When you’re in Alaska during Midnight Sun season, you can book a three-hour photography tour with a 9 p.m. start time. By 11-ish, the sun begins to set, which just means it lowers and creates brilliant colors that perfectly position photos in the mountains. So, there I was in a truck with a tour guide and two other women going down what seemed like random sparsely travelled roads late at night in rural Alaska. At one point as I stood in the middle of a dirt road with my back to everyone and kneeled down to take a photo up a hill with a sunlit mountain in the background, the true crime documentary lover in me had a realization that I didn’t have cell service. But at least I’d leave behind some great photos!
I sincerely felt safe every step of the way. As you may know, Denali, the highest peak in North America, has its own weather system because of its incredible size and elevation difference from base to peak. (Yes, I’m aware of the recent name change. I prefer to refer to it as the native people would refer to it.) Well, despite everywhere around Denali having sunshine most the day, Denali was swaddled in clouds throughout the day. But apparently locals know the patterns, and rumor had it she might just peek out that evening. Our guide no more controlled the weather than the wildlife in Alaska, but he drove us down the highway and pulled off the road by a small lake in time to see the top of Denali. Of course, she was still quite a distance away, and she still had a ring of cloud around her, but she stood out from every other mountain. Massive. I thought about people who dare to climb Denali and Mt. Everest and others. I wondered who was on the mountain right then and what they were experiencing. Here I was, in the comfort of normal weather, comfortable clothes, and the ability to sleep in a comfortable bed, breathe oxygen-rich air, and savor a delicious snack. I knew they were where they chose to be, and I said a prayer.
We also ventured to a beautiful pond where we captured serene reflection photos. I’d step to the right and to the left, and the view shifted a bit. I’d wait a half of a minute, and clouds had moved enough to subtly change the view. I took photos with both my camera and my phone so I could compare the two. I learned new ways to use both.
On our way back to the resort, we learned more about life in Alaska. We saw a local moose (because apparently some moose like to stay in the same general area most of the time and people get worried when they are missing). We heard about travel to and from Alaska for those who stay only during the Spring and Summer months. It was all intriguing, engaging, and relaxing. I contently collapsed into bed a little after midnight.
I took photos, which is something I like to do no matter where I am. In that way, it was typical, comfortable. But it was also different, outside my comfort zone. And I liked it. I enjoy exploring life on my own and alongside others. There’s a lot to experience, and I don’t want to miss it.