Overall, it has been a busy month of February. I am glad that it is finally slowing down. I got back from my ocean expedition a week ago and it was epic. We had some of the most mild, beautiful weather one could ask for. We canoed about 10-15 miles a day going from one island to the next. The islands were magical and fairy tale like because of the vastness of the rainforest. Southeast Alaska is one of the most beautiful places I seen so far. I cannot wait to continue to explore it.
On Wednesday I will be taking the ferry to go explore Juneau. The ferry ride to Juneau takes over 24 hours, which I hear is a beautiful ride. I can’t wait!
The Group Photo
Beautiful weather, Beautiful scenery, Great people...
Hey Again,
Just finished my two weeks of theoretical training with Alaska Crossings, which is awesome! I loved what we were learning, but sitting and listening fourty hours a week can be exhausting. This week coming up I will be doing a three day flat water canoeing course, which will be awesome. I am looking forward to working on my awesome paddling skills. I have been out canoeing a couple of times while in Wrangell to work on my strokes and so far it has been fun. I bought one straight shaft paddle and Crossings gave each new guide an Ottertail paddle which I need to sand and varnish. After the flat water canoeing course, I will have Thursday off to prep for the seven day ocean trip. I am totally looking forward to the ocean trip. The trip will be pretty cold and wet, but it will be nice exploring different islands in and around Alaska. I will also be looking forward to putting to use those classroom teachings into the field.
Have a beautiful day!
PS:
Please send mail to:
Cat Anthony
PO Box 1004
Wrangell, AK 99929
Shrimp
White Salmon
Crab
Clams...
I thought I would list all of the amazing seafood I have had so far living here. The seafood here is to die for! The locals here have so much seafood that they will give it away easily. For example, a friend of mine received pounds of cooked shrimp from a local just because she had extras. The idea of giving is a simply a normal occurrence here in Wrangell.
Overall, life has been good since I have been here. I am building a nice, solid community here with both the locals and the other guides. I just finished my first week of training and it was great! I am learning a lot and will continue to be learning for a long time, which is awesome! I will be doing another week of lecture training and then a three day canoeing course. Finally, I will be doing a seven day ocean trip.
All right that is a quick update. Hope to hear from you guys soon too.
Cat
It is starting to set in that I am leaving Richmond, VA very soon. I have been really enjoying my time with friends and family, but I am also looking forward to new adventures. Since I have been home, I have been getting a lot of questions about where exactly the small island of Wrangell, AK is on a map.
Here are a couple for you to enjoy:
Oh Santa Fe, how I miss thee....
I have now left Santa Fe, NM and drove to the beautiful state of Wyoming. I am sitting right now in a coffee shop called Coal Creek in Laramie, WY. The reason why I drove here is because I am here visiting a friend who works at Solid Rock Outdoor Ministry. Laramie is a quaint town with friendly people, cowboy boots, and the Snowy Range Mountains surrounding the city. I like this town a lot. I have gone to the local climbing gym.. or I would call it a room in an apartment with a bouldering area. Tonight, I will be getting to eat steak at a local restaurant. I expect it will be amazing since I past so many cattle farms while driving here.
On Friday, I will be heading to Ouray, CO with a group of people to do some awesome ice climbing. I have never done it, but I am way psyched. It will be cold, but I hear there are some nice hot springs there too.
Cat
PS. I am thinking about buying some cowboy boots while I am here. Might as well while I am in cowboy country.
Alaska....
I was offered a job on Friday to work at a company called Alaska Crossings in Wrangell, AK and I accepted it. I will be doing wilderness therapy on 49 day expeditions. I will be doing backpacking, canoeing, and mountaineering, which will be awesome. I am way psyched and feel this is going to be a great learning experience for me. Staff training begins Feb. 1st so that means I will be in Richmond for most of Jan. Check out the website for more info.
PS. My birthday is tomorrow. :-)
I came to Santa Fe in September for an internship and it has been an awesome experience. I have been able to work with many unique populations, traveled throughout New Mexico, and met some awesome people. I have loved the ocean blue skys, the mountains, the food, the unique cultures, and the laid back atmosphere of the Southwest. I am sorry to say that even though I have loved Santa Fe and my job, I am going to be leaving Santa Fe in a little over a week. There is not enough programming for me to stay and work at the mountain center after my internship. My co-workers and my supervisors all want me to stay, and they have been trying to figure out a way for my to stay. As of right now though, there it not a place for me. I am overall very thankful for my experience in Santa Fe. I feel that I have grown both personally an professtionally.
After Santa Fe, I am going to drive up to Larmie, WY to visit my friend Rachel. Rachel and I worked together at Peak Experiences Climbing Center and she is now working up there at Solid Rock Outdoor Ministry. After we spend a few days together, we will be going to Ouray, CO to try out some ice climbing. I am interested to see how I do or if I even enjoy it. I have never done it, so it should be an experience. After that, I will be driving home and probably stopping in Denver after Ouray. After I drive home, I will spend Christmas with my family and eat a bunch of Lebanese food. After Christmas on December 28th, I will be flying to St. Louis, Missouri to attend a conference.
After all of that traveling, I will be around Richmond. I will be working at Peak Experiences Climbing Center until I find another job elsewhere. I will keep you posted on exactly where and what I will be doing. I have been applying to different places and have been getting some call backs, which is an awesome blessing in this economy.
Thanks for reading my blog....
