I'm going back to Alaska next month! A lot has changed. Not Alaska itself, which I'm sure is pretty much the same old collection of folks who think salmon at every meal is viable. The refinery has changed quite a bit, though. Now it's run by Marathon, who bought the whole company a few months ago. The new guy I'll be working with up there seems like a gruff veteran of many a vendor skirmish. I'm sure he'll be glad to see my backside when I leave after two weeks of him being less than satisfied no matter what I do. I miss the old days of Steve and Ten to Two Ted and having dinner at Louie's and not really caring what happens at the refinery.
I'm looking forward to many things, though. That Ravn flight to and from Anchorage is always thrilling, if not death-defying. I have a sweet newly renovated AirBnB awaiting in the heart of Soldotna, steps from the high school where I can walk around the track that encircles the football field while freezing my ass off. Jersey Subs is a 2 minute drive away, as is Fred Meyer, the Target of Walmarts. I might drop in on Moose Is Loose Bakery for an apple fritter, Saint Elias for a pizza, and one of the many hot-babe-run drive-through espresso places or Kaladi Brothers for some coffee. Since I'll have a weekend to kill, a trip to Homer might be in order, depending on the weather.
I guess what I'll enjoy most is the waves of nostalgia. Alaska has always been a fun place for me. It's where I spent some of the best times of my life. Even Hawaii always seemed too good for me. I hate to say too foreign, because it wasn't, but there was something off there. I didn't feel welcome, nor should I have considering its history. Alaska is completely different. The people, the cold, the isolation, the scenery and everything about it felt comforting and like home. I only hope it's not really the last time this time.
I'm looking forward to many things, though. That Ravn flight to and from Anchorage is always thrilling, if not death-defying. I have a sweet newly renovated AirBnB awaiting in the heart of Soldotna, steps from the high school where I can walk around the track that encircles the football field while freezing my ass off. Jersey Subs is a 2 minute drive away, as is Fred Meyer, the Target of Walmarts. I might drop in on Moose Is Loose Bakery for an apple fritter, Saint Elias for a pizza, and one of the many hot-babe-run drive-through espresso places or Kaladi Brothers for some coffee. Since I'll have a weekend to kill, a trip to Homer might be in order, depending on the weather.
I guess what I'll enjoy most is the waves of nostalgia. Alaska has always been a fun place for me. It's where I spent some of the best times of my life. Even Hawaii always seemed too good for me. I hate to say too foreign, because it wasn't, but there was something off there. I didn't feel welcome, nor should I have considering its history. Alaska is completely different. The people, the cold, the isolation, the scenery and everything about it felt comforting and like home. I only hope it's not really the last time this time.
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