Alaska

Mary Forbes
EVWP Summer 2009

Alaska.

The soft ripple of slow moving water as it flowed past smooth rocks beneath the coolness of the rock beneath my legs. The cool breeze as it passed through my hair. The low bush cranberries' tart taste fills my mouth. The eagle's shrill voice as it passes overhead. These are the sounds that were heard on a summer afternoon in Alaska in my youth.

There are many wonders that took place in that summer so many years ago. Studying for an FCC license with my Dad, walking our family's St. Bernard (or rather being walked by the St. Bernard!), living in a log cabin, having only three television stations to watch, working at the radio station writing commercials, then hearing them badly read. But the strongest memory was just being outside in a place where nature is truly untamed.

I have always enjoyed hiking and camping. I think this is mainly because of the summer my family spent in Alaska. It was the summer of the eighth grade, and we were in a very different place. Each afternoon I would take a short hike by myself. We were living in an area on the edge of a forest. There was a trail, but it was a subtle suggestion. One afternoon, I decided to take my usual stroll. It was warm, but not hot, just as all the afternoons are in midsummer, central Alaska style. I strolled through the trees, noticing the rustling of the breeze through the pine branches. I went to my favorite spot by a small spring, and threw rocks into the water. The rushing of the water over the rocks made a peaceful, gentle sound that erased tension. After a period of time, I decided it was time to go back to the cabin.

For the first few minutes, all that I could hear was the smooshing of the moss underneath my feet. I started to her the faint call of an eagle overhead. I stopped to look at the beautiful creature. I observed it soaring lower and lower. Soon I noticed that the eagle was getting closer and closer. The screeching of the very large bird started to get me nervous. As the bird started to get very close, I noticed that it's claws had become outstretched. I quickly realized that I had a problem.

I started to run, which really got the large creature excited. I looked up, and saw the claws coming my way. “Think quick,” I told myself. The only thing that I could think of was to run toward the many trees. To my relief, the bird decided that it couldn't reach me under the tree. I heard him screech in irritation, and fly away. I realized after this that I was indeed living in an area that was untamed frontier.

The eagle experience didn't stop my love for the beauty of Alaska's nature. I still took my walks and sat by the stream. I just couldn't stay away from seeing the beauty that surrounded me. One thing that did change, however, is having a watchful eye for eagles flying overhead.