David's Thoughts

Notes from Alaska

1. Alaska has amazing beauty at every turn. It is worth slowing down and taking a picture. Just don’t kill yourself backing down the mountain highway when you realize you passed the perfect picture spot.

2. People in Alaska tell it like it is. They don’t worry about hurting your feelings by treating you like a greenhorn.

3. The amazing beauty of fall only lasts two weeks, but if you can, come and see it. It is indescribable.

4. When the nights start getting cooler the mosquitoes disappear, but the gnats come out. Gnats don’t taste as bad as mosquito spray.

5. Bears are attracted to meat smokers.

6. Keep good lists. Town is a long way away.

7. Lots of people who live in Anchorage have never been out of Anchorage.

8. It is impossible to accurately predict the weather here.

9. As the trumpeter swans gather on the lake preparing to begin their migration, they sound a lot like a fifth graders warming up their saxophones and trumpets before band practice. Only a few are in tune.

10. Kansas is a long way away. It is impossible not to get homesick for family and friends.

11. All work and no play is not a good way to live for an extended time.

12. David needs a snow machine so he can play.

13. Letters from former students are priceless.

14. When picking up family from the airport, it is impossible to keep my eyes from leaking.