Mt. Baldy ~ our final hike before the termination dust

Fall is my all time favorite season.  In Alaska, it comes and goes super quick, so when it is here you better suck in all its glory. 

View from Mt. Baldy

Have you ever put your face into the side of a mountain full of crow berries?  If not, put it on your bucket list.  I will remember that smell. I will remember this day because of my momma’s strength. What an accomplishment, when only 8 little months ago her lungs couldn’t even breathe on their own.  How great is our God! 

 Hand in Hand

 Hike down the backside

 God's Promise

Levan with a handful of crow berries

Days like today stain your brain. 9.11.11

It was a pretty normal Sunday in our world…woke up, relaxed, went to church, then out to eat, and messed around downtown…normal, normal, normal.

Until I decided our freedom was best celebrated with a hike.  The sky was blue, the sun was blazing, the trees surrounding us were turning yellow, and the smell of the air was incredible.  We loaded the boys and the dog in a matter of 4 min…we certainly have this down to a science…and drove a whole 17.8 miles to McHugh Creek.  On this day of remembrance and thankfulness we choose the McHugh trail heading toward Potter. 

One of the many things I appreciate about my stomping ground is the fact that in two years and tons of hikes, this trail was brand new to us. 

Right away we went off the beaten path (Bensen’s choice).  We found ourselves down in a valley immersed in the beauty, at total peace.  Until a voice from up above us, shouted, “Hey there is a momma bear and two cubs behind you guys.”  My first thought was breathe and don’t pee your pants!  We huddled together and steadily made our way out of the valley, where at least we would be able to see what was going on around us.  When we reached the top of a rock formation, we found ourselves with an amazing view.  We hung out there for a good chuck of time and then decided the path (with people) would be our best bet today.  I wanted the beauty to stain my brain…not a mad momma bear scare. 

Brian looking for the bears

The amazing view

My loves

Gussy looking for bears

The cornfields burned...and the mountains bloomed

He brought me into the wilderness.  His gracious attempt to take me away from the things I depended on.  In hopes that I would discover that only God can truly help us. 

Two years ago today, I was living in Lincoln, NE, in a beautiful house, in a family neighborhood, with wonderful neighbors, great friends to work with, my amazing husband and two little boys.  Jobless...wondering how in the world we would make our next mortgage payment.  Praying for a miracle.  Four days later, it was a signed done deal.  New job, new home.  A home far far away from the flat Midwest crop land.  Alaska!

We moved sight unseen.  I wept the first day I arrived.  Brian and I drove down the Turnagain Arm, which offers dramatic views of mountains and Cook
Inlet.  The gratitude I felt was so overwhelming, I couldn’t contain it.  A new wholeness and peace sank deep into my pores…

And so here is where I begin our blog…Alaska Family Outside

View of Turnagain Arm from one of our many hikes.