Our first week in Alaska

Leaving Medford was truly bittersweet.

Saying good-bye to mom was very difficult.

I wish I could have packed her up and taken her with us. After a teary good-bye, Andrew and I waited anxiously to get on the plane. Poor Barneby, our cat, was tucked away in his airline approved carrier. All of us ready to embark on a journey brimming with unknowns.

Touching down at Juneau Airport, Andrew and I were on edge. After a long month away, we both couldn’t wait to see Steve again and to set foot in Alaska. The reunion between the three of us was filled with many hugs, kisses, smiles. We all felt enormous sense of relief. Finally we were together.

Before reaching our Hoonah destination, we had brief three day stop in Juneau. Steve had a district conference in the city. We were able to explore our new surroundings and enjoy some family time.

Juneau is a town of approximately 30,000 people and the home of Sarah Palin. Cruise ships come in droves. Thousands of tourists make their way through the small capital of Alaska. The downtown shops consist mainly of jewelry and fur shops... taking advantage of the superficial interests and wealth that stroll their boardwalk. Souvenir and trinket stores were the big attraction to Andrew. We waded through animals skins, bronze carvings, petrified walrus penises, ulu knives, totems poles of every size, rocks, and Russian dolls. My saving graces were the two art galleries, the book store, the museum and the chocolate shop.

We did play tourist...looked for mountain goats, went on the sky tram, visited the nature museum/gift shop and went on a hike in the rain.

When Steve went to his Monday meeting, Andrew and I visited the Mendenhall Glacier. Visibility was terrible but still very breath-taking. The frozen river carves through the mountains creating new landscape. It is an amazing phenomenon. The past years the glacier has receded about 60 feet a year…last year that number increased to 200 feet. This shocking fact is due to human impact on the globe. We are all connected and the extravagant “necessities” of the unconscious is to the detriment of everyone and everything…even the glaciers in Alaska.

Hoonah…our home. The short 20 minute flight was smooth and easy… unless you were Barney. A whale blew “hello” to Andrew. The massive forest and deep blue water reminded me of my diminutive exsistance. Andrew couldn’t crane his neck enough to take in all the beauty that surrounded him. His smile was jubilant. Thank God for him….he is the sun when none in shining.

We settled into our new home. Right away Andrew and Steve were outside our front door picking raspberries. It was an easy transition, all of us in good spirits. Andrew’s first day of school went wonderfully. He has an amazing teacher, Mrs. Bidiman. She is young, enthusiastic and friendly. Andrew made fast friends and he fit in as if he

has always been apart of their group.

We had an open house in which Steve introduced himself to the community.

Andrew loves the residual fame he gets form being the Superintendant/Principals step-son. As close as he could get to Steve, the happier Andrew was. I think both of them love the lime light. It was large turn out of over 100 people. We ate dinner together, visited the classrooms and gave away fun gifts. It was a delightful evening.

Our first work week in Hoonah concluded with Steve playing basket at open night at the gym. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday the school opens the gym and anyone who wants to play Basketball can join in. Friday night it was four older guys against four high school young bucks…it was a great to watch, although the older team was sorely beaten. What I love about Steve participating in this event is that he doesn’t go because he loves basketball…which he does and he doesn’t go because it’s good exercise…which it is…he goes to connect in a real way with the community and the kids of the school. Between the missed shots and great plays he puts him self out there in an autehntic way. I am proud of him and happy that we are together as a family in Hoonah.

Today, Saturday…Steve, Andrew and Bob the music teacher went out sustenance fishing. I’ll have those pictures and the week’s update next Saturday.
Thanks for reading. We love and miss you all. oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Phone: 541-499-5757 or email: patriciapine@gmail.com