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 →
Deliberosity
I was speaking with a friend a month ago and she said something that I began to mull over here and there. She commented on how the past summer she had acted more like a tourist and had enjoyed Alaska so much more for having gone out to see it. I can fully admit, with... 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 →
Walking on Winter Water
In October and November, it is cold, it is brown, it is dead, it is dull and we wait. We wait for the cold to overcome this tail end of fall when the leaves have blown away and the branches scrape the overcast sky. We wait for snow and ice, and hope that the ice... 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 →
Hike! (Mush!)
When the temperatures start to plummet from the feverish summer highs of 60°F to the winter average of 23°, our kids start to whine. The clothing is too bulky, hands are too cold, and very soon it comes down to the ultimate complaint: "We don't want to go outside!" With the snowdream of happy kids,... Continue Reading →
Bike v. Skis: Eagle River, Alaska
One afternoon we decided to take advantage of my husband's day off and take a quick ski on the frozen river that is our town's namesake. As we were loading up, he impulsively decided to throw the new (old) bike in and 'maybe give it a try'. Which quickly transformed our peaceful river ski... Continue Reading →
Shades of Blue: Eklutna Lake
While we often plan for exciting excursions, many of our exploits occur spontaneously because we are responding to the chances nature offers up. On New Year's Day this year, a lake near our home had an incredible thawing and freezing cycle create 11 miles of smooth-as-glass ice--a true potential playground (if discovered). Eureka! What a... Continue Reading →