Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I’ve had a job offer….

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Second morning in a row I woke with a migraine…probably because I’ve had a job offer and don’t now how to get there - Alaska… how many miles away is that???  I never thought about it before.

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So, since I couldn’t think straight, I went into the desert, laid my lounge pad on the ground, tossed a pillow and blanket on it and laid down in the sun and went to sleep. 

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If you know what Dom Rock looks like, you might be able to spot it a little left of center… see it???

The world looks different from this perspective.  How beautiful the desert is when the rocks (desert asphalt) have not all been churned up by wheels driving all over the place.  And the world looked different when I woke up… I woke wondering if there is any way I can get to Alaska, instead of feeling depressed when I went to sleep… because I could see no way it was possible.  Maybe it’s not impossible, just more difficult?

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This is desert asphalt… the rocks are almost glued to the ground.  As long as people don’t drive on them or rake them away, they hold the dust down really well.  I enjoyed the fresh clean air there compared to the dust bowl of the RTR.  (and now after being back in town for a couple hours, my throat is starting to burn again)

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It was pristine out there… no one walking or driving around out here for a very long time.  No one there but me.  No one in sight all the way around 360 degrees.  I could see Quartzsite off in the distance, just barely.

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That’s SwankieWheels in the background and a soldiers camp in the foreground.

General Patton’s troops where there once… these are tank tracks left by them practicing maneuvers in the area. I even found rows of rocks laid out for someone’s camp… those soldiers did that all over the place out here.

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Old snarly cactus… it had like a circular staircase inside of it… chewed by animals.

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Funny little piece of Chalcedony.

And I walked a lot when I was awake, trying to think what to do, how to get to Alaska, if I should even try. I’d be driving a tour bus up there and the CDL training begins here in AZ next week. Should I just begin the training and then try to figure out if I can get the funds together for the ferry fare??? I have no savings, as repairs were needed on the rig and I had to replace four tires last week that were in dangerous condition.. unsafe to drive on.

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I don’t know why this one is marked, maybe giving someone permission to cut it down???  But I compared my shadow to the cactus shadow and determined it was over 20 feet tall.  Something lives there and has a nice little perch.

Alaska Dilemma????  Drive, fly or take the ferry.  Flying: I get there, have no transportation, except the local transit and company transportation/shuttles, and would have to then live inside.  Live inside?  With other people???  Really don’t think I can do that again.  Drive?  I’d leave my trailer and kayak in Washington state, and drive the van.  But gas would cost almost as much as the ferry fare.  I’ve always wanted to make the drive.  Ferry: I could relax on the way up and be fresh and ready to work.  I could continue to use my van there as I am now.  And after the season is over, I could drive the Al-Can back to the states – fulfilling another life long dream (and I could kayak Alaska while I am there).

I’d really like to take that job… but how?  I never dreamed getting there would be so expensive.  If you pray, say a little prayer for me that I can figure out a way.  One friend has hired me to do a sketch for her and I am pleased with that.

Thanks friends for listening. Maybe I should just delete this post now?!  If you have any ideas, please let me know.

Who is Swankie?

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Anywhere, USA, Full-Time USA traveler, United States
In 2006, I was shopping for a wheelchair. By 2007, I had new knees, better health and by 2008 a kayak. In Aug 2013, I kayaked my 49th state, Alaska, at the Holgate Glacier and in May 2014, I kayaked Hawaii, my 50th state, to celebrate my 70th Birthday and the finale to the wonderful adventure of Kayaking America? Next up... Solo Hiking the Arizona Trail, 820 miles? Maybe. Still healing from shoulder and trying to decide.

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