We are closing in on the final pages of the
Alaska chapter of our life. It has been a marvelous chapter, one that I am sad to be finishing. Yes, I am excited for the next chapter and its adventures, but this one has been so good to us. I can count the number of weeks we have left in my new favorite state on one hand. And yet, there are still enough weeks for some last-minute adventures! Hiking the
Mount Healy Overlook Trail was one of them.
When my dad came to visit us a couple of weeks ago, we took a drive down to Denali National Park to hike around a bit and show him the fantastic scenery of interior Alaska. We hiked the Mt. Healy Overlook Trail because it was only about 4.5 miles roundtrip but had spectacular views we could enjoy at the top.
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It was pretty chilly when we started our hike at 2:30pm, Here I am, sporting my Arctic Winter Games gear! |
The trail was 2.3 miles uphill, with a 25% grade. It wasn't long until we ditched our overcoats on the side of the trail. We were sweating! I made sure to thank my dad for teaching me how to hike when I was a kid. Now hiking is one of my favorite forms of exercise, next to cross country skiing. It took us about an hour and a half to hike up, given the fact that there was snow on the trail, but we flew down in half the time.
I am not eloquent enough in my writing to express my gratitude for the chance I have had to live here. Never did I think I would have this opportunity. The future is a touch unnerving, so I keep reminding myself of Thomas S. Monson's inspiring words:
"The future is as bright as your faith."
(Source)
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At the top |
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I seriously love this guy. The fact that he still loves me to pieces after all I have put him through is saying a lot about his character! |
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My two loves. Marshall and Alaska. |
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Typical Marshall: always finding something to discover. |
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Daddy-o! |
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On the hike down |
Ok...I've totally tried to comment like 3 or 4 times now...I need to stop trying to use my phone for blog comments - I always lose them after I finish writing it! Basically though I said that I love your pictures from the top. :) And I totally agree with your comment about "typical Marshall" finding things to discover - that is SO him, and always has been! Glad your dad got to visit, love that you're remembering President Monson's quote, and I'm sorry you have to leave a place you love so much, but I'm so excited to have you closer! Love you, sis! You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting anyways!! I love it when you do. Ever since I changed the format of my blog, I can't seem to reply to specific comments...I should see if I can fix it somehow.
ReplyDeleteOh it would have been fun if you could have visited us while we were here. So many wonderful things!