I want to play.  I am not sure if I want to be in health services, or even Information Systems.  Or do i want to be in the field as a rescue swimmer or a maintenance technician?  I suppose that I have a while to figure that out.  I plan to make the best of it.  There is not bad job or post in the Coast Guard, It is what you make of it.