Started the Week Fun

I started this week with a pretty exciting viewing. This black bear was hanging out on the edge of a trail called Steep Creek. This trail is at the Mendenhall Glacier park. Anyways, after dropping my group off at the glacier I decided to go on a walk and this was the first thing that I saw. It was awesome!!

The bear was sitting there just eating a fish. He actually left before he finished the whole thing and left half an eaten fish on the ground. Gross...

The Yard

To give you an idea of what the yard looks like, I took the liberty of taking pictures. This is one side (west side) of the Lower Lot.

This is the east side of the Lower Lot.

This is the panoramic view of the Lower Lot. These type of buses are called MCI's and they have been in the company the longest.

You are now looking at the Upper Lot. On the far left you see the newest buses, aka D-models. In the middle of the picture are the RE's used for mainly for transfers up to Eaglecrest (the local ski resort) in the mountains. On the far right are some more MCI's that are a few of the older buses as well.

These D-models are fun to drive because the turbo really gives you good acceleration. On top of that they have AC. Overall a really nice ride.

The RE's are okay unless you are relatively tall because it gives you less of a view through the front windshield. The vehicles to the right are called Cutaways and those are used for the mine tours where you are off road. They are also used for transfers for float trips, canoe, helicopters, and other small tourist attractions.

These buses are the ones that I generally drive, on top of the lower lot buses. Don't get me wrong though, I've driven every type of vehicle at least once. The total count of vehicles in operation is 87, and if you count the bone yard (old buses used just for parts) we have 115 total vehicles. So lots of buses, and we have a full staff of mechanics that are constantly busy fixing all the problems. Alright, hope that gives you an idea of what goes on here in Juneau, Alaska.

Besides the yard, today was Sunday. Saturday I spent touring and working, but this morning I didn't have to go into work so I scooted to church. After that I quickly did my laundry, came back to the room and took a three hour nap. I ended the evening by going to Guiler's home to play games and eat dinner that Angelica made (her Mexican food is just amazing, lets be honest). Really nice, relaxing day. Let the new week begin!!!

Slow @ Safeway

Well, today was Friday. I must say it is always a good sign when I know what day of the week it is. Usually the days roll together and I lose track... but today I was put on a Wildlife Evening Quest. While my group was out whale watching I took bus 246 to Safeway to enjoy a two hour stage. I was able to call Mom and Dad and also Kelly (she couldn't talk long, her movie came back on TV so she left me).

This is a pretty popular spot for the drivers who have a lot of stage time while their groups are away. There is a lounge area inside plus a good hot food selection, and don't forget the free wi-fi. 

 Finally, this is just a picture from the midnight showing of Harry Potter 7.2.  Angelica had been waiting in line since about 5 o'clock and I joined her and the Guilers at about 7:30 o'clock. It was a great evening and we had a fantastic night!!!

I Made It

Well, for those of you who thought I would never post on here again, all I can say is shame on you! I just had to wait for the first few days of the week to pass. I must say that Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are always the busiest days of the week, and this week was no exception. Its been a great week thus far, and I'm hoping that it continues going that direction. 

These are a few of the girls that make it happen each day. Starting at the far left is Margeret, then Chelsee, then a girl I don't really know, and finally Lauren is hiding her face behind the sign. These girls are called dock reps and they make sure that buses park in the right lanes, that the people get to the right bus, and finally they give us the okay to head out and start touring! Thank you dock reps!

This is the end of the line for Mendenhall Loop Road, and I can't tell you how many times I've visited the glacier so far this year. But this is a common occurrence to have four buses parked to unload or pickup their group. Wednesday there was an emergency and an ambulance was blocking the road and as I pulled out of line I counted 8 buses waiting to park (and that's NOT counting the four on the curb already).

This is just the other view of the first bus in the picture above, only looking at the glacier. The sign says "Welcome: Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center; Tongass National Park."

On Thursday I did a tour called Glacier & Gardens. This picture I took outside of the Rainforest Gardens' greenhouse, and these beautiful plants are called upside down trees. Basically take a large tree and stick it into the ground upside down, and then put soil in the root system and plant flowers on top of the upside down tree. Dad, does this give you any ideas? :)

A very exciting thing happened this Wednesday! Aunt Gail and Uncle Craig came into town!!!! I can't tell you how exciting it was to have family come up :) They are cruising Alaska on the Statendam Holland America cruise ship, and after talking to them I can positively report that they are having a wonderful time. It was a close call though, Wednesday we had 5 cruise ships into port, and that is about 18,000 tourist, and after a 14 hour day I was afraid I might miss them, but it worked out. :)

At the end of the three busiest days of the week, I think I came out alright on tips, and I went to pay my rent. I get to stay one more month! Lol. 

 I hope everyone is doing well down there in the lower 48. I love you all and will see most of you in just a couple of months. Time flies when it rains all the time...

Sunday

Had a wonderful day off today. Probably slept in a little too far, but I can safely say I felt like I really needed it to get ready for the upcoming week. This evening I spent with my friend Kristin watching Anchorman. Good times always :)

Kristin an I hanging out at the yard where we keep all the buses. She is from Washington and I didn't know her till the start of this tour season. She has become one of my best friends.