IN LIGHT OF OUR 2 YEAR AK LIVING ANNIVERSARY

"Over the last two years, we have learned to depend on this great land, with its wondrous vistas and challenging terrain, to inspire us and remind us of what matters most to us."

on a recent hike to see Bear Glacier
(📷: Carolyn Orloff)

I believe that the micro ecosystems that surround us, whether they be city skyscrapers, suburban sprawl, pure wilderness, or something in between, play a critical role in shaping who we are and how we evolve as individuals, couples, communities, and as a species. I love these recent images of my husband and me, because they capture the essence of Alaska’s influence on us.

on a recent hike on the Caines Head Alpine Trail
(📷: Adam Bauer)

As the saying goes, “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward in the same direction.” Our lifestyle in Alaska encourages and challenges us to live up to that saying on a daily basis, both individually and as a couple. It is not always easy, and sometimes it takes a lot of hard work and time to find our way back to the same trail, so that we can continue to walk together in the same direction. Over the last two years, we have learned to depend on this great land, with its wondrous vistas and challenging terrain, to inspire us and remind us of what matters most to us.

My wish for all of us is to take the time to discover and deeply experience different environments, and then make conscious choices to surround ourselves with the ecosystem that puts us at ease and motivates us to act in the interest of our authentic selves. This in turn will benefit our loved ones, communities, and the planet. We're all connected in this one great macro ecosystem!

In joy,

~Tamara

Mt. Alice, the boss

views of Resurrection Bay from Mt. Alice

Living in Alaska and frequently hiking over the last two years has convinced me that mountains have personalities. There are those that will make you earn every single step and view on the way up and down! This, at least for me, describes our tallest mountain in Seward, Mount Alice. She always kicks my ass in one way or another. 

I have attempted to climb to its Godwin Glacier overlook on a number of occasions. My husband has reached that point on the mountain a couple of times over the last two years without me. I am happy to say that I finally did it earlier this summer, but not without Alice testing my nerves!

B in his element. Mt. Alice's highest peak is on the left.

I managed to keep it together on the way up, and was quite proud and pleasantly supervised with myself when we reached the top, given the crazy steep crumbling rock and snow fields we had just finished crossing using the ‘ladder approach’. 

However, on the way down, Alice reminded me who’s in charge. That’s when I didn’t keep it together. 

While we were crossing another steep downhill snowfield, and each step looked like it was taking me toward an endless abyss, because I couldn't see around the corner; and I started believing that if I didn't take an absolutely perfect step I would end up rolling down the entire side of the mountain and into Resurrection Bay; my dear husband sensed the level of my stress and started to say something sweet to me, when I  screamed back "Please don't talk. I'm starting to freak out!" It got so bad that I started kicking the snow in frustration, as if that was going to make me get down quicker, or safer, or make my freezing hands feel better! 

I made it!

Luckily, and gratefully, he continued to remind me, in his signature gentle way, that everything was just fine, that we were safe, and that I could do this. And with that, along with a bit of crying by me and some loving hugs from him, I managed to get back to Zen somehow and enjoy the rest of the climb down. But not without feeling deeply humbled, once again, by Mt. Alice, the boss. 

Happy mountaineering!

~Tamara