I've been writing a few blog articles here recently, and I am going to begin working on a site within the next month or so in my spare time. Just right now mainly trying to catch up writing while it is still fresh in my mind. Figured I'd give you guys the first sneak peak.
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We left the morning of August 26th, a Sunday. I will never forget leaving the place that I had called home for so many years. I was embarking on a journey to a land and culture unfamiliar from my own. My father, Josh Clausen, Darrell, and my girlfriend Liana accompanied me to the airport.
The hour journey seemed to take forever. I gazed out the window and stared off in silence. I was thinking about the challenges and the great hardships ahead of me. The thoughts were frightening. I wanted to give my family and friends words of encouragement to let them know that I would be alright, but I had none. Hell, I didn’t even have any for myself. I was going out on a limb and was just hoping to make it home in one piece. Unfortunately, the journey home would be years later. Terre Haute, Indiana would no longer be home. My new home was in a desolate place that would resemble a third world country, Kotzebue, Alaska.
Arriving at the airport we carried my bags into the terminal and I began the process of checking in my bags and firearms. Josh had to go back to the car and continually drive it in circles around the airport. Although comical, I realized I would never have a chance that day to tell my best friend good-bye.
I looked at my father. His eyes began to redden. I walked to him and gave him a hug. He needed it and despite my attempt to display confidence and courage I needed it as well. The tears began to rain down; not from me, but my father. He had always reassured me in the past that everything would be okay; however, on this day the roles were reversed. “Take care of yourself,” he said. “I will Dad, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” I replied.
My brother and I hugged; he cried as well. In the past I hadn’t been there for him, but over the last eight months our relationship had grown stronger. He may not have realized it, but he had helped me through a tough period of my life.
Next I went over to Liana and kissed her goodbye. I told her I loved her, and walked out of her life.
I walked briskly towards departure gate A13 to depart on flight DL5732 bound for St. Paul. From there the flight would continue onto Anchorage, Alaska.
Everything went smoothly and the flight boarded. I sat down in seat 19C, and gazed out the window. The plane took off precisely on time at 7:15am and as the aircraft lifted off I watched the earth below. I secretly wished I was home, but not just home. I wanted to be back home in West Terre Haute, but not just that. I wanted to be back in her arms again, but it was not to be.She had moved on and forgotten about me, and I was trying to do the same. Unfortunately, I was failing miserably.
For the first time in my life, I was truly alone.
-Kevin Summerlot
-- Edited by KevinJRS on Monday 15th of October 2012 09:35:31 PM
-- Edited by KevinJRS on Monday 15th of October 2012 10:16:03 PM
Been in Kotzebue for two months on the 26th. Adapting well. Temps been in the 20s. Internet is terrible here, I've got a handful of pictures on facebook, but it takes so damn long just to upload one picture. When I get some extra time I'm going to be sure to keep everyone updated, post some pictures, work on the blog, and give Leon a ring. I haven't talked to him in ages. Was planning on jumping on the chat a couple of weeks ago but decided to walk for five hours...lol.
Sell a lot of chicken, and ground beef. The big seller is sausage links with reindeer meat in it. Sell the **** out of lunchables. I mean tons of em. Yep, I'm way up. I think Russia is only about 100 miles away. Lol
DOES THE WEATHER MESS WITH YOUR DELIVERY SCHEDULE VERY MUCH? IS THE SCENERY AS BEAUTIFUL AS TV MAKES IT OUT TO BE?I'M WANTING TO VISIT SOME PART OF ALASKA ON VACATION IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO.
Our freight is flown in my mulitple airlines. So to some it up there really is no delivery schedule. You order fresh beef and certain items one week out and get it in 1.5-2 weeks. Other items you order three weeks out, and get it in in about 3.5 weeks. We haven't hit bad weather yet, so I can only imagine how bad the ordering gets. One week we had an order show up ahead of another order that was supposed to show up the week before but had not come in yet. And yes it is absolutely beautiful, but brutal. Anchorage is a great place to visit, average city, but with outdoors very close by. It wasn't remote enough for me.
that is awesome.. i got some questions.. have you had any run ins with bears or moose yet?> any chance you sell bear or moose meat? also I am wondering what do they pay cutters up there? I appreciate you keeping us up to date. It truly does sound like an adventure.
I was pretty upset when I walked 17 miles all the way to the beach and did not see a single animal. They're around but they tend to steer clear of town. Did see a bunch of seals in the water one of the first few days I was up here. Not many bears where I am currently at, in my area caribbou are plentiful, and the occasional moose. Can't sell the meat, but at the store I've helped cut up one moose, and 5 or 6 caribbou. In training it is $18/hr. Then goes from what I've heard to $19-21/hr. It is expensive as hell up here, but my housing is paid for and provided. It is also furnished. They also pay for relocation. I was talking to my landlord the other day, and he said the company pays $2100/month for rent on the place. Decent place and its a 3 bedroom. If you need anymore info Fdarn PM me or find me on facebook. Kevin Summerlot.
-- Edited by KevinJRS on Thursday 18th of October 2012 08:19:08 AM
5.29/lb 80% Ground Beef 3.99/lb Drums/Thighs 5.29 Lunchables 7.99 OM Hotdogs 11.29/lb short ribs 13.99/lb t-bones 12 pack of pop 13 bucks gallon of milk 10 bucks
Everybody is fairly friendly. About the only problems I've ran into is the drunks still out at 6 oclock in the morning when I'm on my way to work. The women are very different up here in my opinion. But as a general rule the rates of STDs here from my understanding are very very high. This is from a small population, the rape, incest, and lack of safe sex. You do have the occasional douche who calls you whitey and wants to start problems, but it is usually because they really cant handle their booze up here.
Lol, turkeys sell year round. I weighed up two cases just to fill the case up yesterday. Probably do a couple more today. From my understanding though the holidays arent real big here.
I work in the north where we had to fly in, enjoy your job and the area you are in.You can befriend the locals and not become part of them.They will treat you like a brother once they know they can trust you.A smile goes a long way.Hope you enjoy your your and that things will work out for you.Enjoy your writings too.
I work in the north where we had to fly in, enjoy your job and the area you are in.You can befriend the locals and not become part of them.They will treat you like a brother once they know they can trust you.A smile goes a long way.Hope you enjoy your your and that things will work out for you.Enjoy your writings too.
