Back at home

Here we are, post-adventure, back at home, contemplating a new life in Alaska vs. our life in Massachusetts. At present the pendulum hangs in the middle. Thanks for keeping up with our contemplations. These pictures are at home and a shot of grandma and grandpa with a very huggable Adelaide. 3 Kings

Favorite shots

These are some of our favorite pictures from the journey. What do you think, is it us?

Text in the works

Post Interview Melancholy

My 13 hour interview was exciting, exhausting and a little unnverving the way it always is to be judged by umpteen strangers over the course of a very long day. The talk was fine. I met several very interesting people and at least confirmed for me that I am fascinated by this place and its citizens so the collections would be terribly interesting. The University and Library is beautiful. The dinner following the interview was the best part. It was on the top floor of the Captain Cook hotel with astounding views of the Chugach mountains. Every time I look at the mountains the intensity of their commanding size literally takes the breath out of me. My companions at dinner were wonderful. The dean invited 3 women, all of whom came to Alaska in the 50s and 60s and have lived their lives in what was then a real wilderness and what is today a portal to the vast wild space and place. Their commitment to the state’s success and its people was inspirational. The wine was lovely. The food lovely. The day long and left me not knowing where I stand compared to the other candidates. Time will tell.

Brian has been with his team for most of today. It will be interesting to hear his tales.

Tomorrow we are off to Girdwood. Though I like Anchroage I am starting to really itch to get out of here. I feel clausterphobic. We are right down town in a small hotel, The Voyager, and haven’t had much freedom to get out and aobut because of the interviews.

We are missing the first real snow of the year in Massachusetts, wouldn’t it figure! The forecast is for 20 plus inches overnight promising a wonderful Valentines day for our friends at home.

For Gail, Interview Day

Gail, let all of your fears subside. I have gotten no rest and have about enough energy for breakfast only today. That means the 12 hour interview might be of a very bleary-eyed and non-articulate Jen. Feel better?! :)

Day of Travel

First Alaska Impressions, from Jen
Oh my god, I can’t believe how intensely beautiful it is here. I love it and am so relieved in some ways to see that Brian is getting to love it too. Natives and white people, adventurous people both, intermingling in every way. Great food stores with foods from all over the world. Great beer store. We’re moving!

After a bad first night sleep and major headaches and the baby food lost at New Sagaya’s we rethink our initial exuberance. Adelaide remains calm and content. Jen’s interview is tomorrow…

From The Papa

Flying into desolate cold conditions - the people in the airport all had coolers wraped with tape - what was in there? I could only think of devious things… . It was a long trip and I still needed to find a rental car with Mama, baby and a load of luggage.

The air felt familiar - not too cold. Baby fell instantly asleep once in the car seat in a car and moving to some unknown location known only by name “The Voyager hotel.” We thanked Grampa and Grandma for the GPS we endearingly call Nuvi. Nuvi came through allowing Mamma and Papa to enjoy all that surrounded the road. I was giddy as anyone would be who found themselves exhausted from 12 hours of travel with a baby that did not sleep accompanied by an indulgent mothering mama, doseing of methylphenidate, and surrounded by a new place that my addled mind could only describe at the time to mama as a mix of a Indian reservation border town, Rochester New and the Planet of the Apes. With that perception in mind I naturally announced we’d be moving.