Kayaking Valdez Glacier Lake | How to Choose a Kayaking Tour

Sea kayaking in Alaska was not exactly on my bucket list, mostly for one reason – I figured it would be too pricey for my budget. I like to dream big, but I do also like to dream about outdoor adventures that lean more towards free, haha. :) Yet, life had different plans. I guess more like my roommate, Noelle, had different plans! We wanted to get out of Glennallen for the weekend and set our sights on the coastal town Valdez. She wanted to go sea kayaking and with a little bit of Google searching/phone calling she was able to find an affordable trip and talk me into going too. I’m so glad she did.

We ended up kayaking in Valdez Glacier Lake among floating iceberg chunks. Adjusting to paddling and steering the sea kayak together was a funny challenge, but one I think Noelle and I could accomplish! We docked our kayaks a couple times, hopping out to hike around the area. Along our trip we saw ice caves, mini waterfalls, and a spectacular view of Valdez Glacier and its medial moraines. During one of our short hikes we found ourselves being dive bombed by a seabird of some kind. We realized it must be trying to protect a nest nearby, so we tried to get away as soon as possible to allow it to relax… While also being as careful as possible because we had no idea where the nest was and didn’t want to find ourselves walking in it! This area isn’t considered a big ground nesting area as far as I’ve seen or our guide knew, so if you find yourself stumbling upon wildlife like we did and causing it distress, just give it more space.

 Now maybe you also want to book a kayaking tour too. Well awesome! Then I have some tips to help you book and go on the best trip you can:

• Decide What’s Most Important: As I’m sure you know if you’ve started searching for kayaking tours, there are a ton of options out there. Deciding what you really want out of your trip will help narrow down your choices. How much time do you want to spend out kayaking vs. hiking? What are you hoping to see or get out of your trip? How much money do you want to spend? The main priority for Noelle and I was get out kayaking within our budget. However, we also wanted to go sea kayaking and see fun marine wildlife we couldn’t see on land! If you’re heading to Valdez, then there are two sea kayaking groups out there with pretty much the exact same prices. So, peruse their websites, give them a call, and figure out which group is right for your schedule and needs for a kayaking tour!

• Make Your Needs Known: Once you know what you want, now’s your chance to make it known before booking! From what we read Noelle and I thought we would be sea kayaking in a place where we would be able to see otters. As we were packing up gear with our guide, we made some jokes about kayaking in the sea and he quickly corrected us that we would be going to a lake… Uh what? Haha. When we asked what wildlife we would see he told us, “Eagles and seagulls.” Oops. This is why I would definitely suggest communicating all your top priorities to your guides. Even if you’ve read their website or print materials (like we did!) you never know if a certain tour was changed around a little bit and instead of being on sea would be on a lake! If we had said, “We’re really interested in this tour for it’s price, being on the sea, and marine wildlife viewing opportunities,” then maybe someone could have let us know that particular tour was now scheduled for a lake.

• Show up Early & Prepared: Whatever tour group you end up going with will probably have a suggested checklist of items you should bring for your tour. If not a Google search would give you lots of other suggestions too. Basics would be wool or polyester (not cotton) top and bottom, a warm jacket (again not cotton), rain gear, a hat, and lots of snacks. Cotton keeps you colder when it gets wet, than wool, silk or synthetic material like polyester and out kayaking you are bound to get a little water on your someway or another. This is also why I like bringing an extra pair of clothes to change into afterwards. I like being comfy!

• General Safety Tips: After looking into kayaking tours you might notice that some places additionally offer just kayak rentals, no guides. You can talk to those groups and see if the area you want to kayak is within your level of skill and knowledge to decide if this is the route you want to go. Even if you’ve been kayaking before, but you’re a little unsure about being in a new situation, I would definitely suggest going with a guide. I’ve been kayaking before, but never near glaciers. It adds a whole new area I had no expertise in. I felt a lot more comfortable with a guide who had more knowledge of our surroundings. Some groups won’t rent just kayaks to you without certifications too. Even with a guide, don’t do something that makes you uncomfortable! Sometimes getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing, but you get to decide how you feel in each new moment. Maybe stepping outside of your box has felt great in the past, but if the present moment feels off, go with your gut and give yourself some peace of mind. Some moments I feel braver than others, so if you had caught me on a different day I might have said no to the ice cave for whatever reason and that would have been fine.

• Bonus Tip: If you’re a local in a touristy area or you work in the tourism industry, it never hurts to ask if there are any local discounts or tourism industry discounts. This isn’t always the case, so I definitely don’t expect any special “complimentary” pricing, but it does happen. Some friends had pointed this out to me recently and while it’s not my norm to ask these types of questions, I’ve learned you don’t lose anything by asking.

If you have any questions about kayaking tours in Alaska, let me know in the comments. I might be able to give you some helpful ideas or suggestions!

Tree Beanie | Locally Made in Flagstaff, Arizona

On a snowy afternoon, I ventured down a winding highway to catch up with my friend, Tasia, at her family’s cabin. Past the city limits of Flagstaff, Arizona, nestled near the San Francisco Peaks, their property turns into a winter wonderland once the snow season hits. Ponderosa pine trees loom above their cabins, bunkhouse, yurt, and barn, all of which you can actually rent on airbnb. Definitely give them a look if you’re wanting to spend some time in Northern Arizona. I stayed there for one of my first weeks in Flagstaff, when I still wasn’t sure I would officially move to town, and their guest cabin is very cozy! 

As you can imagine, with that much space there is a lot to roam. We ran around with her dogs, Theo and Keli, I got to take a peek at their vintage fire truck, and she showed me the new beanies she had just knitted. Tasia is actually the owner and craftswoman behind Tree Beanie, hand knitted headwear that is locally made in Flagstaff. Since she had just finished so many new beanies, we wanted to take some photos to show them off. If you’re in the area, then you can shop Tree Beanie at Babbitt’s Backcountry. Even if you’re outside of Flag you can still shop Tree Beanie at their Instagram. They make a fun and cozy Christmas gift!

It’s really wonderful to know the person behind the company you are supporting, so here’s a little more about Tasia:

• Why did you choose the name Tree Beanie? My beanies were originally called, "Tasia Beanies", but I didn't like having my name in my brand. So, I tried to think of what I would want my brand to look like. My tree of life tattoo on my shoulder came to mind. It seemed perfect! The tree represents my love for nature. In fact, my mom says that even as a kid I was always happier in the woods. It seemed like a good representation of me.

• What made you start your company? Honestly, I figured out how to make a beanie and I didn't want to stop making them, but I also didn't want to collect a bunch of beanies. At the time, I was working for Babbitt's and the owner is a good friend. He agreed to let me sell them. They have been successful for three seasons so far!

• How do you choose your yarn, the colors, and what patterns you want to create? I just pick colors and yarn that excite me. I love just walking around the yarn aisles until something sticks out to me. My patterns are actually pretty simple. They are usually just a variation of two stitches. I love the puff stitch because it always creates a cozy piece! Recently, I started making ear warmers because a friend requested I make one. Then, my husband Joel suggested I sew a fleece lining into them. The ear warmer has been a big hit this season. Currently, I'm making myself a neck warmer that stretches over my ears and mouth. I will release a photo soon for anyone interested.

• What values help guide your career and company? I'm just doing something I love. It is such a humbling experience to have customers excited about what I make. I hope I can continue to do that! I am also a big supporter of buying handmade products. Handmade products are one-of-a-kind!!! Plus you are supporting a person and not a big corporation!

• What's an accomplishment you are most proud of with Tree Beanie? Right now I'm proud that they are selling and people like wearing what I made. A few months ago my husband and I were in Safeway and I saw someone wearing one of my beanies! It was so cool to see!

• Who are you outside of Tree Beanie? Well, I'm married to a tall, goofy red head! I'm a dog owner of two furry babies. I love rock climbing and spending time in the woods. I also like wearing cozy plaid, wool socks, and my cowgirl boots! Some of my favorite things include, candles, hot chocolate in a big mug, journaling, yarn, the sound of wind in the trees, big monsoon thunder storms, and the first snow of the year!

I also have my very own Tree Beanie hat and it has kept me warm while cross country skiing in Arizona, camping in the Utah winter, taking a chilly morning walk to a hot spring in Canada, and riding boats in Alaska! The striped colors on my beanie remind me of warm desert colors while I am far away from the landscape I grew up in. When the wind is blowing cold and harsh I never feel warm enough without a nice knit hat.  Once I slip one on over my head I instantly feel snug and toasty. Plus, they tame my frizzy curls, keeping them down on my shoulders rather than whipping around my face. Way less tangles involved with a beanie! I wear them on my walks down the windy beach and on any cold morning spent outside. You can see how much I love wearing it below…

My 5 Favorite Places to #OptOutside in Arizona

Thanksgiving week is upon us, which means soon enough - Black Friday. A day of deals, early morning openings, stampedes, and terrifying accounts later heard on the news. A day that never felt right to me. I hated hearing about the Black Friday aftermath on the news. Especially after a day we’re encouraged to show gratitude. Thankfully (is this considered punny?), there are organizations that choose a different value for the day after Thanksgiving. Like REI.  

Since 2015, REI has encouraged folks to reconnect with the outdoors over the holiday weekend through their campaign, #OptOutside. Every year they close down their stores to business, paying their employees to instead enjoy some quality time out in the fresh air and inspiring customers to do the same. CEO Jerry Stritzke explains, "As a member-owned co-op, our definition of success goes beyond money. We believe that a life lived outdoors is a life well lived and we aspire to be stewards of our great outdoors." Getting a holiday weekend off isn’t a privilege we all have, but if it’s one you find yourself with this week, here’s my 5 favorite places in Arizona to #OptOutside.

Oak Creek in Sedona: Oak Creek makes for a beautiful hike or a perfect spot to relax near. Bring a towel, chair, or hammock along with some snacks and you can sit or lie by the creek for some “chill out” time. It’s fun to read, write, or draw and of course take a dip in the creek. There are multiple spots in Sedona where you can hang out by Oak Creek. My favorite spots usually involve a little bit of a hike, but anywhere usually puts me in a nice relaxed state of mind. If you’re looking for more of a hike check out West Fork Trail. If you want to get in the water, then look into Slide Rock State Park. Both need parking passes, so make sure you bring cash. Wanting some more options? Just do a quick Google Search! Keep in mind, no matter where you go there are some really important guidelines when recreating near sources of water. For one, if you have to go to the bathroom, be at least 200 feet away from water. The same goes for washing anything with soap, shampoo, or toothpaste, even if it’s biodegradable. When can all do our part to avoid affecting wildlife or taking away from other visitors’ experience when we prevent water pollution!

The Salt River in Mesa: Another great area for hiking or relaxing. But it doesn’t just stop there. You can paddleboard, kayak, or lazily float down the river. I’ve even seen people on a blow up mattress drifting along the Salt River, haha. Make sure you’re prepared for paddling or swimming in the area you’d like to go though! There are lots of picnic tables nearby too, so this would be a great spot for a picnic. Follow Leave No Trace ethics if you plan on packing along some food as well as the tips listed above. Take a peek at the Tonto National Forest website to find where you’d like to spend your time at the Salt River. Wherever you go, keep your eyes peeled for rope swings that you can use to swing yourself into the water! Note: The more recent times I’ve been to the Salt River I haven’t taken photos, but soaked up the scenery instead. So, enjoy these older photos where I somehow convinced my friends to model for me ;)

3. The Grand Canyon: This National Park has hiking, scenic views, and ranger led activities. Every time I’ve been to the Grand Canyon, I’ve chosen to walk around, completely ignoring any park activities. I have to admit that before working for the National Park Service, I never considered going to a ranger led walk or completing a Jr. Ranger book. Now, though, I do think these are really fun! Get a “passport” stamp, fill out a Jr. Ranger book to get your ranger badge, and go to presentations that the rangers are giving. You’ll probably learn new things and have a good time along the way. Anyone who thinks this is weird is probably just missing out like past Ali was!

4. The Superstition Mountains: If you like cacti, look into hikes in the Superstition Mountains! The springtime brings lots of gorgeous blooms in this area, but our current fall/winter season has some nice cool breezes to refresh you on your desert adventure. Whether you want a long or short hike, you’ll be able to find multiple options around here. All with lovely views. I have a short video about the hike at Hieroglyphics Trail, so take a look at that to get some ideas of the fun you can discover out at the Superstitions. Do some research to find the trailhead that will be best for you and remember to bring water! Even though the weather is nicer than usual, that desert sun will still leave you parched and you don’t want to get dehydrated out there.

5. San Tan Mountain Regional Park: Another great spot for desert lovers. You can hike at this park for a small entry fee. The price fluctuates depending on which entrance you use and how you choose to get there (car, bike, or by foot). I’ve been to all three access points and can say I love them all. My mom lives nearby, so I’ve spent a lot of time exercising and reflecting along these trails. I don’t always love having to pay for a place that feels like my backyard, but I have to remind myself it’s an important “donation” to help maintain an area so many of us love. If you’re not interested in the small admittance fee, then even parking and exploring a nearby area outside the park will lead to fun discoveries. My family and I would sometimes pile in the car and drive around to find a place to explore. We’ve come across cholla forests, bones and skulls, and beautiful views.

Arizona has so many various landscapes, that there’s just too many places to list here! Between all the public lands in the state, you could spend a lifetime uncovering all the unique corners of my Southwest home. These places suggested above are my favorite because they are nearby Flagstaff or Phoenix and don’t require a ton of advance planning. In Phoenix, I’d often hop into my car after work, drive to the Salt River, and take a little moment for myself. In Flagstaff, I could decide on a last minute whim to head south to Sedona or up north to the Grand Canyon. If you have some more time to plan, take a look at all the National Forests, Parks, Monuments, and public lands available to you in Arizona! Either way, take the opportunity to #OptOutside if you can. The theme for this year’s campaign is cleaning up. Wherever you go, consider bringing a bag and some gloves to clean up any trash you see along the way. Let me know your favorite places to spend outside or if you end up going to one of these suggestions.

Hieroglyphics Trail | Hiking in the Arizona Desert

Two winters ago, my brother, Tim, and I went on a hike in the Superstition Mountains. Hiking with Tim is always great because we both love taking photos for fun and usually keep the same pace with all our photo taking. This time I decided to take some video and challenge myself to create a project outside of my norm. It was really fun to put together, but when it came time to share it I froze! Was this on brand with my style? What would it show future collaborators about the value of my work? Blah blah blah. A bunch of boring, little thoughts that get in the way. The great thing about discovering a project from a while back is that you have a new perspective. This definitely shows my love for the outdoors, for challenging myself, and for working in an intimate setting.

Hieroglyphics Trail is a pretty easy, non technical hike and gives you a beautiful view of the desert once you’ve reached the top. Roundtrip it’s less than 3 miles, so it can be a shorter hike. Or if you are like Tim and me, then you can take your time snapping photos and exploring the top without worrying about making it back to the car in time. You gain almost 600 feet in elevation, which I barely remembering noticing in the low desert since I’d been living at 7,000 ft, but Tim teased me that he could feel more of a difference. The trail is also a great place for families and dogs (if kept on a leash). If you come during the right seasons there will be wildflowers along the way and even small pools and a waterfall at the end of the trail.

When you get to the top there are petroglyphs you can look at, take photos of, or even sketch, but of course don’t touch the petroglyphs! Bears Ears Education Center has some great suggestions on how to visit places with respect. It’s important to respect the land for future visitors and just as important to remember we might consider this public land for everyone, but often these are archeological sites of indigenous people and there are laws about cultural artifacts. These places aren’t just objects of history or science, but a connection to people.

If you get the chance, check out Hieroglyphics Trail or the surrounding Superstition Mountains. It’s a gorgeous desert area that will give you appreciation for dusty browns and faded greens. Check out my video below for some desert views!

The Space Where Growth Happens | Road Trip from Arizona to Alaska

There are times in life I feel rather behind. My friends are with their life partners, buying homes, starting families, and moving up in their jobs. Then here I am living with a revolving door of roommates, my closest companion is my cat, and I somehow freelanced my way from Phoenix to Flagstaff, which was a completely unplanned move. It seemed to happen by chance when the world decided to align in the right places. Then I somehow landed in Alaska. The biggest thing I’m working on at all times is my confidence. I’m not worried about getting a house, finding the perfect job, meeting the right person to spend my life with. I just want to be self-assured and true to who I am and then watch how that manifests in the various aspects of my life, whether work or dating or friendships. However, when I stop and notice the contrast between my friends’ lives and mine, self doubt creeps in. I have to wonder if I’m actually behind everyone else… Should I have already found this confidence? Should I have moved on to more important things at this point? Would these things make my life feel more complete? Do I need to focus more on settling rather than an idea of self value?

In comparison to my friends, my life seems untidy. No part of it is arranged perfectly. I choose seasonal and inconsistent jobs that I’m passionate about over the option of stability. I’ve moved about once a year for the last several years because my needs change with the different seasons of my life. While the longest relationship I’ve had is a ten year one…  It’s with my cat. And I’m mostly certain that’s lasted so long because he doesn’t know where else to get food. Nothing in my life seems to fit into a category or align with a pre-planned path. I’m sort of floundering around between spaces seeing where I fit. For the most part it seems like I fit nowhere.

While it would be nice to ignore any comparison (I know, I know) it can be hard when your family and friends still ask when you’re getting a “real job” or when you’re going to start dating again because they’re excited for you to have kids. These questions really add pressure to “settle down” and live a certain kind of life. At times I find myself caving into this pressure and looking for more stability, whether in a job or housing. Whenever I do this though, I begin to feel very overwhelmed. Almost to the point where I want to just shut down. So I have to pause and rethink. What does being unsettled really mean?

There’s an idea that being unsettled means you lack stability. Anyone living an unsettled life is aimless, directionless, or without a purpose. However, living unsettled can actually represent ever changing ideas, openness, and the opportunity to still be decided. It means a work in progress! My life seems like floundering, but really it’s freedom. The wandering about, letting things come and go, creates extra room in my world. This is the space where growth happens.

Instead of meaningless meandering, I realize I’m actually allowing myself to have the option to figure everything out as I go, rather than trying to have my life pinned down and stable as soon as possible. This room lets me make very intentional and meaningful decisions. And I’ve really discovered a lot! I’ve learned what I care for in this world, where my passions lie, how I deserve to be treated, and how I want to treat others. It’s been so liberating to give myself the opportunity to change, whether my beliefs or interests or career. I’m not limited to one particular path. Instead I have the chance to expand in any direction I chose.

Over the past several years, I’ve let myself walk along many paths that often fork off into different directions. When I graduated film school, I could have stayed at my internship for another semester, or found an internship out in Los Angeles like a lot of my friends, but neither of these choices seemed right. I was proud of the skills I gained with my film degrees, but my heart felt compelled to do more with those talents than work on a set or in an editing house. I decided to register for a Bachelor’s in Non Profit Management and Leadership instead. While I did have a college advisor who repeatedly asked me why I didn’t just go get a marketing job, I felt there was more to be found while getting a second degree. There’s nothing like a group assignment to show you the parts of yourself you don’t love and teach you to stay calm, patient, and kind! During my time back at school, a classmate asked if I would be interested in a media job at a nonprofit summer camp. I was reminded how much I love working with youth and value working in the outdoors. From there an environmental education camp asked if I could come work with them to create their very own media department and this is where I discovered a passion for conservation and environmentalism. I learned how important it is to be a steward of the land and how much I cared about passing my passion on to students. It’s what led me to search for media positions in conservation and that search landed me in Alaska working with the National Park Service. I feel so much more fulfilled now that I ever did working a set or editing in a post house for 12 or more hours a day and who knows how long it would have taken me to find the things that bring me joy if I had felt the need to stay on a rigid path!

I hear a lot from others that they’re not sure they could handle the stress they assume comes with the instability in my life. I get that. Yet, it’s this unsettledness that allows for change and personal growth, which is the kind of stability I’m really looking for. I want my security to come from within me rather than any external force. The funny thing is (it’s actually not funny as a lot of my friends would point out, but I like this word… If you have any suggestions for new adjectives, please share) when I start to worry about getting settled there’s no space for confidence in my life. I start doing things untrue to myself. I feel disconnected and unable to honor the sincerest part of myself, so my confidence has no footing. It completely loses balance and falls so far below I can’t even see it! When I let myself remain unsettled that’s when something beautiful happens. Being unsettled allows me to be very intentional with my choices! I make meaningful decisions based on what’s most important to me and not necessarily what I think others will see as wrong or right.

I’ve spent the last year, grasping around for what feels “normal”, but it wasn’t until I accepted an offer to relocate across the country, in a new, unknown terrain, because it would offer me an experience I knew I really wanted, that I felt normal again. My life is untidy. I don’t know where I’ll be living in a few months and I have to part from friends for longer than I’d like. Yet, my life is full of so much meaning and growth. Friendships in far away corners of the world show me they’re built on deeper connections than just proximity. Uncertainty in living spaces let me see all the possibilities a little more clearly. I’m grateful for all the opportunities that come up in my unsettled life.