Thanks to our loyal contributor, Marie, for sharing these thoughts on her recent Alaskan adventure.
Starting off, there are a few preconceived notions about Alaska that I have found to be exceedingly true. From traditional totem poles to glaciers to the sheer vast emptiness of the land.
By emptiness I don’t mean lack of substance or matter. I’m referring to the lack of human disturbance of the natural world: buildings, parking lots, houses, all of the things that fill our eyes every single day (Maybe not my sister’s, as she’s been living in a tent clearing trails and building bridges for the Rocky Mountain Youth Core since early summer). The majority of people take the sight of untouched land completely for granted, and mostly, I think, because they’ve never had the opportunity to understand it or have not been taught the significance of the untouched space. I was so fortunate to have been raised to love and treasure the connecting beauty that nature, particularly the mountains, holds. Thinking of the people who have been my mentors in helping me know how precious it is and will always be gives me an unmeasurable amount of gratitude. It makes me who I am.
Alaska holds so much, and it’s one of those rare places that you see and you just think, this is how it is supposed to be.
We took “The Seeker”, a rough and tough landing craft, out to an island one day, and sat on the beach with the sun shining down on us. The moment was how I picture heaven.
I have seen a few different oceans and there is always some sort of noticeable change between them. I speak just for southeastern Alaska, but when you look down into the water, there is nothing but clarity and life. The forests are the same way! They look healthy and happy and there is so much diversity when you train your eye to notice the vitality on a smaller scale. Seeing the unvarnished beauty and strength of nature provides a sense of unwavering hope, and I’ve been able to feel it all day and night and it’s better than any cleanse you’d find at your local, overpriced health foods store.
Living on a boat, there’s nothing else like it. The first few steps in the morning feel like they’re your first three steps ever. I’m sure this is all comical to the ones that have experienced it. All in all, I have definitely developed a much deeper respect for Alaska, seeing as I was the woman riding a borrowed, squeaky bike in my Xtratuffs.
-Marie
Special thanks to our friend Billy, who helped this trip come together.
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