Week ten was a very work-heavy and productive week. I spent a lot of time working hard on a photography book with Joe, eager to see it come to completion before the season is over. It really hit me this week how quickly the summer is passing by!

Monday I went on a great photo tour with some really neat people. They had traveled all over the world, and when I spoke to them of making plans for an Africa trip this winter, they were elated to tell me about their trip, and recommend neat places to see and things to do. I feel really blessed to share my work hours with fascinating people from all over the world.

Wednesday was also pretty special, since I was able to go on two different tours. One was a photography tour, and the other was a wildlife tour with Joe. It was really a great experience to be able to shadow Joe on a tour – as he is such a wealth of knowledge about the natural history of Alaska. I listened to him as he passionately discussed the melting of the glaciers, how they formed and melted and carved out the valleys we are blessed with now. How the ocean water then filled these valleys and created fjords. How the flora and fauna and animals were able to flourish in this nutrient rich spot, and how so much came to depend on this area of land. How interconnected and intertwined everything is. It was truly really inspiring. We were out with an amazing family from India, and I couldn’t stop giggling, as their little boy was so eagerly looking for alligators in the Chilkoot Lake.

Thursday was my first 4th of July experience here in Haines, and I have to say, bravo! It was such a neat day, filled with such a spirit of community. It started in the morning with a great and quirky parade. My personal favorite was a float that boasted a man in a bear suit, who – every once in awhile, broke out of his “cage” and ran around the streets picking up candy. All day there were community barbecues and bake sales. There was neat things like pie eating contests, mud volleyball, and fire hose battles. Later in the evening, there was a wonderful music festival in the parade grounds of Fort Seward, followed by fireworks shot off from picture point. It was really something to stand at the end of the dock and watch the fireworks explode over the Lynn Canal, complemented by the majesty of the mountains.

During the weekend  I had the opportunity to jump back in to a healthier lifestyle. Moving around from one place to another, I think, can make it a little difficult to stay in that sort of routine, so I focused intently on getting a good work out in every day, indulging in long and disciplined yoga practices, and being mindful about how I was eating. By the end of Sunday evening, my body felt so tremendous, I literally felt like I could hear it thanking me. As a side note, running here in Haines is a phenomenal experience. Something about being active in such an active piece of natural land is completely invigorating.

Though the summer is going fast, I am  happy to be here now.

 

© Brooke Foorman 2013

© Brooke Foorman 2013