Like countless school children before me, I blame it on the dog. Our poor pet sitter planning forced us to back out of a float down the glacial fed Matanuska, with plans to camp along various gravel bars over Labor Day weekend. So we scoured the bucket list for a three day camping trip that... Continue Reading →
Moonscape Madness
January can be tough. We always have a cold snap—which is brutally beautiful, and means it takes more effort to get out with kids. School has resumed, which in our household means bickering afternoons and scheduled weeks. We always seem to have less family time even when we plan for sports that everyone can do... Continue Reading →
Labor of Angels
I cherish the solemnity of autumn. And in these northern latitudes, where the dying process is so bright, bursting and brief, we take to the mountains as soon as the mornings whisper with their chilled breath, "Let go. Fall. Surrender. Release. The earth will catch you." So that we can feel its call as long... Continue Reading →
Crescent Crescendo
Hurray for trust and strong little legs! For topo maps, ranger reports, and good friends in willingness to adventure.You start Crescent Creek Trail weaving among the trees and mountain bikers,some of who leave a wake of dead baby chicks, surprised by the appearance and speed of these two-wheeled travelers. The kids held a short funeral... Continue Reading →
Sauntering Towards Hope
While browsing through last summer's backpacking photos, I lit upon the first trip we took—along Resurrection Trail towards the town of Hope, and all that greenery and sunshine got me thinking about the season and why I'm looking at summers past. The ice is mostly melted in our south-facing yard, and yesterday's snow is running... Continue Reading →
Autumn Descends to the Valley Floor
We went for a walk in the hills to discover blueberries and found them by their red, red leaves. Arctic Valley is well-known for its berry feast. The hike to the end of the saddle elicits incredible views. We didn't venture so far as we were waylaid by the berries. When you wait until the... Continue Reading →
Unexpected Adventure
I've been mulling the meaning of 'adventure' lately due to this post over at travelbabbo.com. Google tells me that it descends from latin roots meaning 'to come, arrive' initially. I like that because when we start out down a wooded path and then come out of the trees, arriving at our destination, the possibilities seem... Continue Reading →
Tutka Bay, Alaska
We crossed Kachemak Bay one time and had such a magnificent adventure--there really is some elevation of feeling when you are dropped off in the remote wilderness, with no connection to the world beyond where you are present. From our sojourn into solitude at Right Beach a few years earlier, we wanted to go further... Continue Reading →
Coeur D’alene Campground, Hope, AK
"Going out was really going in." -John Muir It has been our intent to camp at Coeur d'alene Campground for years so we could hike out to the well recommended tarns (alpine lakes) but summers in Alaska are so frantic, as we're always scrambling to get the most out of the light and green as... Continue Reading →