Keep on moving

Turns out this weekend wasn't quite what I expected.  No Alaska shopping has happened yet, and as I've only got less than two weeks, we're getting down to the wire.  But I plan on heading to REI, Gander Mountain, and Dicks soon to get the rest of my stuff for Alaska!

One less thing to get though, a bug net hat!  I'm super excited about that.  It's a bucket hat where the net comes out the top and over your head and neck.  I'm going to look so cool!  Picture to come I promise!

I'm still in pursuit of boots and a rain suit, but I've got some leads as to where to find them.  I'll keep y'all posted!

 

Time is flying, and the credit card will be dying...

I can't believe that in 2 weeks I'm heading off to Alaska.  The days are really starting to blur.  I've been trying to see as many people as possible before heading off, but it's becoming overwhelming.  So dear friends, I'm sorry if I don't see you before I leave, but I will be back!  It's just a few months! 

Every weekend has just been packed this month!  2 weeks ago I took an amazing trip to Mackinac Island (if any of you haven't been before, I wholeheartedly recommend you plan a trip).  Last weekend I went up to Wilderness State Park, this week I'm heading to my college hometown for the Festival of the Moon, and then onto the rival town (for what I hope to be a very fortuitous shopping trip at REI).  Next weekend I'm heading to Kentucky to visit a friend.  And the following I'll be on a flight to Anchorage. 

Between the weekends (or during the week I suppose) I'm crazy busy as well!  I'm trying to get in all my appointments before heading out, as well as getting in the last of my shopping.  Turns out I'm not completely prepared for Alaska.  It looks like I'll be needed a rain suit (yep, that's a real thing, I can't stop picturing the Gorton's fisherman when I think of it though...), and some awesome hiking boots!  Anybody have suggestions about the best places to find these?  Also, I need to invest in some serious mosquito repellent clothing and such; turns out they're like birds in Alaska (say it with me, ew).  There's probably more, but I haven't quite sat down and put together my list yet.

Cross your fingers that REI has the boots I need!  Also, if any of you haven't been to an REI, I highly suggest it, if not to buy, then to just look around and be amazed at all the things you can do outdoors!

Peace!

First Post!

Hey there!  First off, thanks for reading my blog!  Second, sorry, this is my first blog, so I'm just learning.  Bear with me (get it? No, of course not, we haven't gotten to that yet, but trust me, in about 4 weeks that will be hilarious).  

 

Anyways, so what's the deal with this blog?  Welp, if any of you have read the book Into the Wild you know it's about a guy that travels to Alaska in search of a real wilderness experience, which unfortunately for him, doesn't turn out well (sorry if that spoiled it for you...).  I'm in search of a real wilderness experience, but one that involves indoor plumbing, heat, and power!  Yep, I'm that kind of girl.  

This summer I'll be heading out to Alaska for an internship with Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (check it out here: http://www.nps.gov/lacl/index.htm) through the Student Conservation Association.  I'm beyond excited.  This is the opportunity of a lifetime.  I've just graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Agriscience, and I'm ready to take on the world.  I'm just looking for a way to jump-start my career and figure out what I want to do.  For now the passion is working for the National Park Service, and I'm hoping this internship solidifies it for me. 

The point of this blog though is for me to keep a running record of what I do whilst on this internship, while also keeping my friends and family in the know about my adventures.  Warning, there will be tons of pictures, and tons of posts (at least I hope so, it's really dependent on how my Internet situation works out there).  

I head out July 7th (2012) and will return September 29th, so I'm hoping my time there yields some exciting adventures.  The countdown starts now!  In the days leading up to the Great Adventure, I'd like to keep you all posted on what's going on, how I'm preparing, a little information on the park itself and anything else I feel is worthwhile to talk about.  I look forward to getting into this internship and letting you all know what's going on, and I hope you stick with me during this time.  

Thanks again for reading friends and family, you are my support system and are what will keep me going as I head out to do something completely new and strange and amazing!