"So do you think you will have as many adventures when you move to Kansas?" asked my friend and colleague at dinner the other night. Hmm. That's a good question! While I know we will be having our own Kansas adventures, I am pretty sure they won't be looking like this:
Per our anniversary tradition on Black Friday, we began the morning at the Anchorage LDS Temple for a session and then had a lovely lunch at Sack's Cafe (seriously a great spot for foodies and families alike!) I have a difficult time sitting all day, so I suggested that we go on an "easy-ish" hike, something we could see great views of the city and surrounding mountains. We chose to hike the popular Flattop Trail, a 3.4 mile round-trip hike with a 1300 feet elevation gain. Doesn't sound too bad for a fun afternoon with your hubby does it? Though I am so glad I completed this hike (which would have been impossible without Marshall), it was the most difficult hike I have ever done.
The difficulty came as we approached the summit. You see, we did not pack any clamp-ons or spikes for our shoes, so although we were wearing winter boots, the ice and snow was a lot slicker than we had been anticipating. Unlike other brave souls, my mind always fast forwards to the descent while I am still climbing up the mountain. This is why I never climbed trees as a kid. I knew it would be difficult to descend this steep, snowy, and icy mountain side without spikes on my shoes (there were other hikers just running by in their spikes...gah...wish I would have known) and I did not want to go any further.
"I can't make it!" I cried to Marshall as I climbed up the mountainside, the summit still in view. He was ever so patient with me, though stern at times because he knew I could do it. Eventually, we made it up, me with my tear-stained cheeks. I was so happy. For two minutes I did not think about the descent and enjoyed the beautiful lights of Anchorage, the mudflats, and the Chugach mountain range behind us. It was spectacular.
Descending from the summit was tough. We had to slide down part of the way, and while I may have cried like a baby at one point, my dear husband literally pulled me down as he wrapped my legs around him so that we could slide down on our rear ends. I have to admit that it was kind of fun. I even laughed through my sobs at one point. The rest of the hike was just lovely, though it had gotten dark sooner than we had been expecting (we could still see relatively easily due to the cloud cover and snow).
Normally our last-minute hikes go on as planned without any trouble at all. It would have been smart to have some clamp-ons for our boots as well as a flashlight, I know. BUT...I was able to overcome a fear AND see some amazing views of a state I am SO spoiled to live in.
Alaska has been a perfect first home for us. Now give me Kansas. I am ready. :)
Per our anniversary tradition on Black Friday, we began the morning at the Anchorage LDS Temple for a session and then had a lovely lunch at Sack's Cafe (seriously a great spot for foodies and families alike!) I have a difficult time sitting all day, so I suggested that we go on an "easy-ish" hike, something we could see great views of the city and surrounding mountains. We chose to hike the popular Flattop Trail, a 3.4 mile round-trip hike with a 1300 feet elevation gain. Doesn't sound too bad for a fun afternoon with your hubby does it? Though I am so glad I completed this hike (which would have been impossible without Marshall), it was the most difficult hike I have ever done.
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"I can't make it!" I cried to Marshall as I climbed up the mountainside, the summit still in view. He was ever so patient with me, though stern at times because he knew I could do it. Eventually, we made it up, me with my tear-stained cheeks. I was so happy. For two minutes I did not think about the descent and enjoyed the beautiful lights of Anchorage, the mudflats, and the Chugach mountain range behind us. It was spectacular.
Descending from the summit was tough. We had to slide down part of the way, and while I may have cried like a baby at one point, my dear husband literally pulled me down as he wrapped my legs around him so that we could slide down on our rear ends. I have to admit that it was kind of fun. I even laughed through my sobs at one point. The rest of the hike was just lovely, though it had gotten dark sooner than we had been expecting (we could still see relatively easily due to the cloud cover and snow).
Normally our last-minute hikes go on as planned without any trouble at all. It would have been smart to have some clamp-ons for our boots as well as a flashlight, I know. BUT...I was able to overcome a fear AND see some amazing views of a state I am SO spoiled to live in.
Alaska has been a perfect first home for us. Now give me Kansas. I am ready. :)
Hahaha! Jenessa, this post made me laugh! Although if I had been there next to you...I more likely would have been crying, too, instead of laughing. ;) I'm glad Marshall pushed you to the top so that you could enjoy the views though! Oh, and Gabe said that if you took out all the mountains in the background of the first picture, then maybe that's what your Kansas adventure will look like. ;) Love you!
ReplyDeleteHaha yes I think Gabe is right! Oh what a hike it was. Love you!!
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