My sister asked me to share about my trip to CAMP A. N. in Alaska. Originally posted on Facebook, I thought I would also create my own blogging website. Many of my notes are what I wrote as I traveled there. This is information and experiences I want to remember... and will hopefully experience again in the years to come.
Day 1- Wednesday, June 24, 2009
When I left Green Bay I know my mother cried. She was worried for me to go alone. But I was okay! God was with me every step of the way!
The Detroit Airport had a cool tunnel between gates A70 were I arrived and the C Terminal. There was a moving walk way with a beautiful color mural that went up the sides of the tunnel and moved with the sound waves.
On the long flight to Anchorage I met a retired Human Resources Director from the Akron, Ohio Children’s hospital and a 16 year old boy with $600 worth of Warhammer miniatures. This is a tabletop wargame set in a science fantasy universe. (Wikipedia) He proceeded to tell me that this is something his brother and him do while he is visiting him at the military base. Players assemble and paint individual 28 mm (1.1 in) scale (approximately 1:56) miniature figures that represent futuristic soldiers, creatures and vehicles of war. These figurines are collected to comprise squads in armies that can be pitted against those of other players. Each player brings a roughly equal complement of units to a tabletop battlefield with handmade or purchased terrain. The players then decide upon a scenario, ranging from simple skirmishes to complex battles involving defended objectives and reinforcements. The models are physically moved across the table (using a tape measure and the instructions from cards) and the actual distance between models plays a role in the outcome of combat. Play is turn based, with various outcomes determined by tables and the roll of dice. Battles may last anywhere from a half hour to several days, and battles may be strung together to form campaigns. This game is also a fictional book the boy was reading on the plane. Warhammer 40,000's gothic space fantasy setting spans a vast fictional universe. Its various factions and races include the Imperium of Man (the human race 38,000 years hence), the Orks (similar to Warhammer Fantasy Orcs), and the Eldar (similar to Elves in Warhammer Fantasy Battle). He had a black case full of these metal figurines as his carry on luggage. Hilarious!
Pastor Jim and Linda’s daughter Kim picked me up at the airport with a sign in the passenger seat that said, “Camp A.N.” Kim has graduated from the University of Alaska with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Public Relations and works and lives with her family, Aaron (husband) and Asa (son) in Sterling, AK. Aaron works on the North Slope of Alaska at an oil plant. He is the plant supervisor and works one week on and one week off. They have a very nice facility with dorms, a gym, a pool, and a cafeteria. Kim and Aaron live in the Kenai Peninsula, a huge retirement and tourist area. They have a animal fence about 8 feet high to keep the bear and moose out of their yard. The animals travel to get to the other side of the road where there is a river. Kim and Aaron told me a lot about Alaska. They were such sweet people! Made me feel at home! Aaron and Kim buy their food from a co-op truck that comes from Seattle, along with 150 other people from the area because everything is so expensive in local stores.
Pastor Jim and Linda own a cocker spaniel named Abby. Kim and Aaron have a part lab/chow named Meeka. And, Linda was watching Titus who belonged to Patty, a miniature pincher/Rottweiler, who was very spunky. I learned from Kim that the road system is short in Alaska. There is very few roads, flying is really the only way to get from village to village. People get stuck in Anchorage because they can’t afford the flight back to their villages. *I met a lady from Anchorage to Emmonak (E-mon-ik, or Emo) that hadn’t been home in 25 years.
This was my last day with any cell reception for a week and a half! Funny thing is that everyone I wanted to call was 3 hours ahead of me in time! I couldn't believe I had full cell reception! Totally crazy! This was the first day I experienced 24 hour daylight! And the last chance I had to take a shower for a couple days!
Note to self - good to pack a couple days worth of clothing just in case your boxes don't show up at camp. Send bedding in first box.
Note to self- pack lightly and bring everything on the plane so you don't have to worry about the boxes.
Day 1- Wednesday, June 24, 2009
When I left Green Bay I know my mother cried. She was worried for me to go alone. But I was okay! God was with me every step of the way!
The Detroit Airport had a cool tunnel between gates A70 were I arrived and the C Terminal. There was a moving walk way with a beautiful color mural that went up the sides of the tunnel and moved with the sound waves.
On the long flight to Anchorage I met a retired Human Resources Director from the Akron, Ohio Children’s hospital and a 16 year old boy with $600 worth of Warhammer miniatures. This is a tabletop wargame set in a science fantasy universe. (Wikipedia) He proceeded to tell me that this is something his brother and him do while he is visiting him at the military base. Players assemble and paint individual 28 mm (1.1 in) scale (approximately 1:56) miniature figures that represent futuristic soldiers, creatures and vehicles of war. These figurines are collected to comprise squads in armies that can be pitted against those of other players. Each player brings a roughly equal complement of units to a tabletop battlefield with handmade or purchased terrain. The players then decide upon a scenario, ranging from simple skirmishes to complex battles involving defended objectives and reinforcements. The models are physically moved across the table (using a tape measure and the instructions from cards) and the actual distance between models plays a role in the outcome of combat. Play is turn based, with various outcomes determined by tables and the roll of dice. Battles may last anywhere from a half hour to several days, and battles may be strung together to form campaigns. This game is also a fictional book the boy was reading on the plane. Warhammer 40,000's gothic space fantasy setting spans a vast fictional universe. Its various factions and races include the Imperium of Man (the human race 38,000 years hence), the Orks (similar to Warhammer Fantasy Orcs), and the Eldar (similar to Elves in Warhammer Fantasy Battle). He had a black case full of these metal figurines as his carry on luggage. Hilarious!
Pastor Jim and Linda’s daughter Kim picked me up at the airport with a sign in the passenger seat that said, “Camp A.N.” Kim has graduated from the University of Alaska with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Public Relations and works and lives with her family, Aaron (husband) and Asa (son) in Sterling, AK. Aaron works on the North Slope of Alaska at an oil plant. He is the plant supervisor and works one week on and one week off. They have a very nice facility with dorms, a gym, a pool, and a cafeteria. Kim and Aaron live in the Kenai Peninsula, a huge retirement and tourist area. They have a animal fence about 8 feet high to keep the bear and moose out of their yard. The animals travel to get to the other side of the road where there is a river. Kim and Aaron told me a lot about Alaska. They were such sweet people! Made me feel at home! Aaron and Kim buy their food from a co-op truck that comes from Seattle, along with 150 other people from the area because everything is so expensive in local stores.
Pastor Jim and Linda own a cocker spaniel named Abby. Kim and Aaron have a part lab/chow named Meeka. And, Linda was watching Titus who belonged to Patty, a miniature pincher/Rottweiler, who was very spunky. I learned from Kim that the road system is short in Alaska. There is very few roads, flying is really the only way to get from village to village. People get stuck in Anchorage because they can’t afford the flight back to their villages. *I met a lady from Anchorage to Emmonak (E-mon-ik, or Emo) that hadn’t been home in 25 years.
This was my last day with any cell reception for a week and a half! Funny thing is that everyone I wanted to call was 3 hours ahead of me in time! I couldn't believe I had full cell reception! Totally crazy! This was the first day I experienced 24 hour daylight! And the last chance I had to take a shower for a couple days!
Note to self - good to pack a couple days worth of clothing just in case your boxes don't show up at camp. Send bedding in first box.
Note to self- pack lightly and bring everything on the plane so you don't have to worry about the boxes.
I only cried a little and then the Lord reminded me about what a great experience you were going to have and then I smiled! XOXOXO Mom
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