Living & Working in Great Places
Kari and Bill's Wild Ride - October 2008
Just so time doesn't pass and I forget what a crazy, but fun, week I had from October 6 through 12 here is a brief synopsis.
Bill and I from Cool Works went up to Anchorage, Alaska to participate in the annual Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) conference at the new Dena'ina Convention Center. What a beautiful building, what amazing people and really cute sled dog puppies.
We also were lucky enough to get a chance to hang out with one of our long time fans, AKScootr, who I had met earlier this year in Seattle. He's still living the Alaskan dream.
For me the ATIA convention was a big reunion of sorts because of my previous jobs with Holland America and Princess Cruises. Lots of folks I worked with over the 11 years still work for those two companies or have spun off to other Alaskan employers. It was a BLAST!
I also got to meet one of my fellow tweeters, Scott, from Alaska HDTV. If you haven't checked out his outstanding travel videos around Alaska, you should. He recently did a piece on Wrangell-St. Elias, which featured some of the employers who recruit on CoolWorks.com.
Check it out here:
We even met Wayne and Gaia from St. Elias Alpine Guides at ATIA. Very cool folks.
On Wednesday evening, we got the mini-tour of Anchorage including some places I had not been before like the Anchorage Zoo or the Peanut Farm, but that's a whole other story!
Bill and I then went our separate ways. I took the red-eye to Seattle on my way to Yosemite National Park via Oakland, Berkeley and a 4 hour drive. Whew! Bill stayed in Anchorage for one more day and then flew to Seattle to see his in-laws.
Well, what I can say about Yosemite? It is AMAZING. The walls, the valley, the boulders, the deer, the bears (we did see one!) and the giant sequoias. Wow. It was cool. And the reason we were there? It was my aunt and uncle's 40th wedding anniversary celebration. The renewed their vows at the chapel built in the late 1800s.
We came, we saw, we hiked, we ate, and we want to go back someday. I spoke with a gal named Amber, who was the bartender for our celebration dinner at the Ahwahnee, and I asked her how long she had been working for DNC and she said 2 1/2 years. She came for 3 months, but has been there 2 1/2 years. It must be a fun place to work and live. : )
The visit was too short, but wonderful.
Then, all of things, after we hugged the trees in the Mariposa Grove and flew home from Fresno, we ran into Bill at SeaTac airport. Can you say timing? It couldn't have been planned better.
All in all, it was a crazy week, but what an awesome week it was.
Bill and I from Cool Works went up to Anchorage, Alaska to participate in the annual Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) conference at the new Dena'ina Convention Center. What a beautiful building, what amazing people and really cute sled dog puppies.
We also were lucky enough to get a chance to hang out with one of our long time fans, AKScootr, who I had met earlier this year in Seattle. He's still living the Alaskan dream.
For me the ATIA convention was a big reunion of sorts because of my previous jobs with Holland America and Princess Cruises. Lots of folks I worked with over the 11 years still work for those two companies or have spun off to other Alaskan employers. It was a BLAST!
I also got to meet one of my fellow tweeters, Scott, from Alaska HDTV. If you haven't checked out his outstanding travel videos around Alaska, you should. He recently did a piece on Wrangell-St. Elias, which featured some of the employers who recruit on CoolWorks.com.
Check it out here:
We even met Wayne and Gaia from St. Elias Alpine Guides at ATIA. Very cool folks.
On Wednesday evening, we got the mini-tour of Anchorage including some places I had not been before like the Anchorage Zoo or the Peanut Farm, but that's a whole other story!
Bill and I then went our separate ways. I took the red-eye to Seattle on my way to Yosemite National Park via Oakland, Berkeley and a 4 hour drive. Whew! Bill stayed in Anchorage for one more day and then flew to Seattle to see his in-laws.
Well, what I can say about Yosemite? It is AMAZING. The walls, the valley, the boulders, the deer, the bears (we did see one!) and the giant sequoias. Wow. It was cool. And the reason we were there? It was my aunt and uncle's 40th wedding anniversary celebration. The renewed their vows at the chapel built in the late 1800s.
We came, we saw, we hiked, we ate, and we want to go back someday. I spoke with a gal named Amber, who was the bartender for our celebration dinner at the Ahwahnee, and I asked her how long she had been working for DNC and she said 2 1/2 years. She came for 3 months, but has been there 2 1/2 years. It must be a fun place to work and live. : )
The visit was too short, but wonderful.
Then, all of things, after we hugged the trees in the Mariposa Grove and flew home from Fresno, we ran into Bill at SeaTac airport. Can you say timing? It couldn't have been planned better.
All in all, it was a crazy week, but what an awesome week it was.
Tags: alaska, alaska hdtv, atia, coolworks.com, st. elias alpine guides, tips and tales, yosemite
Add a Comment
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Comment by Kari Quaas on October 20, 2008 at 5:50pm -
Larry - Never been to Mackinac Island, but would like to go someday. : )
Scott - Yeah, we went to the Peanut Farm. It was the last stop of the night. Interesting place. I really hope that I'll get up there again soon and can visit Maxines in Girdwood. I love the Double Musky - nevermind the politics. :o Nice work on the Spenard. It seems a lot of people stayed there at the beginning of the 2008 summer season. Take care!
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Comment by akscootr on October 16, 2008 at 7:31pm -
So you went to the Peanut Farm after all, ay? :0) I was wondering if you would.. heh heh heh . I was wondering if you would get there or not... What did you think of it?
I actually work just down the street at Henry's Old Alaskan... next time you come by pay me a visit. I'll buy... :0)
Remember the restaurants I mentioned in Girdwood next time you come by and I'll try to get you down there for an awsome dinner. Watch the Ted Stevens trial and you will see the Double Musky Inn owner testifying; It seems he is directly involved in it :0( (But they still make a great steak) :0). Maxines will always be my favorite though... I rejoiced last week when they re-opened for the winter. Many friends showed up from everywhere...
Soooo many seasonal workers I know are popping up out of the woodwork, even @ Spenard Hostel where I am crashing for the moment. Just amazing... I wonder if somehow they all end up in alaska at some point in time; Yes, I am actually using a civilized bed ;0) .
I glad you had fun here in Alaska.... :0) peace
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Comment by Larry Razek on October 16, 2008 at 7:20pm - cool pictures please keep adding more if you can. Have you ever heard of Mackinac Island, Michigan?
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Comment by Kari Quaas on October 16, 2008 at 6:59pm
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My pseudo cousins hiked Vernal Falls. Like I said, I have to go back.
We did a Western Spirit bike trip at the north rim of the Grand Canyon in 2006. It was incredible. Here are some of my favorite shots.
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Comment by Larry Razek on October 16, 2008 at 5:43pm
- Hey thanks for the note and the picture of Half-dome. Did u get to do the vernal Nevada and mist trail? nice hike. Have you been to the Grand Canyon? Its a neat place also. Looking forward to hearing from you again.....
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Comment by Kari Quaas on October 16, 2008 at 4:44pm
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Hi Larry,
I've got lots more photos and will add them sometime soon, hopefully. I really liked the Ansel Adams gallery and was happy that they had some Jerry Uelsmann photos in their too including "Flamingos visit Yosemite." So fun.
My cousin with Half Dome:
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Comment by Larry Razek on October 16, 2008 at 4:40pm
- hi there. Thanks for the pictures of the park!! On cool works. I've worked in Yosemite National Park for DNC in foodservice. I've been up the trails and all over the park. It's beautiful. so if you have any more pictures would greatly appriciate it. Ever hear of Ansel Adams gallery? Lot's of pictures there to. There on the web.... Happy trails and to the founder "John Muier"
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