Afterwords

September 16, 2012

I walked out of the library today carrying not a single book. As I dropped two books into the return slot, the goal I had set out to do two years and three months ago was complete.  As I read the Newbery winners in no particular order, I had decided a while back what book to read last. The capstone of my literary adventure was the 2012 Newbery Medal winner Dead End at Norvelt.

Now as I sit and think about the journey I can’t help but go from story to story in my mind recalling all of the places I visited without boarding a plane: Vermont during maple syrup season; Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri during the Civil War; Poland; England during several different centuries; China; Korea; New Mexico among the sheep herders; battles of World War I across Europe; voyages across the high seas on several different ships; Florida; New York City; villages in the Alps; Holland; Denmark; Alaska; Georgia; Tennessee; Texas; Wyoming; the Middle East during the time of Jesus; and many more with the last pin stuck in Pennsylvania.

At times I was invited into different worlds created by the author like an island full of diamonds or a utopian society. Names such as Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Boone, Louisa May Alcott, and Johnny Tremain I have heard of before; however, now I feel introduced to them on a different level, as I have learned more about their lives through their joys and hardships. New introductions were made as the life of Amos Fortune or Mr. Bowditch unfolded on the page.

I am greeted by a mixed sense of accomplishment and sadness. So much of my time has been committed to reading page after page that I hardly know what to concentrate on next. Fortunately, the library is filled with an endless supply of books unread. And yet, the “Afterwords” of my Newbery journey has yet to be written. As a new winner is announced each year, I can only look forward to the annual continuation of my literally adventure as one more “distinguished contribution to American literature for children” is added to my list.

Last Stop: CA – Land of Lauras

July 28 - August 6, 2012

As my summer adventures are coming to a close, I can’t help but pat myself on the back for this final stop. As Alaska was a great experience, I have found in the past that intense jobs like that need some time to decompress. I could not have picked a better location!

This stop in CA I affectionately call the Land of the Lauras. The reason: the two people I went to visit are both former roommates and both named Laura. Oddly enough, they live 45 minutes apart. With a week out in the San Jose/ Santa Cruz area I couldn’t help but visit both. 

On my first stop, I reunited with Laura from Graduate school. The last time I saw her was Christmas as we made gingerbread houses in Maryland. Her place of employment opened the door to some unique opportunities. Among them: sleeping in a sequoia tree.

Yup, I just woke up

In the middle of the week, I hopped in Laura’s car and drove to San Jose to the house of Laura, former roommate from Arkansas. I hadn’t seen her since 2008! A span of 5 years had passed leaving our 3 days together full of great conversation on all that had been happening in our lives. In those 5 years, Laura had two adorable children that I got to spend time with as well. Whether playing on the beach or in the backyard, it was wonderful to see Laura in her current stage of life as wife and mother.

Couldn't help but snap a picture of Westbrook St. in Downtown Santa Cruz

The week ended back at Laura’s with a trip to her co-worker’s house where we got to sample some of the local California fruit.

After 5 weeks of being around people that had only the smallest hint of who I really am, I find myself encouraged and rejuvenated in the Land of Lauras. Both have been and continue to be a great blessing in my life no matter how much time passes between visits. 

Stop #4: AK - Week 5

July 22-26, 2012

With our time coming to a close, the final touches were finished on the cabin roof. 

With limited supplies, not all of the roofing came in the same color. The blue and silver design made our work easily identifiable. 

The trades of the local people were taught to all who were willing to learn.

Including the fantastic art of birch bark basket making. 

We even got to go and fetch our own supplies.

Our first glimpse of an Alaskan sunset, at 10:52pm.

The Tetlin Wildlife Refuge took us out on Moon Lake in an amazing voyager canoe.

The canoe could hold up to 16 people

Just before we left, a moose decided to jump in the lake for a swim. That put my moose total up to 14.

Stop #4: AK - Week 4

July 17-19, 2012

The highlight of this week was our backpacking trip. Three days we spent out in the great wilderness of Wrangell- St Elias National Park. As the largest national park in North America, Wrangell - St. Elias boasts 13.2 million acres. That is 20% more than the country of Switzerland. The town of McCarthy, which we went to during week 2, is housed in the Park along with the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. Our drive this time took us down the Nebesna Road to the Caribou Creek trail head. 

The snow covered peak on the far right of the Wrangell-St. Elias mountain
range reaches over 16,000 ft in elevation.

On day two, we took a day hike up one of the peaks of the Mentasta Mountain Range

At one point I turned around to see the last glimpse of our tents at basecamp.

After 2.5 hours, we made it to the top.

A view from the top.

A patched panoramic view because one photo couldn't capture it all.

As we hiked out the last day, the we looked back to see another view of our summit. 

Stop #4: AK- Week 3

July 8-14, 2012

The road to Tetlin was about 20 miles long. With so many bumps and curves we never went over 35 miles per hour.

When the village came into view, we knew we were only about 5 minutes away.

Dorothy's Smoke House - At one point she had almost 300 white fish hanging from the beams to dry and save for the winter months. 

The Tetlin school provided housing for all 26 of us.

Our main project was putting a new roof on one of the oldest cabins in the village.

Everyday, a group would stay back on home base to clean-up after breakfast and bake some goodies for our new friends in the village.

Stop #4: AK - Special Notice

Yes, that is right. I can not let another moment pass without celebrating this milestone in my life. 2 years ago, I hoped to visited all the lower 48 continental states before the age of 30. Two months after my 29th birthday that goal was achieved. With Hawaii already checked off the list, little did I know that 17 days before my 31st birthday I would set foot on the soil of my final state.

Here is a recap of the last time that I was in each glorious state of the U. S. of A:

Alabama*! 2011
Alaska*! 2012
Arizona* 2005
Arkansas*^! 2011
California*! 2012
Colorado*! 2012
Connecticut* 2003
Delaware 2011
Florida*! 2010
Georgia*! 2011
Hawaii*! 2005
Idaho 2005
Illinois* 2010
Indiana*^! 2009
Iowa 2005
Kansas* 2005
Kentucky* 2010
Louisiana 2002
Maine* 2003
Maryland*! 2012
Massachusetts* 2007
Michigan*^! 2011
Minnesota* 2010
Mississippi 2002
Missouri 2008
Montana*! 2012
Nebraska* 2003
Nevada 2005
New Hampshire*! 2003
New Jersey* 2006
New Mexico 2005
New York* 2006
North Carolina*^! 2012
North Dakota* 2005
Ohio*! 2011
Oklahoma*! 2008
Oregon*! 2008
Pennsylvania* 2012
Rhode Island 2003
South Carolina*! 2010
South Dakota 2005
Tennessee*^! 2011
Texas*! 2009
Utah* 2005
Vermont 2003
Virginia*! 2011
Washington*! 2008
West Virginia*! 2011
Wisconsin* 2010
Wyoming* 2005

*Stayed at least one night      ^Been issued a state driver's license   !At some point got paid to be there