A Quiet New Years at Home

A quiet new years with the family and the dogs. What more can a guy ask for? The next day was followed by a potluck at a family friends house. In addition I have enjoyed the theatrical wonders of the area. I can honestly say it is a little different than isolated Alaska.

Work is still going well. It has been a lot of work getting medical to were HS1 Capra wants it to be, but the work is finally showing. It is good experience and I am thankful for the opportunity. We are on a normal work routine again and the fog is absolutely incredible. Some may say it is horrible weather because it is not good for flying, but I think it is beautiful weather. Especially as it burns off and reveals the blue sky above.

The potluck went well. It was a good group of people at the Fox Trotter Ranch. I set the record for the ski jump on the Wii. Three hundred and eleven yards, no one else came close. It is probably the only game I was any good at, but I won, so that is all that matters.

Later that week I saw “Wicked” in the city. It was an incredible show. The Staging, the acting it was absolutely stunning. I have not seen many plays in my life, but this was well worth the money. It was a very interesting twist on the “Wizard of Oz,” very well written and asked some very pressing questions about human behavior.

Last but not least I saw the film “Avatar” in Imax 3D. The graphics are incredible, fully rendered in 3D. The story is nothing original or revolutionary, but it is a great film nonetheless. I saw it twice with two groups and will probably see it again with someone else. It is well worth seeing.

But I doubt you came on to hear about a film and a Broadway show. Life is great overall. I am with the family. I am very content. I did see one thing that did not appear in Alaska. Even in the bay area, there are wildlife sightings. A Golden Eagle perched on the stations gate and was kind enough to let me get some photographs. As you can see, it was a very beautiful animal.



No matter where you are, life is full of opportunities and adventure.

A Short Random Excert from me about Life!

Life rarely gives up the experiences in the way we expect them to play out. Sometimes the sense of timing appears to be a little off. But it is how we feel that really matters. I did not expect to get Port Clarence Alaska, but it did and it turned out to be one of the most growing experiences of my life. We cannot change who people are or when we get the opportunity to meet them. What we can do is enjoy every moment we can. No one knows what life has waiting around the corner for them. I always keep in mind that I will not be challenged with something that I cannot succeed at. As the people that know me best, some of my decisions have made life harder than it had to be, but then again there was always a reason when all was said and done. I am grateful for all that I have experienced. The good, the bad, the painful and the joyful all took part in shaping who I am today.

Home for the Holidays

Mom and Joe on Christmas Eve.

Uncle Patrick and I open the Helicopters.

Dad and I on Christmas.

Dad, Conner, Uncle Cam, Aunt Kathy on Christmas.

My Dads side of the family.


Cameron being ....... Cameron!

Allysa, Aunt kristi, Me and Chris.

I have heard the song many times or at least the words on the song. “There is no place like home for the holidays.” I can honestly say it didn't really hit me till now. I have worked during the holidays before and not been able to be there. Last year was the first time that I was not able to be home even if I wanted to. This years Christmas was incredible because I was with my family for the holidays. My family is crazy, they are borderline insane in some respects, but I love them nonetheless and would not trade them for any other family.

I spent Christmas Eve with my mother’s side of the family. My Uncle Patrick, Uncle Phil and Aunt Kathy came to our house for the night and a small gift exchange. Our neighbors Steve and his father Joe also joined us. Along with a few family friends that dropped by the house, it made for a very busy night at the Watt house.

Christmas Day was just as spectacular when I saw my fathers side of the family. I am not going to list them off because there are way to many. You know who you are. Dinner was great as it always is and the family was very entertaining. I cannot recall a boring family dinner with this group of clowns, scoundrels, fire crackers and wonderful people. The conversation is never planned, but it guaranteed to go in a direction that cannot be predicted nor controlled. On the upside of that, it is the most memorable part of the gatherings.

Most importantly, I was home with the family and our small family Christmas. Kensey was not able to make it home, but the dogs were here so they took her place. Just joking kensey. Hobie has forgotten about her completely! He is lying at my feet as I write. I got some new boots, a belt, a RC helicopter. I think it is a model of a Jay Hawk. It is the greatest RC gift my dad ever gave. Christmas was wonderful, I was grateful to be home, enough said. I cannot thank my family enough to making this holiday so memorable.

As for other news, the Air Station is Great. I am working with the Health Services Technician full time and just got qualified for the watch. I am not longer one in four, which is very nice. The crew is a good group of people. The commute is not the easiest, but what can I really complain about. I need to get into a regular gym routine again, but that will happen. Things were relatively hectic while I was getting qualified and now my schedule is a little more open. Time for some skiing, running, horse time, and just enjoying life.

I hope the Crew in Alaska is enjoying the desolate winter up there, it truly is a stunning and humbling thing. California is beautiful and I am enjoying the familiar scenery once again. Have a wonderful day and I will write soon.

The End of a Chapter

It is difficult to put into words the feeling of leaving a place like Port Clarence and Alaska. It has been a great adventure and like all things had to come to an end. As much as is gained by returning home to family, friends and those places familiar to me, there is something lost in the leaving of such a majestic place. I leave behind some lifelong friends and a place I will never forget.


The Sun Rises over the Arctic Landscape one more time before I go.

It is one of the most beautiful areas I have seen I my life. The arctic weather, the stunning landscapes., the abundance of wildlife and the dynamic seasons that make the place unique. It is hard to believe that is over already, my first duty station and lessons within the Coast Guard.

I flew out on a clear day, with beautiful clouds. The pilot took the coast the entire way down to Nome and gave me one more look at the landscape that has blessed my life. The dynamic colors on the ground as the snow is beginning o stick for winter. As the bay and ponds freeze, the beauty is not lost just changed. I saw the familiar yellow of the snow cat in the distance and the pilot took us close enough to wave goodbye; they turned the lights on for us. The sun rose in as we headed south and soon dominated the sky. The windswept shape of the frozen water as we flew low over the tundra and low rolling hills. I found myself thinking is I would ever see this land again. I did not understand the full impact of the moment until I was in it. I chose Alaska for it natural appeal. With all the challenges that came with isolated duty, I saw what I wanted to see the beauty of the natural world. I saw it for what is, a truly awe inspiring opportunity.

Call me Crazy, but I am a better man because of the experience of Alaska and the people I had the honor to serve with. I had successes and I made mistakes. I gave what I could, but learned to watch out for myself in the process. I suppose that with all that time to think, you get the opportunity to better yourself or just get by. No matter what you must face, you always have the choice in how you deal with it. In facing the challenges of the last year, I don’t think that I would have been able to get through without the simple but powerful words of my father, “You make it a good day.” Even with how hectic the last few weeks have been with getting ready to go, it still feels surreal to be leaving.

A view heading south from Port Clarence on the Coast.

Alaska from 35000 Feet.

With that said, Thank you to the people that served with me for the last year for making my adventure memorable. No matter what was happening at the station, it was the people that made it worth it.

When I first started this blog is was for family and friends, I had not idea it would mean so much to me to tell the world about this incredible part of the world. I am grateful that is brought smiles to those who read it. I give you my word that I will continue to write and do my best to keep in interesting.

The Sun Sets on Port Clarence.

Sincerly
Christopher J. Watt