Growing up, Alaska's colorful palette also painted my life. Splashes of color were everywhere. Sprays of wildflowers and spruce trees added life to the land I lived on, shells sprinkled joy in my adventures to the water's edge, and fish skin added shine to life lived on and in the water. Alaska has always been vibrant and full of life.
Fireweed is the very definition of rebirth and resiliency. They can be seen growing up from scorched earth following the wild forest fires that dance across Alaska in sweltering summer months. The bright flames are replaced with glowing blooms that perfectly mirror the fires. The shades of pink and purple twist and dance in the wind like the flames of these fires did the summer before. Tender and petite blooms from forget-me-nots add dimples of blue across Alaska. They are perfectly sweet and simple. Delicate but hardy, they survive freezing winters in Alaska to return every year. They represent resilience, perseverance, and the rugged Alaskan spirit. The blue of our state flower inspired the Alaska flag's blue. The prickly tips of the pine boughs blanket our great State from the Arctic Circle to the bottom and across. Their emerald hues bring richness to our landscapes, proving that life is here, whether it is sub-zero or warmed by daylight hours that never seem to end. Rough bark weeps sap that looks like honey dripping down its trunk, golden and sticky. The rich browns and blacks of the bark are glimmering with this golden substance, and the evergreen boughs provide a shaded area to the bodies of the trees. A quiet oasis of shade.
The blue and purple hues of blue mussel shells covered most of the rocky coastline that served as my childhood playground. Their cups would hold the tiny creatures scooped from the tide pools scattered across the beaches. Walking across the beach with bare soles reminded me of the sharpness and beauty of every inch of Alaska. Sea stars, crab, anenomies, and other water wildlife bring organic texture and diverse pigments to this dark world beneath the waves. I love the life of water. Fishing, swimming, paddleboarding, and walking in the waves all renew something in my soul. It washes my worries away and fills my veins with a renewed sense of belonging. Those icy waters drift over my skin bringing peace with them.
The colors of Alaska are a part of the experience. They bring more than just fresh air and adventure, they add to the awe in seeing this place up close. Tactile experiences are elevated because of the virbancy every shade brings to each pigmented piece of our picture. Each day in our wild world is like visiting a new planet. Fresh and exciting.
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