Everywhere’s Alaska, ain’t that the dream?

by Hei Cheng (Guatemala)

A leap into the unknown USA

It didn’t occur to me until on the way to the trailhead that the bear is about time to come out from hibernation since it’s getting warmer. I don’t have a gun but I didn’t really worry too much since my spirit was strong. It’s about 3.5 miles on foot or snow machine. Took me an hour and half for the whole hike, my body was pumped with excitement I was only wearing a long sleeve shirt and denim overall though it has just started to snow. I didn’t see anyone the way out there but the trail was very obvious and packed by snow machine. It was exciting going into the unknown. When you live out in the woods in Alaska it’s best to travel either in the summer where there’s no snow or winter while ice is solid/frozen, it all depends on the temperature and time of the day. The cabin is hiding up on a ridge, I put on snow shoe and climbed it. I spent an hour cleaning the wood stove digging out wet ash and started collecting wood, I started a fire and it smoked the whole house. I am usually pretty good at starting a fire. I went up to the loft and realized missing a chimney piece. I got frustrated thinking maybe I should just go back. I found the missing piece in the snow. I got the fire going. I didn’t do much beside reading under the sun half naked amongst couple feet of snow, getting wood and cooking. I am working to my own schedule learning not to rush things. Can’t rush greatness. This is what I came here for but at times I feel extremely lonely and want to get back out. Throughout the day there will be slight moment of joy coming through, feeling it’s awesome to be out here but most of the time my spirit is low. Solitude doesn’t bring happiness. Again I’m dreaming about and hoping for the next stop, seems to be my pattern. Am I always just wanting what I don’t have? When can I achieve a state of contentment like Harry said: everywhere’s Alaska, ain’t that the dream? It doesn’t matter where I am and what I’m escaping from, I’m still looking for that ‘Alaska’. I told Janel I would come out on Tuesday and if she doesn’t see me that day she gonna send someone to find me, the only people know how to get to the cabin are Levi and cowboy John. It was raining all night and it made me anxious. Turned out the trail was not bad at all. The only part I need snow shoes was the heart attack hill, which is steeper than 45 degrees. Made to the road at mile 9 and start walking back hoping to hitchhike back to Levi’s, which is at mile 0.5. Four five cars past me and I put my thumbs up and looked at them desperately but none of them picked me up, they actually speed up when they saw me. Around halfway I stopped putting my thumbs up when I hear a car coming from behind, I thought I’ve gone this far mind as well finish it myself. I was going to go to Levi’s to bum a smoke and a beer, right before I got there I can hear a car slowing down next to me without turning my head, it was Whiskey and Levi. “You made it back! You going back to the hostel? Need a ride? Come over for a beer if you want. “You know exactly what I want” Around 530 Janel came to get me to cook dinner for everyone. Funny how she grew up in homestead but never really cooked. In 40 minutes we quickly whipped up a meal. It was 630 and still bright out. Someone said “and now we have a feast!” Everyone was full and happy. The second day in the cabin one of the tea tag said “Don’t count the days and make the days count” Now look back at those 4 days in the wood it already seemed like a faded memory. April 10 1240pm 2019