A Wonderful Night

Last night I spent the night on tour in Talkeetna. It is getting dark enough this time of year that it was worth putting in a Northern Lights wake up call. Last night at about midnight, I got the call in my room. Me and two other tour directors raced outside, knowing the window of opportunity could last just minutes. I ran out barefoot in shorts and a t-shirt (it was about 40 degrees outside) to see it. It was a tremendously unimpressive display, largely due to the fact that there was too much light around us (the sky was dark enough, kind of). But it was a really awesome evening, in the sense that it was a full moon, the big dipper was perfectly visible, and the outline of Denali (Mt. McKinley) was visible in the distance with the Northern Lights dancing just above the mountain, however faintly. The two other tour directors and myself discussed whether it was worth running down the trail to get away from the lodge and the bright lights from the lobby, but also decided it was dark enough that we wouldn't see any bears if they were present. It was worth freezing my feet off for, I can say that. No pictures, as they were too faint to see anything, sorry.

A Tough Job Sometimes

Sometimes this job is just rough. This last week, I had picked up a tour that spent the morning at the largest public aquarium, then the afternoon on a cruise on the Resurrection Bay that included a free salmon bake lunch (with the option to buy a 1/2 lb of king crab for $8). Then spending the night at a lodge located in a secluded area off the Resurrection River.

The next day, I had to stay at a 4-star ski resort hotel after going to a wildlife conservation center that had bear, musk ox, moose, and other big game animals that were being rehabbed. Then spending the evening going on a hike through the Winner Creek trail (see last post). Really, really rough.

Ok, so the serious stuff. Wednesday afternoon I had some time free after taking care of guest luggage and prior to departing on the train to Anchorage. So, I went to the Talkeetna Roadhouse with another tour director. I had long decided that I would eat their full standard breakfast skillet, which consists of 8 scrambled eggs, 1 lb of potatoes, 4 strips of thick cut peppered bacon, and 2 thick slices of toast.

This is basically what it looks like, though I had eaten the first slice of toast before I thought to get a picture taken.

About 2/3 of the way through, I needed a break.

And...done! Except the last slice of toast. Couldn't get it down. You guys proud of me?