hey, bear!

Thursday I went for a run along a trail that gets a significant amount of use, pretty close to the city, and at a time of day when there's quite a few people out and about. Turned out I had beat the after-work rush so me and Annie (dog) were pretty much the only ones out. On the way in, i noticed some pretty fresh bear poo, so I started making the suggested bear calls to avoid any surprises on either part. The trail is pretty narrow and hugs a rather steep slope that's heavily wooded. On the way back to the parking lot, annie and I were trudging along, rounded a corner and YIKES, there was a great big black guy sitting right in the middle of the trail! He turned his head to look at me and Annie, and I didn't stick around to see what he did next. I turned and ran back from where I came from, suddenly re-energized. As I was running, I was reviewing the "what to do if you come across a brown/black bear" and was hoping this guy didn't think i was trying to get him to play with me. once safely out of sight, I rememberd that black bears are usually easily intimidated, so I started to yell all sorts of mean things at him so he would move off the trail and I wouldn't have to look at him again. After a few minutes of yelling, it worked, and I heard him falling through the brush and trees down the steep slope. I hope he didn't hurt himself, but off all the places to hang out in the woods, he really didn't have to be right there on my little trail, I should think. This was my first one-on-one bear encounter and I'd say the experts advice worked. Me and Annie came out ok, anyway.

Potluck night at the farm

Friends Laura and Lissa work at Arctic Organics farm in Palmer, so I get invited to the every-other week potluck. This was the big last-hurrah potluck in honor of the end of the season with most of the workers heading back east for the fall and winter. Some of the best food and company in Alaska, not to mention the freshest!

New home, new office

McCarthy weekend

For the long Labor Day weekend a friend, Annie the dog and I drove out to McCarthy, entrance to the Wrangell-St. Elias park. We went to check it out and take part in the biggest town party of the year. Every labor day weekend for the last 18 years, just about all of the 55 or so town people come out from their cabins (all ages welcome) and they with the weekend visitors spend Saturday and Sunday night at the only bar in town, enjoying some musicians imported from Fairbanks and surrounding areas. It was a great time, and the weather even cooperated. Here's some pics.

New clinician at Anchorage community mental health services

Today I took a drug test and was fingerprinted in order to show my hopeful new employer that I am an upstanding citizen, worthy to be hired. I interviewed for this job about two weeks ago, looks like I'll start next week. I'll be a mental health clinician for the main MH agency in Anchorage, working with adults who have long-term, pretty severe mental health problems. I'll be helping them set up and maintain stable housing while they work through other pressing issues in their lives. I'm excitied about it because a lot of my day will be out of the office, spending time with the clients at their homes/house searching.

we'll see how it goes. my first full-time, grown up job with an office and a phone!

First snow on Mat Peak

This happened this weekend -- summer's over in Alaska

Anniversary

Three years ago today, me and and my sister amy and most of my worldly possessions packed in the Tealmobile rolled in to Palmer, Alaska. So, I'm celebrating by ushering a play with friend Laura at the Valley playhouse in Wasilla -- i think the play is Bearfoot in the Park. should be a good time!

My new phone

yesterday i got rid of my first-ever cell phone, which i'd had for 3.5 years, and got this fancy thing. the pictures aren't too bad, i can even email them from my phone!!!

Belay on?

Yesterday friend Bobbie Jo and I went to the Alaska Rock Gym and for and hour and 1/2 learned how to belay (anchor down someone who's climing with a rope). We passed the test and got laminated cards to carry with us in the event someone needs a spur-of-the-moment certified belay-er.