The Generosity of Alaskans
It’s been a few days since I’ve written here, and that’s only because I haven’t been doing much more than running errands and preparing some of my prints and notecards for The Stash. Until today, I hadn’t even taken any photographs, since I wrote last.
However, I do have some very good news to share here!
A few days ago, I received an email from a very generous and kind-hearted gentleman, who lives down on the Kenai Peninsula. I will refer to him as John, because I don’t know if he wants me to post his name here.
In the email, John let me know that he had won a Denali Park Pass for Saturday 13th, and wouldn’t be able to go. And… did I want it?!!!
Well, of course you know that I had a smile from ear to ear when I read that email. I emailed John back and told him I was interested and was willing to pay him a fair price for it. I saw passes being sold on Craigslist just after the winners were announced, but some folks were asking a fortune for them.
John didn’t want any payment - citing “This is Alaska (where we help each other) not the Lower 48.” How wonderful is that?! I have been on cloud nine ever since. Yesterday, he emailed me to let me know it was on the way. I will truly be dancing around the living room when the pass is actually in my hands.
Steve and I haven’t quite made up our mind yet, as to whether we’re going to go down the day before and get a room and then drive in early the next morning, or if we’re just going to do the entire drive in one day. It’s do-able in one day, even though it would be a lot of driving. Two hours to the park, another 8-12 to drive the road (depending on wildlife, etc.), and two hours home.
Now, the only thing that could create any problems would be weather-related. It’s not uncommon to get snow in mid-September, and with the higher elevations in the park, snow would cause a road closure. Last year, winners were turned away on two occasions I believe.
Everyone keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!
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A couple of days ago, the weatherman was calling for an overnight frost. I put plastic bags over my deck plants, but it didn’t go below freezing afterall. I’m glad I covered them though - they still look quite healthy. That morning I woke to a very chilly 38F. I have 7 sunflowers that have buds but haven’t opened yet. I have a feeling they won’t make it to bloom. I’m keeping my fingers crossed though. It’s been warming up into the sixties and quite sunny here the last week. I can put up with a chilly morning, if we end up with sunshine in the afternoon.
Steve and I met up with Wendy and Mike for lunch at The Pagoda on Wednesday. You may remember Wendy and Mike from an entry I made about a month ago. They drove up in a camper, with four teenagers, and then drove all over AK deciding where they wanted to put down roots. Their travels brought them to Fairbanks, and then on to Anchorage, Seward, and the Kenai Peninsula all the way to Homer. While they were in Fairbanks, five members from the Alaska Living Group met them at Hilltop Truck Stop for a chat and dinner. Apparently we didn’t scare them too badly, because they came back to Fairbanks and proclaimed it “home”. I wish them well in getting settled in, and hope we can spend more time together. They only live about 2 miles from our house.
Last night (Thursday), my friend Lisa came by to get me, and we went to dinner at Harley’s. It was good to see Lisa, as it has been months since the last time we hung out. Since I saw her last, she and her husband went to Lake Tahoe to watch her son get married, and then - upon getting back to Alaska - her husband deployed to Iraq. He’s been gone about a month now. I hope to spend more time with Lisa. Maybe I can help the deployment go by a bit faster for her, if I keep her busy.
Speaking of deploying, our Fort Wainwright Stryker Brigade is going back within the next couple of months. Some families have been here since the last deployment - when Steve was over there. It’s hard to believe that 3 years has passed since Steve left AK for Iraq. I remember that farewell like it was yesterday. Such a sad, sad, night. My heart goes out to those families who will be going through that again.
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I’m thinking about bringing Chris up in February or March. I’ve been checking airfares, but right now they’re still too high ($835/RT). I’ll keep looking over the next few months. When I talked to him last, I mentioned bringing the three of them up - so they could experience Alaska winter. In late Feb/early Mar there are dogsled races, the Ice Art Championships, and still chances to see the northern lights. In my opinion it’s the perfect time to come to AK during the winter months.
After talking to Brandon (who’s still taking college classes and maintaining his 4.0), Chris said he’d probably come up by himself. Brandon has classes, Becky doesn’t have any vacation time until next summer, and I know Brandon and Becky would enjoy a week or so to themselves. I can bring the two of them up at a later time. So we’ll see. I’d love to spend time with Chris one-on-one too. It’s been awhile.
And now, just to put a little color on this entry, here are some photos I took in my yard this afternoon:
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Of course, I had to get Airborne photos too. Sedona wouldn’t sit still for me.
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I heard from my brother, Mike. He’s been keeping busy working on his own house (home repairs), as well as my nephew’s home, which was purchased a few months ago. Young Michael’s house just need some updates and cosmetic work, but it’s been enough to keep Mike and his son busy - which is good. It looks like Mike will be laid off from work eventually, but he’s not too worried about it yet. He also told me that friends and family are bringing over meals a couple of times a week too, which is very nice.
I hope my Florida readers are all safe and dry, and haven’t suffered any damage from Fay! I remember those torrential downpours of Florida. When we lived in Jacksonville, we used to sit out on our screened balconey and watch the palm trees bend under the heavy rain and wind of a stormy day. While it was exilirating, it also made us realize just how strong and dangerous nature can be! Stay Safe!
I can just imagine how excited you are about being able to see Denali Park after thinking you’d have to wait another year. CONGRATULATIONS, and it was so nice of “John” to let you have his tickets. I wish I was going with you. Last year when we were in AK with a tour group, we took the Wilderness Tour through the park and just loved it. Hopefully, we can do it again in the not-too-distant future. I’ll be thinking about you and will be with you in spirit.
Marylyn
Comment by Marylyn — August 23, 2008 @ 6:44 am
I am so happy to have the opportunity to drive into Denali after all! I am so thankful to John and his generous spirit!
Comment by susanstevenson — August 23, 2008 @ 7:06 am
Hi Susan,
I’m so happy for you & Steve to get the Denali Park pass from “John”! Since he wouldn’t take money for it, maybe you could send him one of your framed photographs from the trip you and Steve make through the park road. It warms my heart to hear of such generosity and kindness! I love the photos of your furkids and wildlife in your back yard. I will hope for more sunshine for your sunflowers so they will bloom.
Take care.
Lea Ann
Comment by Lea Ann — August 23, 2008 @ 7:09 am
Hi Susan - neat blog. I also am the recipient of another good hearted Alaskan. I had a baby, and we were in the lower 48 visiting family, and completely spaced entering the lottery this year. I posted on craigslist and had another Alaskan who couldn’t go give me hers for their 2 entry fees. I had posted I would pay “whatever within reason” - and she graciously just asked for reimbursement. She emailed that it was unsettling people were asking loads of cash.
We are beyond thrilled to be going for our first time. I will look forward to seeing your pics afterward!
I like Lea Ann’s idea of sending a photograph to the benefactor - so I will do this - with another one of my smiling kids!
Comment by Maureen — August 23, 2008 @ 10:05 am
Hi Susan!
…..what a great person John is to send you his ticket! I really Hope airfare goes down so you can bring Brandon up to Ak. to visit. It is nice to hear that friends and family are bringing meals for your brother and he is keeping busy, such a hard time.
I am so excited for you & Steve to be able to drive into Denali! Hooray~ Denali! That is fantastic! Just keep thinking that the weather will be great when you go (for good luck)
Comment by Heidi (Las Vegas, NV.) — August 23, 2008 @ 11:54 am
OMG!!!! OMG!!! JUMPING UP AND DOWN DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!!! Bless You ‘JOHN’!!! Woohoo~~~~Susan, you’re going to Denali after all!!! This is just awesome. What an awesome thing for him to do, yes, I must say, that is some kind of wonderful generosity up there! THANK YOU JOHN!
That would be awesome for you to get Chris up there for a week with you this winter. It would be so nice to spend that time with him, just Chris. You haven’t been able to do that since your trip through WI on your way to Alaska right?! And that was only for a day or two. I’m sure he would really enjoy his time with his Momma!!!
Well we had a really cool day today. The humidity finally moved out of here and it was a high of 68, and tonight is supposed to be down to 38*! I love it! We were just outside looking at the stars and how beautiful the sky is tonight and as we were starring at the sky I told my DH, now if only we were in Alaska and the ‘lights’ were dancing across the sky! Someday!
Glad you have had some time to spend with friends. I am interested in hearing why your new friends decided on Fairbanks. What was it about the other places that made them choose to go back there. Just curious. Always enjoy hearing what people think of Alaska!
Bless all of the Soldiers, and their families, heading for deployment! They are thought of often!
Its wonderful news to hear your brother is finding things to keep himself busy. It would still be great if he could get away and visit his Sister!!
And Airborne is sooo cute! What a nice kitty! (And you too, Sedona! Your a sweet doggy!)
Comment by LynnMN — August 23, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
OOOH! I am so jealous of your Park Pass!
I can’t wait to see you pictures from your trip through!
Comment by Nicole — August 23, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
I am thrilled about John’s act of kindness, it is so typical of what my family and I love about life in Alaska. I’ll be eagerly awaiting your thoughts and photos from the trip, I miss AK very much. Fay has been annoying us in the Tampa area since Tuesday, my sons had off from school on their second day. We drove down to my parent’s home in Venice yesterday, we came through rain bands all the way. The beach (Caspersen) was fun, but the waves were huge. Riptide fears kept us on the sand! We’ve been lucky, though, just rain bands in our area and no flooding or destructive winds. Thanks for thinking of us!
Comment by Therese — August 24, 2008 @ 4:26 am
Well I give a big high five to “John” and want him to know he made LOTS of people happy!!! No one more deserving than you and Steve!!!
I just gave away my “baby” today! The piano my dad bought for me when I was 4 years old. My goodness…how exciting to see Bean (smiling, laughing, goofy, uplifting Bean) driving up from Anchorage, packing the innards with bubble wrap to protect the hammers, listening to her “instruct” the guys to be CAREFUL with the padding and strapping. It’s what life’s all about aye? For “payment” she sang the song that won her first place in an operatic competition last week in Anchorage. BOY that was awesome…listening to her amazing voice - outside on a beautiful sunny day. What a gift in return!!!
Kindness - amazing.
“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” - George Eliot
Comment by Karen — August 24, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
Dear Susan,
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. Thank you for the good wishes and tips.
Your photos are beautiful. I enjoy taking photos, too, but I don’t have the equipment nor the talent that you do, though I am trying to improve my skills.
Congratulations on your pass to Denali! I had no idea that people try to sell their passes on craigslist for big money - that seems rather slimy. I will enter next year and keep my fingers crossed!
Take Care!
Comment by Dorothea — September 4, 2008 @ 12:55 am