My Talkeetna home sits a few miles outside of downtown, just off the shore of a local lake. The sun rises above the lake behind my cabin, and sets from my front porch. Do not let the sun and blue skies deceive you! Today is the first day of sun without rain (I’ve just cursed myself for the rest of the day).
Many cabins in Alaska are dry cabins, even those in established towns like TKA. I’ve quickly learned that I am one of the lucky ones to have my own cabin with running water and internet. I’ve also heard of more than a few international students arriving to find that “dry” does not refer to a no alcohol policy. They get quite the surprise when they discover an outhouse and water bucket. (I’m confident there would be no seasonal workers – and way fewer residents – in town if they were the other kind of “dry” – what with the town motto being “A drinking town with a climbing problem.”)
There is a fairy trail through the woods to the docks at the big house where the owner lives, and he has offered the use of his paddle boards. I have an immediate neighbor who is from Colorado (where her family owns a flower shop, of all coincidences!) and we’ve got our hammocks hung waiting for a bit of warmth.
In the week(!) that I’ve been here, I’ve seen snow melt and Spring…spring! The branches in my yard are covered in tiny green leaves, plants are sprouting from the piles of leaves, and moss is beginning to cover the tree trunks.
Between work and other work, I haven’t adventured too far — but the weekend is near!
The Wild Detour 