“How’d you get from Texas to Alaska?” This is a question I have heard more times than I can count this summer. It seems every tour group I take out wants to know the answer to this question. My reply? “Surfing the Internet!” I get responses from blank stares to out-right laughter, but it’s true.

Ten years working in the cube-rat maze had driven me to extremes. I had to escape the 9-to-5, clock punching dreariness. So I’ll drive trucks, says I! And off I went. Driving big trucks across the nation was all well and good but after about three years, I realized that I had been everywhere twice. And I never was able to do any of the cool stuff, like see the Liberty Bell or visit the Lincoln Monument. But I did get to see all of our nation’s lovely, picturesque truckstops. Another change was in order so I started surfing. Where hadn’t I been? Hmmm… Alaska! Never got a load taking me there! And there was a link to alaskatourjobs.com on one of the countless pages I browsed, taking me from Dullsville to Ketchikan!

I have the greatest job I’ve ever had. I take groups from all over the globe on excursions all over the island, and taking them out to Totem Bight State Park is the most fun of all! Could the summer get any better? Well, on May 27th, I found out when I married my wonderful new bride, Victoria. We met in the Driver’s Housing, and well, one thing lead to another. We pooled our tips together to pay for the marriage license and wedding and, thanks to the other drivers in the housing that put together a BYOWR (bring your own wedding reception), we had a great time at our wedding on Sunday, May 27th, 2007. Now she drives motorcoach 801 and I drive coach 790 and when people ask how married life is treating us, I tell them that it’s just like driving a bus! And I also tell them, come to Alaska for the summer and change your life forever!

The beauty here is unmatched and though all of Alaska holds treasures, I have found a home in Ketchikan. The people here are so amazing to be around and the mountains of Ketchikan are incredible at any time of year. Deer Mountain is covered with snow when I first arrive each year and by July the snow is melted. That allows hiking of Deer Mountain to the top of its 3001-foot peak. The vistas are incredible and you feel an awe and amazement viewing the world from there that I have not been able to equal anywhere else.

Being the first city of Alaska, many of the ships stop here first and it is up to us as tour guides to present Alaska in all its glory and beauty. There are so many different tours in Ketchikan that we can participate in that all my days off are filled with excitement and experiences that will last me a lifetime. I have watched many people of all ages and backgrounds come to Alaska to work for Princess and Holland America and all of them leave here a different person. Some are much more outgoing, some are more rounded individuals, and some are persons to be admired leaving me to hope they come back again to work for Princess and Holland America.

I have made friends for life in this job, and have kept in touch with many, many of our former drivers over the years. It is wonderful to meet drivers from all walks of life and see how they all bring part of their world to show the cruise passengers how incredible Alaska really is. With what we all take away from Alaska each year, it leaves a profound impression on our lives and makes the path we choose for future adventures so much more rewarding. I only hope you will come to Alaska and experience what I am talking about for yourself. I cannot imagine not returning to Alaska and seeing the great land year to year.

If you enjoy adventure, this is certainly the job for you. The opportunity to fish, kayak, zip line, ride go-karts, travel by jet boat, or float plane, snorkel, jeep the back country, walk the rain forest, or go crab fishing, as well as learn and guide tours regarding native life and totem poles has sold me on Ketchikan. I hope you will come to Ketchikan and let us show you the experiences of Alaska.

It’s a question I’m often asked when I tell people that Ketchikan is one of the rainiest city in North America. I was standing there by my coach, loading passengers on a Saturday morning when the question came up again. It’s not an easy question, because there are so many reasons. The incredible beauty of southeast Alaska, with towering mountains rising out of the sea. The sense of community that comes with living in a small town on an island. The wonderful culture of the Native people who have lived here for thousands of years, their clan houses and their totems and their dancing. Hiking through the rainforest and coming upon a mama bear teaching her cubs how to fish for salmon. Kayaking in the early morning and having a pod of orca whales swim past. Raising our children in a town where everyone looks out for them. How the amount of rain here makes us appreciate the sunshine so much more.

I try and share all this with my guests as I drive them around, and they all appreciate the beauty of southeast Alaska, but coming here on a cruise you really only scratch the surface a little bit. This is my fourth year driving for the company. I’m one of many “townies” that come back year after year. And each summer we get a new group of driver guides that come up to work for the summer, they have lots of chances to go hiking, or fishing, or kayaking, sometimes we even get to go on the boat tours with our guests. The Driver Guides really get to know Ketchikan and learn why it’s so special. Some of them come back the next year, some don’t, but I think they all look back at the summer with fondness as they leave at the end of their season.

So I was standing there, trying to think of how to answer the question, and all of a sudden a bald eagle swooped down and flew right past us, not more than twenty or thirty feet away. I just smiled.