Tag Archives: Mountain

One Man's Paradise

Black and White

I see the world in black and white,
and I don’t like compromising.

Greta Thunburg

I wonder how Greta is doing these days. It must be exhausting to believe so strongly in a cause and being ignored by most. There is a quote by her saying “Why study if there is no future?”. She and others believe we are at the beginning of a mass extinction caused by climate change (and possibly other human-inflicted causes). The warmest June on record, continued deforestation… Do I need to go on?

I am with the “Enjoy it while you can crowd”. Living in a large state, that imports most goods from the lower 48s, produces a big chunk of American crude oil, and has no recycling capabilities, it is not easy to be green. Our summer seems within the norm. Big swaths of mosquitoes, tons of wildflowers, bluebird days followed by dramatic skies, drizzle and the occasional torrential downpour.

Human nature is not black and white
but black and grey.

Graham Greene
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One Man's Paradise

Midnight Sun

I’ve found that there is always some beauty left; in Nature, sunshine, freedom, in yourself.

Anne Frank

I am living in a valley, surrounded by green hills. Behind the hills rises one of the most amazing mountain ranges: the Alaska Range. Not every day we have a clear view of the range, let alone of Denali, the highest mountain in North America. The mountain is often shrouded in its own clouds, while the “lesser” mountains are plainly visible.

It is very tempting to go to bed after a day of work. But then, I know, I may miss an amazing sunset. Usually I am not a fan of sunsets or sunrises photographs, but here the play between clouds and mountains, glaciers and valleys is just amazing.

Denali, North Peak
Mount Mather
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Inside Out

Shake it off

There is a tree outside of our house still has leaves clinging to its branches. The leaves are dry and a dull brown, or bright orange in the right light. There have been winter advisories with high winds, freezing nights, rain and sunshine. Nothing has convinced the leaves to go on their final journey and return to the ground.

It’s a new year, 2023. I feel like this old tree. Can’t let go of the old. The new green is not there, yet.

I know.

“Hit the reset button. Whatever happened yesterday, forget about it. Get a new perspective. Today is a new day. Fresh start, begins now.”
―

Germany Kent

How is your start in the New Year?

Cheers

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Autumn

Termination Dust, Alaska

“Autumn is more a season of the soul than of nature.”

Friedrich Nietzsche

I had so many good intentions about documenting my adventures this year in the Arctic:

Months without sunrise or sunset.

The first fireweed flower of the season.

The scares of wildfires abound.

Floating through the Gates of the Arctic.

Climbing Mt. Dillon.

Where did it all go? Well, there were so many thrilling moments this summer, I found just enough time to breathe, eat, and occasionally sleep.

Hope your summer was a great one.

Officially we are still having fall, although winter is knocking heavily on its doors in some places of North America.

How does your soul feel about the impending transition?

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Sunday

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Do something wonderful,
people may imitate it.

Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer was a highly educated and accomplished musician and theologian, when he decided to make a difference in West Africa. At age 30 he studied Medicine and went as a doctor with his wife Helene to Gabon to start a health clinic. He returned to Europe several times due to World War I and health issues. Nevertheless, he always returned to the hospital, where he lived until age 90.

He wrote several religious and philosophical books, such as The Philosophy of Civilization. He also documented his life in Lambaréné in On the Edge of the Primeval Forest, which is available at the Gutenberg Project. For his work he was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. His wife Helene contributed greatly to the success of Albert. She was one of the first female students at the University of Strasbourg, became a nurse and anesthesiologist, fund raiser, lecturer, and mother.
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One Man's Paradise

After the storm

“Thank goodness for the first snow, it was a reminder–no matter how old you became and how much you’d seen, things could still be new if you were willing to believe they still mattered.”

Candace Bushnell

Beautiful skies are back in all it’s splendor after the second snow this season.

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Summit Lake, British Columbia

 

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Sometimes I prefer traveling over arriving. This year’s road trip went from Salt Lake to Alaska. It’s the third time that I made the long trek up north. For the first time in July, which made for amazing weather and beautiful wild flowers along the way.

See for yourself.

Floating trees, BC
Picture perfect weather, BC
Wild flowers, BC
Mt. Robson, BC
Athabasca Falls, BC
Banff National Park, BC

On the Road

Road trip

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One Man's Paradise

Close to the heart

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May Weather in the Boundaries Range, British Columbia

“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing.
I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche.
I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens,
and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”

John Muir

 

Those are the words of a great man.

Looking across the valleys and mountains of the Boundaries Range I imagine this is what John Muir had in mind, when he traveled to Alaska 130 years ago: Snow and ice covered landscapes. Even today, patches of that pristine wilderness still exist. Often times hiding in the clouds.

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