Our train got in last night at 6:30pm. After cleaning and stocking the train, we got home at 8:15pm. We had to be to the bus at 4:45am this morning to ride to Whittier. (Whittier is the small port town I call “The Shining” because of the remote location and almost everyone living in one condo complex.)

It’s hard for me to sleep at night. I’m tired but my body won’t relax. Having been on my feet and in motion usually nonstop for 12 hours.

We ride the bus to Whittier this morning to catch the train. Even though the train leaves the same station as we do. It has to do with the timing of our shifts. We’d have to be here so much earlier. Most people sleep on the bus. But once I’m up I’m up. I’ve prepared myself a good cup of coffee to go and as usual left it on the counter at home.

One employee is late for the bus. We usually wait, despite being told at the beginning of the season that the bus would not wait for us and our coworkers would be let down. This put fear in me. Which takes a lot to do. Lol. This time we don’t wait. Thankfully.

Employees are dropping like flies now, seemingly unable to finish their contract. That’s an entirely different and lengthy story full of interesting twists.

It’s been raining almost nonstop for three days. This morning it’s a downpour. The train yard is muddy. I HATE mud. It makes me feel icky. Don’t judge me 🤪. It makes me feel really anxious. What’s the cure for this? Tequila? (Jk. It’s 5am!)

My hair has a slight frizz from the humidity. My carefully prepared curls absorbing the moisture. Not in a stylish way. More of a crazed, bad perm look. My makeup isn’t completely applied. I’ll finish this on the train as we travel to the tunnel to Whittier.

The lady across the aisle from me has decided to extend her leg across the aisle and is in my space. I refrain from knocking her foot away, even though she’s clearly in my space. My space-bubble is very large before 10am.

I try to look at the waters of Turnagain Arm but it’s actually dark this early hour. Nighttime is returning in Alaska.

It will be a long day. Passengers getting off the ship are usually not big drinkers and tend to be a bit crabby. Hopefully today they won’t be crabby and not drinking only hot tea.

I have so many stories. I haven’t been able to update the blog as often as I’d like to. The stories live in my head. I’ll get them out soon.

A short break is on the horizon before we head fullforce into the rest of August and all of September. Many younger trainkids headed back to college.

Think of me and the mud. And my hair. And hope I don’t go insane 🤪

Another day full of adventure and stories in the rails here in Alaska.

I’m loving this adventure ❤️❤️❤️