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Flying from Pensacola, Florida to Anchorage, Alaska was a grueling 20 hour ordeal for me. Regardless of my lack of sleep, when I arrived at Ted Stevens International Airport at 4 in the morning I was wide awake and ready to meet my new co-workers and [with 12 hours to wait until the motor coaches arrived to take us to MPL] explore Anchorage.

The first city bus to depart the airport was scheduled at around 6 and the wait was spent mostly at the airport café mingling with some co-workers from Serbia. To be honest, I had not really expected to be working with such an internationally diverse population, however during my time with Princess I would make friends with co-workers from Bulgaria, Russia, Moldova, and a variety of other countries. One of the Serbian girls had worked for the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge the previous season and so I quizzed her to know better what to expect.

When I returned from a few hours in Anchorage, I found the airport crowded with youthful looking people. I began meeting and greeting everyone that I could. Most of the people that I met were on summer break from their universities. Within 15 minutes I had met people from every corner of the United States. I mingled for a while; even meeting a few of my fellow front desk agents before the jet lag overtook me.

The Princess Tours people arrived at around 3 and everyone clustered around as we were given our room keys and luggage tags for our respective housing areas; the Park and the Bench. At this point I was still rather unclear as to where we would be living in relation the lodge. After loading our luggage on the luggage truck we were allowed to board the motor coach and I dozed off for 30 minutes.

We made our first stop at the Wal-Mart in Wasilla. It was very helpful and I wish that this opportunity would have been known before leaving Florida as I could have packed less. At this point I had given up on trying to sleep and decided instead to look out the window to see the scenery along the Parks Highway.

At about mile marker 132, the coach driver pointed out the lodge as it came into view from the right hand side of the coach. We first stopped at the ‘Park’ to drop off those who were assigned to be living there. Many of the rooms were Travco trailers lined up along a softball field and separated from the coach parking areas by twin two-story buildings.

The coach then took the remainder of the new employees down to the other housing area and dropped us off. We were greeted by a number of managers who were waiting to point us in the direction of our new rooms. I found my room to be quite comparable to a college suite-style dorm. There were two beds, two ½ sized dressers, and a sink with mirror in the room. There was a heater under the window but there was no need for an air conditioner. Opposite of the entrance, there was a short hall that led to the bathroom and one of the other rooms.

Shortly after making my bed, I wandered toward the main lodge building in hopes of finding the Employee Dining Room. Though I was not sure where I was going, people followed me down the road assuming that I knew. The employee housing area was no more than 10 minutes walking distance from the main lodge where the EDR was located. When we arrived, we found a hot buffet-style meal waiting for us. Sometimes the food has been wonderful, sometimes it has not been my cup of tea, but there is always something to eat and drink at the EDR. The kitchen staff does the best that they can to cater to everyone. Little did I know it then, but the EDR was to become the place where I would pass much time while at MPL.

Since then, working as a front desk agent has been a rewarding experience to say the least. The volume of guests and the shear size of the property have presented a number of guest service challenges and learning experiences. This has a solid experience for my resume and I will feel that working in the capacity of front desk agent at MPL is definitely preparing me for my future career. For many of us, the first week felt a bit chaotic, but since then my fellow employees and I have really come together. From being complete strangers with varied experiences, we have grown to become a team that is able to take on the challenges of the day. It has been inspiring to see what we have become in such a short time.

Working for Princess here has been an amazing opportunity. I have taken thousands of dollars worth of tours, ridden on the Alaska Railroad, and have been to a plethora of attractions across the state at no charge. I have experienced more on my days off than many do in a lifetime. Seasonal work with Princess has definitely been the best way to see Alaska.

The sun was shining, the sky was blue with a few wispy white clouds and the brisk breeze at the back of the boat made me feel like I was water-skiing backwards! I love the feel and the sound; I had it all to myself, as the others stayed inside in their seats. I love and revel in the rare and raw beauty of Alaska. Upon wildlife sightings, the boat stops at leisure for everyone to take pictures; some carrying large scope lenses for close-ups. The eagles are amazing. A swift glimpse of wolverine escaped my vision, but people were ecstatic.

We docked to go ashore and walked inland to a beaver cut clearing to see a Beaver Lodge, which is different from a Beaver Dam. These beaver actually created a lake-like environment and built a two story lodge on the bank of it. Interesting construction; water access, and a floor for bearing babies, and some porthole like windows which remind you of a fort.

Back aboard we are told to keep our eyes along the shoreline for sightings and to call out when something appears. The time goes by quickly just because of the sheer enjoyment of the surroundings. I had a feeling of pure contentment.

Another excursion ashore was to a re-created setting where the natives had built a lean-to shelter and a rock-ringed fire pit for warmth in front of it. Nearby was a rack for drying meats, a large hole in the ground for refrigeration, and a beaver trap. The ingenuity of its design is totally impressive. They put a dense heavy tree trunk resting upon the top of a six inch diameter trunk of the beaver’s favorite tree. When the beaver chews it through, it falls and the trunk lands on him. He is a goner. Voila! Food and clothing all in one catch.

There was also a trapper’s dugout cabin with a food cache beside it. Beaver, fox, marten, and bear pelts were also on display.

The highlight of the tour was reaching the rim of the canyon where the rapids begin. Fortunately, we remained above it but were treated to a taste of the thrill the rapid riders experience in abundance. Amazing power beneath you, just exciting enough, yet safe enough to think, “this is great!”

After eating the box lunch of roast beef & cheddar subs we were served, I couldn’t help but nod off now and then on our way back to Talkeetna.

It was the best day ever; after the glacier landing, of course, and I rambled through the town taking pictures and eating lemon meringue ice cream from Nagley’s on a park bench. The day ended the same way it started, on a Princess Coach to Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.

I am blessed beyond any expectations; especially since I didn’t have any to begin with. Hope you’re enjoying the journey with me, though vicariously! Happiness to you all!

The Princess Theatre shows two unique screenings in what they call a Photo Symphony. A wildlife photographer captures breathtaking scenes in panoramic displays which fade from one to another enhanced with surround sound music. One is of Denali and its majestic wildlife and the other one is 45 minutes of the awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis. You can lose yourself in such splendor! What pleasure…I will attend every chance I get.

A sweet honeymoon couple from Mexico, trying to describe their experience on the sled dog ride, said it was “spectacular and incredible!” Aren’t those exciting words? It was the highlight of their tour. The one disappointment was that there was no snow this time of year. But they cuddled the 4 week old pups and that in itself is a thrill.

I love interacting with the tourists. They really do enjoy Alaska. Talkeetna is rustic, quaint, authentic and wears no pretensions. At least they have flush toilets, even though you have to walk a block to get to them.

A 75 year old French woman traveling alone, looking fit as a fiddle, was so disappointed that the glacier plane was grounded. She had already landed in a helicopter and been on a seaplane and this would have been an added highlight. (She has a pilot’s license.) She shared some of her adventures with me, hoping to come up with another tour to fill in her afternoon.

The Lodge has a large popular quality gift shop that does a booming business. I perused it during a lull in shoppers’ madness and saw many reasonably priced souvenirs. I don’t plan to consider purchases until season’s end, with employee discounts. But it was fun browsing.

At the covered structure where equipment is stored, he and Tim, the kayak guide, provided rain pants, oversize boots, pullovers and life vests, which we clumsily struggled into. Of course, we had to take pictures of each other in our unfamiliar gear. Armed with paddles, we clomped our way down the trail to the water’s edge. The couple boarded the two-seater kayak while the guide and I claimed our single seaters. Although I had never been kayaking, it was easy to pick up a rhythm and a stride for gliding smoothly atop the silken waters.

For me, even though I can be boisterously expressive in my elation, the serenity of floating in the midst of unspoiled nature overwhelms my soul. I am compelled to tip back my head with eyes closed and drink in the regenerative energy. It is at moments like these I become aware of how empty my well has become, and how lacking a profusion of people, noise, and problems are in providing a meaningful resource of life-giving force.

Trumpeter Swans hold reign over their domain; intruders beware; kayakers must steer a wide berth. We vanish from sight, entering a narrow passage between tall water grasses and lush undergrowth leading to an active beaver dam. Fresh gnawed limbs still green with growth add height to the original construction. The beavers hide from our sight. We take pictures anyway. At times I cling to my solitary isolation; then extend myself to our corporate body, and listen to the others’ softly spoken voices. We breathe in and exhale our communal sense of awe of the environment into which we have been transported. Why would we ever want to be anywhere but right here where we are.

My soaring heart returns to earth; time to clamber ashore and to the life I lived before. But I will ponder and contemplate and even meditate on what this privilege means to me.

Traveling up-river in a six passenger trawler-like motorboat, the proud owner of this homestead territory shouts above the noise of how he came to Alaska as a boy and hasn’t left it since. He points right and left and far ahead, telling stories about encounters or incidents there, as he developed his trapping skills. It was without a doubt a matter of survival. And he did.

At long last he cuts the engine and urges us to take pictures of the Tokosha mountain range in all her (or is it his) glory. One side is sheer rock cliffs frosted with icing between long ridges. The other is smoothly shaped and wears a shawl of green on its lower slopes. Our next stop is at the steps where he moors the boat and tells us to sit on the side and swing our legs over. A beautiful setting that reminds you of a surreal Thomas Kincade scene invites you into its welcoming arms.

John shows us where bear have scratched the picnic bench, and fresh teeth marks are on another. The log cabin has been transformed from the raw shelter with which he first began. It is now a warm, wonderful lodge. His wife, Marissa, treated us to cocoa and coconut pound cake with berry sauce. When she smiled her whole face smiled with her, revealing her gracious spirit.

He told us many survival stories to which we responded with, “ohmigosh,” “amazing,” or “awesome;” too overwhelmed at the lifestyle in which they chose to raise their children.

To hear for yourself firsthand, just a smidgen of the lore he could tell, I hope you, too, will avail yourself of the privilege of being in the presence of this man and his wife. John and Marissa are the legend of living the Alaskan Dream in the Last Frontier.

I wear a uniform. I provide my own black shoes, socks and pants, and they provide the royal blue shirts, charcoal gray vests, Gore-Tex blue and gray jackets, and Aussie-style black rain hats. (I wear tennis shoes, jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts on my day off)

There are laundromats at the end of each building. The housing is on two separate levels. One is referred to as “the park” (that’s also where they park the ten coaches.) I live on “the bench” down the hillside. There are approximately 300 employees at this location alone. We walk ten minutes downhill to the Lodge. The employee cafeteria is downstairs, where they also have 8 computers to share, half of which are always out of order. The food is about the same as I would fix myself at home; sometimes worse and sometimes better. It’s a busy place!

The Lodge is situated to have the ultimate view of Mount McKinley. It is awesome and people are disappointed when it is covered in clouds, as you can imagine. It is cloudy this morning. Yesterday was clear as a bell. Last week it was obscured by smoke from distant lightning caused fires, and then bad weather.

I get up around 5:30 a.m., and leave my roommate to sleep. She works from 2 – 10:30 p.m. I put my Bible in my backpack and walk on the trails in the fresh air. (It’s always light here!) If it’s too cold, I sit by the fire in the Lodge with a coffee or cocoa. As it warms up, I sit on the deck getting inspired by the mountain.

I get on the 9:30 shuttle for the one hour ride to Talkeetna. Because I travel this route twice a day six days a week, I ride with different drivers who are also guides and they give their individual talks. I have come to know them better by hearing the bits about themselves which they inject to add a personal touch. What a great variety of personalities to entertain me! My perspective has expanded considerably!

I open the office up again, because by now the staff is at the depot. They arrive early with all the orange flags, cones and magnetic bus letters; arranging the coaches to line up with the Princess train cars at the end of the Alaska Railroad train. There are also cars for Holland America and Royal Celebrity (a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean.)

The coaches take up to 400 people to the trains and pick up as many from the train. Many disembark in Talkeetna for a few hours before going the hour ride up to the Lodge. I work in the Guest Services Office in Talkeetna, where they come for information about the town, and or book the various tours. I coordinate calls between the Lodge, the train depot and the coaches, when communication is out of range. There are two trains a day, except only one on express days, Saturday, Monday and every other Wednesday, when the ships arrive in Whittier. The express train has an engine on each end. It brings passengers to the Talkeetna depot, where they get on the coaches. The people on the coaches get on the train and the other engine takes them to the ship from which it just came.

Every passenger receives a personal packet with room key and itinerary, and luggage is in their rooms when they arrive. It is an amazing process and for the most part it really works. We hear lots of raves about the service, but inevitably we have some who have had a bad experience. Lost luggage, misinformation, cancelled tours, bad weather, etc. I enjoy helping people. Sometimes I drive the van to the Lodge for special needs people.

I walk to the River on my lunch half hour. It’s the confluence where three rivers join together and flow down to Cook’s Inlet and into the Bay. There is a spectacular view of the McKinley range from there. Sometimes I get a fresh scooped ice cream at Nagley’s General Store and sit in the park in the town center. Everyone seems to enjoy strolling the few paved streets and the dirt roads, feeling as though they are on the set of a western movie.

Moose are spotted the most often in this area. Bear, eagles, porcupine, and wolverines are more likely to be spotted at the Denali National Park on all-day excursions. That’s a must see for one of my day’s off!

Available in town are vendors who offer Horseback Riding along the river, the Sundogs Iditarod Demonstration, River Guides do rafting trips, and there are Jet Boat Adventures, Alaska Sports Fishing, and the Flights over Mt McKinley. Besides that, the town itself is authentic and remains as close as possible to its original state, considering the massive influx of summer tourists. (Who, by the way, are always looking for a bathroom!)

I always direct people to the Ranger Station, the film about the famous Bush Pilot, the Chocolate House and the West Rib, which features real Alaskan food. Caribou chili, musk ox burgers, salmon and halibut dishes. The gift shops are tiny, and the museums are informative. Altogether lovely! I am enjoying this amazing experience!

She conveys a delightful enthusiasm when sharing her pioneering story with guests. It is contagious to the point of spawning a longing within them to have experienced this adventure for themselves. Admiration oozes from their pores and a desire to hear much more.

We look with great interest at the old structure built to smoke salmon, a tall-legged cache to protect provisions from bears; a lean-to for the cow, and an easily spotted outhouse. There also is the wood pile to supply the wood stove for cooking and the fireplace for warming hearth and home. There are three kitchen gardens; the matriarch prefers circular rows; the patriarch favors rows facing north/south, and the offspring prefers an east/west formation.

The antlers proudly displayed above the door; are a testimony to the skills of Janelle’s mother, Joanne, who shot a moose and provided her family with a year’s supply of meat. Janelle prefers its lean firm texture to the softer beef of the lower 48 which is marbled with fat.

Joanne home schooled her children; then became the school teacher in her area. Having come from the state of New Jersey in 1960, she and her family exemplify the true American pioneering spirit and are a living testimony as to the satisfaction gained, and remains to this summer day in 2007. Although Janelle’s father passed away last year at the age of 80, and they returned to lay his body to rest among the family roots, both mother and daughter cannot bring themselves to live anywhere but where they have dedicated their lives in the Alaskan wilderness. They possess a spirit that won’t be tamed.

Civilization has encroached in the last ten years with the arrival of the Princess Corporation. Janelle’s ingenuity has prevailed. She has embraced the onslaught of tourists to this vast bastion of the Mt McKinley domain and opened her heart and her door and allowed the outside world to see. She recognizes and acknowledges the need for people to look into a realm they only know from a flat screen. One cannot determine which portrayal is the “real world.” It perhaps is different for you than for me.

Although I felt like we invaded their privacy and solitude, they made us feel welcome to sit a spell over fresh warm fry bread with butter and strawberry jam and a cup of coffee and listen to a yarn or two.

It is a privilege to step into a life foreign to me as a city dweller; and a pleasure to be welcomed into a home with a warm hearth and heart.

Thank you from the bottom of mine, Janelle and Joanne. I shall fondly remember you for years to come.