family | CAtoAK

As we approach the four-month mark in Alaska, our life bares virtually no resemblance to what it looked like in July. This, however, is mostly good news. We’ve relocated (again), and are back towards Anchorage. The commute from Wasilla was beautiful, but not worth an additional $400 per month in fuel. I did my best to try to arrange some kind of carpool situation, but everything fell through. Our newest residence is smallish, but cute and clean, and promises to serve us well for the duration of our lease, and maybe even longer. John has moved on to his third employer, which is also good news. Both the fit and the long-term outlook are excellent. Though my employment has been consistent since August, and will continue to be, my day-to-day activities are about to be far removed from those of the past months. The nature of said upcoming activities, I think, is clearly illustrated here:

The last several weeks, my motivation to be an active participant in all the wonder Alaska has to offer has severely waned. I’ve felt somewhat guilty and lazy about that situation, but it’s only temporary, and also forgivable. We did, nevertheless, manage to get out a few beautiful weekends in September.

Reflection Lake – A short but very pretty hiking loop took Si and I around Reflection Lake in the Mat-Su Valley, about 10 miles south of Wasilla. I can’t imagine a nicer time than fall to visit the lake.

Talkeetna – About an hour and a half north of Wasilla on the Parks Hwy is Talkeetna, a ridiculously cute little touristy town with incredible views of Denali.

Denali!

While California is still sweltering in 90 degree heat, fall has descended on Alaska. I’ve been informed many, many times over that we moved during the most unusual and spectacular summer the 49^th state has seen in a long time, so I assume the summer/fall contrast isn’t so obvious every year. But for this year, the mostly sunny days have given way to almost two solid weeks of cloudy skies and rain. Fortunately, autumn is my favorite season, so I’m not particularly heartbroken to have to throw on another layer for the days that only see temperatures in the 50s.

The strangest part has been getting back into the school year with the feel of summer entirely evaporated. Every other year, as both a student and a teacher, the first few weeks to a month or so of school have always been accompanied by reminders that it’s still technically the summer season. I have no complaints, though. This perpetual drizzle reminds me that I may as well be inside, attempting to enrich the lives of youth, rather than being teased by the typical sunshine out of my classroom window, suggesting that there are more invigorating things to be accomplished instead. Luckily, there have been a few breaks in the weather that we’ve taken full advantage of.

Clouds still loomed, but John found some respite from the rain outside of Seward last week.