More from Alaska

Hello Folks!

I hope you all enjoying the warm weather down south! Thank you so much for all of your emails and letters. I assure you that all of them have been read, but unfortunately, I cannot respond to them individually because of the slow DIAL UP connection at the Thorne Bay trailer library. (sounds almost Archaic, heh?) It usually takes about 15-20 minutes to check my email, when there is only a 30 minute time limit for computer use, so I'm sure you'll understand. But keep sending them! They are much appreciated and reading them are a nice thing to do when I come into town on the weekend.

After almost a month, I'm mostly adjusted to living in the bush. The maintenance men are still trying to figure out the generator, electricity, hot water, and the refrigerator problems so, for the past 2 weeks its been really unreliable and now, it is completely gone. Its much harder to fix things than you would think because you can't just run to the local hardware store if you forget or get the wrong size of something, like a bolt, so you have to make a 2 1/2 drive back to the shop...and even then, everything comes by ferry, so if they don't have the right stuff, it would be a week, at least until it gets on the island...moreover to the store...

So, we're being good sports and camping out! We do have propane for the stove top so we can boil water for coffee/food or to wash our faces...We get to shower on the weekends when come back to the Forest Service compound which is pretty nice and refreshing after spending a long week in a cave. It's funny how my coworker (who lives in a separate trailer) and I kind of get used to being a little grudgy and accept crazy hair and dirty clothes that smell like wood smoke until we see people that are really clean, and we feel a little like hobos...All and all though, I'm having fun and am learning about how much I can live without.

Many people have been asking about bears...and at first, I didn't really see many. However, lately, I have been seeing a lot more! The salmon are slowly moving into El Capitan Passage (the protected saltwater passageway that is my backyard) and with them, come the bears. I always thought I would be really afraid of them when I saw them, but every time I happen upon one, I'm suprised by how cute and cuddly they really do look. Nevertheless, I leave the area pretty quickly....Other wildlife sightings include, humpback whales, sea lions, otter, and bald eagles are almost like seagulls back home, because we see them so often. Also, probably most interestingly, there is another mouse in my trailer who lives inside my oven (I already had to drown one in my garbage can because it was eating my food and I was sick of cleaning up all its scat every morning). So, since I can't use the fridge or microwave in the trailer, those have become my mouseproof food pantries. They work really well. Food choices can be limited at times, but I assure you, I am eating the freshest, most delicious seafood in the world FOR FREE! We just got a crab cage to set outside our campsite in the water so we can have more. I've eaten a lot of crab, halibut, and salmon and even got to try oysters (yum!) at a bonfire yesterday. Plus, I get all the thimbleberries, salmonberries and blueberries I want in the next couple of weeks!

My job is truly amazing and I get to meet people from all over the world and take them into my "office," the largest cave in Alaska...Everytime I go into the cave (3 times a day) I see something new, and it never ever gets old because each tour is different. Plus, its really reliable, it's always pitch black, a steady 40 degrees and at least 80% humidity...and we always emerge to a brighter, warmer world!

In my free time, I do a lot of reading, so if you have any suggestions, please send them! Also, I do a lot of beach combing when the tide is low. Last week, one of the geologists for the FS came out and taught us something called SRT climbing (single rope technique) and we got to rapell and ascend on a single rope off of a bridge...over a whitewater stream! It is the coolest and probably the scariest thing I've ever done! This will help me if I get to go about two miles into the cave, to the Alaska Room, which is the size of a football field, but you need special ropes (and probably a dry suit) to get to. Furthermore, I spend a lot of time splashing in streams and looking for caves. (The island has at least 800 of them with endless possibilities for more)

Yes, I am taking a lot of pictures! And I will be happy to upload them at the end of the summer for all of you to see but there's no way that will be possible with this connection...

Alaska is more than I expected in many ways, and less in others. No matter what though, I'm truly having an fantastic time, learning an incredible amount about myself, caves, and life in the SE of AK. I do miss you all very much and think about you everyday.

Enjoy the sun! (It's always raining here!)
Much love,
Kara

My First Week

Hello, Everyone!

Yes! I am alive, the illustrious town of Thorne Bay, AK (pop. 400) doesn't have much for internet access. So, now I am about an hour away in Craig, AK for Forest Service training and on a break so I walked on over to the library (which isn't a trailer like in Thorne Bay!). Anywho, all is well. I've been in the cave four times and totally love my job. Starting on Thursday, I will be living out there in the trailer for five days a week, out of contact. I'll be back on Sundays and Mondays (we have tours on Sat) to do laundry, use phones, and go to the market (which interestingly, only has five aisles! crazy) It's a different world here, everything's slower, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE waves to you as you walk by, and everyone knows who you are and your job before you even tell them. Word spreads fast around here. The rainforest is absolutely beautiful and I've already seen countless bald eagles (they're like seagulls to locals), too many Sitka Black Tailed Deer, and sea otters. My friend is going to take me out on her boat in the upcoming weekend or so to go whale watching. I've went through bear protection training, but unfortunately haven't seen any quite yet. Once the salmon start running, I expect to see them though! I've had the freshest crab on Earth! (straight from the sea water and into the boiling water in my kitchen) So, everything's going well and I'm having a blast!

I hope you all are having wonderful summers and I hope to hear from you soon.
All my love,
Kara

My Alaskan Adventure

After an awesome summer in the Colorado Rockies last year, a lot of people have been asking me what I have up my sleeve for this summer...Well, some of you might have heard some rumors about me and Alaska and I assure you, they're all true!

So, here's the scoop: YES! I am moving to Alaska for the summer. It's actually a really sweet deal. I got a job as a Cave Guide at El Capitan Cave (the largest cave in Alaska!) on Prince of Wales Island, AK. My entire airfare to and from Alaska was paid for by the Student Conservation Association! I get a stipend, and at the end of the summer, I will get an AmeriCorps Education Award for school. Plus, I get to start my research for my Senior Thesis this summer instead of next fall. (WOOT!)

I leave tomorrow and come back to the lower 48 on the 31st of August. I have to fly to Seattle, (where I hope to visit Kurt for awhile) then switch planes for Ketchikan, AK. From there, I have to spend a night at a hotel because the ferry to the island only leaves once a day, at 8am. It's a 3 hour ferry to Prince of Wales, (the city I arrive in is Thorne Bay) after which I'll have to take a 2 hour drive on a gravel road to where I'll be living...I encourage you to Google Maps it if you're bored and want to check it out.

I'll be living in a trailer in the middle of the Tongass National Forest.The Tongass is actually one of the largest old growth forests in the world and is considered a temperate rainforest...(very cool) Now, I am sure you're thinking two things: "there's rainforests in AK?" and "a trailer? that doesn't sound fun!" Well, a temperate rainforest is different from a tropical one in a couple ways: 1) temperature, its obviously much colder in AK than where your traditional rainforests are, and 2) biodiversity, tropical rainforests have a lot more biodiversity than temperate rainforests, but temperate rainforests have much much more biomass..So, there's your science lesson for the day...And about the trailer, its actually a step up from the many summers I spent in a tent, so I am quite excited.

A lot of people ask me if I can say hi or yell at Sarah Palin this summer for them...However, unfortunately, I don't think I will be able to fill this request because Alaska is a very, very large state the odds of me seeing her are not in my favor...

One last question you might have is, "this sounds remote, how can we get in contact with you?" Because of my remote location, no, I will not have a phone or internet acess during the week. It should be a very interesting, transcendental experience, but I will be able to call/email/update you all when I stay at the Forest Service bunkhouse in town on weekends. I will try to update you with all my adventures in the wilderness if you're at all interested. You can still call my cell phone [(262) 515-7886] and leave a happy message for me to recieve on the weekend. Of course, you can email me, but please email me at this address, klewandowski1@carthage.edu so I can streamline my internet time. Also, snail mail would be much appreciated! So, please send all letters, etc to this address:

Kara Lewandowski
Thorne Bay Ranger District
PO Box 19001
Thorne Bay, AK 99919

Well, that's all I have for now. I would like to thank you all for your love and support as well as your interest in my endeavors! And, of course, I will send you pictures and be safe! I love you all very very very much!

Cheers,
Kara

Learning, Living, Leaving

I've realized through my explorations as a naturalist, that people like to share their story. I'm becoming more willing to listen nowadays. Not just hear, but truly listen. People come from all over the world to the Valley, filled with opinions, passions, and perspectives. It's truly eye-opening.

I can't really begin to describe this place, these people, and the lessons I'm daily learning. I'm been taught more by the mountains than all of my years of education combined. There's something that is in my spirit now that could never be attained in the classroom. I understand the importance of schooling, and I truly appreciate the chances I've been given. However, there's something so powerful, majestic even, about where I live and what I do that no textbook could have ever prepared me for. It's absolutely freeing.

I'm so extremely content exploring this land! I have an unquenchable thirst for scenic landscapes. I think I'll remain happy if I continue exploring. I thought Colorado was it, afterwards I'll go back to Wisconsin with new found inner peace and inspiration. No. This summer has only heightened my lust for exciting new places. Colorado is not a means to an end, it's the beginning of some really great adventures that I feel required to take to live without regrets. It'll be hard to go back to Wisconsin, even though I really sincerely miss my friends. However, when I return, I hope I'll be more determined to excel at all my pursuits because I now realize that they will only help me to further my journeys. I want to stay here, but I understand that its necessary to leave.

So, there it is, my great duality of thoughts about coming to, living in, and leaving Colorado.

"One reason the West has prospered is that the weak, the timid, the hesitating, the doubtful, the suspicious have always stayed at home, while the brave, the resolute and determined have struck out when opportunities beckoned."-1909 Denver and Rio Grande Railroad brochure

The Beginning

Wow! I made to Colorado in one piece. The journey was amazing and I managed to do it in 24 hours total. I slept in Sterling, CO for 6 hours which was…interesting to say the least. I was really tired and it was going on 2 am so, I had to stop. So, I parked my car at a Phillips 66 which was the least shady of all my choices. There was a creepy motel with a rusted sign and no cars even near it, or I could have slept near which appeared to be an abandoned house. I took my chances. The only real danger was that there was a prison about ¼ mile down the road and all the signs said: CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: DO NOT PICK UP HITCHIKERS. Needless to say, I got my blanket, some wool socks, and my hatchet out of my trunk and snuggled up for the night. I woke up around 8 (I forget it if was WI or Mountain Time). I realized thatt not more than 50 ft from where I wasthere were two litle shacks that look like the home of serial killers... so, continued on my way.

The mountains are awe-inspiring this time of year because a lot of them still have snow on them. My car wasn’t doing too good around Denver because the insane altitude. I couldn’t go faster than 55 mph because my engine just isn’t made for that terrain. Nevertheless, I changed its name to TONTO because it’s really a beast after this trip and needs a killer name.

I got to Avon around 11 am and let me tell you its absolutely gorgeous!!! I moved all my stuff unpacked into my KILLER apartment. Then, I went to the market to get the essentials. Carol (who is from Oregon but spent the last year in Australia and has a funny Oregon/Australian accent) called me and wanted to see if I wanted to hang out so she came over. We talked, got to know each other and went for a walk to the library to get a card. We then walked around BEAUTIFUL Eagle River, (which is literally like 15 meters from my room’s window and our balcony!!!) Carol and I came back and met my neighbor Isaac while walking through the hallway. He said he was putting up a horseshoe pit outside if we wanted to join him later. We hung out until Kirsten came back from her run. Then, I was like, “Let’s go meet our neighbors!” So, we three went over there and hung out with Isaac, Andrew, and Reed and drank a beer. The guys are funny because they all have accents and all they talk about is snowboarding and “catching the good powder days.” We came back to my apt and made some popcorn and watched Knocked Up. Around 7 pm my roommate, Melissa moved in and we then talked, shared stories, etc until midnightish. It was pretty much a great day.

This morning we all got up and visited Ann in the GRNSS office. The office is hilarious because it looks like your average office, with hallways and stuff but all around are taxidermies like bobcats and moose heads and random animal bones. She’s incredibly nice and was so excited to see us! Everyone around the office was like, “Are these the interns!?!?!” Everyone introduced themselves and were really friendly. I’m pretty sure Monday is going to be the best first day of work I’ve ever had. We left the office and all went our separate ways. I walked to the post office and now I’m at the library.

It is so spectacular outside… 72 degrees and sunny with a nice mountain breeze! Now, I am fixin’ to go for another walk around the river and the hang with the girls in the evening. I miss you all back home and hope you’re having a wonderful time wherever you are! I’m thinking about you!!!

My First Mountain

OhmygodIamsoexcitedtogetoutofWisconsinandtoliveinColoradoIcouldjustwigggle!

I am sooooooo ready to leave my amniotic sac of Kenosha/Waukesha and escape from the heartbeat of my mother Wisconsin. However, I am not really ready in any other way. I am leaving on Tuesday and I have a myriad of things I must do. I have to unpack from school and repack for CO. Also, it appears that the first mountain I am conquering this summer is that of the laundry I have neglected. (Yikahs!) And I have to, of course, hang out with Jared, T-Rex, and Angela. Plus, my dearest D-Rock is coming up tomorrow night. So, I'm kind of, sort of busy because I consider socialization of the utmost priority.

Time constraints considered, I've wasted a bit of my day sleeping, being lazy, reading, eating fruit salad, cleaning out my car and surfing the net. I did manage to get some laundry going which, by no means, makes that mountain a molehill, but its a start. Seeing as they're made of metal, I can assume the washer and dryer are Ironmen that have been training for this their whole lives...

I really think I should take down that David Hasselhoff poster, it's getting a little creepy.

The day started off gloomy, but has proven better with time. The humidity (which I will not have to worry about in CO) went down and there's a nice breeze. My windows are open and the curtains dance a little with each gust and I can smell the lilac bush outside. It's nice to hear birds again!

Money and separation anxiety issues aside, I am feeling pretty happy about my choice to go out West. I believe this change of scene is not only exciting, but necessary. I've spent too long fermenting in Wisconsin. In CO, I'll be able to meet some new people, get my life in order and have some time for introspection. I believe I'll be able to look at things in a whole new light when I return. And hopefully, get something resembling a tan...