Where the Wild Things Are

Matt and I were able to take Riley on her first camping trip over the Labor Day weekend. Although I worried over the weather and agonized over the idea of bears feasting on scrumptious Vials, away we went! Despite chilly weather, we had a great time and learned that Riley is the ultimate trooper when it comes to making the best out of situations.

Our trip started out with blue skies and amazing views. Getting dropped off by a bush plane really creates an element of being "out in the middle of wild Alaska" that can be unnervingly exhilarating. Unfortunately we were sharing our "wild" space with a group of 15 people that had set up camp near the airstrip. Definitely not alone, but certainly still out in the wild!

One aspect of backpacking with a child is that there's not a whole lot of extra space to carry stuff, so we really had to pack light. We originally were planning on doing a point-to-point trip, but we quickly realized that the patience and tolerance of a 9-month old would not last all those days in a backpack, so we set up a base-camp and crossed our fingers that the weather would be good to us. For the most part it was, but alas, the winds and rain came.

Riley loved crawling on the spongy ground cover while feeling all the different textures (and maybe even eating some too). She feasted on wild blueberries and smoked salmon and slept in her Dada's down jacket at night. Most of all, I think she really loved having both of us giving her all our attention for three whole days. When the rain and winds came, we hung out in the tent, reading books, counting fingers, and singing songs.... definitely a new version of camping for Matt and I!

We spotted a caribou herd! You can just make out there silhouette against the mountain...

I thought for certain we would see a bear or two, but instead I just fretted about seeing one up until the plane flew in to pick us up. That's when disappointment set it that we didn't see one (funny how that works).  We did see the famous caribou herd that hangs out there as well as some marmots, ptarmigan, and eagles. I think our little dinosaur child kept all those scary animals away. But upon returning home to the warmth of our cabin and our comfortable bed, there in our driveway stood a bear, just checking things out. I guess there's always a bit of "wild" no matter where you are in Alaska. 

Serendipity

Just when I thought I’d never dry out from the soggy Alaskan weather, California came calling in the form of wedding bells and promises of sunshine. One of my closest girlfriends was getting married and I really couldn’t miss seeing her on her wedding day. As an added bonus, Riley would get to experience the love of friends and family back at home. The only thing that stood between Riley and I and that delicious sun was the dreaded airplane ride with an “infant.” We’ve all heard the horror stories…. Kids kicking seats, babies screaming for 5 hours straight, a stoic mother’s gaze while she contemplates tequila shots…   I feared traveling alone with Riley, especially since we would need to drive 8 hours to Anchorage before we even started the 6-hour plane ride. I was surely setting myself up for a mid-air baby breakdown, right?

so much to see!

Nothing else to do but crawl

I could go on and on about the details of our travels, but I’ll just say that my lil’ daughter was one heck of a traveler. She handled the 8-hour drive to Anchorage like a champ, and then oohed and ahhed her way through airport security. Once on the plane, she won the hearts of the flight attendants and made the nearby passengers laugh out loud. To top of the great traveling luck, Riley decided to try her hand at crawling while we were waiting for our connecting flight. I watched with pride as Riley got those little hands and legs in synch and began her days of mobility.

kisses from cousin

Our time in California was a fast and furious whirlwind of an adventure. People to see, things to do, naps to squeeze in. Poor Riley was bombarded with stimulation of mass quantities - from traffic and congestion on the highways to kisses and screams of delight from loved ones. and Papa, Aunties and Uncles, excited cousins… Riley was overjoyed to have the attention of so many people. She wore her sundresses and splashed in the pool; she learned how to clap, sit up on her own, and give kisses; she relished in the tastes of summer fruit and the feel of the warm summer sun on her skin.

hangin with Auntie and Cousin Maya

lovin' the pool

Time with my girls!

clap if you love being naked!

The change of scenery was a nice refresher for me, but I unexpectedly found myself ready to return to Alaska. I guess the simplicity of things and the quirkiness that comes with McCarthy living is carving its mark on me.  Don’t get me wrong- there’s nothing glamorous about bathing in a plastic bin (but oh what a conversation starter that one is!). My internal struggle with Alaska wages on, but little by little I’m finding peace and along with that a new definition of what “home” really is.

Happy to be home! 

A trip to the sea...

  

Icebergs and sea otters and whales... how can one not love the Alaskan sea? The Vial family had quite the adventure while enjoying a quick getaway to the coast.  Miss Riley was introduced to all kinds of new things, from flying in an airplane to listening to a colony of sea lions up close. (Actually, a group of Sea Lions is a called a Raft. No joke.)

Lots of sea life, lots of yummy food, and some great times spent with good friends made this trip extra special for us. And the gloriously hot showers were an added bonus. It was a breath of fresh air for the soul. 

Our bush plane awaits! 

feeding and flying

Hmm... maybe she'll be a DJ someday

just waiting to be explored....

ferry boats rock. 

Lovin' every minute! 

Boisterous little fellas

 

who doesn't love a whale tale? 

                                     

     “For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it's always our self we find in the sea.” 
                                                                                – e.e. Cummings

Adventures With Daddy

                            

Love at first sight! 

From the start, it was love at first sight for Matt. I think Riley was 3 weeks old when he first asked me if she could fit into the baby backpack so he could take her skiing. He handled her so tenderly while giving her her 1st bath, and I'll never forget coming home to Matt making Christmas presents in the garage with Riley strapped to his front, covered in sawdust. There's plenty of life to be shared by these two. 

Nothin' beats hearing Daddy's heartbeat

Looking nervous... 

First milkshake! 

Playing the fiddle! 

sweetness

Working with Dad.... in a box. 

You'll love this... it's tri-tip

                                  

                                          Forget baby food, I want Pizza! 

Life is fun with Mom, but it’s a true adventure with Daddy. 

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. 

Another summer in McCarthy begins!

Matt and I arrived safely in McCarthy and have been spending the last couple of days getting ourselves organized for the busy summer ahead. As many people know (since we haven’t been able to keep our mouths shut about it), we have our own cabin this year. No more living communally with 25 other guides! YAY!! What a difference it’s made already! The cabin is furnished, and I think there’s more counter space than my home in Tahoe. We even have a propane refrigerator, which is AWESOME. Still no running water or electricity - we wouldn’t want things to be too easy around here.  

All in all, I’d say we’ve moved up in the world, or at least in McCarthy. As you might guess, I’ve been working hard at getting our stuff unpacked – where did all this stuff come from anyway? Slowly but surely, it’s turning into a cozy little home for us. For those of you who have been considering coming up to Alaska, this may be the best year to do it!  We’ve got some loft space for company, a great porch for bbq’ing, and a clean cabin to relax in after our daily adventures. J Just saying.

Riley was quite the little trooper during our drive up here. It was a long drive – 64 hours – but we saw some incredible sights and Riley even got to meet her Great Gramma Audrey who lives in Montana. The Icefields Parkway is a spectacular drive, but you really can’t go wrong anywhere in western Canada. Well, except for the Yukon. Matt was driver extraordinaire and I attempted to master baby feedings and diaper changes in a moving vehicle. Aside from the remnants of sweet potatoes, applesauce, and carrots left on the seats, I’d say I was fairly successful. We saw plenty of wildlife, even a grizzly on the side of the road, and found scenic camping spots along the way. 

There’s plenty to look forward to this summer, but I’m especially looking forward to enjoying a slower pace of life here now that I have Riley. It definitely takes a lot of work to have a kiddo here, but there are lots of laughs and memorable experiences to be had along the way. For instance, last night was Riley’s first sauna and boy did she love it! She kept splashing the water and giggling. She just might be the youngest who’s ever set foot in the company sauna. J 

Well, that’s about it for now. I’ll be sure to keep the stories and pictures coming. And don’t be a stranger! Our cell phones work up here and email is checked fairly often. For those who have asked, here is our mailing address:

Box #10 MXY, McCarthy

Glennallen, AK 99588

Oh, and our Tahoe house is available as a vacation rental this summer, so if anyone would like to enjoy a Tahoe getaway just let me know!

Hope all is well in your world and that there are plenty of adventures awaiting you! J