When I woke up this morning, savoring the gentle trill of birds in nearby trees, I lay in the dark (well, semi-dark, with the RV shades drawn) and actually had to wonder for a moment where I was.
No, I wasn’t the slightest bit lost, but over the past two weeks, I’ve awakened in six different locations.
Most mornings lately, my first drowsy thoughts include a contented smile at the warmth of Ronni’s sleek body curled against mine, and then a slow, memory-searching awareness of my current location. Let’s see … where was I when I fell asleep?
This is, admittedly, one of my favorite things. Opening my eyes to snow-capped, green mountains one morning, a quiet blue lake the next. Is that a madly rushing glacial river I hear in the distance, or restless waves on the shore of Cook Inlet?
A new morning. Don’t you agree that there is something extra special about that first mug of freshly brewed coffee in brand new, yet to be explored surroundings?
Alaska Artisan Coffee (here’s a blatant plug for the tastiest coffee in Alaska, if not the world) is always stocked in my pantry, just for such occasions. Oh, all right; total disclaimer – their “Tundra Wolf” dark roast blend is my go-to every day of the week. And no, they didn’t pay me to say that. Don’t I wish!
This summer, my hoped for goals include spending a week spinning on [or very near] the beach in Ninilchik, watching young eagles 🦅 master their wings, cart-wheeling through the air. I look forward to listening to the steady sound of waves swishing (or pounding) up the shore, dancing in harmony with the breeze rustling through the tall sea grass.
Weather permitting, I also hope to awaken to the busy sounds of small boats leaving harbor in the picturesque town of Valdez. And enjoying evening walks around town, with the dachshunds always vigilant for the bunnies that call the entire town home. It’s been several years since I’ve driven that particular scenic route and it’s calling my name.
Speaking of Valdez; one special trip that has long been on my Bucket List starts in Valdez. There would actually be very little driving involved, but a great deal of sightseeing.
I’ve wished, for the past twenty years, to load my RV onto the ferry at Valdez, and feast my eyes on the mostly untouched, lush islands and forest-drenched shorelines of Prince William Sound for the six-hour ride to Whittier.
I imagine chance encounters with whales, sea lions, otters … maybe moose or brown bear along the shore. Just envision the beauty.
Other locations are on my travel radar as well. Then again, with all the rain and cloudy skies we’ve been blessed with so far this spring and early summer, I have to admit, there would need to be near guaranteed warmth and sunshine to entice me to Seward this year. One of my favorite places to wake up on a warm, sunny day – I’m not so enthralled on a cold, blustery day.
Travel is like a drug to me, both an antidepressant and a stress reliever. Heck, I even tend to sleep better.
Planning the next trip is a rush. It would be a sheer, bubbly high if I could manage to travel outside of Alaska, but there seems always to be perfectly valid reasons why this is not the time.
I worry more now about Jer’s health, and my own, giving me reasons to stay in-state. Up until this past year, that really hadn’t been a serious concern.
Wildfires raging across Canada don’t make that part of the adventure very appealing right now either.
The general unrest in the lower 48, rising cost of gas and more-so, campgrounds … the list is not insurmountable, but it does give me pause.
So I continue to discover Alaska, wishing we had a more extensive road system to explore, but knowing there are still numerous paths not yet taken. I want to find them all.
Ah, the possibilities …
De & the Dachsies - Our Rambles 