We were afraid we would miss it! The tour of the Ice Museum and Hot Springs in Alaska. Somehow it wasn’t exactly stated how far away the Ice Museum and Hot Springs were from our lodging. Due to a late bus ride, we had missed the pickup. Gary called and they said they would send someone to get us and another couple.
After a bit of a wait, a van pulled up and a short, somewhat scruffy older man hopped out and greeted us as he had us load up!
The roads in Alaska suffer from the rain, snow and ice that results in a roller-coaster and pothole littered ride.
Now Jerry, our driver, wasn’t hesitant to plunge into the darkness speeding along and bouncing us around as we watched for large animals crossing the road. He regaled us with tales and customs of the regular folks living there.
Although he was born in Missouri, he said he wasn’t going back — except to visit relatives, maybe. He was one of 100 employees at the museum, Hot Springs, campground, and “resort” — a kind of cross between an older state park and an older KOA! The Ice Museum was a huge Quonset type building full of all kinds of ice carvings! It was below freezing inside, of course, and we suited up in military parkas to stay warm while touring.
The hot springs were fantastic after that tour! Surrounded by huge rocks and boulders, the water was clean, very hot and warmed us to our bones! The stars were brilliant above us. We felt ourselves relax as the dark night and dark water soothed our travel-weary bodies. On the ride back we talked more with Jerry. He had been so courteous in his rough way and made me special luggage tags. He talked about the people who came to Alaska on an adventure and stayed. The most common adventure seemed to be to “find themselves,” “discover their purpose in life” or “decide on a direction to go.”
A solitary, older man still looking for direction.
You don’t have to go to Alaska, or Destin beach community, or anywhere except in God’s Word and presence to find purpose, direction and a marvelous reason to live!
As we left him, I gave Jerry a big hug and told him how much we appreciated him and wished him well. He was frail in all his layers of clothes. Pray and help all the “Jerry’s” out there in the world ... searching.
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” (Proverbs 8:17)
