I passed a milestone yesterday, the 36,000 mile end of warranty on Joy. I bought it at 9,000, so, easy math. You can't go on an epic road trip and not spend a lot of time driving. Other milestones; The Alcan Highway was 1500, then the Purple Heart Trail from Fairbanks to Homer was 900. (Today, August 7 is Purple Heart Day, dedicated to those in the military wounded or killed in action. I play MapTap every day, and learned this: WWII was over in Europe but not in the Pacific. The U.S. was planning an invasion of Japan, called Operation Downfall. The casualty estimates were upwards of a million. The leaders realized they didn't have anywhere near enough Purple Heart badges and ordered 1.5 million. After dropping the first (and only) atomic bombs used in war, the invasion never happened, so the U.S. is still using up the inventory. “A soldier wounded today might receive a medal older than his grandfather”. Highly recommend the game.)
I met up again with April and Mel for Salmon Fest. It's so nice to be part of a little pod. Salmon Fest is Alaska's equivalent of the Clearwater Festival in NY. It originated as a fundraiser/awareness builder in opposition of the Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay. The community fought the Pebble Mine for 20 years and finally won as the EPA recognized the harm. But the hard-won victory was short-lived, as the current “administration” revived it. But to the music; as I hear musicians and bands I like, I'll recommend them! Check out Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise and Molly Tuttle. Molly Tuttle has serious bonafides. There are so many incredible performers in the world! Every time I notice myself being “surprised” by the talent I see, I also realize it's an embarrassing prejudice of New York elitism revealing itself. I recognize it, forgive myself, and move on. Speaking of, I've needed to defend living in New York a few times. I say where I'm from and I get, “I'm sorry”, or “I went there once. Not for me.” I say, “We're good people! We just don't make eye contact walking on the streets on Manhattan.” I try.
I finally made my way to Homer. Donna Rae was sister-in-law Ellen's Maid of Honor; very best friends. She and her husband Don have an amazing farm. Don is building a house at the farm and is racing against time to finish, so I did a couple days work weeding a high tunnel (aka hoop house) to help out. It felt good to get back in the dirt. Gardening and vanlife don't go together.
Generalizations are always risky, but I'm noticing some broad characteristics of Alaskans. They are very community-minded, generous, don't shy away from hard physical work and have a high tolerance for uncomfortable weather. Don once saw a moose outside his house and, recognizing the tiny window of opportunity, actually shot it through the window! He's a fan of Robert Service, whom I would call the Bard of the Yukon. Service's poems are ballads of miners and pioneer life, best told by a campfire or a bawdy saloon. His name has come up a few times on my journey, and Don gifted me a book, The Very Best of Robert Service. Do check him out, too.
My friend Beth (see Salt Lake City post) has a new trailer and is in Seward. The next time our paths cross wouldn't be until September, and four hours away is around the corner in Alaska scale, so I took a trip to Seward for a couple days. Today we're taking a dinner cruise over to Kenai National Park.
The last few times I pulled out the keyboard, all I did was troubleshoot. I spent over ten hours trying to get the equipment working, and that's not how I want to spend my day. It was a natural response to stop trying, but I tried tech support where I bought the keyboard instead of the manufacturer, and they got the job done! Go, Sweetwater.com. I'm actually psyched to spend some time with the studio. But it will have to wait till after Bear Camp!