Long time no blog! Work and recreation has kept me going, going, going, hence the lack of updates. Since I last posted, work has geared up in preparation for the Renewable Energy Fair. I should also note that we have a new Governor, as I’m sure you all have heard. I’ve completed quite a bit of design work, including the fair logo, posters for the fair and for another REAP event (both of which are now plastered up all over Anchorage as well as towns all over AK!), the 20-page fair program, the fair tee shirt, and about 15 or so pieces of major signage that will up around the fairground this coming Saturday (eek! Lots to get done before then!).
We’re working frantically to get all the materials and people in the right place at the right time for the fair. Our keynote speaker, interestingly, is Chet Culver, Governor of Iowa. He’s done quite a bit in his state with regard to renewable energy and job creation, including the establishment of the Iowa Power Fund (see below). His talk is entitled “Renewable Energy and Green Jobs of the Future.”
The Power Fund was created to be a tool for OEI, the Power Fund Board, and the Due Diligence Committee to use to promote the goals of Iowa energy independence. Power Fund money is appropriated to the office to be used in providing financial assistance to entities conducting business, research, or programs in Iowa:
(1) To accelerate research and development, knowledge transfer, technology innovation, and improve the economic competitiveness of efforts.
(2) To increase the demand for and educate the public about technologies and approaches.
After the fair closes, it will be crunch time for my commuter rail project. I’ve decided that the paper I’m required to write for this internship will be about transit – an unexpected and interesting turn to my summer!
Well that’s work, how about play?
I spent fourth of july weekend between Anchorage, Girdwood, and Hope. I enjoyed the Girdwood Forest Fair, made a stop in Whittier to climb up to a view of the glacier there (and swam, I might add! My coworker Jonathan and I have developed a habit of jumping into glacial-fed bodies of water), and ended the weekend camping in beautiful and small Hope, Alaska.
I’ve taken some great backpacking trips and hikes in the past month or so. I’ve been on two overnights in two different sections of the Hatcher’s Pass area, up by Wasilla (home to our FORMER Governor). The first was a 18-mile (round trip) excursion through a valley following the Little Susitna River to Mint Glacier. This was a wonderful trip, although there were some casualties – Algu killed two beavers!
The second major hike was this past weekend, up to Reed Lakes in Hatcher’s Pass. It’s only 4 miles up, but what really counts is the elevation gain, which was pretty significant. Also it was raining, but that’s pretty typical for Alaskan summer (although not this summer, up until this week!). After taking an accidental mile detour across a very steep wall of boulders, my hiking partner and I rerouted and came up on a beautiful lake amidst the ridges. Hatcher’s pass is the site of some old mines, and the scenery is just incredible. Watching the clouds roll in at night and settle around the tops of the mountains is mysterious and beautiful. There was one casualty on this hike as well, I’m afraid – Aglu got to a marmot. (Pictures soon to come, I promise!!)
Tonight I’m headed out to hike up Flattop Mountain in Anchorage – the most popular hike in the area. I feel like I have to do it before I leave! Now that it’s been raining, the smoke from the forest fires has cleared out, so the views should be great. J
What comes next? After the fair I’ll be taking a road trip with my mom, dad, and my dad’s cousin up to Denali. I’m really looking forward to sharing Alaska with them! A few weekends from now I’ll be heading down towards Homer and taking the ferry to Kodiak, which I’m very excited about! My friend and former Alaskan roommate Megan Sharkey is now working on a fishing boat down there, so it will be great to see her again.
The wheels have been turning in my head – how can I get paid to come back here next summer?? I’m working on the solution to that problem, and I think there may be a niche for me here in terms of graphic design work for conservation groups. I’m completely enamored of Alaska and I don’t think my time here ends on August 22nd. Twelve weeks just isn’t enough time!
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