Back in Alaska

I have arrived in Anchorage. After some late night packing and a restless nights sleep, I was up at 4:15 to get ready. KB drove me to the airport, with a stop at Starbuck's on the way, I had to do something to counteract the lack of sleep. The first flight was full and uneventful, while the second was late and empty enough that I got the bulkhead row to myself. Upon arrival in Anchorage I had to wait a while to get my luggage and in turn missed the shuttle to downtown and had to catch a taxi. One of my roommates that I hadn't even met, tried to work it to come get me but the car our house has access to every other week was in use. The roommates I have met so far are great and we are getting settled nicely into our apartment. This year we get to use our mailbox at the apartment, so hint, hint.

My address:
1320 Denali Street
Anchorage, AK 99501

The best surprise came about 25 minutes after I arrived at the apartment. My supervisor called to tell me that I go out on tour on Sunday. That was fantastic news since there are plenty of people that are sitting in Anchorage waiting for either their first tour or second and one lands at my feet 2 days after I arrive. Woohoo. Now the scary part...it is the longest, most expensive tour and heads out into the Yukon. That's right, I have yet to get out there and now have to lead a tour. Trial by fire, here I come.

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One of the Reasons I Love Davis...

It is Wednesday night, a freaking hot Wednesday night, and a giant fireworks display just occurred right outside my back door. It is Celebrate Davis day, therefore among other events we have fireworks that make it look like the fourth of July. I love Davis.

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My Spring in Pictures

I spent much of my spring outside so here are a few of the shots I took along with one of an awfully cute little one.

1. Poppies on the UCD campus while walking through the Arboretum.
2. The famous water towers.
3. Blue Heron posing at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
4. Palace of Fine Arts columns left over from the 1915 exposition.
5. Taking 4th graders to Alcatraz Island on the ferry.
6. Golden Gate Bridge on a beautiful day.
7. Leaving Pier 33 for Alcatraz.
8. Angel Island from Alcatraz Island.
9. Perfect angel during my birthday lunch.































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The Countdown has Begun.

17 days from today I will be back in Alaska. Yes I am returning to the land of salmon, bears, long days, hours on the train and days on buses. Many of my co-workers are already there preparing for their first tours of the year and I find myself getting jealous, which is a great sign. Don't get me wrong, I love leading tours in Napa, escorting kids through California history and spending as much time with friends & family as possible but the next adventure awaits. However, I feel like I have been in one place for far too long and it is time to get away. These last 2.5 weeks will be spent seeing as many people as possible and working a lot. Yesterday, I worked in Napa and then drove to Pacifica to have dinner and spend the night with the DP's. TD made fantastic fish tacos, WW friendly, and black beans with diced chilis and the three of us had a fair amount of wine. This morning after getting a few things done for tours in the next few days, I drove to Belmont to spend time with MW. I will see her one more time while camping Memorial Day weekend however, this was our last chance to just hang out together since she will be moving to Zurich for the year while I am still in Alaska. I know I will see them in November and again in January or so when I visit them but I needed some good face time. We got an early start and ran errands, then we went to the Red Lantern in Redwood City for a terrific lunch. Afterward we went next door to Pamplemousse to buy macarons, the French kind. They are almost as tasty as the ones we purchased from Laduree in Paris, the lavender vanilla was incredible. For the rest of the afternoon we sat around talking about what the W's need to do before leaving for Zurich and making limoncello. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon. More bittersweet goodbyes to come.

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