The Rain

Winter in Ketchikan is an adventure. When the rest of the country is freezing, we have a low of 44°... and rain. Last week we had four sunny days in a row. But now, rain. I love this place.

Back At The Cabin

I found myself standing on the deck of the cabin again, the place of the relaxation of the previous summer. This time, I saw it through the unforgiving eyes of a Ketchikan winter, a beautifully powerful chill and slate gray clouds garnishing the view.

The cabin thus ceases to be a simple place of rest and relaxation and becomes a solitary refuge against the elements. The wood stove is now the heart of the cabin.

I look forward to warm food on a warm cabin.

Frigid Nature

Tonight, I sit on the forward lounge of the M/V Malispina, one og the larger ships in the Alaska Marine Highway System. It's one hell of a storm we're chugging into, although the waters aren't nearly as choppy as they were earlier today.

It's 7:30, and it's been dark for a few hours already. Last night, I sleep on the solarium at my new friend Matt's insistance. Had I been ten years younger and making a summer voyage, that would have been amazing. I'll hope to talk my brother into making that trip later.

I'm waiting to connect top a network as my phone will incur international roaming charges since I'm technically in Canada right now. That's okay. I'll land in Ketchikan in roughly twelve hours, in plenty of time to meet the family there. They're flying in on Monday.

Figures...

...right before I leave I get a snow pile worth respecting.

Final Days of HomeBase

As the end of my time at the HomeBase in Denver draws to a close, I look at my scantily decorated living room, highlighted by a sleeping baby. Life is beautiful. I'm not downed by the things that I'm leaving, but I'm recharged by the things I'm hoping to create for myself. A move of this kind, to Alaska, to a new and unique future, is as fortuitous as we allow it to be.

The blog will stay in good hands, continuing to be authored by me and also by Bart Schleicher, a promising young photographer who is poised to continue sharing adventures and enriching this blog and my life.

The sun and my son are both rising, and the day must begin. The adventure rests in the near future. The world holds endless wonder for those who are willing to seek it out. We shall not fear.

Cats

I've often wondered how in the world they cram themselves into such inconvenient places. Then again, these are animals that play with plastic bags for fun...

Finally

Snow has fallen in Denver. It was bitter cold last week, and the result as a few sweet inches of heaven. I love snow.