How did we end up in Alaska for the summer? Well, honestly, this job fell into our laps and we couldn't turn it down. Last year, in our first year of marriage, we looked into going to Alaska to work for the summer to make some extra money and create some more substantial savings as students, but the timing was wrong, and we had a lot of other obligations we were already committed to. However, when we got in touch with a few friends who had worked in Alaska we became more intrigued about the idea, and more prayerful. As we started talking about it, and exploring the idea of it, we applied for the job. At the time, we had applied with a few friends of ours, but Heavenly Father had some other plans for them, so we were on our own. The application process and hearing back was quite nerve wracking for me because it meant we would be leaving our families for 4 months and living in a COMPLETELY different environment. However, it was also one of the most exciting, and faith filled decisions we have made yet as a couple.
Once we heard back that we got the jobs, ( I will spare you the lengthy details of the process and questions we had) we told our current employers and took the giant L E A P of faith that this is what Heavenly Father's plan was for us. We are both working for Holland America Princess Cruise lines in Denali, Alaska. We were very excited about working in Denali because of some financial benefits offered, but mainly, we are excited to s i m p l i f y our lives for the next few months and really work hard, refocus and recharge.
Saying good bye to our families, was tearful to say the least. ( Let's just say, I was the girl growing up who cried 4 out of the 5 days at girls camp because I was so homesick. I like to think I've made a few strides since then :)
We decided it would be fun to take pictures of each state line or territory we passed through!
The next day we made the long 13 hour trip, with some detours, to Edmonton Alberta Canada. We got to travel through parts of Yellowstone, and the endless state of Montana, as well as cross the border into Canada. It was incredible to see all the different types of weather that we traveled through. We saw thick amounts of snow, rain, and even hail during this drive.
It was fun to make the drive to Edmonton because we were able to make this trip last year as well because Rob served his mission in Edmonton. We were blessed beyond belief to stay with one of the families he became close to on his mission, and I can't even tell you how grateful we were for food and a bed. In fact, I think this was one of Rob's most favorite parts of the trip, because I absolutely LOVED the salmon dinner this family gave us. (While usually I stay 10 feet away from anything that smells or looks like fish) I think Rob's prayers about Alaskan fish are coming true:)
Driving through Yellowstone, absolutely stunning with the snow.. and then we finally made it to Montana!
This guy is a champion driver, and never complained about the long drives!
We spent more time at these stations then we planned, but little did we know how grateful we would be for a modern gas station :)
Alberta bound!
Did I forget to mention we saw the world's largest beaver museum on the way? ha ha
The next day we felt recharged and refreshed as we had actually taken a shower and eaten food besides smartfood popcorn and protein bars.
This is when we made our long journey to Fort Nelson, British Columbia. This is where we ventured onto the alaskan highway. And oh what an adventure this would be.
We had read lots of blogs, and reports about traveling on the Alaskan Highway because you get pretty much into the middle of nothing. Now, I am not talking about a small town or city, you get into absolutely nothing but the thickness of trees and mountains, not to mention the dirt road you are often traveling on. It was always extremely comforting to pass a car next to us, because sometimes you wouldn't see another car for hours. This is honestly where our adventure got the most exciting, and we became the most delirious. This is also where we saw some of the most beautiful landscape and wildlife I have ever seen in my life.
Once we made it to Fort Nelson, we were exhausted and grateful to have a clean hotel and place to sleep, but before we went to bed, I of course wanted to explore the "town". First, the town is around half a mile long, no longer, and this is the largest town from 10 hours each direction, so it's pretty much it. There is of course, a Tim Horton's, a Canadian Favorite. As well as two gas stations, 2 restaurants, a post office, and a food mart, with 3 different boxes of gluten free food, ya buddy.
Some of the beautiful landscape along the Alaskan highway! Spectacular!
Just some of the wildlife we saw on the way, they were literally right next to our car!
Rob chucked some pretty heavy rocks onto the ice lake, and the ice is so thick it didn't even budge!
Once we had explored the vastness of the town, we decided to hit the sack, and prepare for the next day.
These are the faces that say "we are so tired but so grateful we had a good night's rest in a clean hotel" face.
Some of Rob's favorite treats from Timmy's!
The delightful stop of Toad River, home to some of the most interesting "things" I have ever seen! And some crazy fueling systems!
We had to get some pictures with the "toads"? ha ha
One word. SKETCHY.
On our way to Whitehorse, we stopped by one of the tourist areas mentioned along the Alaskan highway. We passed through Watson Lake where there is a spot called "Sign Post Forrest". The first sign was placed here by a homesick army engineer and travelers have been placing signs from home there ever since! There are literally thousands of signs and it is amazing to see where every one has traveled from!
We found a little sign from home!
Little did we know, the next day would bring about an even more beautiful landscape and many prayers that we relied on our Heavenly Father for. We drove through the rocky terrain, hills upon hills upon hills and were amazed at all of God's creations. About 7 hours into the drive, Rob started to notice the car lurching and the check engine light went on. We immediately pulled over, and
p r a y e d. We were about 45 minutes from the next "town". We were anxious because we still had a few more days of driving, and we really had no clue of what might be wrong with our car. We started to fervently pray, and I immediately felt overcome with the Spirit, and both of us received the direct prompting to "keep driving". We were grateful for an answer and prayed that the next "town", and by town, we mean abandoned buildings and non human operated gas station, just an abandoned station, would have phone service so we could call our families and maybe get some ideas of what to do. We finally got in touch with our families and felt we should just keep moving forward and things would work out. Well our prayers were answered, simple as that, we were able to keep driving and make it to a big enough city to sort out the issues.
The night of the car issues, we were blessed to have a bed to stay in once again. Rob had the brilliant idea, seriously brilliant idea, to call the branch president in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and see if he might have ideas for places for us to stay that night. Well the branch president, whom we had never met, and found his name on mormon.org, said we could just stay with him! We were so grateful because the Yukon territory is FREAKIN cold!
We made it through day 4 of driving! Wohoo!
One of the most interesting churches we saw along the Alaskan Highway!
Yes, there are no names for stores or restaurants in this middle of "nowhereness" , the are just called "STORE " or "Restaurant"...again...SKETCH.
Motel/Bathroom anyone? ehhh...I think I'll pass...
Seriously SPECTACULAR views of everything we passed! The view was absolutely breathtaking!
We woke up the next day excited for our last long day of driving to stay in Fairbanks for a few days for Rob's job. We left early that morning and continued listening for hours upon end to our Dave Ramsey book and other books on CD. Little did we know the mountains and landscape would be even larger than life on the drive to Fairbanks!
In Whitehorse, one of the coolest things I saw was the S.S. Klondike steamboat. It was pretty amazing how much it looked like the Mickey's steamboat in Disneyland ha ha ha.
Again, "RESTAURANT". Let's just say, we were STARVING... and celiac disease is tough business out here, but somehow we survived this food.
Another "Restaurant", but this one decided to have a dog keep watch?
Maps upon maps upon maps, no "GPSing" or service out here!
It was SUCH an exciting moment to see this sign and we can't believe we are actually in ALASKA! Wohoo!!
All in all, and jokes aside, we truly are so grateful for this opportunity and so grateful we made it safely to Alaska! I was SO excited to have 53 hours in the car with my best friend, a luxury I usually don't have nearly any time with him, so the days we spend on the drive were some of my most favorite memories of our marriage so far!
Seriously thr best blog I've ever seen.
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