Shortly after we departed Denali on the train June 30, a new fire erupted slightly north of the park. Being southbound, we had to wait for three trains headed northbound. They would be disembarking in Cantwell instead of Denali.

As of today, July 3, the park remains closed. Mainly due to power outages that occur. It sounds like these are planned outages, as they occur during the day. The fire is 25% contained. The train isn’t running the usually trips.

We were scheduled to be off July 1-4, so this is ok for now. But it does appear it will change our scheduled Friday/Saturday run.

This bums me out. As an adult woman who’s spent some time being poor, I’m enjoying having money. I have started buying myself some nicer clothes. So of course things change!

One employee wrote in the employee communication app that it was starting to feel like 2020 when everything was canceled. I responded that I felt that too. Of course one woman felt the need to chastise us for talking about anything other than the fire.

I didn’t take kindly to this. Her comment was to take the conversation to a private chat. But it was ok to publicly shame us. (Women – stop being shitty to each other! That’s another post for another day.) Other comments had been posted that didn’t pertain to the fires. But those were not called out.

So I wrote back, publicly, that people and feelings matter and I did not apologize for acknowledging someone’s emotions and/or fear.

I spent a little time after that wondering if I’d get in trouble. As a middle child, I was in trouble often, so I think I am wired to feel like I’m in trouble. LOL.

Then I remember this.

I’m on this earth to listen to people and help them feel joy. So I wasn’t out of line in any way. If I am to serve God and have people see Him through me, it’s important to listen to people and care.

I’m also reminded of the number of times guests ask what the plan is for the trees that are dead from beetle kill. These trees dot the forest, but plenty of green remains.

This is the plan of Mother Nature. In my opinion.

As of today, we are still scheduled to work. I am praying this holds true!

But I’m aware that life is not always as I plan it to be.

And God’s got this.