A rainbow is seen on Aug. 28, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A rainbow is seen on Aug. 28, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Out of the Office: Eye-opener

It’s a cliche that folks from Alaska take Alaska for granted. I know I definitely always have.

I was never an outdoorsy person. The last time I went for a hike was in the eighth grade. An early pandemic plan to go out running for exercise ended less than a week in when I injured my knee and embarrassingly wiped out on the side of Kalifornsky Beach Road. I got a bike this summer – then didn’t ride it even a single time.

The things that I do happen inside. I was on the swim team in high school, I worked at the movie theater, later at the pool. I read books, watched movies and played video games. My social circle was largely the same way, I never had much reason to go outside.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Despite living in Kenai and Soldotna for 25 years, I never really appreciated the place I live and, ostensibly, enjoy every day.

For years, all I’ve seen of the Kenai Peninsula is what passed through my car windows on the way to work. Especially in my five years working at local pools, I spent my waking hours in a variety of concrete rectangles.

Even in my time off, I didn’t exactly get out much. I hadn’t engaged outside of my bubble in a long time.

I remember making fun of a classmate at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She was from Washington, and as we were heading up to catch the State Fair, she was loudly enamored with every passing mountain. It’s Alaska, there are a lot of mountains.

Suddenly, as a reporter at The Peninsula Clarion, I find myself in the community and on the peninsula in a way that I truly never have been before. I’m talking to cool people about the cool things they’re doing on a daily basis.

I’m also seeing more of the sights. I went to Tsalteshi Trails last week for the regions cross-country meet, and it was a beautiful sunny day – the trails lined with fall colors. Nikiski, too, looks wonderful this time of year.

Only a couple of months in, it’s not an exaggeration to say my experience has completely shifted. Don’t look now, but there’s some pretty neat stuff happening out there. I’ve seen festivals, sporting events, cats who are social media celebrities, wildlife and a community that I’m experiencing for the first time despite being here the whole time.

It feels like a reconnection — or maybe I’m just opening my eyes. But I’m excited to get back out there and see more.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in Sports

Ninilchik's Brandt Mill tries to steal the ball from Seward's Talon Lemme on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Ninilchik School in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Friday hoops: Ninilchik’s Kade McCorison scores 55 in loss to Seward; Homer boys clinch state berth

The visiting Seward boys basketball team defeated Ninilchik 85-66 on Friday in… Continue reading

Soldotna's Ariana Cannava skis her team to third place in the 4-by-3-kilometer relay at the state Nordic ski meet at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Danika Winslow)
Friday: Boonstra finishes 3rd, Cannava 10th, in state Skimeister standings

Soldotna junior Tania Boonstra finished third in the state Skimeister standings Friday… Continue reading

tease
Friday: Wilderness defeat Bears in overtime

The visiting Kenai River Brown Bears lost 4-3 in overtime to the… Continue reading

Dylan Dahlgren, Galen Brantley III and Adarra Hagelund at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships in Brookings, South Dakota. (Photo provided)
Soldotna grads help Dickinson State track to big day

Soldotna graduates Adarra Hagelund, Dylan Dahlgren and Galen Brantley III all had… Continue reading

Soldotna's Tania Boonstra races towards the finish chute during the Region III Girls 7.5K Classic Race at Tsalteshi Trails near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Thursday: SoHi’s Boonstra takes second at classic ski race at state

Soldotna junior Tania Boonstra led the Kenai Peninsula at the first day… Continue reading

tease
Thursday hoops: Grace girls topple Homer

The visiting Grace Christian girls basketball team notched a 63-16 Peninsula Conference… Continue reading

tease
Monday basketball: Sewards sweeps Unalaska

The Seward girls and boys basketball teams swept Unalaska on Monday in… Continue reading

Soldotna's Ariana Cannava, Tania Boonstra and Kate Cox approach the finish line in the lead of the 4-kilometer freestyle girls race at the Kenai Peninsula Borough meet Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna girls, boys sweep festive borough ski meet

The Soldotna girls and boys cross-country skiing teams swept the Kenai Peninsula… Continue reading

Marcarius Evans of Nanwalek celebrates a victory over Cook Inlet Academy on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Cook Inlet Academy just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Saturday hoops roundup: Nanwalek boys shock Cook Inlet Academy

The Cook Inlet Academy girls and Nanwalek boys notched Peninsula Conference victories… Continue reading

Most Read