As we started off our trip south to Anchorage, we learned our car was dead until Talkeetna. Last year I would’ve been bummed out. This year I took it as a blessing. Five hours of riding the train without passengers.

I took the time to look for a wooden bridge-type structure that I had seen the day before. Made a note to try to find out what it is.

Drank a lot of hot water with lemon as I felt a cold coming on. read a little bit of my book.

We were able to have a proper lunch. Then at 2pm our passengers in Talkeetna boarded our car.

They were a small group but ready to party. And drink they did!

It was a quick but super fun three hours.

Tipping is down significantly this year. I’m not sure what happened but I know I’m not the only one to notice. We still work for tips. Being paid a lower wage. So when I don’t make alot of tips it’s discouraging and disappointing. Especially when I give the job a lot of energy.

A DEX train to the ship will usually be the best money maker. But our Sunday DEX was a dud. I made $10 short of the same amount in three hours on Monday.

I feel like if people are going to tip they’re going to tip. Regardless of the service given.

We are off for three days before the busy season kicks in and then we are working six days in a row.

I’m a bit worried about that because it’s harder to regulate my emotions when I get tired. Understandably. Yesterday by the end of the shift, I lost it. I cried a lot even after getting home.

So many people read on the train and I always talked to Natasha about books. I can talk to her but she doesn’t talk back. She not here. She’s in Heaven.

Yet God still shows me He’s here. Even when I’m confused. I got this notecard (pic below) along with a tip. I had this verse at the end of Natasha’s obituary.

I can be confused. I can be angry. I can muddle through these days best I can. And it’s ok to have all these feelings.