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As I  sit in this comfy "mine for the night" bed (yep- I said bed...)  in Fairbanks I can't quite wrap my head around the fact that we have only been off Kodiak island for 9 days. A week and some change. It dawned on my yesterday that I actually currently do not have a home.  It's a really odd feeling actually- to know everything you need is in your vehicle and you won't see anything else you own for months.   But that is also the charm of  it- right?

Bed. This comfy fluffy fresh bed. At $169 plus $75 for the dog room feels like both a blessing and a curse. For the past 2 weeks I've been plagued with some sort of mystery aliment after another that is really driving me mad! Last week a had a pulled stomach muscle, I recently had some stomach muscle repair done and I guess I'm still in that be cautious recovery zone. I suppose moving and lifting boxes and such wasn't the best for that. And apparently now I have planters fasciitis in my left foot?  It came out of nowhere while we were moving and then disappeared for  few days then I woke up this morning feeling like I really couldn't walk. An evening call to nurse Lynda (aka mom) and I think we got to the bottom of it and can now move on. But in the meantime I guess an evening of  hot baths and internet to decide what is next isn't the worst thing in the world. 

And backtracking.  

So we are doing something kind of crazy. Why you ask? Let's start at the beginning.
Alaska is a huge state. I mean like seriously huge. It's spread apart and more than just dotted in vast areas of remoteness. Almost all of which is completely unexplored by Scot and I. Trying to decide where you want to head next, if you have to sign a year long contract with the actual hope of finding your little piece of heaven that you never want to leave, is kind of hard when you are just looking at a map and Googling it. And since we are marooned on this island with no ferry's until April we can't just go check it out first hand.  Which takes us to The Plan. 
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I've signed a contract to go back to Brevig Misson. Yes. It is even more remote than Kodiak. No, there isn't a typical grocery store, or cars, or roads, or basically anything. Which- given my complaints about why we want to leave Kodiak, makes the decision seem pretty much crazy. But on the adventure side of life, which often rules all of our decision making, it is pretty spectacular. As far as experiencing wild Alaska- there you go. I did this alone for 3 years. But I'm really excited to get to experience it with Scot now.  I think I definitely experienced everything on the play it safe front and can not wait to see what things are like with a partner in crime. My experience there had a profound effect on my outlook in life. There aren't many people who get to experience life like this. And I can't wait to see some amazing familiar faces and all my little lovelies who aren't so little any more.  
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But what about the summer you ask? I'm pretty much preparing myself for any and all adventures possible. Mostly- there is no plan. Can you think of anything more amazing? I can't. 

 Okay- there is a bit of a plan. We will be outfitting my 2012 Ford Explorer with this rooftop tent and just- GOING. Wherever and whenever we please. There has been talk of work stays, helicopter rafting trips,  and most of all sleeping under the stars. We will be doing a lot to get the car ready for such an adventure. Right now we have been deciding what will be staying and going. What is worth shipping out to the village? Sell it? Store it? It is kind of a freeing experience because really- you don't need a lot to survive. Currently I've only gone through my closet. I mean- I had a enough clothes for 4 people... We'll talk about that addiction another time. But I've already earned about $400 from clothes I barely wore that hadn't been worn in well over a year. ​ Baby steps. Really. We are going to send and store as little as possible. If there is no sentimental value and it is easily replaceable. Good riddance. 

And of course, as we explore every nook and cranny (that one summer will allow) of Alaska maybe we can find our next step. Or. Maybe we'll give it all up and just be nomads forever. 

The winter months in Alaska can be hard.  Last year we did our share of strapping on ice cleats and doing some winter hiking when we could. But I feel like a wimp in the winter. This year I had a pretty intense surgery and decided to do it in the winter, instead of the summer, so I was recovering when it was cold and dreary instead of the best time of the year. 

As far as winter days in Alaska- today was about as good as it gets. And there isn't anyone who could complain about the views. Today was a pretty big milestone for me. I went on my first "hike" since surgery. And it kicked my butt.  Just months ago I was doing walking an average of 15,000 steps a day. When the weather was nice we were regularly hiking 10 miles or more up the steep steep trails around the island. 
​It's amazing how fast you lose your stamina. While it was only a 2 1/2 mile hike that left me out of breath- I'm trying to remind myself that only 2 months ago walking across the room was a feat.  We have just about 3 months before summer shenanigans so I have my work cut out for me.  I need to come up with a solid plan to stay motivated. Being active, or inactive, can become a habit. I didn't think twice about it all summer- because it was habit. Now, I'm used to being kind of a bum because I had to. 

​I've been in this place of feeling equally life overwhelmed and totally go with the flow whatever works out works out. It's a very confusing place to be and a glimpse into what the inside of my brain looks like. 

Teaching is amazing. While maybe not for everyone- it is what I was born to do. The one draw back though, for me at least, is the timing for having to make decisions on where you want to be and where you can get a job really far in advance. Parts of my nomad brain wishes I could just want to go somewhere- and then take off the next day. While this is the future plan- it's not my current reality. 

We have decided that our Kodiak adventure was coming to an end. Which is bittersweet. After traveling around the world I can say it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Views you could never get tired of.  As far as teaching goes, I don't think Kodiak is my perfect fit (though my students were beyond amazing). Kodiak is also expensive so that plays a role in things and we are ready for more of an area to explore. 

So. I'm over here adulting. It's February and time to plan where we want to be from next August to May. That is a big commitment. (I have a contract offer just waiting for a decision already. Do I already know my new home??? Keep you posted!) In the mean time I sold my car. My beautiful, first car I ever picked out that I really wanted, shiny, loaded, happy Mazda. But I'm car payment free and have a perfectly good Ford Escape. So suck it up buttercup. And of course as life always works out- as soon as I listed my Mazda for sale I got a second flat tire. Apparently Kodiak rocks can puncture your tires. Twice. Beefy new Alaska tires, two weeks later, and the depletion of my tax return later... But that was stage one for summer shenanigans anyway.  It's a give and take really.   OHHH summer shenanigans how I am dreaming of you already....