Arctic Valley is as close to heaven on earth as there is. Few may say that it is too cold or too windy or even too remote and out of the way but they would be the ones unable to see the breathtaking view of anchorage through two mountain peaks. We were lucky enough to experience all of this from twilight of yesterday into today. Right when we got there, after assembling our assembly line to move our sleeping bags inside, some of us traversed sans trail up the mountain. This was Liv, Taylor, Eliza and I (Matt) and we made at least 3/4 up the mountain...at least it seemed that way. Anyway, the view during twilight was amazing and although there are pictures they don't do the view justice. Getting down was just as fun half sliding and half lunging taking a fraction of the time. After a delicious meal of salad and Costco pizza we made our way over to the tubing park to get some night runs in. So sweet. It was like I was back in elementary school at Amesbury Sports Park for my friends 9th birthday party but so much better; I mean we could all make a massive tube here and that would be much frowned upon in Amesbury. Now don't think that that was the end of our adventures for the night, we had a midnight hike ahead of us. Chris took us to the cat packed trail on the back side of the mountain and we methodically made our way up the mountain. Midway up as we were passing the last of the scraggly trees we looked up and saw a wash of green across the sky. We had finally seen Northern Lights. Everything had seemed to work out for us this trip and this was just one more thing that couldn't have been better (except if Michelle had been well enough to be with us but she still saw them back at the lodge). The lights followed us the rest of the way up the mountain and although we didn't make it all the way up when we did stop we were able to experience the effect of the mountain. We all spread out to our own areas and sir in silence on top of an Alaskan mountain with the Northern Lights above and shooting stars across the sky. Not many people can say that they've done this but I'm glad that at least the 14 of us can.
Written by Matt
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Mustached Alaska
Yesterday at Fairview, Julia made this mustache with one of the kids. I obviously stole it and made everyone take a picture with it...
-Lindsay
-Lindsay
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thursdee! According to Eliza
So today is Thursday, the fifth day of our adventure in Alaska (not counting Saturday where all we did was travel). Today Taytay, Liv, Matt, Connor and I went to Kincaid to play with the kiddos there. We had all been there before and were pretty excited to play with them again. While they went swimming with Taylor, the rest of us UNHers prepared for the sled derby tomorrow and then had our lunch. Until the youngins showed up. Then we didn't stop playing and listening and cutting up cardboard and duct tape for sleds (and weapons!) until we got picked up at five. Today went by so fast!
This week has been crazy. We've been doings things pretty much nonstop. I'm amazed we're still standing. Well, Ashley's passed out on a cot right now so there's that. I'm so exhausted I won't leave the wheelchair we found in the backrokm.
We're doing some pretty awesome things. We've seen a lot of moose and had a lot of laughs. Done a lot of crafts, too. My hands are sore from all the knives I've had to use. And from our amazing cross country skiing adventure! My ski buddy Connor and I didn't fall. Except on the worst hill ever conceived by man. So that doesn't count.
I'm super excited for breakfast for dinner (Courtney's kindle doesn't think brimmed btinnner brinnner is a word). A few of our lovely ladies are making that now. So I'm gonna go hang around the kitchen until it's time to eat.
This week has been crazy. We've been doings things pretty much nonstop. I'm amazed we're still standing. Well, Ashley's passed out on a cot right now so there's that. I'm so exhausted I won't leave the wheelchair we found in the backrokm.
We're doing some pretty awesome things. We've seen a lot of moose and had a lot of laughs. Done a lot of crafts, too. My hands are sore from all the knives I've had to use. And from our amazing cross country skiing adventure! My ski buddy Connor and I didn't fall. Except on the worst hill ever conceived by man. So that doesn't count.
I'm super excited for breakfast for dinner (Courtney's kindle doesn't think brimmed btinnner brinnner is a word). A few of our lovely ladies are making that now. So I'm gonna go hang around the kitchen until it's time to eat.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The 360 Million Dollar View
Dear friends, readers, and Mom;
Let me begin by creating a picture of what is happening directly behind me. Eight truly magnificent humans are cuddled up on padded gymnastics mats, wrapped up in donated sleeping bags, hugging an over-sized ladybug pillow that we found in the teen room of the Alaska Spenard Recreation Center. Everyone is watching the 1994 snowy classic Iron Will on a projector screen that somebody figured out how to operate. The rest of the group is sitting in the sauna in the women's locker room happily toasting away. I am so incredibly content. It is only wednesday on my Alternative Spring Break trip to Anchorage, Alaska.
We have slept inside "multipurpose room" of the recreation center every night his week since we arrived at 2:00am at Anchorage Airport this past Sunday morning. We don't pay for room and board, we don't pay for the rental vans that truck us places. We pay for gas and food, and that wild and unpredictable plane ride. This is all possible because we are exchanging our UNH Spring Break for community service at the Fairview Recreation Center in Anchorage. This recreation center is teeming with bright and hopeful children that truly don't have a safe and comforting environment during the daytime hours. Michelle's good friend Chris, head of Anchorage Parks and Recreation, has been wholeheartedly giving and flexible this entire trip already given us the delicious taste of what Anchorage has to offer. After only working three days at both Fairview and Kincaid Recreation centers, some of the kids literally run and jump into my arms when I arrive in the morning. To sum it up quickly so far, I've taught some youngsters how to use the pottery wheel, or "throw", I helped teach a group of children how to cross country ski, (when my first time EVER cross country skiing was literally last night), spent 2 1/2 hours helping 15 kids build there own cardboard sled with ductape, markers, streamers. I've been a part of teaching lessons on adaptation, participation, whale anatomy, seed planting, cooperation, free painting, weaving, drawing, skiing, swimming, and clay modeling. I've done all community service, and I've only been in Alaska since Sunday. SUNDAY.
I can imagine what I would be doing if I went home to Marshfield. I would absolutely be sleeping. I would catch up on some much needed sleep. I would shoot the shit with my dad, clean some random room in my house, spend a long afternoon with my mom ( hi mom!), and bug my gorgeous little sister, Al-sass. It would be a pleasant break with the Walter Family.
However, Spending the week on this Anchorage Service Trip I can certainly say that had I been at home, I would have been awake for probably half the time I have been awake on this service trip. And you know what? I'm damn glad I'm spending my conscious time with this incredible group of people so very flexible and willing to try new things. We have had very little idea of what each day will bring. Each and every moment is a surprise. My group and I spent Sunday nestled between the legs of ice blue glaciers inside the Alaskan Chugach Mountain range. On tuesday I spent my afternoon teaching a thirteen year old girl named Michaela how to make pottery on the spinning wheel. Right this moment, I hear my friends laughing at how helplessly cheesy and inspiring Iron Will is.
Thus far, my absolute favorite part of our Chem-Free Alternative Spring Break Trip to Anchorage is how hard I've laughed in the past couple of days. I'm pretty sure Eliza and I have collapsed in laughter at least four times a day. In the moments before I feel asleep after we finally settled in on Sunday, stressfull thoughts of my physics homework and calculus homework passed through my head. Yeah, I am going to get it done by the time it is due, but I have not thought of since. Truthfully, life doesn't have the capacity to always be entirely focused on deadlines. I'm in ALASKA, and who knows if I will every make it back here again? The math will get done, but for this finite week, laughter is louder than the numbers.
I don't know how to sign this blog,
Tay
Let me begin by creating a picture of what is happening directly behind me. Eight truly magnificent humans are cuddled up on padded gymnastics mats, wrapped up in donated sleeping bags, hugging an over-sized ladybug pillow that we found in the teen room of the Alaska Spenard Recreation Center. Everyone is watching the 1994 snowy classic Iron Will on a projector screen that somebody figured out how to operate. The rest of the group is sitting in the sauna in the women's locker room happily toasting away. I am so incredibly content. It is only wednesday on my Alternative Spring Break trip to Anchorage, Alaska.
We have slept inside "multipurpose room" of the recreation center every night his week since we arrived at 2:00am at Anchorage Airport this past Sunday morning. We don't pay for room and board, we don't pay for the rental vans that truck us places. We pay for gas and food, and that wild and unpredictable plane ride. This is all possible because we are exchanging our UNH Spring Break for community service at the Fairview Recreation Center in Anchorage. This recreation center is teeming with bright and hopeful children that truly don't have a safe and comforting environment during the daytime hours. Michelle's good friend Chris, head of Anchorage Parks and Recreation, has been wholeheartedly giving and flexible this entire trip already given us the delicious taste of what Anchorage has to offer. After only working three days at both Fairview and Kincaid Recreation centers, some of the kids literally run and jump into my arms when I arrive in the morning. To sum it up quickly so far, I've taught some youngsters how to use the pottery wheel, or "throw", I helped teach a group of children how to cross country ski, (when my first time EVER cross country skiing was literally last night), spent 2 1/2 hours helping 15 kids build there own cardboard sled with ductape, markers, streamers. I've been a part of teaching lessons on adaptation, participation, whale anatomy, seed planting, cooperation, free painting, weaving, drawing, skiing, swimming, and clay modeling. I've done all community service, and I've only been in Alaska since Sunday. SUNDAY.
I can imagine what I would be doing if I went home to Marshfield. I would absolutely be sleeping. I would catch up on some much needed sleep. I would shoot the shit with my dad, clean some random room in my house, spend a long afternoon with my mom ( hi mom!), and bug my gorgeous little sister, Al-sass. It would be a pleasant break with the Walter Family.
However, Spending the week on this Anchorage Service Trip I can certainly say that had I been at home, I would have been awake for probably half the time I have been awake on this service trip. And you know what? I'm damn glad I'm spending my conscious time with this incredible group of people so very flexible and willing to try new things. We have had very little idea of what each day will bring. Each and every moment is a surprise. My group and I spent Sunday nestled between the legs of ice blue glaciers inside the Alaskan Chugach Mountain range. On tuesday I spent my afternoon teaching a thirteen year old girl named Michaela how to make pottery on the spinning wheel. Right this moment, I hear my friends laughing at how helplessly cheesy and inspiring Iron Will is.
Thus far, my absolute favorite part of our Chem-Free Alternative Spring Break Trip to Anchorage is how hard I've laughed in the past couple of days. I'm pretty sure Eliza and I have collapsed in laughter at least four times a day. In the moments before I feel asleep after we finally settled in on Sunday, stressfull thoughts of my physics homework and calculus homework passed through my head. Yeah, I am going to get it done by the time it is due, but I have not thought of since. Truthfully, life doesn't have the capacity to always be entirely focused on deadlines. I'm in ALASKA, and who knows if I will every make it back here again? The math will get done, but for this finite week, laughter is louder than the numbers.
I don't know how to sign this blog,
Tay
Picture update!
I was sick on Monday and Tuesday so I missed out on a lot of the fun, but here are some more pictures from Sunday and today! Enjoy!
-Lindsay
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| Marina enjoying the sites |
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| Piled into the van! |
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| Setting up the KinderGym... |
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| Julia's first time on the pottery wheel! |
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| Taylor playing guitar in the racquetball court |
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| Beautiful Chugach Mountain Range |
Wildcat Turbo Speedster 5000
Hello everyone!
Today was a snowy, stormy morning in Anchorage, Alaska. The wind was howling as we departed for Kincaid Park. Our first task of the day was to learn all of the kid's names and favorite Alaskan animal. The ever popular moose, salmon, and polar bear were included but we also got responses of lion and house cat! As the kids departed for the swimming pool, we (Sam and Matt) hauled cardboard boxes from the bunker to the building accompanied by Margaret (the head of the program), Eliza, and Tay Tay. Instantly, construction of the Wildcat Turbo Speedster 5000 commenced. This sled was a prototype for the kids to follow, but became a pretty fun project for us UNHers. After completion of the Wildcat, we decided to take it for a test run on the slopes. During this experience, it was a sight to behold! We will retire the Wildcat Turbo Speedster 5000 with great pride. Using our new found sled building skills, we were able to assist the children with their own speedster creations. Hours of cutting cardboard, ripping duct tape, and taping streamers resulted in a variety of cardboard sleds. These sleds will face the true test on Friday as the kids participate in a Sled Derby at Kincaid. We look forward to seeing all of the kids' (and our) hard work in action on Friday!
'Til Friday,
Sam and Matt
Today was a snowy, stormy morning in Anchorage, Alaska. The wind was howling as we departed for Kincaid Park. Our first task of the day was to learn all of the kid's names and favorite Alaskan animal. The ever popular moose, salmon, and polar bear were included but we also got responses of lion and house cat! As the kids departed for the swimming pool, we (Sam and Matt) hauled cardboard boxes from the bunker to the building accompanied by Margaret (the head of the program), Eliza, and Tay Tay. Instantly, construction of the Wildcat Turbo Speedster 5000 commenced. This sled was a prototype for the kids to follow, but became a pretty fun project for us UNHers. After completion of the Wildcat, we decided to take it for a test run on the slopes. During this experience, it was a sight to behold! We will retire the Wildcat Turbo Speedster 5000 with great pride. Using our new found sled building skills, we were able to assist the children with their own speedster creations. Hours of cutting cardboard, ripping duct tape, and taping streamers resulted in a variety of cardboard sleds. These sleds will face the true test on Friday as the kids participate in a Sled Derby at Kincaid. We look forward to seeing all of the kids' (and our) hard work in action on Friday!
'Til Friday,
Sam and Matt
The Magic in the Middle
Nope I don't mean the creamy filling in a Twinkie! I mean the moment when a group on a trip hits their stride. It usually happens near the middle of a trip and you know it instantly because it feels like magic! Everything clicks. Everyone is laughing together and moving in and out of their comfort zones effortlessly (well maybe not effortlessly, but willingly). One persons's triumphs become everyone's and challenges seem less insurmountable because you've got folks to help you through and cheer you on. Last night we went cross country skiing with most folks never having been on skis and everyone pushed their comfort zone skiing into the night. It was beautiful to watch and experience with them all. (Even I might have landed on my face tracking up hill and laughed my butt off). As I write this Taylor is playing Wagon Wheel and everyone is singing. Truly amazing!
In short pure MAGIC!
Michelle
In short pure MAGIC!
Michelle
Tuesday in Alaska
Yesterday (Tuesday) was another great day in Alaska. I had the opportunity to work at Fairview Rec Vented where we led a fun game of dodge ball and Matt and I paired up with local kids to make teams for the March Madness Basketball Tournament. Diamond and I won our first game but then I had to leave so I hope she did well! Others planted seeds with kids and Michell's taught kids how to make pottery which was a big hit... especially the wheel. We came back to our home base at Spenser Rec Center and had a quick dinner of Chili and salad and bread before we went out for another incredible adventure. Chris taught us how to go cross country ski and it wad phenomenal. After a few quick lessons on techniques and how to get up from spills we were off. We followed a lit trail and skies for over an hour. Cross country skiing is definately going to be a new hobby for me. We were also on the look out for a moose... we saw some tracks and moose droppings. Today is going to be another busy day... we will blog more soon!
Monday, March 12, 2012
picture sharing time
Here are some photos from today. Hopefully we will have more time to blog tomorrow, and people can use these for inspiration!
Breathtaking
So today was amazing. We were able to experience the beauty of the Alaskian landscapes firsthand. I am amazed at the beauty and truly struggle to put it into words.. if you have never been to Alaska you should add it to your bucket list of things to do. We dressed in layers... many thanks to Chris and the parks and rec department for helping supply extra layers. Then we adventured into the snow. One thing that was really neat to see were thoe people were kite skiing on a frozen lake. It was so beautiful out that many people were skiing sledding and going for walks. We met a lot of dogs today too. One even had its own pair or rather quadlets of booties.. it was too cute. We also had the opportunity to go to Firewood.nature reserve today and saw some cute animals. The porquipine was my favorite. I am very excited to start our service work tomorrow and meet all of the kids we will work with. It was a busy but amazing day. -Courtney
Wild Life Refuge
We had an incredible day. One of my favorite parts was walking through the wild life refuge. Here are a few photos for you.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
We made it!
A few pictures from our travels so far! The day didn't go as planned (we will fill you in later), but I wanted to share these with you!
-Lindsay
-Lindsay
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| The view from Spenard Community Recreation Center (where we are staying) |
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| First night - finally sleeping! |
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| Playing Apples to Apples in Charlotte while we wait for a new flight plan since our flight was canceled |
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| Hanging out at Logan Airport - ready for our Alaskan adventure! |
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| We made it! |
Saturday, March 10, 2012
En Route
We are on our flight from Boston to Charlotte (and will be in Charlotte by the time I post this due to no internet access in flight) and our excitement is growing! I have a feeling that this long day of travel will drain us as we get closer to Anchorage (we are scheduled to arrive at 3:47am EST), but as soon as we arrive I think the adrenaline and excitement will pump us back up! I can't wait to see those northern lights ;)
This group is incredible and I feel so blessed to be sharing this experience with each of them! Hopefully we will have time to post more soon!
-Lindsay
This group is incredible and I feel so blessed to be sharing this experience with each of them! Hopefully we will have time to post more soon!
-Lindsay
Friday, March 9, 2012
And it begins!
We are sleeping over in Andover tonight, before making the trek to Logan and our 14 hours of lovely travel time. I'm so excited for this trip. I can already tell that there will be hundreds of stories and "inside jokes" that will keep us laughing for months to come. ( Did you know that a waning moon is the best time to see the northern lights?)
Over the past month I've asked everyone to start journaling a bit, and have sent out prompts to start the process. I'd love to have some students share what they have written down as they prepared for this trip.
I hope those of you not on the trip enjoy this blog. Feel free to comment :)
Over the past month I've asked everyone to start journaling a bit, and have sent out prompts to start the process. I'd love to have some students share what they have written down as they prepared for this trip.
I hope those of you not on the trip enjoy this blog. Feel free to comment :)
Pre Trip Chatter!
Hello Everyone! We didn't know if we were going to be able to pull this blog together in time, but we did it! So we will start with me giving you the 411 (that means "information" for all those folks who don't use a phone to actually place phone calls any longer) on what we are doing this week starting with tonight.
Today, from 5pm on we are carpooling at various times to make our way to Courtney Petzold's house, as her family has graciously offered their house for a 14-person sleep-over tonight! And they are shuttling us to the airport together tomorrow! (Thank you so much!!!)
We anticipate much mayhem and many bonding experiences as we begin our journey to the Far North Country! We have committed to both a chem free trip AND to go off-the-grid as much as possible. Obviously a blog is very much on the grid, but we will designate hours at night that folks can make calls home, use computers, etc. We will definitely be accessible, but we wanted to put away all distraction as we immerse ourselves in all that the children of Anchorage and the city has to offer us.
The other day an RHD friend, Johnny, took the time to look up if - A) one could drive all the way to Alaska and - B) how long it would take! The drive would be 3 and 1/2 days worth of straight driving. That is a very long time and will help make the next bit of information not seem so bad . . .
Our Flight leaves at 12:45pm EST and we arrive in Alaska at 11:47 AK-time (which is 4 hours behind EST). YAY 14-hour flight!!
I'm not sure how long it would take by train, but here is a great photo of what that adventure might look like by Train! Maybe we can catch up with the Ididerod or the Aurora Borealis?
Once in Alaska we are not only hoping to see the Aurora Borealis, which is suppose to be amazing this time of year, but we are going to settle-in at our "home for the week" the Spenard Recreation Center. Sunday we have plans to see a Wildlife Refuge in Girdwood (Glacier City) and do some hiking, and hopefully see one of the seven glaciers that surround the city. More info on Girdwood (Girdwood 411). Then we will shop for food and incidentals and prepare for our week working with children at the Kincaid Outdoor Center and the Fairview Recreation Center.
I imagine this is just the tip of the iceberg (*laugh here*) of trip members posting and reflecting . . . so make some hot chocolate and sit by a toasty fire (or global warming weather) as we keep you on the edge of your seat with thoughtful entertainment and the reflective discourse of our service adventures in Alaska.
Michelle (Hall Director - Jessie Doe)
Today, from 5pm on we are carpooling at various times to make our way to Courtney Petzold's house, as her family has graciously offered their house for a 14-person sleep-over tonight! And they are shuttling us to the airport together tomorrow! (Thank you so much!!!)
We anticipate much mayhem and many bonding experiences as we begin our journey to the Far North Country! We have committed to both a chem free trip AND to go off-the-grid as much as possible. Obviously a blog is very much on the grid, but we will designate hours at night that folks can make calls home, use computers, etc. We will definitely be accessible, but we wanted to put away all distraction as we immerse ourselves in all that the children of Anchorage and the city has to offer us.
The other day an RHD friend, Johnny, took the time to look up if - A) one could drive all the way to Alaska and - B) how long it would take! The drive would be 3 and 1/2 days worth of straight driving. That is a very long time and will help make the next bit of information not seem so bad . . .
Our Flight leaves at 12:45pm EST and we arrive in Alaska at 11:47 AK-time (which is 4 hours behind EST). YAY 14-hour flight!!
I'm not sure how long it would take by train, but here is a great photo of what that adventure might look like by Train! Maybe we can catch up with the Ididerod or the Aurora Borealis?
Once in Alaska we are not only hoping to see the Aurora Borealis, which is suppose to be amazing this time of year, but we are going to settle-in at our "home for the week" the Spenard Recreation Center. Sunday we have plans to see a Wildlife Refuge in Girdwood (Glacier City) and do some hiking, and hopefully see one of the seven glaciers that surround the city. More info on Girdwood (Girdwood 411). Then we will shop for food and incidentals and prepare for our week working with children at the Kincaid Outdoor Center and the Fairview Recreation Center.
I imagine this is just the tip of the iceberg (*laugh here*) of trip members posting and reflecting . . . so make some hot chocolate and sit by a toasty fire (or global warming weather) as we keep you on the edge of your seat with thoughtful entertainment and the reflective discourse of our service adventures in Alaska.
Michelle (Hall Director - Jessie Doe)
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