Growing Excitement

It’s the evening of Wed., May 14th.  Tomorrow is opening day for the town of McCarthy, and everyone is excited for the season to start.  There are about 18 of us here right now working, and about 10 others coming later this month and next as the visitors arrive.

This is our Saloon, grandfathered in as the last beer, wine, and liquor saloon in a National Park.  It was in McCarthy before the area was made into the Park, and, as you can see, we are ready for the locals (about 20 or so that I’ve seen) and the other outfitters around the area to stream into town.  More and more keep showing up, and they are all looking for a party.

They come from near and far, and we even help you find your way home.

While I’m talking about people, let me introduce you to one very special person working for us.  Meet Marcheta (Mar-key-ta) Long.  She’s been coming to McCarthy for about 18 years, and working here for many of those.  She is a school teacher in Norfolk, NE, and her ex-husband was named … Byron Long.  We’ve had a good laugh about that and she says that I’m much nicer.  😃

More on the town and area later.  But for now, enjoy these sights that I get to look at everyday.  It’s all just magical, and I need to be ready for tomorrow.

Moving Day

10-4 good buddy.  We’ve got a convoy.

After a good night’s sleep in Anchorage, next to Alaska’s largest float plane airport, what a cool spot to see.  

At 9:30am, a black sprinter van and a refrigerator truck pick me up heading to McCarthy.  Food, supplies, ice cream, and luggage, are packed into the vehicles and we head out for the mountains and our new home.  Yep, it’s a convoy.  

Wait, we need gas.  OK, now we’re ready.  Oh, another stop, OK, off we go.   What another grocery stop??  What’s in the truck?  A little after 11am, we are finally leaving Anchorage, and what a trip it is.  If a picture is worth a thousands words, I do not have the multi-million words to describe the scenery and mountains we see.  Bald eagles, swans, beavers, meese (or multiple moose) and the beautiful Liberty Falls are were just a few sights along our journey.  

After stopping for dinner in Glennallen at 4pm, we are getting close to the turnoff for Chitina, and the McCarthy Road.  We get to Chitina, but wait, where’s the truck?  Where’s our convoy.  We wait.  And wait.  Oh no, the truck missed the turnoff and went to Valdez instead.  Four hours later, the truck rounds the corner and we are a convoy once again. 

 Next stop, the McCarthy Road, where we are greeted by this sign (it’s 10pm and the sun is setting) :

Welcome to the entrance to the McCarthy Road.  We decide to let the truck go first through the narrow entry onto the road, and to keep an eye on our convoy.

Two hours later, it’s after midnight, and our little convoy arrives safely at our new home.  

Welcome to McCarthy!

Where’s Waldo

 Well my bags are all packed,

And I’m ready to go.

Heading to McCarthy,

But, you already know …

Well, it was an early start this morning from KCI.  That green bag (weighing in at 46 pounds), and the one on my back, are all I have for the next 4+ months.  Who knew that underwear, a few shirts, and fishing gear would weigh so much in that green bag?  OK, there may be a bit more in that bag to contend with mid-20 degree mornings and 50 degree highs, right now.  So while summer is heading to KC, I’m still dealing with late winter, and I’m loving it!

Anchorage today, McCarthy tomorrow.

Several people have asked how often I will do a blog entry.  Good question.  I’m no WeeGee the God or You Tube expert.  My speed is more Big Chief Writing Tablet, not social media pro.  (Remember, I’m an accountant.)  You should probably expect one or two posts a week, for now, or when something really interesting happens.

Who knows where I will go, or what adventure is next.  Kind of reminds me of Waldo.

Here we go!

Retirement is about slowing down, smelling the roses and enjoying life.  I guess that I missed that chapter in the book.

After retiring on March 31st, I am preparing for my next great adventure in life, and the clock keeps ticking.  Whe the clock hits 0:00, I will be on an airplace getting ready to takeoff for Alaska, the last frontier.  McCarthy, AK to be exact (via Anchorage) to be an Accounting Clerk (what else?) for the McCarthy Lodge and Resort.  

This would not be possible without all of the support from Martha, and family, who are staying back home in the LOWER 48.  Thank you!

 So, come along, and see what Alaska has in store for me this summer.