Great trip. At one time I experienced desire for the Dalton Highway, but that seems to have faded. Made it as far as Denali, which is another place of hope I guess. But mostly I look to the Olympics, who are neighbors, experienced and thoughtful around human renewal. Thanks for the post.
David, your pic of wolf prints immediately made me think of the chapter in Kelly Brenner's book, "The Naturalist at Home: Projects for Discovering the Hidden World Around Us" where she gives instructions for making casts of animal tracks.
--I picked up her book just after talking to you at the Phinney Book Center Book Fest. It's neat. If you aren't familiar, you should track it down.
"...lovely little wildflowers of hope...." Just reading that sentence brought calm to my mind. I will carry it with me into 2024. Thank you. May you experience the same peace in the year to come.
Appreciate your thoughts and stories! I am just starting to read the book Ada Blackjack who was the only survivor of an expedition to Wrangell Island in 1920's. Ill fated expedition marked by Vilhjalmur Stefasson's pride. Ada must have been an incredible observer of the natural world as she survied TWO years (along with a cat), learning to hunt, keeping herself warm and sane. Phew.
David - Buddy Levy’s Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk sounds like my kind-a-book. I’ll have to track down a copy and read it.
Alaska is such a magical place. I hiked for a week with several companions into Katmai National Park and Preserve this past August starting from Dakavak Lake. Amazing how many animal tracks one sees relative to the animals associated with the tracks. The trip inspired me to revisit my old copy of John McPhee's Coming into the Country. Makes me wonder how much has changed since that book was published?
Great trip. At one time I experienced desire for the Dalton Highway, but that seems to have faded. Made it as far as Denali, which is another place of hope I guess. But mostly I look to the Olympics, who are neighbors, experienced and thoughtful around human renewal. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for your note. I do feel truly lucky to have made it to the Refuge, certainly one of the most amazing places I have visited.
If there is one word to pin on 2024, it is hope. Wishing for you more insights with delight in the coming year!
David, your pic of wolf prints immediately made me think of the chapter in Kelly Brenner's book, "The Naturalist at Home: Projects for Discovering the Hidden World Around Us" where she gives instructions for making casts of animal tracks.
--I picked up her book just after talking to you at the Phinney Book Center Book Fest. It's neat. If you aren't familiar, you should track it down.
Lovely. Thank you.
"...lovely little wildflowers of hope...." Just reading that sentence brought calm to my mind. I will carry it with me into 2024. Thank you. May you experience the same peace in the year to come.
Yes, let's hope peace for all. Thanks for your comment.
Wishing the same for you and yours, David. Thanks again for your wit and wisdom; they always help my perspective.
Appreciate your thoughts and stories! I am just starting to read the book Ada Blackjack who was the only survivor of an expedition to Wrangell Island in 1920's. Ill fated expedition marked by Vilhjalmur Stefasson's pride. Ada must have been an incredible observer of the natural world as she survied TWO years (along with a cat), learning to hunt, keeping herself warm and sane. Phew.
On the Karkuk, there were four or five Indigenous people, including two young kids, all of whom survived and in far better shape than the "explorers."
Lovely writing, thanks.
David - Buddy Levy’s Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk sounds like my kind-a-book. I’ll have to track down a copy and read it.
Alaska is such a magical place. I hiked for a week with several companions into Katmai National Park and Preserve this past August starting from Dakavak Lake. Amazing how many animal tracks one sees relative to the animals associated with the tracks. The trip inspired me to revisit my old copy of John McPhee's Coming into the Country. Makes me wonder how much has changed since that book was published?
David, appreciate this reminder today of that trip, those times, and being touched by nature with some real force. It’s a balm. :)
Yes, hard to believe it was 18 years ago. Where'd the time go. Hope all is well with you. So glad you are a subscriber.