Le Conte Glacier
Alaska Story Project host, Dan Kowalski reflects on Why Alaska?
As twenty two year old students and climbers in Boulder, Colorado, Alaska loomed large in our imagination. When an Outward Bound instructor came down from the Colorado mountains to visit and scheme, Alaska rose on our short list for summer expeditions. Our friend proposed kayaking the Inside Passage of Alaska.
We did our “research” and that next summer, caught the Alaska ferry through the B.C. islands and channels to Ketchikan. I remember checking in with the Ketchikan Coast Guard. In front of a silver haired commandant, we told of our expedition plans. He listened then gravely responded, “You shouldn’t do it. It’s far too dangerous. I could prevent you from doing this.” As he was making that declaration, from a desk behind him, a much younger Coast Guard radio operator turned and mimed thumbs up “Do It!!”
And we did. For the next two and a half months, we, four guys and two gals, explored the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. This wasn’t an A to B, Ketchikan to Skagway expedition. Our aim was to explore. We would kayak a day, set up camp, and then settle in and poke around for another day. Our rhythm was based on the tides. The weather was our constant companion and often dictated what we did. Over time, and not without challenges, I experienced a profound opening to the larger frame, the larger context of wilderness. The distinction between self and our earthly world began to break down. We are not separate. I know it in my bones.
To this day, two of the six of us are still working the waters of Southeast Alaska. Friendships and adventures have accrued over the years. Alaska, as a vast and wild landscape remains preeminent in my sense of our bioregion. In terms of culture, storytelling deepens our understanding and piques our imaginations. And that’s the boiled-down essence and motivation behind the Alaska Story Project.
Author Joe Upton and ASP Host Dan Kowalski
Several years ago, I teamed up with master storyteller, author and map-maker, Joe Upton to produce a series of videos for a DVD project. We are continuing our collaboration with a focus on stories aimed to enrich a traveler’s experience of Alaska and foster a sense of place.