We are still adjusting to a new normal here in Anchorage. Julie is doing well, and enjoying her new position at ANMC, the Native Medical Center. I’m (Wes) still getting used to, but enjoying orientation at LifeMed Alaska. LifeMed has so far been the most interesting and enjoyable on-boarding to a new company I have ever experienced. Everyone is welcoming and helpful, from the CEO on down. It’s a refreshing changed from some of the places I’ve worked. The CEO of the company spent three hours of his own time with us, explaining the history of the company and company culture. It was refreshing, and I felt completely able to ask any question without repercussions.

Without a doubt, winter isn’t far off.  

The snow is getting lower on the nearby hills. Locals call this “Termination Dust”. Every precipitation event, the local mountains show more snow, lower and lower. And the temperatures here in Anchorage get cooler and cooler. Fairbanks got its first signifiant snowfall today. We can’t be far behind.

The past weekend, Julie and I drove out the Seward Highway, down to the Kenai Peninsula to visit our friend Paul Walsh’s knife shop. We bought two beautiful knives, but I can’t show pictures until they arrive, (Paul had to create the sheaths by hand then send them to us). He makes very awesome and artistic knives, and does custom work. Look him up at pwknives.com or on the Facebook.

 

 

In the past week, my (Wes’s) orientation group went to Talkeetna for field survival training. 

(My co-workers Erin and Mike splinting my “broken” femur…)

While on the way back, we ended up at an accident scene where our company aircraft was responding. It was a privilege to watch the EMS team work from the other side.

Unfortunately, according to news sources, there was a fatality involved, but nothing any first responder could have changed.

I’ll put pictures of the new knives as soon as we receive them Until then, be safe and hug your babies. As this past week has shown, tomorrow isn’t a given.

–Wes

So, while we weren’t watching, official fall snuck in. How did that happen? It’s still been a busy time for the both of us. Wes has been in the middle of clinical orientation, and Julie has been orientating at the Alaska Native Medical Center Emergency Department.

Fall is definitely in full swing. The trees are changing quickly to gold, the predominate color of fall here. It’s gorgeous. As I (Wes) fly around the state, I can see more and more snow on the northern faces of the mountaintops, what the locals call “termination dust”. Apparently, “Termination dust” is the first high snow on the mountains, meaning all summer activities are drawing to a close.

Finally saw a moose! Kincaid Park, here in Anchorage, wonderful hiking and wildlife spotting, close as can be.

This week, I also went all the way out the Aleutian chain, to Cold Bay. We were trying to get into Dutch Harbor, (Of Deadliest Catch Fame), but weather wouldn’t allow it. So, the United States Coast Guard brought our patient to us!

This place is amazing. Again, I’ll try and update more regularly. -Wes

Sorry it’s been two weeks since the last update, we’ve been a little busy! An opportunity to rent a house popped up, so we took it. Julie feels better in a house this winter, instead of the camper, and I agree. This place is awesome! Three bedrooms, two baths, and a hot tub! So, who’s coming visit first?

Several of the neighbors have introduced themselves, and seem like a great group of people. But they’ve recommended we add cameras as soon as possible. The property crime in Anchorage appears to be pretty bad, and no area is completely safe. So, we’ll be talking to the landlords about adding more security. Another good feature of this house is it already has a monitored security system installed.

Julie has found gainful employment! She starts today at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Alaska Native Medical Center in the emergency department. Congratulations!

I’ve been neck deep in orientation at LifeMed. Currently I’m doing clinical shifts at Providence Medical Center in various areas, getting exposure to OB, Labor and Delivery, ICU, pediatric ICU and the NICU. LifeMed transports all, even premature babies, something I have very little experience in. So this is a great learning opportunity and a chance to increase my comfort and skill level.

I’ve also started observational (third rider) shifts on the aircraft. Last weekend I finally got two flights, my first in Alaska! We took the King Air to Bethel, and brought back to Anchorage. And then I climbed into the Lear Jet, and flew to Kotzebue, AK and transported to Seattle! The pilots ran out of duty time, so we got to stay in Seattle for 10 hours. In seven years of flying, I’ve never gotten stuck in a place due to the pilots timing out. Another new experience! But it was a blast and I learned a lot.

So, that’s the haps here in Anchorage. I’ll try and not let so much time lapse between posts. We are loving every minute so far!

-Wes

It's been a little more than two full days in Anchorage. Most of this time has been spent recovering from the epic cross-continent trip. A few observations have been made so far.

F-22's are really loud. Traffic can be a challenge. Urban outdoorsmen abound. The views are amazing! Did I mention traffic is a challenge?

Tomorrow, we're looking to explore more. Maybe the state fair?

Our last night in Canada. We are actually a little sad, Canada has been amazing! The people have been way too nice, and helpful even when we did something dumb. The scenery is unbelievable the last two days, through the Northern Rockies in British Columbia, and now the Yukon. Put it on your bucket list folks, you really want to make this trip if you can. 

     We are going to have to replace a windshield, apparently it’s a common issue on the Alaska highway during construction season. The camper is holding up well, but I’ve noticed signs of significant flex at stress points. The road has been extremely rough at times. 

     Tomorrow, we attempt to re-enter the United States. I hear it’s harder then getting into other countries. Wish us well, and next time we post, it will be on Alaskan time!

-Wes 

We made it through Canadian customs with surprisingly little trouble, until arriving at the campsite for the evening. Then, I almost took out a truck with the back of the camper while clumsily pulling into our site! I missed by literally 2 inches! We are now deep in Canadian territory, and will be taking  a day to rest before the final push to Alaska! I’ll try and post pictures tomorrow, and we’ll be exploring Whitecourt, Alberta, CA tomorrow. – Wes

So, it’s the end of day three. Sorry we haven’t posted anything yet, it’s been a bit of an exhausting time so far. Exhausting, but amazing! The first day was torture. Sorry Kansas, but you don’t offer much for the motoring public who enjoy scenic vistas. As soon as we crossed into Colorado, the scenery immediately improved, like God threw a switch! And Wyoming was gorgeous. I wish we could have stayed longer. 

     Montana was amazing. We stopped at the Little Bighorn Battlefield, where Custer met his end. Very impressive historically accurate site, with amazing displays showing where the troops and Indians moved and fought. 

     After leaving the campsite, we trekked across Montana, with some amazing scenery. And we played “Find the Minuteman III missile silo and Launch Control Centers” as we crossed the countryside. For the record, we saw 7 missile silos and three LLC’s. 

     Tomorrow, we challenge the Canadian boarder crossing. What a fun day! Pray we don’t get “extra screening!”   

12 days left in Oklahoma. What seemed to be taking forever to arrive is now too soon for the amount of work left to finish! The stress level is intense, but slowly the to-do list is getting checked off. Can't wait to hit the road and start the journey!

So, Julie and I decided it was time to stop putting it off, and have a grand adventure. We decided on Alaska! This blog will be our way of sharing the journey, lessons learned, and gorgeous photos along the way. So, come along for the ride, it’s going to be epic!

Wes