For the last day of exploring, my hosts didn’t really explain where we were going. Geography in Alaska is, in some ways, quite simple, as there are relatively few roads. However, those roads travel across an insanely complex landmass. I knew we were heading a bit north and a bit east out of Anchorage, but I didn’t have a sense of what we were going to see. In many ways, it didn’t exactly matter, either. Alaska is rugged, beautiful, and a true frontier for those of us who live in the lower 48. We could go anywhere and I’d have my eyes plastered on the truck’s windows or looking into my camera. The weather has continued to be kind on this trip. For that, I am thankful. Clouds amble across the sky, leading to mostly cloudy days common in these parts this time of year, with the occasional appearance of a bright yellow ball in the sky.
About an hour into the trip, I finally began to understand where we were headed: Matanuska Glacier. The Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier accessible by automobile in the United States. It’s only about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage. Alaska’s winter was relatively light this year and it was April, so the glacier had receded somewhat—but it was still a fantastic, awe-inspiring river of ice.
I’m continuing to have fun with the 16-35mm lens. The wide-angle lens always seems to have a playful, creative aspect to it, requiring the photographer to have a strong sense of focus and composition to fully embody the lens. The clouds today definitely wanted to dance, with streaks and ribbons all across the sky that paired well with the wide-angle lens.
My hosts also insisted we stop at Chickaloon, AK—not to be confused with Chicken, an entirely different city almost a six-hour drive away. It does surprise me how many small towns exist, scattered across the Alaskan landscape, each requiring its own or a shared set of government services. It’s easy to see that weather is extreme here. Painted surfaces don’t last nearly as long. Wood in buildings rots and decays due to the near-constant exposure to moisture. Roads wear more quickly due to heavy truck traffic and the freeze-thaw cycles common in northern climates.
As I began to learn more about Alaska, my hosts shared more about the homelessness crisis here. I’d made the simple assumption that homelessness isn’t as severe as it is in San Francisco—and in some ways, it isn’t, due to California’s sheer number of people, high housing costs, and lack of supply. Alaska has different challenges, but the problems here are still profound.
As people travel north to Alaska with all kinds of hopes, dreams, and adventures, most start out with bright eyes and deep ambitions. If things go awry, much like in the Bay Area, Alaska can eat you alive. Other than housing, everything is expensive here. Just about everything has to be brought in by ship, driving up prices. Long summer days are complemented by dark winter nights. Alaska isn’t exempt from drug addiction and mental health issues. In some ways, they can be even more profound here. By Alaskan standards, Anchorage is relatively mild. People live here unhoused and do make it through the winter. That blew my mind.
As my hosts further explained, Alaska is very much an island. Someone struggling with addiction and mental health issues will have a hard time getting through Canada, requiring a passport and being of sound mind. Thus, you can’t easily drive back to the lower 48 to connect with family and friends. Depending on the severity of the issues involved, it may be difficult to board a plane to Seattle and connect to another destination in the continental United States. Travel out of Alaska is expensive. These compounding issues keep people stuck here, unlike in the lower 48 where buses connect all across the country. I hadn’t really considered all of the overlapping issues in the landscape here.
I always appreciate getting a firsthand perspective of other places. Nothing brings perspective to a situation like seeing and experiencing it firsthand. I come away with a different perspective on the issues and challenges we experience back home—and for that, I am thankful.
It’s hard to believe four days have passed so quickly. Tomorrow, we’ll wander around downtown Anchorage, getting a look at Alaska’s largest city!
Leave a Reply