New Year, New Beginnings in 2009

Just before the old year went out I was offered a new job as an –ologist for the largest US National Park in Alaska. I had been toying with the idea of more graduate school and had been pursuing both jobs and PhD options simultaneously. Of course, both of these options became very available at about the same time. For now I chose the job – it was an offer I couldn’t turn down – although I have not entirely given up on the idea of more grad school. So as of Monday (01/12) I head back north. This time I’m taking the ferry from Bellingham, WA to Haines, AK. A very good friend in Alaska has agreed to fly with the Disreputables and to keep them at his house until I arrive – he had plans to be visiting family in Colorado anyway and as much as I will miss those crazy Disreputables on the road I think this will be easiest on all of us. Last I checked, two days ago, the temperature was –78F (or damn cold) and between super cold temperatures and having to be stuck in the hold of the ship for 4 days I’m not sure they would have enjoyed it much.

Yours truly in the largest US National Park in 2002

I am very excited about this new job. I will be living in a very small town again (Town-Where-Two-Highways-Meet) but I’ve lived here before and have friends here. The park is fabulous and has great staff and there are three ways to drive out of there if I need a break! My new header is a picture of two of the more famous mountains in the park taken in early fall by a park ranger Neil. It’s a bit strange getting a new job as many people are losing or worried about losing theirs. As the economy has continued its path it has become clear to me that the loss of my old job was an early sign of what was to come.