Sept 6, 1995
I finished my time in Denali. It was fun, but it sure is nice to be done with it. The last week I was there was pretty crazy. They have this crazy dash they call the Denali Dash where they go from the Hotel up to the Chalet’s – it’s about 3 miles. It was the night the Gold Spike Saloon closed. I had just gotten off work and went in for a beer. Everyone was nuts! Everyone was packed in. I was in the smoking car when everyone started taking their clothes off. You see the “Dash” is a naked walk to the Chalets. When everyone started running, I almost joined in. I had my pants halfway off, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. But, I drove alongside. There were almost 30 people all buck-naked, having a great time. Each stage there were people cheering on the side. It was almost like a race. It was so funny to see all the moons walking along.
When they crossed the bridge of the Nenana River, all the guys had their asses to the road pissing and the gals sat over the railing. From there they ran to a bonfire off the side of the road. Can you imagine – sitting by a mellow fire and having 30 naked bodies run up and start whoopin and hollerin. Crazy.
They dashed on to the Princess Lodge where they proceeded to run to the lobby. 5 seconds after they went in, they ran back out arms waving “Run” “Run” they shouted. Then up to the Chalets where they loaded everyone into a bus and off they went back to the Hotel. After that night, and everyone was unloading at the hotel a bunch of rangers drove up. Probably just to break it up.
A few days later I drove up to Matt’s cabin – he’s been working on it all summer. It was a great little 2 story cabin overlooking the tundra.
August 29, 1995
Wow, August is almost done. Glenn will be 25 in a few weeks. I have to figure out what to get him. I’ve been thinking about what I really want to do while I’m in Alaska.
Honestly, I just don’t know. I’ve been talking to my roommate and his friend about their world excursions and there are definitely a few things I need to work through as far as getting up and going. Like money. I have to power through the idea that I always need to be making money. Another is actually thinking about what I want to see. Going with the “flow” works, but I definitely have to take the opportunities, I think. I’m getting lazy about that. Maybe this is just the rest period I need to re-energize myself. And remind myself why I’m traveling.
There’s a great saying I found today: “There is no such thing as strangers, only friends we haven’t met.”
I can see a lot of Uncle Ted and Mom’s personality quirks manifesting in me. Like I’m a work-oriented person with the spirit of a traveler. Which can work – I just need to fin the balance.
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 1st 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.
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.