Alaska: A choose your own adventure story

Being young and single is not without its benefits in a workplace comprised of middle-aged people with families. I recently was the only one to volunteer for an exciting opportunity at work through a new program known as PIONEER. Like everything in the government PIONEER is an acronym, it stands for "Partnering for Innovation & Operational Needs through Embedding for Effective Relationships." The opportunity afforded to me through this program is to join the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) aboard the BOUTWELL, a 378 ft long high endurance cutter, as it patrols through the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea near the Aleutian Islands of Alaska.

My objectives are to:

Learn about the operational and mechanical operations and challenges that the USCG faces on day to day
Develop meaningful relationship that can foster the development of new technology

I will take these lessons and observations and share them with my organization (DHS S&T) in the hopes of starting up new programs or projects that might effect real positive change in how the coast guard does its job.

The trip starts when I arrive at Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, Alaska on August 21. According to my friend wikipedia: "The Unangan, who were the first to inhabit the island of Unalaska, named it "Ounalashka," meaning "near the peninsula." From there we head out to sea for 10 days doing various things from training exercises, to patrols, to support for search and rescue operations. A lot of what will occur over those 10 days is still a mystery to me. However, there is a very good chance that the complete lack of internet access will drive me crazy.

EDIT: The USCG BOUTWELL was recently highlighted on Fusion TV's Drug Wars (Season 2, Episode 1)

We return to Kodiak, Alaska right before Labor day weekend. Kodiak has been home to the Alutiiq people for thousands of years and in their language kadiak means island. After a night there I fly off to mainland Alaska to spend the next week or so in Anchorage. I'll have the long weekend to myself and plan to make a day trip to Kenai Fjords National Park. I haven't quite figured out if I'll take short day cruise there or just venture on my own for a day hike to one of their glaciers.

From September 8 through September 10 I will be visiting the University of Alaska-Anchorage to learn about the ongoing projects and efforts of the Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC).

On September 11 the work ends and I'll be traveling on my own. I'll board the Denali Star, one of the most scenic train rides in the country, to make my way to Denali National Park for three days and two nights.

While at the park I'll do a short day hike close to the wilderness center, followed by a shuttle bus excursion deep into the park the next day. I'll have the opportunity to hop off the shuttle bus in the park and walk along the park road until I feel the need to flag down the next passing shuttle bus. I have high hopes to trek about 10 miles through the park, staying fairly close the road. I also have high hopes that I don't get eaten by a bear.

From there I move on to Fairbanks, Alaska where I have no real plans except to relax during the day and stay up all night in hopes of catching a glimpse Aurora Borealis.

I depart Alaska on September 15 and make my way south to Seattle where I'll spend two nights. While there I'll catch up with old friends, eat good food, and explore the city. I'll make an effort to hop on the ferry and just cruise through the Puget Sound taking in the sites.

The journey continues, and ends in Portland. They say its where young people go to retire. It only makes sense that I go now before its too late. I'll once again be staying with friends and more likely then not I'll be renting a bike and exploring the area that way.

All of this ends on September 21st when I land at JFK International Airport. Unless I get eaten by a bear, then it ends somewhere in Alaska.