“Time did not exist; or if it did it did not matter. Our world then was both wide and narrow—wide in the immensity of the sea and mountain; narrow in that the boat was very small, and we lived and camped, explored and swam in a little realm of our own making…” –The Curve of... Continue Reading →
The Second Definition of Fun
It was a cold and stormy day, but we'd committed to float the Matanuska River for an overnight trip. We got a bit of a late start and it was raining when we finally got out onto the water. Although we were bundled in warm clothes with rain gear to protect it, because we were... Continue Reading →
The Space Between Light and Dark
The world is replete with quotes inspiring us to push the boundaries of fear and become greater because of it. “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Helen Keller ”Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” Ambrose Redmoon “Always remember, it’s simply... Continue Reading →
McCarthy, Kennecott, Root Glacier
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 →
Spontaneous Seward
The kids and I, sans Dad, joined a friend and her children for a day in Seward. I thought of calling it off because it looked as though we might finally have sun that lasted past 7 o'clock in the morning in the Anchorage bowl whilst the weather in Seward was forecasting as most likely... 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 →
Swift and Silent: Iditarod Time
If you have not been able to see the beginning of the Iditarod, you should put it on a bucket, or a list, or both. Like any race, there is excitement, anticipation, prayers barring injury and a general communal pride among the spectators. I have been watching my children play outside for the past few... Continue Reading →