The state I’ve called home for my entire life, Massachusetts. By the end of July I will be on my way to the 49th state of, The United States. This is baby steps for me. I’ve never
Random lake in Alaska
been on a plane, never been that high before, and I’ve never left the eastern seaboard! It’s full of firsts and it’s incredibly exciting!
Like I said, I’ve lived in Massachusetts all my life. And while I will always call it home, it’s time for me to go. As a new friend of mine put it, “it’s like hopping a ride on a train and realizing you have to get off while it’s still moving, standing at the edge of the car, watching the world zip past, knowing when you hit the ground, it’s probably going to hurt. But in your heart, you know i
f you get to the next stop, you’ll probably get busted for hopping the train”. He couldn’t have been anymore correct! I feel like there is this fire in me
and sitting around here isn’t going to help if it’s not where I want to be!
My home is full of family, friends and many, many acquaintances. They are apart of me as much as I’m a part of them. I will miss every moment we’ve had together
but it’s not about them. It’s about me, and my ambitions. I have to do this for me, I need to take the first step out there. Really get to experience life in a new climate, new atmosphere and some new culture!
Alaska, she’s like a high school girl. Wicked pretty, but cold, harsh, ridged, and demanding. I can’t friggan’ wait! Maybe that was a bad analogie, but i couldn’t be bothered otherwise I’m excited! To finally pack it all up, live the life I feel I’m destined too! Shoot, maybe even get over my fear of heights!
I say it’s baby steps because well, I have a place to stay already. You see, I have family up there, most of which I haven’t met. All of em’ are thrilled to have me, and excited to see their weird cousin from all the way east. I’ve met my uncles in person. they came down to visit a few times before, it’s very sporadic so it’s going to be really nice to be able to spend some real, quality time with em! Ha, ha! As I’m writing this I just got the news that my Uncle told the rest of the crew up north, that I was coming!
It’s real, it’s really gonna happen! No turning back now! Going for it, none can change my mind!
The Wild Heart 
Dig man, you’re going to have a great adventure up there. Just the bigness and weather alone are enough to test you spirit. If you do make to the area of Denali, about 25 or so miles south of the park entrance, before you get to Cantwell, is Carlo Creek. I used to work at a hostel there on the Creek by the name of the Denali Mountain Morning Hostel. Bill, the owner, and I don’t really see eye to eye these days, but he’s a good man and it’s a beautiful spot. Across the road, on the other side of the bridge over Carlo Creek is a place called Panorama Pizza. By far some of the best pizza in Alaska. Good food, good beer, good spot, and great people who own and run the place.
Cheers for following your heart, man. Life passes by quickly, and chasing your dream is better than selling it for pennies on the dollar.
Thanks for the tips Ed! Yeah, I got family up in Two Rivers. I will for sure check out those places, my heart races every time i even think about “Alaska”. So excited.