Hundred and Tenth Stop: Polar Bears

After such a magical trip in Mexico, it was time to go back to the grind till Christmas is upon us . Working my last charter up to Prudhoe before heading home that night to be with family for Christmas, God and the Universe had a different plan for me.

A plan that would slow me down, to appreciate God’s gifts, like family and lots sleep...

A plan to teach me to not be so independent and be vulnerable by asking for help...

A plan to teach me tolerance and humble me when it comes to pain...

A plan to teach me patience working with the work comp system.

All of this because I decided to wrestle a polar bear in Prudhoe on my layover and shattered everything there is to shatter in my wrist. If I do something I do it really well. You should see the bear. 

I have loved every single crew I have ever worked with, but I cannot say enough about the four Horizon people and the medical professionals that came to my rescue today! I am one lucky lady. Who slips and breaks her arm in the middle of no where... ME!

                   

  

          

                             






 Who knew that resetting your hand hurt more than actually breaking it...

                               

                                           

Hundred and Ninth: Rancho Sordo Mudo

I had the opportunity of joining an old high school friend on a trip down to Valley of Guadalupe, Ensenada. There is a Deaf School, it is truly a magical place. The following is some information I took from their website.

Here is there history of the Ranch and all their struggles and wonderful moments:

Rancho Sordo Mudo is a Christian-based residential school for deaf children in Mexico. Ed and Margaret Everett, the founders of RSM, believe that deaf children do not have to become beggars in Mexico. They can be taught how to read and write (in Spanish), to communicate in MSL (Mexican sign language) and ASL (American Sign Language) as a second language, and to learn a trade for their future. This has been the work of the ranch for over 40 years. The ministry is now carried on and directed by their two sons Edward and Luke Everett.
Ed and Margaret Everett were introduced to the problems of the deaf when their son, Luke, lost 85% of his hearing from a series of illnesses at the age of five. As their interest grew, they learned sign language and Margaret became an interpreter and teacher. During a trip to visit missionaries in Mexico, they learned that there was nothing being done educationally or spiritually to fill the needs of the poor and orphaned deaf children in Mexico. So the Everetts sold their home and business in North Carolina and went to Mexico as Faith Missionaries.

In March of 1969, Ed and Margaret began their ministry in a small rented house in Ensenada,Mexico . They soon saw the need for expansion when their own six children were joined by twelve deaf children. By faith they purchased a 500 acre tract of land in the beautiful Guadalupe Valley and began to pioneer a ministry to the deaf. The Lord blessed their faith and the land is now completely free of debt. The ministry now has five classrooms, a dining hall, fellowship hall, two large dormitories, an auto shop, gym, basketball court, Bunk house area for visiting church groups, an RV park, office's, and staff housing. Each year there are about 35 deaf children living at the Ranch.

Many deaf have already graduated and are working as responsible citizens to earn their own living. The Everettsbelieve that there is no need for deaf children to be beggars; they are very capable of learning to read, write, and master a trade. Deaf children are accepted from all over Mexico upon proof of their deafness and need. Those with families go home for summer vacation. The rest of the children stay with friends or are sent to nearby orphanages for the summer. All children are provided food, clothing, education, and medical care during their stay without any charge. They are taught the Bible and brought up to live a life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The magic that takes place is:

Rancho Sordo Mudo is a free home and school for deaf children in Baja California, Mexico. Ed and Margaret Everett, the founders of RSM, believed that deaf children could be taught how to read and write, to communicate in sign language, and to learn a trade for their future. More importantly, the goal of the ministry is to teach the children of God's love for them and give them a hope and future.
This has been the work of the ranch for over 45 years.
It is through the prayers, giving and love from people like you that we can continue serving in this special ministry.


This was the first year I had gone, but my high school friend and her family have been going for 18 years. I now see why. I had the opportunity to sit and sign with the kids over a meal and working with them over the weekend .The older kids learned American Sign Language and I was able to communicate with them and understand most of what they were signing. However, now the kids are taught Mexical Sign Language which is completely different than ASL… So I was trying to learn as much as I could as the weekend progressed, but wasn’t able to pick up enough to communicate independently.

Goal for next year, because yes, this will be my new annual trip. I have signed up for online Spanish classes and will be ordering Mexican Sign Language books and I am determined to be able to communicate with everyone down there- From hanging out communicating with the kids to ordering tacos at the local taco stand down the street to ordering wine samplers at the local winery across the street.

We were able to take a hike up to Snoopy Rock and over look the valley. The view was absolutely breath taking! I was able to see the school, surrounded by vineyards, with mountains as the back drop and the sun rising behind them. It was a pretty magical morning that allowed one to connect and feel mother nature’s love surrounding me. This place has forever left a print on my heart and I look forward to the years that follow.

Rancho Sordo Mudo old Fire Truck

Street art as we wait to cross the border.

The tacos were so AMAZING!!!

Hundred Eighth: Familia in AK

Summer is coming to an end unfortunately, but I am so excited. Not only is my Parental Unit coming to visit, but my Honey and Aunt. Try and fit as much as I can in 4 days. It’s a big order, but challenge is accepted.

They made it on the red eye and we were all a bit tired so we rested and stayed close to home. We then went and ventured down town and acted like tourists. Went to the Northern Light movie down town. Went through several shops with awesome tourists buys. Then we went to 49thState Brewery and indulged in another fabulous meal. There may be a theme …. Food!

Ending our evening with a stroll around the lake in my back yard. Watching my Mama’s excitement as we watched the floatplanes come in was perfect with amazing sunset that provided a gorgeous backdrop. The colors were so bright with the pink, yellow, and orange that broke through the darker clouds... Perfect ending to the first day of adventures.



Day 2:
Time for a road trip!! Headed out to the Matsu Valley to check out the Iditarod Head Quarters to see the importance and history behind what the Iditarod represented for the Alaskan Natives before cars and roads were available. It was what kept people connected in the bush villages. This is one of my favorite spots. The love and history behind it is so powerful.

We then continued up the road to Talkeetna. Coming down the hill and seeing the beautiful Denali in all her glory was breath taking! It was a rare day when the weather was crystal blue and clear to where we could see the ENTIRE mountain. Stopped at the pull out and took a ton of pictures because it is so rare to see her out in full glory. As we continued down the road towards Talkeetna the drive was the perfect fall weather with trees changing from greens to golds, and red.

As we finally arrived in Talkeetna and drove through town, I instantly fell in love. This town is absolutely adorable and quaint. The locals hanging around telling you stories and taking in the day getting to know all the tourists that walk in out of all the little stores. Cannot wait to go back for a fun weekend, be it summer, fall, winter, or spring! We even got to sit and have an awesome meal at the Roadhouse and we're able to socialize with tourists as well from all over the world. These are the awesome experiences that make Alaska forever special in my heart!

 

Day 3:
Took the gang to one of my favorite resteraunts in Anchorage, South. Breakfast lunch or dinner, you cannot go wrong there. After breakfast we picked up my Aunt, she was joining the group from Oregon. Once we got loaded up, we headed out to the Wild Life Nature Center and Girdwood. Nature Center is always an awesome experience. Can’t go wrong with moose, musk ox, and bears.. oh my! After getting our animal fix we went and sat outside on the lawn in Girdwood and it was a beautiful relaxing time chatting and catching up. Honestly, can’t beat the view. The Parental Unit and I decided that is where our family outing will be this year. Pretty excited to spend more time up there, especially in the winter.

After a long afternoon we worked up an appetite and had to try a recommendation and made our way to Double Musky. Let me just say… that place is AMAZING!!

Icing on the cake was getting to pull over on our way back home and watch the beluga whales pass by. Mother nature is so amazing and beautiful!!

                     

                      

 

 

Day 4:
Hitting the ground running today and heading to the Alaska State Fair! When I was little we use to go to the Del Mar Fair for my birthday with my parents and aunt. So it is just like old times, but in a different state and several years older. The best part was getting to walk around and see the local stores with all the creative clothing and gadgets...So hard not spend hundreds of dollars there between the clothing and food!

Making our way to the petting zoo and getting to see all the FFA students with their animals...such a special bond they share. Those animals are all well loved and There was so much pride in all of the students as they show and hang out with their animals in the pen.

After the seeing the animals,we have to take a gander at the HUGE veggies. The power of green houses is unreal!! The winners of pumpkins, squash, zucchini had to be lifted by at least two people if not more. That is a lot of veggie!

We surprisingly didn’t eat crazy foods at the fair, so we headed back to the wonderful 49th State Brewery. I tell ya…. It is an obsession and just so darn good! Then went and sat out on the deck in my back yard and watched the floatplanes come in with another gorgeous sunset as a backdrop. The perfect ending to the trip before I have to take my parents back to the airport.

               

 


Day 5:

Parents had to leave, but my aunt and uncle did not. My aunt took a trip up on the train stopping in Talkeetna, Denali, and ending in Fairbanks where I will meet her. My uncle had a restful day while I was at work, and then I picked him up and we went to dinner before I had to take him to the air port to head back home. We kept him busy that he really appreciated the day of rest.

Day 6:
Heading to Fairbanks and actually getting out of the air port and playing tourist. My aunt is already up there after taking the train and we are planning to explore for the day. We were able to check out the ice museum in town. It was an awesome video on the process and skill required. Got to watch a gentleman who worked there make a flower in the block of ice and then got to go play in the ice wonderland that they had sculpted. They had a sled you can jump on and ride down, a castle, and ice bar, polar bear and moose ALL carved out of ice. It was such an awesome experience.

We then moved over to the visitor center and walked around their displays about Alaska life and watched the different documentaries that they had on animals, life style, and individuals. Many people say there isn’t much to do in Fairbanks, but we kept ourselves busy by ending out day with the Steam Boat River tour! If you are in Fairbanks I highly suggest it in the spring and summer time. It was wonderfully done and you felt like you were part of the family. The steam boat river tour is started by one family who still maintains it and has through the generations

Antler arch. 

 

 

            

Hundred and Seventh Stop: I love My Job

As a flight attendant we have people that come on to our plane for a variety of reasons. With summer time upon us here in Alaska 80% of our passengers are here in Alaska for the first time. They are apart of bus tour, boat cruise, or their dream trip of a lifetime. Getting to hear their stories and be apart of their dream vacations is such an honor and I try to make it memorable. Free beer and wine definitely helps me make that possible, thank you Horizon, but it is also a great reminder of the amazing beauty that surrounds me.  It is so easy to get lost in the day to day making that dollar to make ends meet that sometimes I forget to stop and look out the window from 25,000 feet. It is a truly an amazing view from the skies or on the ground.

Here is to the wonderful travelers that make my job possible and much more entertaining. 

      

 

Hundred and Sixth Stop: Graduation

As I stand here and interpret my last graduation for the 2016 school year, I find myself wondering where the heck has the time gone… It seems like just yesterday I was sitting on the football field of Carlsbad High School surrounded by hundreds and thousands of people who have loved and supported us through all the challenges and successes.

As each one of these 2016 graduates moves forward, some are looking forward to moving as far away as possible to go to college, some will be taking oath and defending this country, become professional athletes, while others find cures for cancer. 

For me, when I was sitting in that stadium I was counting down the days till I turned 18. Would be packing up things from my room to take with me to my new apartment in Fresno. My new beginning. I was terrified, but had to keep a strong front. This is where I would really find out who I am and establish myself, not only as an adult, but a professional.

I can’t speak for everyone, but leaving there most are motivated by the wonderful speeches. The excitement from the students mixed with the emotions of the families makes for a beautiful combination of a bright future for each and everyone of them. May they each find their path, discover their dreams, and leave their mark on the world. May each one of them find their job that makes their heart happy in their own Alaska.

Hundred and Five: Joe Dog

Many know that I am HUGE animal lover. Especially when it comes to my dogs and cats. 11 years ago I was in high school and we welcomed a beautiful golden retriever into the Scortt family after not having a dog for several years. We weren’t even supposed to get him because he was spoken for, but Joe the Plumber never came to pick him up so that adorable puppy became our Joe Dog . He was such a good puppy. I would get up in the mornings way before I would have to get up for school and play with him as we watched Little House on the Prairie, the only thing on that early in the morning. Thank goodness for being off‐campuses lunches because I would run home to let him out and play for a bit before I would have to head back to school.

He was the first puppy that I got to train and the first puppy that I would develop a bond that I didn’t know would be possible. He was my boy.

As the years came and I went I left for college and I moved up here to Alaska and no matter how many times I left.. he would always be the first to greet me. He would put up with me laying on top of him and cuddling with him on the ground. He was my boy and I would try and make the most of the time with him when I was home. 

Joey was getting older, he was now 11 which is crazy to believe. He had been diagnosed with cancer and we all knew one day he would be called to the rainbow bridge. Little did we know it would be on Friday, after the Padre game. He quickly started to go down hill and the time had come to say good bye. The hard part was I was so close and yet so far away. What I wouldn’t of done to lay with him and hold him on the floor one more time as he took his last breath.

Thank good ness for the magic of technology I was able to face time in and say my good bye to him. When her heard my voce he had lifted his head and he knew I was there. For that moment he was my boy again and I was able to tell him the love I had for him. That bond would never be replaced. To see him out of pain and to know that he is watching over us and playing with his toys pain free is a beautiful gift. Doesn’t make being here in the physical world any easier without him. 

Rest in peace my sweet boy!