Graduation and Alaska

Ok. So I haven't had a chance to blog in a while, what with graduation, moving out, and then flying to Alaska and not being near a computer. I'm in the Seward public library now, and thought I should do this.

Graduation was ok. It rained all through the ceremony, which was outside anyway, so I got pretty wet. Other than that, it was fine. Weather cleared up after that for a few hours, but they decided to move the reception inside, which made it difficult to find all the people I wanted to say good-bye to. I'll make a bunch of phone calls when I'm back in Pennsylvania and my cell phone gets reliable service. My graduation party was nice, had that at Chris and Libby's. They've set a date for the wedding! Sept. 9th. Good timing, since Jess' birthday is right around then, too so I can be in Meadville for that.

Moving out, as always, was a pain.

Alaska is great! I really like Anchorage. It's got a nice climate this time of year, and is apparently milder in winter because it's on the water. Meaning it only gets to ten below instead of thirty. The long days are throwing off my body clock-the sun's up at 5:30am and doesn't set until 11pm.

Have been to Denali National Park and saw a bunch of neat animals-sheep, mountain goats, moose, bear, ptarmagin... no wolves, but no surprise there.

Took a day cruise around the fjords Tuesday, saw puffins, orcas, humpback whales, a sea otter... very cool. BUt the dramamine wreaked havoc on me and I was really drowsy most of the trip. Got some good pictures anyway, I hope.

We're staying at a lodge in Moose Pass (pop. 280) right now, about 30 minutes from Seward. Just trying to relax before we drive Homer and take a tiny float plane to go bear viewing. That should be cool.

In about a week, I should be back in Erie sorting my stuff and getting ready to move down to Virginia. Just need to find a place to live and a job. Ugh. The 'real world' is scary.