Thanksgiving Perspective

On this thanksgiving, I am sitting in the airport. It's hard to be thankful when you are stuck traveling and have your thanksgiving meal come out of a vending machine. But remember when you weren't grateful as a child, your mom or dad would tell you to think of the poor, hungry children in Africa? This is a case in point.

I came across a National Geographic article talking about war torn central Africa. This area in Africa is essentially nature's paradise with abundant biodiversity, wildlife, and natural beauty. But it is also the most populated place on earth. Violence ensues over land and resources. To say that life is hard is an understatement. The life expectancy is 50 years old, the average income is $1000 per person, on average 5 children are born per woman, and multiple genocides have killed and displaced millions. The demand for food and fuel is so high that armed groups have invaded the forests in the national parks, destroying paradise in the name of fuel and power. It is a place where the national parks are war zones.

Knowing this strife, destruction, and injustice is happening in the world is disheartening. It certainly does put life in perspective. Here I am upset to be stuck in an airport on Thanksgiving? Annoyed no restaurants are open and I had to eat out of a vending machine?  It's so easy to almost forget how good we have it. Despite the current woes of today: the suffering economy, political unrest, and global warming; we are abundantly blessed.

We are not only rich in our possessions, but in our spirit and each other. We live in a country where injustice is not tolerated, and personal freedom is a right for all. The power of one can have just as much influence as the power of many. And there is more love than hate.

Most importantly, can seek refuge from the chaos and confusion of life in nature. Discover inspiration in parks and wilderness areas that have been preserved.  Ours is a paradise protected, thankfully.

A Lesson in Alaska Winters, Part 1

"When it comes to winters in Alaska, I have a steep learning curve ahead of me"........

Check the rest of the blog I wrote for work on:

http://www.campdenali.com/live/blog/blog/113654.

Winter Whirl

14 hours of driving summed up in 140 seconds. I made a short video of my 750 mile drive from Haines, Alaska to my home outside Denali. Enjoy!

Getting My Sea Legs

After 56 hours at sea, my voyage was over. I had arrived in Haines, Alaska.

Overall the ferry was good. The first couple of nights I slept on the deck, but the last night I sprang for a cabin. The cabin was nothing special. But a bed and a shower for the night was grand.

Only a little rough seas (which I sailed through sickness free thanks to sea bands!). It was mighty rainy on a lot of the trip. The prettiest part definitely came at the end when the sun was shining and you could see the jagged mountains.

With land ahoy(!) my time at sea was ending. It was good while it lasted, but I was ready to move on. Once we docked, I drove off the boat. Ahead of me was a long drive through beautiful mountains, valleys, and rivers. Only 750 miles left.

My car traveling by sea

The Movie Theater

Aft Lounge

Forward Lounge

Dining Room

Bar

My Cabin on last night :)

 

Final stop in Haines, Alaska