A little over two weeks ago I arrived here in Palmer, AK. It has been quite an experience. The time has not flown however; it has actually crept by. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing though. I truly enjoy it up here, and I believe that the slow passage of time is simply due to the drastic change in lifestyle that I have experienced over the last month. A lot of things have changed for me, and mostly for the good. I've graduated from an amazing university from a college that truly challenged me in every way shape and form. I had my 24th birthday, and I feel like it is truly hitting me that I am reaching milestones in my life that I had only imagined only a few years ago. In the last month I've also moved to Alaska to work for an amazing little landscape architecture firm that will offer me opportunities for growth and experience that I could not be more excited for. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am truly grateful for the current situation that I am in, and although it may not be permanent or perfect by any means, it is one that I can be comfortable in while still pushing myself to do things that are new and challenging. I definitely feel blessed.
A downside to this whole thing has got to be the distance. My family, my friends, and everything that I have loved, relied on, and trusted for the last 24 years of my life is 4,000 miles away. Being so far gone, and so small beneath these towering uprisings of tectonic earth have made me realize a few things. I am small, and most likely insignificant. There is little I can do up here that can match the power and beauty of the Earth's processes, evolution, and constant changing. The sheer beauty that lies around every corner deserves a thousand pictures, but when I turn that corner and gaze out all I can do is stare. Taking a picture would only disappoint me, because no camera on earth could capture all the beauty that your eyes can soak in. Not to say that I haven't taken pictures. It's just that they will in no way communicate or express the feelings that comes with actually being there. (But I'm still going to try)
So here are a few pictures...
This is in the Mat-Su River. The huge basin is full of river rocks, driftwood, and sand banks. The water is rushing fast and cold from all the spring snow melt.
This is Pioneer Peak. It is the 'Landmark Peak' in the Mat-Su Valley. It is the tallest of all the mountains that surround you, and it is very distinct in its shape. This is my view of the mountain while on a 14 mile bike ride down the Old Glenn Highway.
This is another view of Pioneer Peak across an open field clearing next to the Palmer Airport.
The best part about riding up these huge, lengthy, steep, and exhausting trails, besides the spectacular views, is the ride down. It took me 20 grueling minutes to make it up this thing...but I was rewarded with a spectacular view of the river valley. And compared to the 20 minute hell that it took to ride up this stretch, it was a swift and heavenly 90 seconds of scarily fast speed all the way back down.
Thanks for reading.
