These photos are a result of new inspiration brought about using my iPhone apps! Here is the thought process on how I arrived there.
Wednesday, May 18.
I was having a hard time feeling inspired, because Alaska was built up to be this grandiose and beautiful place. Now that I"m here, I can't find the appreciation I was expecting. Maybe it's because I'm couped up all day inside a train or apartment. Or maybe it's my lack of freedom due to a of lack of transportation. Anchorage has landscape qualities similar to the Sierra Nevada mountains so I almost feel like it's nothing I haven't seen before. I'm just not amazed.
When I travel, I want to go someplace unfamiliar. Maybe that's why NYC inspires me so much. It has so many layers and cultures, and Alaska looks all the same: woods, mountains, suburbs. Few degrees between separation of cultures.
I almost feel guilty about having these emotions, but came to the conclusion I'm totally confused!
After wading through the confusion and guilt, I realized I'm allowed to feel however I want. What is amazing about Alaska to others may not be the same for me. However, Alaska brings me a calmness unfamiliar to me and not felt before anywhere else. Alaska has the ability to be very humbling and serene. I am: not spoiled, not selfish. Just hasn't sunk in. I may still have blinders on.
Thursday, May 19.
Wow. Was I naive. It finally sunk in. My inspiration came today as we made our way south back towards Anchorage from Fairbanks. There was a realization that Florida made me kinda dumb and numb. What I needed was to remember the power nature has and how strong my emotional connection was to it. Just because Florida's flat doesn't mean I have no depth. I needed Alaska, but I'm starting to realize I needed it in a bad bad way.
