Under the Midnight Sun

There are strange things done in the midnight sun...

~Robert W. Service

Happy Solstice Farmgirl friends!! You can tell it’s solstice time in Alaska (and I bet about everywhere else, too)–there is so much going on from visitors to festivals to backyard parties.  Of course, the farming season is gearing up and the fields at Sun Circle Farm are almost at maximum capacity (one of these years a fallow field will remain fallow!)  Looking through my photos over the last month, I found that there were beautiful gems everywhere…

(While I have included the following photos, if you keep scrolling there IS one cohesive story to follow!)

Like these of the girls helping with farming and home gardening projects:

Opal helps pot up some hanging baskets, container peppers and container tomatoes.  She loves to copy whatever I do!

Opal helps pot up some hanging baskets, container peppers and container tomatoes. She loves to copy whatever I do!

Opal helps me harvest some stinging nettle that had overtaken a raspberry patch at our new house.  They didn't seem to sting her...

Opal helps me harvest some stinging nettle that had overtaken a raspberry patch at our new house. They didn’t seem to sting her…

Opal's mad digging skills as she helps me clean up the perennial bed at the farm.

Opal’s mad digging skills as she helps me clean up the perennial bed at the farm.

Ava is my soil block making assistant (I could write a whole blog post about soil blocks!)

Ava is my soil block making assistant (I could write a whole blog post about soil blocks!)

Ava helps spread a mix of amendments to a newly opened bed--a combo of fish bone meal, blood meal, lime and some other necessary trace minerals (magnesiuma and boron anyone?)

Ava helps spread a mix of amendments to a newly opened bed–a combo of fish bone meal, blood meal, lime and some other necessary trace minerals (magnesium and boron anyone?)

Or spending as much free time outside as possible:

Hens roosting under a picnic table at the local brewery.  Mandatory Father's Day stop!

Hens roosting under a picnic table at the local brewery. Mandatory Father’s Day stop!

Evan's photo. His caption: "What says summer more than eatingbwatermelon in a radio flyer?"

Evan’s photo. His caption: “What says summer more than eatingbwatermelon in a radio flyer?”

Chowing down on more outdoor summer staple food.

Chowing down on more outdoor summer staple food.

Showing bravery, strength and confidence at the playground!

Showing bravery, strength and confidence at the playground!

Camping overnight in the yard with daddy.  I could hear her babbling out there until almost 11 p.m.! Easy with the midnight sun.

Camping overnight in the yard with daddy. I could hear her babbling out there until almost 11 p.m.! Easy with the midnight sun.

Motherhood: A journey to becoming a beast of burden.

Motherhood: A journey to becoming a beast of burden 😉

Someone described my children as "feral" the other day.  One life goal achieved!

Someone described my children as “feral” the other day. One life goal achieved!

Unsurprisingly, I have about three million photos of the farm progressing.  The difference a month makes is astonishing!

Anne-Corinne's new flame weeder at work! It is so cool (well...hot!).

Anne-Corinne’s new flame weeder at work! It is so cool (well…hot!).

I imagine there are some no-till advocates on here, but I gotta say...I love this machine and the lovely tilth of the soil after using it!

I imagine there are some no-till advocates on here, but I gotta say…I love this machine and the lovely tilth of the soil after using it!

S

Happy snoozing pigs.

Happy snoozing pigs.

Even with all of these exciting, beautiful, adorable things going on, there is one story of true farmgirl grit that I MUST share with you all!  Okay, “true farm girl grit” is probably going a bit far. Perhaps it is more a tale of stubborn farm girl gumption, or slightly moronic sunlight mania filled delusion, or just a normal Friday night for the uber-adventurous.  You can choose your own descriptor!

I haven’t shared here, yet, that Evan and I are FINALLY getting married!  If you’ve been around here long enough you will remember that we were engaged a long time ago… five years ago, shortly after I became the newest Rural Farmgirl.  Anyway, two kids and half a decade later, we are gonna make it official in the eyes of the legal system next month! woohoo!

In light of already being slightly non traditional, I chose to forgo a bachelorette party (because, really…am I a bachelorette?! haha).  My girlfriends seem to think that I still need a more social one, but we’ll see.  Instead of the modern go-to of phalluses and booze, I opted to go for a solo one night backpacking trip with my dog. I figured this is something I would like to do if I was a true bachelorette.  I love traveling solo and it is something I won’t have much chance to do for a long time.  So, I decided on Kesugi Ridge–a through hike within Denali State Park.  Since it is in the State Park dogs are allowed, and it provides magnificent views of Denali as you traverse a high alpine ridge through the tundra (sounds serene, right?).  There are options for hiking anywhere between 17 and 30 miles, and I opted for the 17 mile option.  My time was constrained a bit by work and kids, so it seemed like a good distance for a less than 24 hr. single overnight if I packed pretty light.

First good above-the-tree-line view, about 10 p.m.  Denali is over there somehwere, obscured by clouds.

First good above-the-tree-line view, about 10 p.m. Denali is over there somehwere, obscured by clouds.

After picking up Evan from the airport, driving home, packing and doing other menial things, Moki and I headed out…at 5:30 p.m.! We ended up getting to the trailhead at 9 p.m., but I was determined to hike in at least five miles.  Luckily, the land of the midnight sun is no lie, so I knew i would have plenty of daylight to burn (it actually won’t get truly dark up there for a few weeks…).

We embarked on our hike, the first few miles are a lovely 2,000 foot climb through forests of spruce, birch and ferns that give way to alder thickets, dwarf birch and high bush blueberry before eventually spitting you out into a rolling tundra ridge covered with crowberry, lowbush blueberry, mosses and lichens.  The lower parts of the trail, while beautiful and lush, seemed far too bear friendly for my liking.  So, I listened to podcasts super loudly and probably looked like a paranoid freak with bear spray in one hand a hunting knife at the ready in the other (like a knife would help at all, lol).  I was probably overly cautious, but it seems like bear activity has been at an all time high lately (two attacks last week and numerous sightings in unexpected places).

Unexpected bear sighting at local music festival.

Unexpected bear sighting at local music festival.

Plant sightings along the way:

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The ridge was breathtaking.  Beautiful, soft, welcoming tundra rolled on and on; large boulders, mountain streams, alpine lakes, patches of snow and huge scree fields beckoned me to keep moving on.  Eventually (at about 11 p.m.) it started to drizzle, which I expected and was prepared for. The smell of the rain in the midnight mountains was refreshing, clean and rejuvinating!  As we hit the five mile mark we came upon a perfect little protected lake, and I thought this would be the perfect spot to camp for the night!  Then two tents popped into view, so we decided to move on.  At about mile 6, we came to another pretty protected little stream and I decided to set up camp.  It was about midnight at this point but still plenty light out.  The wind was also starting to pick up.

Resting in a blueberry patch.

Resting in a blueberry patch.

The tent was set up, I was cozy and dry in my sleeping bag, and Moki was not enjoying the tent.  The wind was picking up, but I figured we could at least sleep a few hours before heading out.  The next thing I knew, the rain fly of the tent was being blown off and all of the stakes were being ripped out of the loose tundra “soil” as the wind got stronger and stronger.  The tent wasn’t very tented anymore and it appeared like the poles were going to snap at any moment.  Moki was about to rip through one of the doors so I let her out, and I gave myself a few minutes to think about what to do…

Our only photo in the tent.  Blurry from the wind, Moki obviously enjoying it...

Our only photo in the tent. Blurry from the wind, Moki obviously enjoying it…

Of course, at this point I was super tired.  I’m already an exhausted, sleep-deprived mom, but I was working off of the adrenaline and exhiliration of being in the mountains–alone with comparatively no worries!  I knew that camping was out of the question, but should I turn around or continue on?  I could back track six miles through known territory or go ahead 11 miles through the unknown (to me), perhaps finding a more sheltered camping spot along the way…

The path home, this is about 1:30 a.m.

The path home, this is about 1:30 a.m.  Hard to see the wind…but it was there in full force!

I ultimately decided to turn around, partially convinced by the direction of the hurricane force winds which would have been at my face if I had moved on.  The wind was so intense!  It made my cheeks flap like a dog leaning out of a car window, it ripped snot from my nose and forced mountain air into my sinuses.  I had to actively lean into the wind in some areas to avoid being knocked over (don’t worry, a fall wouldn’t have been disastrous).  Every time I stopped, Moki came and buried her head into me to get out of the gale. At times, the wind pelted rain at us (luckily mostly at our backs!).

You know what?! It was fun and exhilirating.  We hiked in this wind from approximately one to four in the morning and it never truly got dark.  I was well prepared with food, water and appropriate gear.  We weren’t cold or hungry and we didn’t see another soul on the trail.  We did see those tents, and they looked like they were getting flattened when we passed them on our way home.  While I felt bad for the inhabitants, it was good to see that we hadn’t missed out on the perfect camping spot.  While my overtired brain thought many things–I flip-flopped between “This is amazing!” and “Why does nothing ever go according to plan?”

Good gear makes for a good hike.

Good gear makes for a good hike.

I stopped for a 3 a.m. meal of Mary Jane’s Outpost freeze dried lentils and rice.  It’s a perfect companion for lightweight hiking–just boil a cup of water, pour it in the bag and wait 10 minutes. After hastily packing my bag I couldn’t find my spork, but the tent stakes that didn’t stay in the tundra worked alright as chopsticks! YUM!

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We finally got to the car around four and snuggled in for a snooze.  I ended up sleeping until 7:30! unheard of in my normal day-to-day! That felt like a treat in and of itself.  On the way home I stopped for breakfast where I ate enough for two teenagers before heading home to my happy family, who I had missed more than expected…even though I was only gone for something like twenty hours :).

I randomly grabbed this NatGeo to read at breakfast.  Happens to be from November 1984--a month before I was born.  It features water fowl and chocolate so I figured it was meant to be!

I randomly grabbed this NatGeo to read at breakfast. Happens to be from November 1984–a month before I was born. It featured waterfowl and chocolate so I figured it was meant to be!

Oofda. That was a long one!

What a bachelorette.  The next time I write it will be right before our big day!  Hope this finds you all well, and again, Happy Solstice from the land of the midnight sun…

Until next time, sending peace and love from Alaska,

Alex, the Rural Farmgirl

 

 

  1. Barb P. says:

    Beautiful photos, and a wonderful post! Congratulations on your up-coming wedding 🙂 I so look forward to your posts!

  2. Krista says:

    Congratulations on getting married! I bet you are super excited. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
    Loved seeing all your pictures and hearing about your exciting bachelorette. I’m sorry it didn’t turn out as planned, but I think because it didn’t it will be more memorable for you. It sounds like you will have to plan another trip by yourself to get some more you time in. It’s important. I had my first me day about 3 weeks ago. Now I understand why it’s so important. I haven’t had a day away from my boys since the days they were born.
    Have a wonderful Solstice!

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Krista! We are pretty excited, it’s fun to plan a party that represents us :). Personal days are so important! Luckily I get quite a few opportunities to go do things on my own, but usually they aren’t overnight. This is the first time I had been away from Opal overnight, and while I missed her and my family it felt good to be solo!

  3. Beth Keehne says:

    Congratulations on “making it legal” my partner in crime and I waited TEN years before we did, at his mother’s urging….LOL! No regrets and we have always said that we felt like we were married from the get-go. Love the pictures of your girls and your adventure, what a wonderful way to spend some solo time! It is important to grab that when you can with a young family like yours. Best of luck!!

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Beth! We, too, are getting married much to appease some folks in our families. Of course, it is for us, too. It will be fun! We have felt married from the get go, as well. Hope you are great!

  4. Theresa L Talarek says:

    Congratulations! And, I very much enjoyed your adventures here, and your photos throughout! Please do write a whole blog entry on the soil blocker. 🙂 I have one I haven’t used in a long time and need to get back to it.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Theresa! And I had to laugh about the soil blocking–I hadn’t done it in a few years, either, but it is a great tool and makes transplanting SO much easier.

  5. Sandi King says:

    Absolutely wonderful story! I was there with you in Spirit. I would have loved to be there with you in physical form if I was a lot younger. LOL. That is my kind of alone time or at least it used to be when, you guessed it, ‘I was a lot younger’. I loved the pictures – your dog Moki is a truper; so glad you took him along. Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Wish you and Evan all the best for the future. Don’t give up your ‘alone time trips’ though. They can rejuvenate so many things. Glad you took the ‘turn around’ to go back when it got windy like a hurricane. Maybe you can hike the 11 mile later on and let us know what it was like. I do so enjoy your posts and your outings. Until next time, then!

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks for the kind words, Sandi! We will definitely keep up our alone time opportunities–they are vital to sanity :). Hope you are great!

  6. Marilyn says:

    Thank you for sharing these great pictures. Your girls are beautiful.
    Marilyn

  7. Joy says:

    Congratulaions on your wedding! You are brave to hike on your own. I bet it was great to prove you could do it. Wonderful photos of kids and farming. you do look happy!

  8. Joan Price says:

    Great post!!!! Congratulations on your up-coming marriage!!!! Looking forward to the pictures and then some from the farm. We are having a HOT summer but cooling nicely at night, sounds like a little thunder/rain might happen soon, we sure can use the rain. Love those babies of yours. God bless.

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Joan! We are having a pretty cool summer here so far. Early season was especially chilly so the crops feel like they are a bit behind. Last year was especially warm and early so this year feels really late! Hope you get your rain!

  9. Joanna K Fedewa says:

    Wowie! as my Grandma would say! Thats a pretty amazing hike you took! I have not ventured out into Denali alone yet! I’m not sure if I have the guts to do that or not! I am terrified of the bears. I actually saw one in front of my bedroom window late at night once! That scared me for the rest of my life probably! I did recently buy some bear spray. The bear sighting was two years ago! When we first moved out to Big Lake from Wasilla.
    I live in Big Lake Alaska, which isnt too far from Palmer! About an hour drive. You probably know it? Maybe drove by it on the way to Denali! I love your pictures! I always love seeing local pictures of Alaska! I do love Palmer! and if I didnt live in Big Lake, it’d probably be Palmer! If you havent checked it out yet, you should totally go to the Reindeer Farm and hike the Butte!
    Happy Summer Solstice!
    PS Now I really wanna go up to Denali again!

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Hi Joanna! Yes, I’m familiar with Big Lake, I’ve been out there a few times to pick up bees and gardening supplies :). My partner works in Anchorage, so we can’t live too far away or he would never be home! Bears are scary, especially with all of the strange activity in the last couple of weeks. I love hiking solo, but totally understand the fear as it is very real. I now have two people in my distant circles who have been attacked, so I try to be extra vigilant. Love the Reindeer farm and the Butte! Happy Solstice!

  10. Dori Troutman says:

    Congratulations Alex! I can’t wait to hear news of your wedding!

    I loved reading this blog post (is there any blog post you write that I don’t love?) and even though it is absolutely nothing I would ever do in Alaska (I’m such a wimp), I sure loved reading about your hike. I have hiked and camped in the Grand Canyon but there were no bears to be worried about! 🙂 I’ve done some hiking in Alaska a few years ago with family that live there and honestly I was just constantly worried about the bears. I never could relax. But the next time I go back to visit Alaska, I’m going to let those fears go!!

    Happy farming… can’t wait to hear all about your summer.

    – Dori, the Ranch Farmgirl –

    P.S. Those girls of yours…. so precious!

    • Alexandra Wilson says:

      Thanks, Dori! I think a healthy fear of bears is a good thing–there is plenty to fear where humans encroach more and more into wild spaces. However, that shouldn’t keep you from exploring confidently :). A bear aware class could be fun as part of a vacation to Alaskan. It’s a very Alaskan thing to do!

      Hope you are well, great to hear from you! Happy Summer 🙂

  11. Amanda says:

    Best wishes for you and your family! Speaking of hurricane force winds, that describes my wedding day! T.S. Ivan hit our area the night before, but the sun came out as we said our vows. The flooding made for some fun pictures! I love seeing your part of the world… and those adorable little girls! Mine are growing up too fast! The girls are giggling at your bear stories. The local black bear shows up at their school once a year. Enjoy your sunshine, we haven’t had much of that here!

  12. Deedee mcdonald says:

    So so happy for you!! Congratulations!!!

  13. Joanne Luthman says:

    Loved your story! Pretty exciting! And you are quite the gardener/farmer, from the looks of your hoop houses!
    Good luck with your wedding plans!

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