A new chapter…

Oh how I’ve enjoyed the past 12 weeks. I have plenty of stories and memories that I’ll cherish the rest of my life. It’s hard for me to believe I’ve done so much. I’m truly blessed to be able to live this life. I have a much better understanding of what “being Alaskan” really is and I have a better understanding of what the word Alaska means. The culture, the weather, the way of life. Although I’ve not spent a lifetime here and I know I could only continue to explore and know the depth of this beautiful land, it’s time I settle down and “get to work” as my friend Jim Rearden would say. That it is… It’s time. 

I’ve found an island on Upper Trail Lake outside Moose Pass. The pictures could never describe the feelings here. I had a sudden realization last night, the image that I’ve had in my mind for the past year about where I would set up camp, came to reality. This is it. Not only am I remote and haven’t seen a single soul over the weekend, it’s surrounded by phenomenal mountains, incredible vegitation and best of all… water! You have no idea the stress reliever it is to not have bears in camp. It’s hard to explain. I don’t have to carry a gun EVERYWHERE I go. I can cook right at my tent! I can brush my teeth by the tent and I can sleep sound… Well, I should be able to, sunlight, cold and my brain keeps me going nonstop. The hardest thing is laying down for sleep at night. It’s super quiet and lonely. I wish I didn’t have to sleep. Last night I got about 4 hours of sleep and the night before 3-4 hours. Oh wait, I forgot to mention another amazing thing about this camp… Fishing!! I literally at any moment can grab my pole and be fishing within 30 seconds! It’s unreal! I love my new home and I’m excited for the long awaited work to unfold here. My plan is to stay here for the next 6 weeks. I have plenty of work to do, trust me. Books to read, interviews with scouts, life in the wild, alone. I don’t have Internet so I will probably make Sunday my regular time of boating back to civilization (population like 15 I imagine). I can drive into Seward in about 30 mins and that’s where I can get (poor) internet. I do have 1 bar of cell service on the island and it doesn’t always work. Texts come in at random so if you need to get a hold of me, call. Well, I’m not sure what more to say. I’ll let the pictures do the talking…

I miss you all! Over halfway now… Maybe 🙂 thanks for following me and for the messages! I love reading your posts! Until next time…

“I’ll see you a little farther up the creek…”