Currently living/working: I had two shifts for the library this month, so clearly my winter work is winding down. Plus I was only in AK for 14/30 days, so there’s that logistical detail. With that being said, both of us have had writing projects this month, Justin is still doing his Visitor Center work & we had our first yurt rental! With summer’s unrelenting productivity hot on our heels, we tried to enjoy the last bits of rest and freedom …
Through the years, everyone told us: you need to check out Chattanooga; it’s an outdoor hub that seems right up your alley. But in all our dozens of road trips criss-crossing the country, somehow we only skirted the edges of Tennessee, and missed many of its highlights, including Chattanooga.
Currently living/working: In typical winter routine for us, March was a combo of travel (Iditarod) & work. Justin has still been managing Discover Denali, I’m still subbing at the library, and our writing projects have been plentiful!
In my opinion, winter is much more enjoyable (tolerable?) when you get outside and play in the snow. Justin & I discovered cross-country skiing in 2008 while living in New Hampshire, and we wasted no time picking up a used XC ski kit that winter. I still have the same skis and poles from 2008 and they’ve laid tracks and made memories in several states since then. And while I still will only consider myself an amateur skier, I’ve come a long way since our NH skiing adventures.
Justin & I spent March 7-13 in Unalakleet volunteering as “trail crew” for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race! This was my 3rd year volunteering, as Justin went solo last year to Kaltag in 2024 since I was out of state taking care of my mom. In 2022, we volunteered in Galena and in 2023 in Shageluk.
Currently living/working: February was a weird month. There was a blend of dog/housesitting (mostly me), press trip travel (Justin), travel to NJ/CT to take care of my mom (me), travel to Denver to see family, but perhaps more importantly, go to some concerts (Justin). And in between all the travel, we both worked a little. I started subbing at our local library again (like I did 2 years ago), just 2 days/week, while Justin continues his part-time Discover Denali visitor center job.
Currently living/working: We’re still in the winter season where we wake up & spend some time finding our day, which is absolutely a privilege of our lifestyle. I had my last day of my 1 day/week job stocking the Alaska Geographic store inside Denali National Park’s winter visitor center, but I’m hoping to find another part-time job getting me out of the house to finish out the winter. It’s in the works & TBD. Justin is still working part-time for Discover Denali, and usually goes into that office at least 1 day/week.
In keeping with my annual recap of home improvement projects accomplished (really for my own record-keeping), let’s rewind to summer 2024. (Here’s summer 2020, 2022 & 2023).
I love that we live in an authentic log cabin, but after 5 years of ownership, I would consider wood structures to be very high maintenance. Wood is more prone to damage from water, insects, movement, but most structures up here are logged. The upkeep every summer involves an exfoliation (sanding) and a spray tan (staining). This year, we tackled a second wall of the cabin. It was a bit more difficult because there was the door frame and windows, so we had to pull off several pieces to treat (and repainted them green to pop … because why not). This side gets most of the weather (sun, wind, etc), so it was particularly in need of attention (and we already have noticed a difference this winter). As a reminder, the process is for us to sand all the old stain off, then fill in any cracks with backer rod/caulk, then slap on 2 coats of stain.
Currently living/working: Uniquely this winter, we both actually have 1 job outside of the house; both allow us to make our own schedule. Justin is still working part-time for Discover Denali, our borough’s visitor center that promotes tourism beyond Denali National Park into the surrounding gateway communities. My job is with Alaska Geographic. Some might recall I worked for this company during the summer as an educator. This winter, I am stocking the tiny store inside Denali National Park’s winter visitor center while my friend (who is the manager) is traveling. Regardless, I am loving it as it brings me back to my Hallmark days (where I worked for nearly SIX years from ages 16-21).
In May 1974, my parents purchased a 700-square-foot house for $32,500, and 50 years later on November 18th, 2024, I sold it for 10 times the amount they paid. (Side note—a young couple bought it as their first home. I love that it’s a similar story as my parents’ story. They already made some changes, and we love seeing what they are doing with it!).
When we visit Justin’s family in Colorado, it’s almost like we signed up for a triathlon at high altitude. The events include: eating the plethora of scones and soups Justin’s mom preps for our visit, snuggling the 4 cats across 3 households, and keeping up with our pre-teen nephews.
Currently living/working: Most of this month was spent living on a cruise ship, while the second half of the month was spent in Denver visiting Justin’s family. Current mood: The weight of my mom’s estate has lightened on my shoulders since I sold her house, but somehow I don’t feel 100% free? Could it be…
I already publicized my infatuation of cruising, but beyond boat life, the cruise afforded us the opportunity to see 4 different places in southern Spain (Valencia, Alicante, Malaga, Cadiz) and 1 spot in Portugal. So get ready for a picture-heavy post on all that.
Allegiances run strong when talking about cruises. Team anti-cruise might be against it because of the potential for sea sickness, the misconception that it’s only for old fogies, the anxiety-inducing thought of being stuck on a ship in the middle of the 13,000-foot ocean, the temptation of food/drink 24 hours/day to make you gain a few lbs, and the whole environmental impact of behemoth floating cities. I get it. However, since Justin & I thoroughly enjoyed our 14-day transatlantic cruise on Holland America this month, I’m going to use this blog to dispel a few myths and defend why we love boat life!
Currently living/working: We finished cleaning out my mom’s house in NJ & returned to Alaska’s heatless sun. Not for long since we are now in sunny Spain! Anyway, most of October, Justin has been busy with some writing deadlines & his Discover Denali job (it’s still part-time, but year-round), while I continued on the crash course of managing my mom’s affairs.
Not to be overly dramatic, but I just finished erasing my parents’ lives. This year, I’ve been an archaeologist, archivist, historian, donor, salesperson, recycler and waste management professional. That is what it takes when you clean out a home people have lived in for 50 years.
Currently living/working: We wrapped up our summer work in Alaska earlier this month with the last guided hike on 9/14 and the last yurt guests checking out on 9/17. Then we promptly headed to New Jersey to complete the cleanout and hopefully a sale of my mom’s house! Current mood: September has been a whole…
I mentioned in my currently posts that I took a last-minute “support staff” role at Alaska Geographic for the summer. It turned out to be the job I didn’t even know I needed and wanted!! I freaking loved it. And I thought it deserved a dedicated post because there were so many blog-worthy things about the role related to it this summer. Alaska Geographic is the nonprofit partner of Alaska’s 8 national parks. What does that mean?
Currently living/working: Justin & I have made a habit of doing daily check-ins with each other because of all the directions we’ve been going in this summer. Who’s cleaning the yurt? Who’s cleaning the red house? Who’s leading the New Wave hike? Are you working at AK Geo today? Are you doing Discover Denali work…
Justin’s sister, Jamie, is trying to go for the record of being our most frequent visitor, as she came in 2021, 2022 and now 2024 (and actually this is her 5th time in the state)! I’m convinced she loves Alaska as much as her brother does … The stars aligned when Jamie and Rachel had…