Sight for Sore Eyes.

An endless stream of traffic crowds my small town of Soldonta.

Restaurants, left and right, close due to lack of staff, shortage of shipments, and just plain exhaustion from scrambling to accommodate the thousands of tourists that stream through.

The grocery store shelves are empty. The wait times are atrocious. The line of cars looking to station their vehicles and accompanying boats clog the parking lot and a list of frustrated expletives usually lets loose out of my mouth as a result.

Welcome to Alaska in July. Welcome to dip netting season. Welcome to hell.

What’s supposed to be the prettiest time of year in the 49th state (unless you’re a snow bum) is unfortunately also the one time of year in which seemingly every single resident in Alaska (including tourists from out of state), barrel down to our small town and make the lives of residents a living…

You get the picture.

I get it, it’s good for business. Our local economy flourishes and it feels good to be bustling and busy, but this year feels different.

After the pandemic that took over all of last year, gone goes the kind “Support your local businesses!” and in comes the impatient, inconsiderate, irritated, and unwelcome attitudes.

It’s exhausting to deal with. My weekdays are already stacked with working doubles, triples even, and having to force friendly to those who are take take taking more than I can give them is quite literally draining me.

I’m not the only one. Alaskans everywhere, especially those who work in food service, are understaffed and overwhelmed, and there is evidently no sympathy from those traveling through, hangry and grumpy. All we’re trying to do is serve them our best.

So I need escapes. Whenever I can get them.

Which is why, on my one day off, I once again took to the outdoors and traveled with some friends out to Homer to hike the bucket list Grace Ridge Trail.

(it’s only 8.7 miles)

(casual walk in the park)

Rated as difficult, I rounded up the best of the best and on early Monday morning, my dad took us by boat across the Bay.

Paddling to shore via dingy, we were wished best of luck, and after stretches and adjustments of our packs, we began the trek.

I’ve hiked many trails in Alaska, and I have to admit: this may be top three for me.

Starting on the south end, we took the trail up through the woods, across the ridge line, and then down on the other side, views of Kachemak Bay beckoning us forward.

Amply supplied with snacks, sunscreen, and bear spray (only the essentials), it took us a total of 8 hours, and every minute was worth it.

(though at the end, we did develop an attitude of when is this ending?!)

In total, we saw maybe a dozen other fellow hikers enjoying these outdoors. We didn’t have to deal with unruly customers, persnickety fishermen, traffic, or vendors who were “so sorry” out of supplies.

Oh, and no cell service.

(total removal is the absolute best)

It is without a doubt one of the strangest summers I’ve ever experienced here in Alaska, but it’s also turning out to be one of the more beautiful ones.

The scenery I’m seeing, the relationships I’m developing, the memories I’m making, and of course the views.

Which I think “peak” for themselves…