Well I have been gone for a while, grad school, but life turned adventure again last Tuesday when genius roommate of the world E. Buck invited me to a Verstovia summit. Here is the best shot on earth, yes, we are dressed identically, ridiculous, the hike, fabulous.
Seldom in life do things happen without a purpose. The night I left Stephanie and Dan's wedding was one night that I was reminded of this. I had just driven away from the first wedding that I had attended since my move to Alaska, nearly 2 years before, you miss things living in Alaska. It was 12:30 am, late, I was not at all looking forward to my 2 hour drive ahead. It was dark and it was wet two reasons I missed my turn to exit the Biltmore Estate. Instead I found myself on a road that sort of dead ended into a field. I slowed my car, actually my mom's car, thanks mom, and came to a stop. Right in front of me was a huge beautiful owl. It looked at me, and I her. She stared at me and didn't move, I did the same. Since owl's don't blink she won, but right when I thought she was going to let me look at her forever she opened her wings and headed off into the darkness. Why do I write this story of an owl. True it was beautiful and a magical moment, but more than that. To me the owl symbolized the wedding that I had just attended, and the power and the beauty of Stephanie and Dan and their life journey together. It was the perfect end to a lovely evening.
So I went a little nuts with the pictures... I think it is the sunshine. sunshine = picture taking apparently!
Since my return to my place of birth I have been totally coveting the sunshine and the warmth that comes with it... Sitka sun doesn't necessarily mean warmth. Here in York the two go hand in hand.
Somethings have happened to mean which haven't happened to me in a long time...
Sweat, what is that? Being overheated? Who knew... and this was my whole life up until 2 years ago! In Sitka right now, whales and snow. Here, heat and flowers.
I also realized why I don't take more pictures in AK, my hands. I never want to take off my gloves. Here I don't ever need to put them on. In AK I have many different types of gloves: biking gloves, winter biking gloves, fingerless gloves, everyday gloves, thicker fleece gloves, on-the-mountain mittens, electronic battery operated gloves that my boss gave me (yes they have a battery pack). Before Alaska, I think I had a fancy pair of leather gloves that my mom gave me for all my formal events, some running gloves that my friend Sarah gave me, a pair of snowboarding gloves, a nice pair of bike gloves for both summer and winter, oh and 2 pairs of knitted hippie gloves I don't know where those came from. So maybe I have always had gloves, I do have cold hands, but it is nice have a break from the gloves and run barefoot out in the green grass and eat dripping ice cream cones!
Leaving the freshly fallen snow and fluffy mountains and the sunny weather snowboarding and the awesome adventure partners over my precious spring break wasn't easy, but it didn't take long to realize that ALASKA, although I hate to tell myself, doesn't have it all. Here is the position that I found myself for quite sometime today. At one point I hear laughter from the back porch and find my mom snapping photos of her daughter on a chilly day in SC, 70 degrees, laying out in her bikini! I would have shared the first picture she took but I blended in with the white building behind me. I had to come in after about 1 1/2 hours because I found myself overheated. My grandpa Rudd found it hysterical at one point to come and pour some cold water on me. Although I acted angry and gave him some grief it actually felt delightful. And I would have laid out in the soft green grass but my dad booted me to the patio because he said he would be mowing the yard. Not the case however, he became a little side tracked, typical, instead he positioned in front of our TV watching the NCAA tournament, very distractable that one.
At this rate I might be returning to not so sunny Sitka with something rarely seen... a sun tan!
It hasn't happened yet, I have a long way to go, but I am hopeful and the sun is still shining!
My girls, (from the right) Brandy, Heather, Me, Stacy, Nicole, Maria, and Elise (also a leader).
Us again!
The leaders...
The leaders again!
For the past 3 months I have become a part of an active member of an organization called Young Life. I was hesitant to join my first year in Sitka for numerous reasons, but now that I have begun there is no going back, I am obsessed. Basically you join to love kids and then in return they love you back. This weekend Young Life took a group of high school students from Mnt. Edgecombe and Sitka High to Juneau to enjoy a weekend of snowboarding, climbing, singing, dancing, bowling, playing, and most importantly, laughing! Juneau was no Sitka, my treasure town, but it was delightful to be in the company of amazing high school kids and sitting on a chair lift, I had almost forgot about this luxury!
Thomas and Aaron on the top of Bear Mnt. about to switch out their snowshoes for their snowboard (much quicker) and head back to the trees. Gorgeous day, sunny and beautiful, not a cloud in the sky as far as the eye could see.
Chloe emerging from the tent after a 10 hours, not so restful nights sleep.
The beginning, here is the gang about to hit the trail.
You can only handle so much salty almonds and dried mangoes. Here is some trail food I whipped up before heading up the mountain, it is always important to have something yummy to look forward to.
So this weekend I was able to spend a little more time than usual in the free air. Thomas, Aaron, Chloe and Chloe's sweet pup took an overnight snowboarding trip up Bear mountain.
Here is a list of things that I packed: snowboard, snowshoes, cramp-ons, icebreakers, ice-ax, base layer, fleece, wool sweater, down booties, tent poles, cook stove, fuel, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, gatters, and other necessary enmities such as water and food, no I could not put my pack on without help. Total elevation gained: nearly 4000 ft. We were slow going but going. We even took a video of us snowboarding off the top. Here are some pictures that tell the tale better than I could with words. And if you notice I am not in any of the pictures. I, for once, took the pictures. And for you bird lovers out there I am trying to become more knowledgeable of birds, but on this trip I did not see or hear even one! So bizarre...
