Juneau trip number two

This time my trip to Juneau was for a SAGA orientation. In SAGA's program YABAH (Southeast Alaska Guidance Association and Young Alaskans Building Affordable Housing) there are only two Americorps Connections members: David and I. Since SAGA is based in Juneau and we work and live in Sitka, there was never an opportune time for an introduction to the SAGA team. Many Americorps members began their term the beginning of September and therefore it seemed ideal to invite David and I to Juneau for the induction. We stayed at a resort quite a ways out of town called the Eagle Valley Center. The center's water was supplied by a creek nearby. Everyone was advised not to drink the tap water and not to shower too often because the water was so limited.

It was a joy to meet all the people that were going serve in Alaska as a SAGA member. On Tuesday, we were all sworn in by Alaska's commissioner of education, Larry LeDoux, at Alaska's state capitol building. The rest of the week was filled with kayaking, downtown touring, glacier sight-seeing, and games and movies at the center. We played a lot of chess and a lot of cards.

On the way to Juneau

A little trail by the Eagle Valley Center

Getting sworn in at the state capitol building

A picture of Mt. Roberts and downtown Juneau

After taking the tram.

Mendenhall glacier.  Much different than when I saw it in April because the snow melted into a big lake!

Kayaking.

Out front of the Eagle Valley Center

The Eagle Valley Center

Juneau

I know it has been a while since my last update, and I will have to start getting into the routine gradually I suppose.  I feel like a travel blog is easier to maintain because moving on from place to place urges one to write it down while it is fresh in the mind.

Moving on... I visited Juneau in April to attend the Juneau Folk Festival.  I had a great time.  The head of the organization I work for (SAGA) is based in Juneau and Marilyn, the lady that interviewed me for the position, found a young woman I could stay with for the weekend, Michelle.  Instead of going to the Folk Festival on the Friday I got into Juneau, Michelle invited me to a barbecue on her friend's 40 foot yacht.  I wasn't going to pass that up!

The next day I watched many, many folk music acts.  People from all over Alaska came to perform and watch. I never would've guessed it, but I actually didn't want to hear another banjo or mandolin on Sunday. However, by Monday I was asking my mom to send my banjo to me.

Here are some pictures from Juneau.

A picture from the yacht.

Juneau

Also, I had the chance to see the Mendenhall Glacier.  Marilyn gave me a ride out there.  It was really cool but I didn't get that close to it.  I was thinking that since all the glaciers are melting they wouldn't want tourists speeding up the process by breathing on them, so I kept my distance.  However, when I got back to work I saw my co-worker Ben's pictures from the same glacier and his pictures were much cooler.  He walked right in between some of the glacier walls.  I was jealous.