Alaska!!!
Being in Alaska is so refreshing. It is beautiful, exciting, peaceful and quie Ketchikan barely makes it into the border of Alaska as the first city on the Southeastern most corner. It is only accessible by sea or air: driving (without the use of a ferry) is not an option. The weather is tame, with only a small chance of any snow during the winter. Average winter lows are in the 30s and summer highs are in the 70s.
In my short time so far, I have learned several things.
1) The people are ridiculously friendly and chatty. I have yet to meet any rude jerks.
1) The people are ridiculously friendly and chatty. I have yet to meet any rude jerks.
2) Ketchikan is magical. The water sparkles at night, lights in the sky dance and the bears come out to say hello.
3) Insanely beautiful sunsets.
5) Cruise ships sometimes bring in more visitors per day than the population of actual residents.
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| Saw this beauty on my way to work: arriving before 7 am. |
7) Lots of totem poles. I believe Ketchikan has the most totem poles of any other US city.
8) NO grizzlies. Well, not usually. This made me exceptionally happy.
Our first full day in town was spectacular. We were in awe at our second cloudless day as we ventured from three soon to be important stores: Scuba shop, music shop, and Safeway (grocery). We spent an hour or more talking to dive shop owners Allen and Saunya Alloway from Wind and Water Charters. We fell in love with the idea of dry suit diving and expanding our underwater adventures into colder seas. Next we spent an insane amount of time at the music store because David was considering purchasing a ukulele. By the time we were done, he walked out of the store empty handed while I had a (very) used trombone and the promise of joining the community band. I was thrilled! Safeway is notable because of the view we received whilst walking out of the store: the ocean was right there, with the sun causing it to glisten and smile.
It has been four weeks since we arrived and I feel like I have seen more rainy days here than I have seen in 10 years of living in Colorado (minus this year; it was a seriously wet summer). Apparently, Ketchikan gets over 12 feet of rain per year. Oh my! That's insane.
The community recreation center has one of the coolest swimming pools I have been in. First of all, the deep end goes to 13 feet which is extremely helpful when learning how to scuba dive. (We are in the process of becoming dry suit certified and I swear it has felt like learning how to dive all over again; a very humbling experience.) Secondly, the pool is awesome for swimming in. There is a low dive, a high dive and two really cool water slides. Then there is a kiddie pool and whirlpool off in the corner.
On my first day of work I was introduced to a traveling nurse who would become an instant friend. We met at in HR and would not be working on the same unit or shift. I think she likes hanging out with David and I as much as we enjoy hanging out with her. We find lots of time to explore the town together. One night we took her to Herring Cove where we looked at bears coming out of the shadows to go fishing. (Not the cool kind of fishing where you see a salmon jump up and a bear catches it, but the gentle putting in of the claws into the water to grab a fish and eat it kind). The next night after dinner we went out into the ocean with boots on to stir up the water and see it glow with bioluminescent plankton.
My job at the hospital is great. I work with some of the smartest and nicest nurses, techs and surgeons. Being that it is such a small town, it is not an operating room that is booming with cases but I am having a great time getting to know everyone. There is (usually) lots to do and lots to learn.
Other than the permanently cloudy forecast, I feel that Ketchikan has captured my heart in a lot of ways. It makes me optimistic about the future, excited to be alive, and a feeling that I can do anything I set my mind to. However, this is supposed to be the year where we travel and explore and have a great adventure. We want to see as much of the US as possible. Then again, Alaska is pretty special.
