I love celebrating the beauty of Alaska. It has filled my life with purpose for the last 11 years. It happens everyday when the snow falls, when wildlife wander through our yard, when neighbors offer daily greetings and when the endless trails exhaust us with activity. There seems to be a simplicity to life in Alaska. The other thing I love celebrating is the comfort and love of family. I have been blessed one wonderful husband, two incredibly caring parents, 3 siblings, 8 nieces and nephews, extended family and wonderful in laws. The celebration this month has been my parents visit to Alaska! For 12 days the four of us embraced daily conversations, dog walks, visits to the gym, kayaks, hikes and shared life experiences and ways of seeing the world. I invite you into the joys of this trip with the stories below:
Meet mom and dad: citizens of seniority maybe by age, but by life's wisdom also! They have raised 4 kids and 8 grandchildren and 15+ guide dogs for the blind. The joy of having them visit for 12 days is the ability to hear their life stories, listen to their challenges and celebrations and hear the wisdom they have to share. Elders are an asset I cannot imagine living without...I miss this in my life and yet know distance does not have to invade the strength of my family relations.
Mom and Dad love the out of doors. They love exercise. Mom and Dad love exploring and the wilderness of Alaska.
Walking and talking, asking and listening was a highlight to this trip. It started at The Eagle River Nature Center. The image below is significant as I have always appreciated the saying that " the wise old Oak Tree does not get wise and old by moving fast and speeding through life. It grows slow and gains strength by growing old, slow and intentionally." The cotton wood below reminds me of this, and it partners with my parents intentions in life...
We tackled a lot of places the first few days of the trip, but had our home to come back and relax in. Dad with his Nook and Skip in the kitchen. Mom was always walking a dog and I was usually trying to figure out which activity to join in with.
We headed down south on the Kenai after exploring the city. Homer and Halibut Cove was our destination. The drive was wonderful, with 4.5 hours of laughter, music, breathtaking views and a little snooze here and there. We picnicked on the Kenai River's edge watching boats and rafts carry fisherman to the fish.
We arrived across the bay to spend 3 nights at the base of the state hiking trails in Kachemak Bay with kayaking right out our front door.
The first adventure was a hike up to Grewingk Glacier where there were INNOVA inflatable kayaks. We paddled across the lake amongst the 30, 000 year old ice and got close up views of the glacier.
The next day was our hiking day. We had rain and sprinkles, but had a great long 9 mile walk out to Glacier Spit and Rusty's Lagoon. We had a curious black bear join us on the walk and lots of birds and signs of porcupines.
Keeping with our intentions, we talked and laughed and shared life stories. I was absorbing the presence of my elders and appreciating every word they shared and life story they passed along.
Skip and I went to bed one night saying, "it feels like we are traveling with 2 new friends and I think these friends like us. ":)
Day three was sea kayaking and again wildlife was present and local culture was surrounding. We saw fish farms, homesteads, oyster farms, and summer art communities.
The four of us had fun once again partnering in what was a first exploration for us in Halibut Cove.
Lunch on the beach and more conversation of life in the past and life in the future
A close up view of a local Oyster Farm
After our adventures across the bay, we returned to Homer and stayed in what was a first. Our accommodation was a train car reconstructed. It is called the Moose Caboose in Homer and it was fantastic! The deck overlooking the Bay had an unobstructed view and allowed us to transition back to main land living perfectly!
GORGEOUS!
View of Grewingk Glacier from the main land.
Time to return home and we decided to stop in Turnagain Pass to explore our winter ski routes. It was incredible how much snow is still present. Wildflowers are just breaking ground.
Family has commented on this below picture a bunch. It is a wonderful image of companionship and care. Skip and I had so much fun learning from my parents, if it be through agreements, disagreements, questions and answers. Thank you mom and dad for everything you brought to us
There is distance between us, but it takes no toll on our honestly and sharing of truths in life. THANK YOU for coming to visit to share our joys and simplicities of life in Alaska
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