2000-06-11 - 4:41:50

Well this is it. I'm in Anchorage, Alaska. It's 10 degrees. I'm homeless, jobless, without friends or family. It's a remarkable feeling. I'm not unhappy, I've wanted to do this for a long time, but I don't think I've ever felt quite so alone and insignificant.

In the last 2 months, I've consecutively given up a good job, nice apartment, great friends and a wonderful girlfriend, to do exactly this. They've all repeatedly asked me why, and finally, as I boarded a plane in Bangkok yesterday, I began to ask the same question. I'm still asking. Why? Because it excites me? I'm sure it's what I want to do - I've dreamed about it for years, but I don't know why. At the moment I feel a bit like I imagine the Alaska salmon does - instinctively but decisively swimming against the current for thousands of miles without ever really knowing why. (I only hope I'm not about to spawn, and I'd like to think I have better survival odds too!)

Initial impressions of Alaska are much as expected - very picturesque. The scale of the place is a little overwhelming however - as we flew over this morning, I kept seeing the snow capped mountains of the N.Z South Island beneath me, except they went on and on. I've also had a look at the first decent scale map of the region. That was a bit bigger than the South Island as well.

Things are a little pricier then I anticipated, but I suppose that's to be expected coming from Asia. I was thrilled to cycle past two huge cycle/camping shops on the way in from the airport - it looks like I'll at least be able to purchase all the supplies needed. For now though, it's time to sleep off the jet-lag. I expect to spend the next week exploring Anchorage and making final cycling/camping preparations.

All for now, thanks for logging in. Please email me if you have a moment. Oh, and can anyone tell me why everyone's driving on the wrong side of the road? I rode out of the airport on the left for about 5 minutes before deciding it'd be safer to join the others, but I just can't work it out. Is it a state-wide conspiracy to disuade the uninitiated cyclist? Should I perhaps join the little game by cycling naked?

Total distance cycled: 33km

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