Considering the Wildflowers

So what has changed for us?

Life seems more precious than ever after our adventure.  We attribute it partly to the fact that we were no longer top of the food chain while in Alaska.  Believe me, sleeping in a canvas tent while grizzly bears roam freely certainly activates the senses and, in some strange way, invigorates.

We found this quote at the University Museum in Fairbanks, which speaks to the phenomenon:

"We all die and go back to nature eventually.  When we are in the city, we tend to forget -- we don't really think about it.  But nature reminds us it's not a sad thing.  It gives us energy.  Nature has a kind of power to encourage you to live because Nature teaches -- you are going to die."  Michio Hosino, Alaska Airlines Magazine, August 1991

I grew up on a ranch.  My grandfather was a butcher.  As a child, it was often difficult to deal with the death of baby chicks who got too cold or cows in labor or calves destined for slaughter.  Yet I lived it every day.  And in living it, I believe that I came to appreciate life as few have had the opportunity.  

When you watch a baby of any species catch its first breath or witness a creature take its last, you can't help but recognize that this short span of life in the middle is all that we have on this planet.  

Alaska reminded us.  Every moment was new.  Every day held something we had not experienced.  As a result, we have been rejuvenated to live each remaining moment to the max.

We also remembered how very little we need to survive.  In 1987, we took our first extended backpacking trip and lived off the trail or in the back of a SUV for five weeks.  On this trip, we lived for 105 days in a space no larger than two queen size beds.  We carried only the bare minimum... enough clothes to last a stretch of ten days, food, and survival gear.  

Our life went from very highly structured to no structure.  Without a sunrise or sunset, the clock no longer ruled us.     

We ate simply.  We slept deeply.  We shared practically every second together.  We certainly did not miss the news or television.  

We saw creatures and vistas in such splendor that we were in constant amazement.  We laughed, often wept for joy, and relished every moment.  We left security and discovered adventure. 

The entire time, we felt God's presence.  He guided our path and allowed us to witness moments that few have experienced.  We felt totally blessed and carefree.  The words of Jesus rang true:

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you...  (Luke 12:22-28)

Texas is blanketed in wildflowers this time of year, making these Holy Words even more poignant.  We  yearn to return to the simplicity and adventure of life on the road.  God willing, we are making plans to embark on another journey the end of July.  We have much more to discover!  

Waxing Rhapsodic

It has been nearly six months since our return from our Alaskan adventure.  Many have asked if our journey changed us.

If you recall, the goal for our adventure was "Mission Transition" after David's retirement... to do something so radical that we simply couldn't return to our normal schedule.

We were mostly successful.  David certainly hasn't looked back.  He still is glad that he retired and seems not to be missing the work.  Although, I know that he misses the camaraderie of colleagues.  He is currently involved in several ministries that excite and rejuvenate him.

As for me… well, I’ll write more about that in an upcoming blog.

What surprised us most on our return was how quickly we dropped back into the velocity of life.  I had hoped that the "vacation glow" would last much longer than just a few days.  Instead, our homecoming was simply too frenetic.  

Within days of our return, we were helping my my mother to find a new home.  The very day after her moving van arrived, David's mother had a health crisis that sent her to the hospital and rehab for several weeks.  

In early November and December, respectively, David and Rox each had shoulder surgeries with long recoveries.  Then, shortly after Christmas, we began two new remodel projects on the house.  With so many twists and turns, it has been difficult to find time to reflect.  

Conversations during a visit with dear friends in January, however, put our trip into better perspective for me.  They mentioned how different I seemed and attributed it to our adventure.  

I feel it, also.  In the next several posts, please allow me to wax rhapsodic about our "trip of a lifetime."

Chasing Raven

While traveling up the Dempster Highway, we noticed a large number of ravens hovering over a large mound.  To our amazement, the mound turned out to be a grizzly bear.  (See the September 4, 2010, post.)  

The bear was feeding on carrion, most likely a downed caribou.  Two flocks of ravens worked the bear.  One group would dive and torment him until  the bear charged, allowing the second flock to feed behind the first.  We watched for nearly an hour as this frustrated bear tried to finish his meal.  Incredible!

This photo sequence shows a few of the photos of "Bear Chasing Raven."

Eagles Landing

Many have commented that the photograph of the pair of eagles (see the July 20 post) is one of their favorites and have asked for the story behind the shot.  

While photographing on the shore of Prince Williams Sound, my eye was focused on a lone eagle feeding on salmon.  Suddenly, the gulls began to scatter and the eagle appeared vexed.  To my amazement, a second eagle flew into my field of view.    

The above collage shows more exactly the spectacular experience witnessed through the camera lens.

What about Rox?

Many of you have asked how Roxanne managed the 19,162 mile ride to and from Alaska.  Actually, she did remarkably well.  In fact, she only attacked her bed once out of frustration.  Between a ton of rain, muck, and days upon days of making miles, Rox was the quintessential Golden... a phenomenal traveling companion and sweetheart!

Rox did, however, develop some extremely interesting sleeping positions during her hours of riding.  With her propensity to prop her head up on the most unlikely object, some positions were so funny that we kept the point and shoot camera near the console, just so we could capture the moment.  We invite you to enjoy a small sampling of positions Roxanne perfected while traveling... and traveling... and traveling...

Best New Road Sign

We just don't see these in Texas!

Best Bumper Sticker

We still have a few more posts to upload before we close our wonderful trip to Alaska... but need to move my mother first!  Here's our favorite bumper sticker... found on an 4x4 off-road Jeep: