Currently living/working: We bust our butts all summer so don’t have to work “much” in the winter (a privilege, I know, but also a combo of major summer hustle, frugality & budgeting on our part). However, I’ve been working 10-15 hours/week at the library and Justin is working about the same at his Discover Denali tourism job. So it’s been more of a light winter grind versus the cozy cave of hibernation I was craving!
In September, I (Justin) summited Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet) and here’s the recap of the climb.
Currently living/working: We wrapped up so many jobs this month! Justin’s grand total was 90 hikes & 25 presentations, while I did 47 hikes and 41 presentations! We’re mostly here this fall, so we’re keeping the yurt open for rentals as long as the weather doesn’t drop below 0. Going into the winter, Justin will keep up his part-time tourism job & I will keep subbing at the library.
Given the fact that there are only about 5000 miles of “highways” across Alaska, you would think we have conquered them all by now. However, the 366-mile Richardson Highway is one I’ve barely explored. It runs from Fairbanks and dead-ends in Valdez on the eastern side of the state. And while Justin has been down to Valdez, I haven’t. So when a girlfriend (Alex) suggested we go, I found a pocket of time Labor Day weekend for the getaway.
Currently living/working: Most of our jobs are slowing down their pace, which is fortunate since Justin leaves for his Kili climb in Africa 9/4! We’ll have airbnb rentals/cleanings through October, but my guided hikes & presentations will stop by mid-Sept. I am very much looking forward to Sept. 16 when my calendar shows nada for the first time!!!
I will never see all 600+ named glaciers in Alaska, but why not try??? The 13-mile long MacLaren Glacier at about 3,500 feet has been on my list for years because it is “semi-accessible.”
I’ve mentioned on the blog how Justin will be climbing 19,341-foot Mount Kilimanjaro—the tallest mountain in Africa—in early September. But you might remember, he’s not just climbing the mountain, he’s helping to carry someone in a wheelchair to the top with a team of 25+ others. Now 23 days away, let me back it up…
Currently living/working: How many times and ways can I explain that Alaskans operate on full throttle through the summer? Some kind of mosquito-powered adrenaline compels us to pursue a no-sleep summer, which mostly equals a no-work winter. While the summer days fly by at a breakneck pace, we are still doing well finding balance between…
Currently living/working: It’s that magical time of year when conversations with neighbors shorten as everyone is trying to navigate the summer tourism hustle. Justin & I are willingly juggling 9 jobs between us—some with a shared employer & some we tackle solo, some require 1 hour/week, some require 30 hours certain weeks. I know most people question our life choices to sign up for this level of madness, but in our corner of the world, it’s the normal rhythm of life!
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.