I will be updating this post periodically. September 8, 2019: The ability to experience nature I am grateful for the fact that I can walk down a trail, hear water rushing by, see into the vast expanse that is the interior of Alaska, smell decaying leaves and wet dirt as fall makes her presence known, and feel the brisk but (at least currently) forgiving breeze, carrying me deeper into the wilderness.

Last Sunday, October 21st, I said goodbye to by best(dog)friend Raven. What started off as some loose stool a few weeks prior progressed quickly. After consulting different doctors, and using the diagnostic resources available in Fairbanks, we began to suspect cancer was to blame. Saying goodbye was very hard. Writing this blog post is hard. I miss her every day. Raven is one of the “special ones” in my life-one of the animals that you bond with differently than the others.

It’s official - we made it to Alaska! The drive was long (approximately 3100 miles) but so beautiful and totally worth it. The views were amazing on their own; coupled with wildlife sightings, it was a totally awesome experience. Everyone (fur babies included) traveled well. I was a bit surprised to find that our cat, Chihiro, was a better traveler than Maya. Chihiro would find a spot on a pillow or blanket and would snooze, meanwhile Maya (being a little bit nervous) stood almost the entire ride with her head on the center console.

Just to add a little stress to my life (on top of moving, and changing careers), one of my kids - ok, fur-babies - decided she wanted to know what kind of dog treats they served in heaven. I am so fortunate to say that it wasn’t her time just yet. Let me back up a little bit… About two and a half weeks ago, a horrible thing happened to my favorite berner, Raven.

If I am going to move my life up to Alaska for two years, I might as well do it in style! Meet the BATMobile. This Toyota Tundra is going to haul me, my husband Jake, our dogs Maya and Raven, our cat Chihiro, and a few chosen belongings approximately 3100 miles up to Fairbanks, AK. There will be long drive days, expansive stretches of road without service, beautiful scenery, and maybe a bear sighting or two.