Appreciating the little things...

Living in McCarthy provides a sharp reminder of how easy it is to take things for granted. Life operates at a different pace here, which always takes a bit of adjustment. For instance, washing dishes suddenly becomes a monumental task when precious water has to be hauled from a creek, heated for optimal washing power, and then discarded with care so that those crazy wild animals (and town dogs) don’t get accustomed to the dirty dishwater smells. And since there are no garbage trucks picking up curbside deposits, all those pieces of trash mindlessly thrown away back at home suddenly require a lot more attention. Trash either gets burned or is hauled out to Anchorage 8 hours away.

Showers have become something to savor once we return home. For now, we bathe in a large plastic container, strategically placed in our living room, and we heat up collected rainwater to rinse with. Yes, I’m channeling my inner Laura Ingalls on this one.

Here’s a great story about my laundry adventure I had the other day. Since we are lucky enough to have access to a washing machine powered by a generator, we are able to get our clothes pretty decently washed. This involves me packing up our dirty laundry (there’s plenty with a 6 month old) and taking it down to the Powerhouse where Matt and I work. Because I have Riley and also a big ol’ bag of dirty laundry, I usually carry her and pack the laundry in the stroller. McCarthy has dirt roads so the stroller takes a beating going back and forth through town – so much so that the front wheel sometimes pops off. Ah yes, you can see where this is going…

Yes, please. 

So I’m walking through town with my dirty laundry in the front of the stroller and a bag of trash on the bottom while also holding Riley. And then, wouldn’t you know it, that dang wheel just rolled right off. My dirty laundry heaved forward and spilled out onto the road and suddenly I was the picturesque bag lady right in the middle of town. After gathering my garments and my dignity, I continued my trek to the washing machine, where I powered up the generator and loaded in my clothes. After a quick wash cycle, I hung my clothes out to dry with the elusive sun shining. All went well until Murphy’s Law showed up in the form of a rainstorm. If you don’t like the weather in Alaska, just give it 10 minutes.

There are plenty of times when I wonder what the heck I’m doing here. How simple life is back at home with the little luxuries so easily taken for granted! So simple, even, that it takes living here to appreciate them. But then I take a look around and relish in the beauty of this place. I look out my kitchen window and see snow-capped mountains and an abundance of wild nature. The community beckons me and its people inspire me. There is rawness here; a true pioneer feeling that is both humbling and motivating. It soothes the soul in ways that are only truly appreciated once you leave.

And just when I get the hang of things here, I am pulled back to a life filled with hot, running water and electricity; of highways and traffic and Starbucks; of fast-paced living and distraction. I so look forward to that glorious shower that awaits me when I return home, but until then, I’ll just enjoy the slow buzz of nature and watching that stroller wheel make its way through town.