I was working at Instant Imprints in 2019, one of the lowest parts of my life. I was able to listen to Comic Labs talk about Comics Camp up in Alaska. It sounded like a dream to me, such as a dead job and having an adventure. A chance to enjoy comics, in a place never been, with people I don’t know…YEAH.
https://comiclab.simplecast.com/episodes/dave-kellett-s-review-of-alaska-robotic
Then 2020 came, I didn’t get in but did a digital one. It was a lot of great information and learned a lot. Including how to draw horses! That is huge. I was in a better job, but still wasn’t there. Still missing out.
Skip 21 and 22. I don’t think they did and I was busy. Then late 22, the opening for the camp was there. I applied. Hanging out with my parents over Christmas and I go the news. The news I’ve been waiting for…I didn’t get it. (Not expecting that huh?) Nope, shrug and made plans to do other things. Fast forward to February, and I then got another email. Saying someone dropped out and there was an opening. I knew I was getting a bonus and well, FUCK IT. I want adventure. Got a ticket, and a sleeping bag, and the time came…ADVENTURE!
THURSDAY
This was mainly a traveling day. One thing I highly recommend is Park n Fly. Makes life so much easier.
Now, I couldn’t find a decent ticket so I bought two. Cost more, but made life a lot easier. So a direct flight to Seattle with Delta, then another one from Seattle to Juneau from Air Alaska. Meaning, had to go through security. Waiting in line, in Seattle almost to the actual security part. A ton of people started flooding in. Heard a lot where from TSA pre-check.
Odd, I thought, but went ahead. Turns out, someone left a suspicious package that had them close the airport. I am glad I missed it.
I didn’t get to Seattle, but still found a record store haha.
Air Alaska
On the flight, I was in comfort + bs (Not comfy, especially with the new armrest). I saw someone from the camp in the first class. HOW? I can recognize blue line pages a mile away! Who was it? Not going to say, but made me excited since…SEEING A CAMPER! Landed, and meet Pat and Aaron. They are the owners of Alaskan Robotics and the host of the camp. They are some of the most carrying people in comics. They think of their town and community. The airport was tiny and had a ton of stuff Bears. Got my bags and was off. Alaska was in this odd twilight. It was cloudy, but a ton of light coming through. It was 8 pm, but felt like midnight. Meet more campers and started making my terrible jokes.
DRIFTWOOD
Oh the Driftwood, oh this place. I guess we usually stay place more downtown, but they had to move things around and had to do this at the start of the Tourist season. Not bad, but things go way up in price. The Driftwood was one of these, a little cheaper and perfect. Okay, this is a mom-and-pa kind of place. It also feels like every old church from the 60s and 70s. The walls, floors, paint. Everything just feels like that old church feeling. Full kitchen, toilet, tv, and more. What could be wrong?
A human hasn’t been in here for months. It was a nice degree, the thermostat was stuck at 76. It was also out of batteries. Got batteries from the front (classy I tell ya) and put them in. I walked a bit but it dawned on me, I got a lot of days ahead and need to get some sleep. It is around one now. So open the window get some cool air in, went to bed.
5:21 AM
I woke up to something. It was clear a nothing from nature made that noise and no machine. What Eldrich horror was out there? What curse creature was waiting to swallow not only my sanity, but all that is pure and good? The answer, Ravens…Ravens. These fun playful birds love to mimic car noise. I’m in my boxers trying to close the window at five in the morning. I go back to bed.
I’ll make a post for Friday and Saturday and then the camp. Hope you enjoy it.
-Greathouse