Settling in

I’ve been in Alaska now for about a week, and loving every minute of it. The weather lifted after Friday morning and I’ve been experiencing some gloriously sunny days (and nights).

            I started work at REAP on Thursday and am spending most of my time researching. My boss, Chris Rose, has commissioned me to work on a marketing document aimed at creating a commuter rail line running north from Anchorage to Mat-Su on the already existing main line of the Alaskan Railroad. This line runs along the Glenn Highway, a route frequented by commuters living in towns north of the city. Basically, the infrastructure and the riders are there, but funding and a managing body is not. The purpose of the document I’m working on is to get major parties excited about the project and show them that it is doable and affordable with the proper funding. If the project is taken on, it would have significant impacts on reducing highway congestion and fossil fuel usage/carbon emissions. It’s a very exciting project! Also, this week the office will be gearing up for the planning stages of the energy fair, which occurs two months from now.

            More on Anchorage and Alaska: I’m not in Kansas (well, New York City) anymore! Alaska has a unique character that feels different from any place I’ve ever visited or lived in before both culturally and geographically. It’s difficult to explain in few words. Demographically, there is a large population of native Alaskans, and for all the diversity of NYC, this is a new experience for me. It’s also an odd feeling to be in such a large, sprawling city – one that could be anywhere in America in terms of planning and design –then look out and see stunning mountains with endless cloud patterns rolling above. I’m still learning a lot about the place, so I don’t want to characterize or generalize too much.

            This week is the intern orientation, from Wednesday to Friday. I’ll be meeting other interns working in and outside of Anchorage at various conservation-type organizations. We’ll all be updating each other throughout the summer on what we’re working on via weekly teleconference.

            It’s going to be (and already is) a great summer J