......................I had to leave Hawaii. I am so disappointed! I started getting sick every day with dizziness, nausea, and just hot, hot, hot! My adviser said it takes time for the body to adjust to the heat and sun (so close to the equator) and to drink at least 8 bottles of water a day. I did that and STILL could never cool off (no ac at work or dorm). Then on Friday I started having light flashes and I broke out in a rash all over. Yikes! I was getting worse not better. I talked to my advisor and decided I needed to get back to the main land. I am so disappointed!!! I wanted to do this project so badly. I got a quick flight out of Kona that night and arrived in Los Angeles Sat. 4:30 am. and my feet were the size of helium balloons. My nephew Chris picked me up and I went to his house, elevated my feet and just rested!! I guess I have to readjust again.
I must tell you of my nightmare getting out of the airport. When I first found out I was going to leave and had to change my ticket, I called Cheryl (Chris's wife) and ask if they could pick me up on Saturday morning. Yes was the answer but see if I could get a flight to Ontario airport which was so much closer and not as crazy as LAX, because it is two hours away from them and they have the little guy so I wanted something easier for them. The only way to do that was to fly to LAX, change planes to Salt Lake City, UT, then back down to Ontario. I went ahead and booked (an additional $381.00 to change my reservation...$150.00 of it was because I had booked my original flight through a travel agent instead of directly through Delta) to change my ticket) and figured I could endure. Just as I hung up from agent, Cheryl called and said don't worry about drive to LAX, they would manage. Maybe I could just hang at LAX until a more reasonable time which would be a lot better that taking three flights. Great. I called Delta right back (three minutes) and explained my problem to the agent. No problem! Just get off at LAX and don't continue flight.....just inform the gate when I exited at LAX. Problem solved! I called Cheryl and said I would just hang at the airport until 9 or 10 and they could come whenever. Sounds good right? Wrong!
I go to Kona airport, check my suitcase (another $25.00 charge) and when I informed the agent that I was just going to get off at LAX and not continue she said fine, but my luggage would go on to the Ontario airport!! I asked, couldn't you just put LAX tag on suitcase.....no, computer reads the ticket and prints final destination for the tag! You got to be kidding me! She calls customer service (takes 30 minutes for them to answer) and am told they can just change the flight to be to LAX without the 2 additional flights for an additional $289.00. Now I really am sick! I say no way and the agent suggests I go in airport, buy a carry on (sure, $100.00 for carry on I don't need and throw away my perfectly good large suitcase......AND, stuff 50# into a suitcase half the size) Call Cheryl again!! She says just get off at LAX, we will pick you up at 10:00, go for breakfast then drive to Ontario airport (mostly on the way to their house) and pick up my suitcase) Tell you what, when I got off at LAX I DID NOT tell agent was not going to continue to Salt Lake City. Hope they called my name 20 times. If they hadn't been so greedy, they could have sold my seat to someone else!
I beg all of you NEVER GIVE DELTA ANY BUSINESS!!!
Anyhow, I am resting at Chris's house, feet starting to get back to normal and if all is well, will start my drive back to Michigan on Monday morning. Probably 3 days to Nashville where I will stay with my daughter Sue for a few days, then to Columbus to Michele's then on to Michigan. With some luck, a townhouse will become available and I will have a place to go to. If not, I will go to plan (I don't know what that is yet). I don't worry, because God always finds a way for me. I am so blessed.
Will let everyone know when I get somewhere!!! Love you all!
GJ
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
ALOHA
Dear FFF:
Arrived in Hawaii last Wed. evening 7:30 their time (6 hours earlier than MI, 3 hours earlier than WA) and as they opened the door I could smell flowers!! And no jet way! We just walked down the steps to the tarmac..........I felt just like the first lady so waved to everyone!! Was met by our RA, Elijah who is super nice....had a wife, Destiny and baby boy. They live here on the complex and are available for our needs. It was only a 20 minute drive to our dorm and we got unloaded. Also on the plane were 4 other new volunteers, 2 from Denmark, 1 from Germany and 1 from Korea.
I met my roommate, Yoko (she is from Japan but has been living in Ariz. for the last 13 years) who is about my age. There are two other bedrooms on our first floor (all to share the one bath) but they are not occupied at this time so it is only the two of us for the bathroom. Don't know how it will work if 4 more gals move in. We'll just have to wait and see. Yoko lost her husband and has made several trips here to Kona with Mission Builders.
Thursday was orientation, so they gave us until 9:30 am to get rested up before our regular schedule got started. We got a tour around University of Nations campus which is where I will be working Mon. through Fri. with Sat. and Sun. off. Our dorms are a short ride from the campus with shuttle service back and forth.
Friday I had to be on the shuttle by 5:50 am to get to campus for a 6:05 devotion (every M W F) then walk up the hill to get breakfast. Served in a buffet line and then to a table.............all outdoors. I report into the kitchen at 7:00 where I am on the prep team chopping veggies, making sandwiches, etc. for about 400 people (will increase to over 600 Sept. 26) I work till 10:30 or 11:00, have lunch before the rest come then off to the library to assist there until 3:00 pm. Catch the shuttle back to the dorm, crash on my bed with 3 fans blowing on me. No ac here because electricity is so expensive. Shuttle back to campus at 5:00 for dinner.
Thursday I thought I would die from this heat...........90 with high humidity! Found out that dehydration is a big problem here so need to drink at least 8 bottles of water a day. Can't drink the water at the dorms but on campus is good. I start out with a fresh bottled water on my way and then just keep refilling all day. I drank a lot on Friday but still felt wilted by end of day. Elijah says it takes about a week for your body to adjust.
Saturday was a tour to Volcano (name of city) and site of the most active volcano on the island. The crater is huge with steam vents coming out of the earth all over. They are VERY HOT, so you are careful where you view. There hasn't been an eruption for several years but there is lots of activity underground.
After the volcano, we drove down to the most southern tip of the US (no it is not Key West) where there is a 40 foot cliff overlooking the ocean. The kids had all heard about it and wanted to JUMP! It is into 20 feet of water and 14 out of twenty made the big leap. I had fun watching them. Some were able to go right away others need 30 minutes of coaxing. They said "you go now grandma" not hardly!! Maybe 50 years ago.
Arrived in Hawaii last Wed. evening 7:30 their time (6 hours earlier than MI, 3 hours earlier than WA) and as they opened the door I could smell flowers!! And no jet way! We just walked down the steps to the tarmac..........I felt just like the first lady so waved to everyone!! Was met by our RA, Elijah who is super nice....had a wife, Destiny and baby boy. They live here on the complex and are available for our needs. It was only a 20 minute drive to our dorm and we got unloaded. Also on the plane were 4 other new volunteers, 2 from Denmark, 1 from Germany and 1 from Korea.
I met my roommate, Yoko (she is from Japan but has been living in Ariz. for the last 13 years) who is about my age. There are two other bedrooms on our first floor (all to share the one bath) but they are not occupied at this time so it is only the two of us for the bathroom. Don't know how it will work if 4 more gals move in. We'll just have to wait and see. Yoko lost her husband and has made several trips here to Kona with Mission Builders.
Thursday was orientation, so they gave us until 9:30 am to get rested up before our regular schedule got started. We got a tour around University of Nations campus which is where I will be working Mon. through Fri. with Sat. and Sun. off. Our dorms are a short ride from the campus with shuttle service back and forth.
Friday I had to be on the shuttle by 5:50 am to get to campus for a 6:05 devotion (every M W F) then walk up the hill to get breakfast. Served in a buffet line and then to a table.............all outdoors. I report into the kitchen at 7:00 where I am on the prep team chopping veggies, making sandwiches, etc. for about 400 people (will increase to over 600 Sept. 26) I work till 10:30 or 11:00, have lunch before the rest come then off to the library to assist there until 3:00 pm. Catch the shuttle back to the dorm, crash on my bed with 3 fans blowing on me. No ac here because electricity is so expensive. Shuttle back to campus at 5:00 for dinner.
Thursday I thought I would die from this heat...........90 with high humidity! Found out that dehydration is a big problem here so need to drink at least 8 bottles of water a day. Can't drink the water at the dorms but on campus is good. I start out with a fresh bottled water on my way and then just keep refilling all day. I drank a lot on Friday but still felt wilted by end of day. Elijah says it takes about a week for your body to adjust.
Saturday was a tour to Volcano (name of city) and site of the most active volcano on the island. The crater is huge with steam vents coming out of the earth all over. They are VERY HOT, so you are careful where you view. There hasn't been an eruption for several years but there is lots of activity underground.
After the volcano, we drove down to the most southern tip of the US (no it is not Key West) where there is a 40 foot cliff overlooking the ocean. The kids had all heard about it and wanted to JUMP! It is into 20 feet of water and 14 out of twenty made the big leap. I had fun watching them. Some were able to go right away others need 30 minutes of coaxing. They said "you go now grandma" not hardly!! Maybe 50 years ago.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
FROM SNOW COVERED GLACIERS TO PALM TREES
Got to Chris's house and are basically staying in and playing cards (after all he IS an Utley) because it is over a 100 degrees outside.
BACK TO ALASKA:
While in Fairbanks for three days, we took a short drive to North Pole, Alaska. Saw Santa and 4 of his reindeer (Vixon, Dasher, Comet, and I think Blitzen. No Rudolph in sight. Everyone sent letters and post cards to grandchildren. Also went to more yarn shops (I think we are at 15 or 20 now) Boy, I hope to see some beautiful knitted things! Found a couple of micro-breweries and wine tastings.
From Fairbanks we headed down to Tok, the last stop in Alaska before we started the trip on the Alcan Hwy. Saw more glaciers from the road. We had reservations at Burnt Paws Cabins which was settled in a nice wooded area. The reason I booked a spot here was because their online ad said they raised sled dogs. When I called to make reservation, the lady told me they would probably have some new puppies about the time we were going to be there. Checked in and went looking for dogs. Found empty kennels with a stuffed husky sitting in an old dog sled. The next morning at breakfast, I asked the server where all the dogs were. Her response: "We haven't had any dogs since I started working here and that has been 9 years" Later that day, we saw the owner and she said, "we sold the last puppy yesterday". It wasn't worth an argument (mainly because the owner looked old and in poor health) so we brushed it off as just another chapter in our book!
From Tok to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory...........that's where we saw the grizzly walking along the road. Also saw more moose but I didn't get any pictures. I was busy driving and trying to creep along on the side of the road without being hit from behind. The girls got some good pictures so when I get them I will add a new post.
From there to Watson Lake, BC where we had reservations at the Dragon's Den. Need I say any more? Pretty old and in need of repair, but we couldn't find any bed bugs so we went to find something to do so that only had to sleep there! Found a theater that had an exhibit on the Northern Lights. Since we didn't see them while in Alaska (it never got dark enough) we paid 10 bucks to see them on the ceiling of the theater!
From Watson Lake to Iskut for the night. Next day we took a little side trip west which put us back into Alaska (Hyder) and just enjoyed the old town and unique buildings from back in the gold rush days. We decided to push it a little and drive on to Hazelton. Got there at 8:00 pm and everyone was getting tired. Started calling motels and EVERYTHING was booked. Couldn't believe it. The next town would have been another hour but we had no choice so started calling everything there. ALL FULL! Lauri went over to the motel across the street to see if they had any suggestions and I started calling the 2 B and B's. We found one about 10 miles way (down a dark dirt road) but hey, we were desperate!! The opened and a delightful German woman welcomed us in and gave hugs! What a slice of heaven. We had two rooms with a huge bath AND an indoor dry sauna. Slept like babies and in the morning had a wonderful German breakfast and Klaus told stories of how he got out of Eastern Berlin when the wall came down. God was definitely watching over us that night.
Next day to Prince George, BC then to Cache Creek then home.........another 6 or 8 yarn shops on the way! We crossed the border into Washington and as border control was checking our passports and asking all the questions about smuggling, he said "which one of you is Lauri? Did you know you have an expired passport?" She had brought the WRONG one. We had crossed over the border two other times and no one even caught it.
Well, to say the least, the whole trip was more than fantastic!! We saw new things, made some great friendships, and had a lot of laughs!!! I leave Wednesday for Hawaii and will try to keep you up on my new adventures. Until then, Aloha!
I sure am Blessed!!!!
Love, Gypsy Joyce
BACK TO ALASKA:
While in Fairbanks for three days, we took a short drive to North Pole, Alaska. Saw Santa and 4 of his reindeer (Vixon, Dasher, Comet, and I think Blitzen. No Rudolph in sight. Everyone sent letters and post cards to grandchildren. Also went to more yarn shops (I think we are at 15 or 20 now) Boy, I hope to see some beautiful knitted things! Found a couple of micro-breweries and wine tastings.
From Fairbanks we headed down to Tok, the last stop in Alaska before we started the trip on the Alcan Hwy. Saw more glaciers from the road. We had reservations at Burnt Paws Cabins which was settled in a nice wooded area. The reason I booked a spot here was because their online ad said they raised sled dogs. When I called to make reservation, the lady told me they would probably have some new puppies about the time we were going to be there. Checked in and went looking for dogs. Found empty kennels with a stuffed husky sitting in an old dog sled. The next morning at breakfast, I asked the server where all the dogs were. Her response: "We haven't had any dogs since I started working here and that has been 9 years" Later that day, we saw the owner and she said, "we sold the last puppy yesterday". It wasn't worth an argument (mainly because the owner looked old and in poor health) so we brushed it off as just another chapter in our book!
From Tok to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory...........that's where we saw the grizzly walking along the road. Also saw more moose but I didn't get any pictures. I was busy driving and trying to creep along on the side of the road without being hit from behind. The girls got some good pictures so when I get them I will add a new post.
From there to Watson Lake, BC where we had reservations at the Dragon's Den. Need I say any more? Pretty old and in need of repair, but we couldn't find any bed bugs so we went to find something to do so that only had to sleep there! Found a theater that had an exhibit on the Northern Lights. Since we didn't see them while in Alaska (it never got dark enough) we paid 10 bucks to see them on the ceiling of the theater!
From Watson Lake to Iskut for the night. Next day we took a little side trip west which put us back into Alaska (Hyder) and just enjoyed the old town and unique buildings from back in the gold rush days. We decided to push it a little and drive on to Hazelton. Got there at 8:00 pm and everyone was getting tired. Started calling motels and EVERYTHING was booked. Couldn't believe it. The next town would have been another hour but we had no choice so started calling everything there. ALL FULL! Lauri went over to the motel across the street to see if they had any suggestions and I started calling the 2 B and B's. We found one about 10 miles way (down a dark dirt road) but hey, we were desperate!! The opened and a delightful German woman welcomed us in and gave hugs! What a slice of heaven. We had two rooms with a huge bath AND an indoor dry sauna. Slept like babies and in the morning had a wonderful German breakfast and Klaus told stories of how he got out of Eastern Berlin when the wall came down. God was definitely watching over us that night.
Next day to Prince George, BC then to Cache Creek then home.........another 6 or 8 yarn shops on the way! We crossed the border into Washington and as border control was checking our passports and asking all the questions about smuggling, he said "which one of you is Lauri? Did you know you have an expired passport?" She had brought the WRONG one. We had crossed over the border two other times and no one even caught it.
Well, to say the least, the whole trip was more than fantastic!! We saw new things, made some great friendships, and had a lot of laughs!!! I leave Wednesday for Hawaii and will try to keep you up on my new adventures. Until then, Aloha!
I sure am Blessed!!!!
Love, Gypsy Joyce
Thursday, September 5, 2013
ADD ON
Don't know what I did, but published new adventure before I finished............still need some lessons on this computer. Anyhow, after the police I decided that was enough for one day.........besides I had driven over 600 miles. Just before I decided to get off and find a good hotel, I saw about 4 miles of working oil wells!! Sure covered a lot in one day. Tomorrow I will go on in to L.A. and have a good visit with my nephew Chris and his wife Cheryl and son Callan. Will get back to Alaska soon!!
Love ya all
pictures to follow
Love ya all
pictures to follow
NEW ADVENTURE!!!
Dear FFF:
Yikes....I have to put the rest of Alaska on hold to tell you about my last two days......honest, I finish up Alaska when I get time. I have been on a treadmill (actually 1200 the last two days). Tuesday I loaded up the van with all my belongings, then had a farewell dinner with Barb, Jacque, and Lauri. B and L cooked some of the salmon I caught in Homer along with corn on the cob, beans, and coleslaw. Yum, yum...it was the BEST fish I have ever eaten. We shared photos that we had each taken and re-hashed all the fun times. It was a GREAT trip.
Wednesday morning I pulled out at 4:30 am and drove south through Washington, Oregon and stopped about 100 miles south of the California state line. Had a relaxing night at a Ramada then back on the road this morning. Now TODAY was quite a drive. As I headed south I saw mostly bare land with some very bare mountains (more like big hills) Then as I got south of San Francisco on I 5, the action began. First I saw a pack of coyotes, then decided to take a detour and go west over to Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. Saw the Hogs Breath Saloon but Clint was nowhere to be seen (probably still stalking some bad guy) Took the California 1 which goes along the ocean and Big Sur. It's over a hundred miles of pure beauty. Only problem is that it is so curvy that you can't possibly drive over 20 mph. And couldn't take my eyes off the road so had to stop at every pull off to take pictures. UNBELEIVABLE!!! Just before I got to the end of the ocean views, I saw several cars pulled over with everyone pointing their cameras. I whipped in and got to watch a beach full of elephant seals. So cool. I turned west and headed back to I 5 and in a stretch of road that was just 100 miles long I passed 20 or 30 wineries, huge (like miles long) almond orchards, more desert, then tons of orange orchards, more desert, miles and miles of brown, bare and nothing growing land with thousands of cattle grazing (I don't know what they could possibly be eating) then I passed numerous trucks piled full of carrots, then tomatoes, then cabbage, then more desert. Then a sign that said "Severe Dust Area" Sure enough it was blowing with tumble weeds blowing all over the fields. Fortunately their were fences along the highway because some of those suckers were the size of a VW Bug. Oh, and before that I saw an accident (about 5 cars in front of me) where a SUV lost control, rolled and landed on it's roof! Several people stopped and jumped out to help so I kept my eyes ob the road in front of me and kept going. THEN, another 40 miles down the road, 4 highway patrol cars, officers all around, had some guy on the ground with handcuffs.
Yikes....I have to put the rest of Alaska on hold to tell you about my last two days......honest, I finish up Alaska when I get time. I have been on a treadmill (actually 1200 the last two days). Tuesday I loaded up the van with all my belongings, then had a farewell dinner with Barb, Jacque, and Lauri. B and L cooked some of the salmon I caught in Homer along with corn on the cob, beans, and coleslaw. Yum, yum...it was the BEST fish I have ever eaten. We shared photos that we had each taken and re-hashed all the fun times. It was a GREAT trip.
Wednesday morning I pulled out at 4:30 am and drove south through Washington, Oregon and stopped about 100 miles south of the California state line. Had a relaxing night at a Ramada then back on the road this morning. Now TODAY was quite a drive. As I headed south I saw mostly bare land with some very bare mountains (more like big hills) Then as I got south of San Francisco on I 5, the action began. First I saw a pack of coyotes, then decided to take a detour and go west over to Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. Saw the Hogs Breath Saloon but Clint was nowhere to be seen (probably still stalking some bad guy) Took the California 1 which goes along the ocean and Big Sur. It's over a hundred miles of pure beauty. Only problem is that it is so curvy that you can't possibly drive over 20 mph. And couldn't take my eyes off the road so had to stop at every pull off to take pictures. UNBELEIVABLE!!! Just before I got to the end of the ocean views, I saw several cars pulled over with everyone pointing their cameras. I whipped in and got to watch a beach full of elephant seals. So cool. I turned west and headed back to I 5 and in a stretch of road that was just 100 miles long I passed 20 or 30 wineries, huge (like miles long) almond orchards, more desert, then tons of orange orchards, more desert, miles and miles of brown, bare and nothing growing land with thousands of cattle grazing (I don't know what they could possibly be eating) then I passed numerous trucks piled full of carrots, then tomatoes, then cabbage, then more desert. Then a sign that said "Severe Dust Area" Sure enough it was blowing with tumble weeds blowing all over the fields. Fortunately their were fences along the highway because some of those suckers were the size of a VW Bug. Oh, and before that I saw an accident (about 5 cars in front of me) where a SUV lost control, rolled and landed on it's roof! Several people stopped and jumped out to help so I kept my eyes ob the road in front of me and kept going. THEN, another 40 miles down the road, 4 highway patrol cars, officers all around, had some guy on the ground with handcuffs.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
TO BE CONTINUED
Dear FFF:
Got back to Camano Island Friday night so will try to catch up on the most fabulous trip ever!!! We could not get a signal north of Fairbanks, or all the way down through Canada! (which took 7 days of driving)
Okay, left Denali and headed north to Fairbanks. On our way, (while Laurie was looking in the coupon book for a place for lunch) she found this coupon for a river raft ride down the Kenai River. Two for one!! "Hey lets call" We were 200 yards from the rafting place...............must be fate! After being outfitted in rain gear, big ol' boots, and life jackets, we climbed into a rubber raft with 4 other people and the guide and drifted down the river. Saw tons of eagles and some of the most peaceful nature. It was a delightful spur of the moment adventure!!
Then off to our bed and breakfast in Fairbanks. I had not told the girls because I wanted to surprise them. These folks had bought several train cars from The Alaska Railway and turned then into the most delightful b & b. We had an 80 ft. long Pullman car with 4 berths (I was too long....I think people were shorter back then) They had rehabbed it back to its original glory, right out of the 20's. The diner car was down the track a few cars and was so cool. Susan and Mike were great innkeepers and took such good care of us. It was so cool at night, we stretched out in our berth and looked down the mountain to the lights of the city!!! Course, it never did get dark! On our last day there we went up to the house to pay our bill and walked in to a stuffed polar bear standing on it's hind legs to about 12 feet. Well out came the pictures and story! Back in '98 Susan and a friend were up in Barrow, Alaska when her friend was charged by this bear. He could not get to his rifle in time and the bear picked him up and threw him around like a rag doll. Susan was able to get the gun and started shooting, but now before the bear swiped his paw across the top of her head. The bear finally dropped, but he had laid the top of her head open. Some nearby folks called 911 and got a helicopter in and they flew her to Seattle where she remained for a month. It was a miracle that she even lived. Unfortunately her friend did not make it. Alaska is FULL of stories.
I will continue this tomorrow.....my signal if failing........more to come later!
Got back to Camano Island Friday night so will try to catch up on the most fabulous trip ever!!! We could not get a signal north of Fairbanks, or all the way down through Canada! (which took 7 days of driving)
Okay, left Denali and headed north to Fairbanks. On our way, (while Laurie was looking in the coupon book for a place for lunch) she found this coupon for a river raft ride down the Kenai River. Two for one!! "Hey lets call" We were 200 yards from the rafting place...............must be fate! After being outfitted in rain gear, big ol' boots, and life jackets, we climbed into a rubber raft with 4 other people and the guide and drifted down the river. Saw tons of eagles and some of the most peaceful nature. It was a delightful spur of the moment adventure!!
Then off to our bed and breakfast in Fairbanks. I had not told the girls because I wanted to surprise them. These folks had bought several train cars from The Alaska Railway and turned then into the most delightful b & b. We had an 80 ft. long Pullman car with 4 berths (I was too long....I think people were shorter back then) They had rehabbed it back to its original glory, right out of the 20's. The diner car was down the track a few cars and was so cool. Susan and Mike were great innkeepers and took such good care of us. It was so cool at night, we stretched out in our berth and looked down the mountain to the lights of the city!!! Course, it never did get dark! On our last day there we went up to the house to pay our bill and walked in to a stuffed polar bear standing on it's hind legs to about 12 feet. Well out came the pictures and story! Back in '98 Susan and a friend were up in Barrow, Alaska when her friend was charged by this bear. He could not get to his rifle in time and the bear picked him up and threw him around like a rag doll. Susan was able to get the gun and started shooting, but now before the bear swiped his paw across the top of her head. The bear finally dropped, but he had laid the top of her head open. Some nearby folks called 911 and got a helicopter in and they flew her to Seattle where she remained for a month. It was a miracle that she even lived. Unfortunately her friend did not make it. Alaska is FULL of stories.
I will continue this tomorrow.....my signal if failing........more to come later!
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