@NanaWithSoul My daughter originally planned on staying one year. Now she will stay until she retires. Her teacher friends have been amazing but her former students and their families are always ready to help her out. They are her protectors!

@northernbassist @CryptoKat My last big trip up there I spent 5 weeks house/dog sitting near Denali National Park. After that two weeks in Bethel. I drove there and back. A total of three months on the road. One very amazing trip.

@northernbassist @CryptoKat I've been up there several times. It gets harder each time to return home.

@stueytheround She loves the people there and they make her feel like she belongs. It helps me worry less.

@northernbassist @CryptoKat That first year was the worst for her. Now it's normal. When she returns to Michigan for visits she doesn't stay long. Too many people and noise here for her liking.

@stueytheround She is the Godmother for several of her students children. And she is included in so many family gatherings. She is one of those people that you like right away.

@northernbassist @CryptoKat She is in Bethel. Works at the high school. She wanted to try to teach in one of the villages but decided that was pushing it a little. As it is she has had some real adventures.

@northernbassist @CryptoKat It's been a crazy ride for her and the late night phone calls to me are always interesting!

@CryptoKat I've been helping older family members here. Once I am no longer needed I plan on making the move. Can't wait to explore new areas with my camera while having my daughter close by!

@stueytheround I've been able to watch there graduations for the last few years. The technology is wonderful for that. It is easy to see how much she has been accepted into their lives!

@northernbassist @CryptoKat It is very hard indeed. And with her disability it's even harder. The first year she almost gave up half way through the year. The school lost 7 teachers and the principal over Christmas break. They begged her to stick out the year. At the end of that year her students had grown to love her and didn't want her to leave. That was 17 years ago.

@CryptoKat I do too! But every time she starts talking about retiring something like today happens and she wants to stay longer. Her former students have all told her she can't leave because she has to teach their kids. I'm hoping to make the move to Alaska in the near future myself and she plans on staying there after retirement so maybe we can be closer.

@phase Thank you!

@Minholkin Thank you! I was not expecting it.

@CryptoKat Thank you! She has always been my strength. She lives with cerebral palsy but has never let that slow her down. Where she lives 400 miles off the road system and turning 40 this year she is considering retirement. Her body is wearing down more and she is feeling the effects on her muscles and joints. But to hear the reaction from the students when her name was said was priceless.

@CryptoKat Thank you! She was born an extreme preemie (2 pounds at birth) and at an early age I was told she would never finish school ...or walk ...or talk. Her mother passed away shortly after she was born so it has always been the two of us. It is so incredible to know what she has accomplished.

Today's technology is amazing. My daughter lives 3320 miles away (5343 Kilometers) in a remote Alaska town. Today was there high school graduation. She is a teacher there and these are her kids. The ceremony was live and one of the speeches was from a former teacher. He was asked to write something to inspire the graduates. He told them how to be the best person they could be and at the end he told them they had the best source of inspiration right there with them. My daughter! I cried....

Some of my trail friends.

Gray Catbird
Warbling Vireo
Red Winged Blackbird
Yellow Warbler

#photography
#cosophotography
#CoSoBirds
#BirdsOfCoSo

@CryptoKat They are really underappreciated.

@mrbunnylamakins They really are amazing. Plus they have so
many uses.