TechZati

August 24, 1995

I moved condo’s from the Chalet’s to the Hotel.  I moved in with this guy Jim Buckley.  He’s a world traveler.  He and a friend of his were telling me about Africa.  They showed me some pictures and I was amazed..  They gave me advice to make money in the 1^st world and then travel in the third.  Rob said something funny.  He said “Anywhere I can walk out of the town, I’m not paying to sleep.”  They think there are 2 types of world travelers.  Ones that do it for a couple months, then get sick of it and go home – and those which work through that stage.  He said in his own experience, you find an order for yourself.  You get used to the cheap way of living and you get into a sort of mindset.  Another piece of advice was to be ready to part with everything.  I guess the idea is the less you take, the less you worry.

I think I figured out my fascination with seeing the world and I think it’s to find the amazement of life as it unfolds for me.  I feel that reflecting on my experiences and oftentimes is what drives me to go forward.

August 18, 1995

I just got back from my first back-country hike in Denali.  I wasn’t that impressed. I think Glacier was much more beautiful.  Maybe it was the weather.  The WI guys took off back to school.

I’ve thought a lot about the people who’ve made impressions on me and way. Dino, Collin, Greg.  And I think that it’s mostly that they are happy with who they are – basically.  Dino especially, I think it is because he can be your best friend and the walk away.  He is who he is.  It’s also, I suppose reassuring, that I’ve made enough of an impression on these guys that they’re attributing something of their character to me.  I can’t understand what it is, but me being me is enough, obviously.  I’ve also been thinking about family.  Glenn [brother] and I specifically.  I wish we were closer. And the reason I don’t think it happened while we were growing up is because we didn’t do anything together.  I’m definitely going to make an effort.  I can’t believe it’s nearing the end of August.  Here, it’s already starting to turn to fall.  I think the detachment from home and school is starting to hit me.

August 9, 1995

Well, I’m in Denali…  I have a job as a front desk clerk.  It will be strange sleeping in a bed again.  I just got back from the Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival, it was alight.  They bulldozed a huge area just for the festival, I didn’t sit well with that.  The music was pretty good.  I spent most of the days sitting in the back of my truck watching people.  I saw basically all of Trans-Aqua again.  We sneaked Chad’s car in.  We found a musicians pass and got it in, no problem.

One day we were all sitting in the back of my truck and I saw some Ptarmigan.  Sparky and Todd threw some racks at they and knocked out two of them.  Sparky cooked them up.  They were actually really good.

After Talkeetna, we went fishing in Montana Creek.  Talk about 2 days of fantastic fishing. Probably my 2 best days ever.  It was actually only me and Doug who were fishing.  We started by the bridge and snagged humpies left and right.  They are pretty for fish.  The next morning thought. Oh my God!  I was fishing in this back eddy hole.  A bite within 10 casts or less every time!  I hooked at least 6 dogs (chums), 2 trout and a couple humpies – Insane! The dogs are beautiful fish.  It was all catch and release.  Absolutely perfect day of fishing.  I had waders on and the water was so clear!  These fish fought like maniacs, at least every 5 casts I would hook one right in the mouth.  To see a silver fish with read and purple stripes jump on the end of your line [6 weight fly rod] A-mazing.

After fishing we came up to Denali.  I found a spot right off the road.  We set up camp and walked down under a bridge [over a gorge].  This walkway went right under it along the girders.  So, of course we all went up it.  Looking down over the river was such a feeling of vertigo!  It was a couple hundred feet high and just incredible. Chad is a nut and was going out along the girders and goofing around.  Didn’t make one feel comfortable at all. No Fear I guess.

So, now I’m in Denali.

August 1, 1995

Today was my last day at Trans-Aqua.  I suppose ends are always a little weird

July 30, 1995

We all went to the T (Tustumena) Bar last night.  They made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for having 6,000 hats in the bar.  Men with No Pride was playing.  They call themselves that because they never practice.  The only time they practice is when they’re performing.

Great band to dance to we danced all night!  From the time I got there to when I left at 3:30 in the morning.  It was probably the funnest night I’ve had here.  I had a lot of compliments on my dancing – ha.  Sue was trashed and was telling me “If I were 10-15-20 years younger, I’d be after you!” Erin was dancing like a manic crazy girl, she totally opened up and changed as soon as Nick left – definitely for the better. She was “impressed at my rhythm.”  God, 6 hours of dancing. When we got out of the bar, I walked over to talk to Doug and some girl was pissing on the ground next to the car.  I couldn’t believe it – she didn’t stop telling a joke the whole time – outrageous.  Lindsay told me this morning I dance like a “city boy.”  A compliment, I suppose.

July 28, 1995

This last week has been insane here.  We had a beach party [near Soldotna] and it was NUTS.  Freddie rode his mountain bike off a dirt cliff – broken leg.  I jumped off after that.  At the party, it was definitely more than a normal bonfire.  Everyone was blitzed and doing crazy stuff.  Doug was fire-rolling and people were falling in the sand all over the place.  Sparky got bit by a dog and it slashed is palm pretty good. It must have been a full moon or something. It was “insanity.”

Salmon run is almost done.  I’ve been fishing tons.  These salmon runs are great – I learned how to fillet fish a couple of different ways.  I’ve definitely proved something to myself.

July 25, 1995

2 days ago, I went fishing for salmon in the Upper Kenai with Chad, Doug and all the Wisconsin guys.  Caught 2 mostly by snagging.  Definitely a fight.

The day before I drove up to Denali and found a job.  I’m not sure if I’m going to take it yet or not.  This cannery wok is actually still ok.  I can’t believe that it’s almost the end of July.  The WI guys are going back to school in a couple weeks. Then, I think it will hit me I’m done.

July 19, 1995

I just got out of work.  Basically, I just worked 20 hours with an 8 hour period to sleep.  I’m definitely disenchanted with this place.  Nicko and Erin had a parting of the ways.  I guess it shook Nicko up pretty bad.  He just up and left, he wants me to call him if I go to Denali.  DENALI – Collin’s advice to me of deciding if I want to see Alaska or make money here keeps going through my head.  AND I’m definitely NOT going to make money here.  Time to move on, I think.

July 17, 1995

Per just got married (day before) yesterday. The wedding was beautiful.  I’m happy for the new couple, but I just can’t imaging being married, or even being in love for that matter. Carrie looked beautiful with her gown.  Very long veil.  The deacon was hilarious. “Sit down and have a beer, and talk about it…”

The reception was fantastic.  Per and Carrie were picked up in a Rolls-Royce limo.  We met them at the reception.  They had everything – ice sculpture, read and white wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres all flowing freely.  I’m really impressed with how classy the whole event was.  Per’s professing his love to Carrie at the cake-cutting was extremely touching.

Yesterday, I picked up a hitchhiker. He’s spent some time in Taiwan.  He was pretty interesting.  I met his boss – very interesting man – a French-Louisiana Cajun who was really into philosophy.  He and I had a deep conversation.  He wanted to transcend to a different plane.  He was trying to explain that after you “evolve” beyond the star of the five sense, you transcend.  He was using the lotus as an example.  While alive you can only do it through meditation.  Nothingness.

We went for laundry today and I saw that Denali is hiring.  Chad seemed pretty interested.  He said he wanted to come out and ski for the winter [to Utah]. That would be great!

A couple days ago I felt like it was time to move on.  I think I’m getting caught up in the whole idea of “hanging out” again.  That’s alright.  Now that Per’s wedding is past, it’s almost like now I don’t have that commitment.  Big weight off the shoulders.  We’re all here waiting around for work – still. I guess I’ll see how this Denali thing works out.

July 12, 1995

Well, I’ve been working long hours a couple times a week.  14-16 hour days.  The feeling here is definitely different than Glacier.  People here are actually willing to work, and a lot.  People are almost fighting for hours.  Chad and I finally planned a climbing trip in Anchorage.  We’re going up tomorrow.  He and Doug are going to kick while I’m at Per’s wedding.

I went to “T’s” bar last night with Lindsay and Jenn. I can tell this is their first “real life” experience.  I’m actually sort of jealous of the newness for them, everything they do will be compared to Alaska.  Weeks are beginning to fly by.  Soon summer will be gone.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may

Olde time is still a flyin

The flower that blooms today

Tomorrow will be dyin

- Robert Herrick