Alaska

“Alaska, You’re the Best Kind of Breaking My Heart!”

September 28, 2016September 28, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I’m going to tell you something about Ketchikan that no one knows: the clouds are drippy faucets in clever marshmallow costumes. A few years ago I fell in love with John Green. He writes Youth[…]

“So This is Ketchikan,” (The First) Conversation in Alaska | 1 of 50

September 25, 2016September 25, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I texted Danielle- “Just landed!” at 4:05pm on Friday April 15th. “Okay! Slight change of plans. We will be picking you up with a boat as of right now. Some of us have to do[…]

Bear, Conversations in Alaska: 16 of 50

September 15, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

JT comes in from his tri-nightly cigarette break. He is in his 40s, originally from Kodiak, wears house slippers and keeps to himself usually. When he walks in the door, he faintly whistles through his[…]

“The Goods Are Odd but the Odds are Good” Conversations in Alaska, 17 of 50

September 14, 2016September 14, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

I meet Molly at Fat Stan’s. I don’t really know her that well, but I remember when we first met on the Nona. I got picked up from the airport on a boat. Still a[…]

“Tell the Lady with the Bird..” Conversations in Alaska, 18 of 50

September 13, 2016September 13, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

We finished loading the tour. I was at 2, in front of the Volendam, directing folks to 3. Merek was at Sockeye Sams with the flag, intercepting guests from 4 and 2 and sending them[…]

Nearing End-of-Season Check-Up: How to Remember Alaska

August 9, 2016August 9, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

There’s not much that isn’t temporary. Temporary tattoos are temporary, but so are permanent ones as they will fade over the years. Cheese is temporary, sadly, and so are baby teeth, adult teeth, wisdom teeth,[…]

Summer in Alaska: The Town

July 10, 2016 First Person ForeignAlaska

Ketchikan is a small fishing town that became a tourist trap and cruise port. Ketchikan has the largest collection of preserved totem poles and boasts one Walmart, a frenetic salmon ladder at the end of[…]

Crash and Grab vol. 1| Returning Home for a Wedding

July 5, 2016July 5, 2016 First Person ForeignBeauty

So, Thursday May 26, I went home for a wedding. The travelers among you can understand the compunction of “going home for a wedding” or going to a destination wedding. Traveling for all weddings is[…]