I am spending the summer working in Whittier, AK. It’s definitely among the most bazaar places I’ve ever been. Its an old military town that can only be accessed through ‘the tunnel’ via train or car or though Prince William Sound via a ship. 85% of Whittier’s residents live in the BTI, including the crew of the Klondike Express. It also houses the mayor’s office, fire department, police offices, laundromat, post office, and someone just got busted for growing a bunch of weed on the 10th floor. There are about 150 year-round residents of the town and 400ish during the summer. There isn’t much to do here. Entertainment can be found exploring the abandoned Buckner building, hiking, or going to the Anchor (Skank-er) the local dive. It’s easy to feel stuck in this town, but at least I’m not alone. These are the people I work with, eat with, yell at, laugh with, and live with.

Gary //  my boss and the shore captain of the Klondike express. He has a northern accent and likes to wear suspenders on his days off.

Captain Tom // the head captain. He let me drive the boat for a while and feels like someone you would want to call dad.

Mike // engineer on board. He is a little hard of hearing but I can tell he likes to have a good time and hang out with the crew.

Laura // safety management. She’s half crew lead half engineer and practicing to be a captain with an intense focus on safety.

Michael // crew lead. This is his third summer here and makes zatarain’s jambalaya a lot.

Sam // studying philosophy and english at some school in tennessee. He’s obsessed with Kobe and hates “crazy” girls.

Marcelle // has been dubbed ‘queen of the anchor.’ She likes to have fun and is always up for an adventure.

James & Karen // they go together. Traveled, most recently from Maine. They are willing to spend time making good food instead of settling for ramen. Karen makes killer curry.

Anthony // one of our native Alaskans. Originally from Homer, he is hilarious and extremely flat-footed.

Kyle // will tell you that he is from Chicago. He is second in line for the throne as the ‘prince of the anchor.’ He can probably beat you at mario kart wii.

Amy // has been my friend since 4th grade. We can laugh for hours about nothing. She ‘knows’ spanish and misses her dog Gomez.