Go to Your Happy Place

It is here, the final issue of the year 2020. To go back and try to imagine what this year would turn out to be would be an interesting experiment. A lot of the challenges we faced, be it as an individual, a family or a community were incomprehensible just 12 months ago. This year didn’t lack for hardship. I know that I at times was overwhelmed with the daily challenges and the long term lifestyle changes that were necessitated by living during a global pandemic. These challenges all pale in comparison to those who lost loved ones this year, either directly from the illness, or from the additional emotional/mental stress that was unavoidable.

This year I also was witness to many wonderful moments that filled me with renewed hope. In particular I want to acknowledge the phenomenal effort from the Copper River School District. As a parent with a young daughter in school, I witnessed firsthand the extraordinary effort teachers, administrators, custodial staff, and literally everyone else working there put in to ensure the kids have a normal and productive school year.

I also want to acknowledge all the medical professionals and EMS volunteers for their tireless commitment working to protect the health of the community they live in and love.

As we enter the final weeks of the year, I think it is important to seek out places and activities that bring us to the happy place we have individually in our minds. It is important to focus on that idea, especially in a situation (this year) that might have pushed us further than we are used too.

Above, I have shared a picture in my happy place. It is -15 degrees, with the waning light exploding in color, high on a mountain in Thompson Pass. It took about 3 hours to ski/snowboard from the car to the top and back. Those hours spent “skinning” up were rewarded with a 10 minute ride down on a perfect cloud of powder. I am thankful for the friends that let me tag along, as this was my first time ascending a mountain on a splitboard. The paper has a two week break. If you want to find me, I will be in my happy place, ripping road runs or finding some other spot to snowboard. Take the time to go to your happy place.

Article and Photos by John Tierney