Currently living/working: We returned from travels 12/3 right in time for what became the coldest December on record since 1989! Temps around our area are erratic, and we live on a hill, which puts us in a banana belt of Healy. So our lowest was -35.5, but that same day, we went over to a friend’s cabin 3 miles away and their analog thermometer was recording -60!
After our 3 days in Panama City, Justin, Paul, Kristen & I traveled north to the main event: Los Establos Boutique Resort. Spoiler alert: it was amazing. Also, side note: Kristen & Paul travel very light, while we do not.
Currently living/working: Neither of us have worked since leaving Alaska 11/10, so it feels like November was undeniably vacation mode between our 11 days in Panama and 8 days in Denver. That reminds me … I do have an Alaska Magazine article due pronto!
Whoa. Justin & I just wrapped up 11 days in Panama with 2 of our dearest friends, and none of us realized we would fall in love with the country. Panama often gets overlooked as a tourist destination by its flashier Latin American neighbors. But I’m here to confirm it might be the best-kept secret in Central America with its deeply rooted history, welcoming people, fresh seafood and year-round tropical weather.
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.