sunshine and pollock!

And we’re off! The pollock season began at noon Alaska time today and almost 6 hours later we hauled back a nice looking bag. I am stunned at the difference in my experience thus far compared to the previous season.

Observation 1: Haven't blogged since we left Seattle because, to be honest, I've been depressed, listless, and simply unmotivated to do anything. Other people have said it too, but I feel this has been an amazingly boring steam. The 10 days since we left have made me feel the most unproductive I have every felt. Though, thanks to the powers-that-be for smoother sailing and all that jazz, we really only hit rough seas upon leaving Dutch a few days ago.

Observation 2: I remember feeling uber-aware the whole time last year, ready to pounce on any opportunity for activity that came up. Round two I have been much calmer and almost complacent. It's not my battle to fight for women's rights up here. Bring on that tape gun! Sure, I'll still give the guys a hard time but will not and have not taken it nearly as personal. Everyone has a job to do and though I plan on being vocal about what I would like as a crew member, I'm just here to do my part.

Observation 3: Doing my part. Perplexing, what my part should be. As I said, not really my place to be a crusader for the ladies. This is due mostly to the fact that I don't intend to invest the rest of my working life up here… but I also didn't think I'd be back for a second season. Once again, this adventure I've gone on has stopped being just that and somehow merged into my routine lifestyle. Not that I'm looking to be the next Dr. Jones but I do think it's important to realize this is not my calling and make efforts to move on. Though one more season wouldn't do me in, right?

Observation 4: Sheer jubilation at our first haul back rather than disgust. The smell flooded my sinus-clogged nostrils, the sounds of the wenches straining to pull the bag-o-fish aboard filled my ears, catching glimpses of the deck hands efficiently act as a well-oiled team to dump and reset, I joined in with everyone hanging in the doorway holding our collective breath for the first sight of fins and jellyfish. An abomination and exploitation of the sea? Maybe ,but more directly, a job; feeding people and trying to be as efficient at it as possible. No one likes the by-catch factor, though usually it's just because this means a smaller product yield...

To conclude, I have been surprised at my comfort level coming back. The crew is still great, I still get seasick, and the ridiculous quantity of delicious food is still served without fail, even if I stick to salads and cereal. Coming from Peace Corps and travels last year, Frosted Flakes and filter coffee were high on my priority list. Sad how quickly re-adjustment sets in.

Steam on!

In an effort to avoid that annoying mass email option, I’ll be attempting to blog over the next few months to keep everyone updated with what’s going down on the high seas. But let’s not get too crazy and expect pictures, with this connection we’ll just have to wait.

Seattle was great though time was cut short by a delayed flight as I mentioned earlier. Cousin Todd came out to pick up the nomad and family catch-up time is always great. Slept on the boat only after running the gauntlet of conversation with Frank, our security guard. Bless that man as he is DEEPLY involved in the security of our ship and the crew’s well being. Saturday night was excellent as well; Peace Corps friends are everywhere! Just as in Denver I had the chance to reconnect with some old friends who are doing fabulous things. Cheers to Steve, Jaren, and Matt; not least for shoving me into a taxi first at the end of the night. I just knew the lock down was about to begin and wanted to make absolutely sure we were done for the evening. I’m certain April will bring some great times as well.

We steamed out of the harbor at 11:30 or so Sunday morning and it’s been a bit rough. Nothing like it will get once we start fishing but that familiar rocking got a little intense last night as everything I had stashed on my bunk shelf came crashing down on me. I’ve forgotten a few of the quirks about living aboard.
1. As much as I’ve said it, it still holds true: seasickness really does suck. There just aren’t two ways about it, sick is sick and I feel like I’ve been hung-over for days. That hot, sweaty feeling that would go away if only I could get to the door, though it’s just to be greeted by the churning ocean – far too reminiscent of my stomach’s current state.
2. The side to side rocking not only affects walking down the halls, hoisting myself in and out of bed, closing my eyes in the shower, but also getting on and off the toilet. Enough said, and you’re welcome for the mental picture.
3. Once the niceties of “Happy New Year” and “How’s your family” are out of the way, people are perfectly content to not hold a conversation. That said, I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of people who remember my name and the fact that I was guiding this past summer.
It’s actually been fun to play catch up and I am genuinely happy to be back. There may be some merit in the fact that this is my second time around. I know the ropes and people know I can pull my own weight.

Am currently keeping my salad down and about to watch a movie. Life will be this tough for the next 6 days until we hit Dutch.

reflections...and vegas

Time based at home - 4 months.

Road trips taken - 3

Visitors to the Miller homestead - 2 out-of-state and the usual motley crew.

Beers consumed - significantly less than previous trips home!

And so it begins again. Everyone says at the end of Peace Corps do spend some decompression time at home. I finally did it. I am so decompressed my head just might float off my body. It's been great to do the holiday thing with my family but nothing like a solid dose of good ole American consumerism to chase me back on the road...or sea rather.

It's true, I am off for round two of fishing... and don't feel bad about it either. The more experience I can get out there, the more I will learn about the issues facing our oceans. And, let's call it like it is, this job also allows me to avoid that panicky feeling I get when I pay my bills. But isn't that the point of having a job in the first place, to pay the bills? I'm finding that to be true and yet it never fails to incite a rebellion in me. Employment is not a purgatory! Looking forward to another season of physical labor, biting cold, and the genuine camaraderie found only among those kept in tight quarters for a long period of time. And then there's that whole fish smell thing...

Currently sitting in the Las Vegas airport on a 4-hour layover. Won $20 in the slots and never need to do it again. Though it did pay for my exorbitantly priced bagel sandwich. I looked like a monkey pressing the buttons until I got something to work. Nothing like giving the token booth woman her daily chuckle. Was supposed to fly to Seattle yesterday but Mother Nature just was not having it. Mom and I braved the highway today in our little black Nissan that drove like a roller skate the whole way there. This is by far the most luggage I've ever taken as I don't know when I'll be back and Heaven forbid I require my "foxy grandma" t-shirt and not have it! I will say I am impressed with SouthWest Airlines! No baggage fees and I got plenty of updates right to my cell phone alerting me to the current travel conditions. Not to mention the WILDLY cheery and slightly silly flight attendants... though did get a little creeped out when Pam the southern bell whispered over the intercom that we were all "getting very sleepy and didn't want those peanuts that give us gas anyhow"...

On to Seattle where I plan on tackling the public transport again until I get close enough to the docks for an affordable taxi ride. Occupiers of the handicap/elderly/pregnant bus seats beware!

Denver or Bust!

(12/16)

Sitting in Atlanta International Airport. Smells of fast food and floor cleaner flood my nostrils and a kid clips my elbow as he works on some resistance running skills against the leash his mother has committed him to. On the upside, gobs of military men and women are traveling too, most going home for the holidays. Felt really great to see so many getting the chance and made me think about all the others who aren’t able to connect this year.

We left Moab after two chilly days and made the final 7-hour push to Denver where Peace Corps alumni Tara and Lizzie were waiting with booze and food. The Moab Red Stone Inn had great winter rates and was conveniently located next to the Moab Micro-Brewery. Turns out, superstar Tara is running the Canyonlands half-marathon next year. Congrats and would love to make it out to see her run again.

Having never been to Colorado, I was constantly aware of the not-so-bland landscape. Rocky wasn’t “jaded” per-se but he was definitely amused with my frequent outbursts of wonder at the constant glory of nature. The drive included many passes and several ups and downs. It is the Rockies after-all. Gorgeous as it was, the stress factor was a little high. As I mentioned before, we’re driving a vintage Subaru. Until we hit the passes, she was great. We sang her praises all along the way and then knocked very loudly on any nearby wood. After Vail pass, where we’d been gunning it all the way and never really getting past 50 mph, we hit another incline and the little red bandit simply quit. Now, I’ve never owned a car. It’s a special point of pride having reached a quarter of a century…though that’s mostly due to the generosity of my parents and others. This was a great crash course in fluids, smells, noises, and feel. Perhaps this can be likened to puppy sitting before actually making the leap to that new spunky Labrador in a studio apartment.

After the DOT guy came and hollered a few things at us about fluid on the side of an 8-lane highway, he bumper-car-ed us off to a (thankfully) nearby service vehicle lot. Rocky quickly drew the conclusion he was tipsy, which I quickly seconded after he spit his chew out and left a sizeable amount in his teeth... the DOT guy, not Rocky. An angel of a tow-truck driver (I know, oxymoron) showed up out of thin air and towed us back down to Silverthorn, a good 2,000 feet lower. I went into a bookstore for a potty break and come out to Rocky zipping around the parking lot in the red bandit herself! Apparently, she just wasn’t acclimatizing well. Oh my, did I have a field day in my head with that one.

Our diesel-fueled angel then towed us back over the pass and down to the next town, in hopes it would be low enough to keep the car moving. We limped her the rest of the way to Lizzie’s, just outside of Denver and it was time for Margaritas! A great night out with Tara, Lizzie and Lizzie’s beaux were exactly what we needed. The next few days were spent recovering from that first night and just relaxing. It was my first time in both a Patagonia AND Prana store. Had to check my wallet at the door, no wonder those outdoorsy folk always look so put together! The best part was seeing my girls in the US, though I think it will always be a shocker to see volunteers I served with, outside of Benin.

Rocky dropped me off at the airport in Denver and we said our goodbyes for the next 4 months. Great road trip, great friends, and even better, great things to look forward to in the not-so-distant future.

the Wild Wild West

Currently in Moab. (12/10) Didn't really see myself getting to much of the country this winter but turns out the opportunity presented itself. Last week I flew to Washington State and started the drive out to Denver. What a great section of the country! The landscape is wildly different from the lush autumn of Ohio that I left. Endless skies, different color schemes, and significantly higher speed limits have all been pleasant surprises.

Speaking of speed limits, we're currently at the mercy of an '87 Subaru. I'm sold. It had some issues before we took off, obliging us to stay in Washington an extra day or two but for a car that's almost as old as I am, she's doing great. And mom and dad can rest easy knowing we couldn't max out in Idaho where 85 was slow.

Moab is a great town! Winter rates on everything and the snow gives a great contrast to the rust red sandstone that attracts fat tire enthusiasts and climbers. Rafting and touring companies abound and I'd love to get back in the fall when it's not too hot to really use the landscape. Arches National Park is here and we took a day to check out another one of Mother Nature's wonders. What an incredible sight to behold. Pieces of rock have simply fallen or melted away leaving gardens of rock formations and graceful forms framing the sky. Wish we had more time but we're on a bit of a time crunch to get to Denver where Peace Corps friends and famous margaritas await. Speaking of bevys, Moab microbrewery is recommended as much for the food as the booze. A hummus plate, beer cheese soup, black bean soup and house salads more than filled us up. On to Denver!

on the road again!!

Finally, it's been a while fellow bloggers eh? It's been a wild couple of months. Just so we're clear, I am STILL occupying my sister's lovely twin bed on Casement Island in Paine Falls, Ohio...since September. Though time at home has been well punctuated with much needed excursions. Since my last whirlwind road-trip down south and back north, job hunting has become something of an obsession, not necessarily applying for everything I see but learning more about what's out there. It's been really interesting to see how helpful people have been when they hear I'm on the hunt. Even my flight instructor with whom I'd met only a few times hooked me up with some contacts. The more resumes I send out the more I learn about how to present myself. Apparently even time on a fishing boat has its merits and it's consistently surprising what employers will ask me about from my letter and resume.

Right before Thanksgiving, the Miller household had a visitor. Rocky the raft guide, whom I met in Alaska, came out from Washington to meet the family. Turkeys were brined, fires sat around, friends invited, and the Cleveland area explored. Great time was had by all and made me once again appreciate my friends and family as the most important thing I have.

Rocky is snowmobile guiding in Colorado this winter and needed a fellow road warrior to tame the pavement. I flew to Seattle two days ago and we're currently gearing up in the small SMALL town of Ephrata to make the drive. The landscape here is wildly different and beautiful. Big sky, sunshine, cut out rock canyons, and rolling hills make for some picturesque days, if a bit monochromatic. Currently freezing here and everyone who walks back in the house looks like they've been slapped in the face by mother nature a few times. Hitting the road Monday, we'll be taking the southern most route to hopefully avoid snow and bitter cold...though it's supposed to drop to 8, yes eight, degrees tonight. Going through Oregon and Utah while forgoing Montana and northern Idaho should be slightly kinder on our bodies and the car.

Friends await in Denver, the dynamic duo of Lizzie, Tara, and maybe another Tara are on standby for a night of reminiscing and introductions. Look out D-town, could get slightly out of control.

That's the post for now, feels good to have something to write about. As it stands, I'll be getting back on the fishing boat Jan 7th until April then back to the frontier land of Alaska to guide. That real world I keep hearing about manages yet again to elude me.

The last few weeks, an abridged version...but long

I did it, I hit New Orleans and am undoubtedly going back. What a layer cake of life! Rolled into the hostel in the afternoon, grabbed some beer and made plans to go out that night for music. They post the nightly shows to help poor out of town-ers wade through the overwhelming options. It was decided to go see the Cottonmouth Kings, a swingin' brass and strings band who even played the classics like "It don't mean a thing" The crowd was eclectic and I was in love with the city. Everyone talked to everyone and the walk home was hilarious, that kiwi just didn't want to go straight back to the street car. Between getting twirled around by a huge rugger and watching the group of local dancers take over the floor, I didn't know whether to feel wildly inadequate or super cool. Hehe, take that as you will.

After a few days in and around the city, I had seen a glass blowing workshop, most of the French quarter, lucky dog stands (yum!), the street cars, the river boats, a Mardi Gras exhibit at the museum on Jackson Square, Bourbon Street (never need to go back), some great music, University of New Orleans (peace corps fellowship!), and lots of rain.

It is HUMID down there! My stays in Voldasta and Pass Christian were amazing, but was really excited to have a/c in the car. Got caught in the rain more than once walking around the city. Don't know what came over me leaving without a rain jacket or umbrella, I just came from Alaska for pete's sake. Mmmm, nothing like steaming in your own skin when the sun comes out with a vengeance after a down pour. Bottom line, lots to fix in the city and lots to preserve. The Katrina fallout is still very prevalent and it's right on the tips of everyone's tongues. It was so interesting to hear personal takes on what we all just heard about on the news.

Leaving N.O. came a bit too soon but what came next was just as good. Met up with a Peace Corps friend for lunch while Nissan changed the oil in the new cruiser. Haven't had the car that long but in classic Miller family tradition, we're working on beating the hell out of anything remotely new we own. Lunch was great and the conversation amazing. It's a priceless friend who understands exactly what you mean when you say you need to "smell Africa" again. Late in the day and full of sushi, I began the drive north to Milwaukee.

A few naps in gas station parking lots got me to my destination about 20 hours later. Not bad for a solo trip AND running into a ripping storm right about St. Louis. We're talking NO ONE on the road but semi's, good thing my gas almost ran out and THANK GOD b.p. takes credit cards when no one is manning the pumps in BFE Illinois. OH, and never NEVER go to Cairo, Illinois...I'm assuming it's Illinois, things are kind of fuzzy at that point. The sign promising gas and coffee whipped me a good 10 miles off the interstate and into a town with no lights on except the "after hours club and prayer group" and one guy wandering down the street in the pouring rain. Cairo Egypt - good. Cairo Illinois - bad, very very bad.

Made it to Milwaukee and fellow boozer with new found borders, Annie, was waiting with food. Love that! It is a good friend who greets the weary road warrior with a meal. Quick shower and out the door for a few hours at her job. Essentially, she is a wrangler of small humans. Wow. Much akin to my feelings for geriatric care nurses is my opinion of people like Annie. So happy they are in the world to do those jobs I know I could not.

After romp-a-room, we headed back to put some groceries away and await the Alaska friends slated to arrive that afternoon. It's only been a month since I left the Kenai peninsula but it feels like so much longer. Lifestyle and well, everything else, is so much different up there. Wasn't quite sure how things would go with my "Alaska friends" out of context. Not to fear, we had a blast. Happened to be a birthday in the crowd so we hit the infamous "Corner Pub" and brought in the big 3-0 for Shaun the best way we knew how, dance party and booze :) Speaking of out of context, it dawned on me that I had never known Annie in the US either. She did it right and was out of commission for all of Saturday. It's like we never ended the trip!

The next week was spent exploring Milwaukee, seeing UWM, what it's grad program had to offer, and spending some down time, well, down. This was a much needed and eventful aside to life here at Miller's happy acres. We continue to live large in Paine Falls but felt good to be on the road again.