What it's like

Thursday, January 24, 2008

For Kimberley Meyen, Eagle River, Alaska senior, family time doesn’t just include the average board game. To Meyen, quality time with her parents and younger brother means outdoor activities such as snowshoeing between mountains.

Contributed by Rebekah Scaperlanda

The native Alaskan first went cross-country skiing when she was only two weeks old. Her father, eager to share the adventure with his newborn, held her in a baby carrier.

“It’s a great way to spend time with my family,” Meyen says. “We do a lot of outdoor activities: mountain biking, hiking, backpacking the glacier lakes, and one of my winter favorites, cross-country skiing.”

The native Alaskan first went cross-country skiing when she was only two weeks old. Her father, eager to share the adventure with his newborn, held her in a baby carrier. This was only the beginning for Meyen, who was involved with cross-country skiing in high school. During winter break, Meyen and her brother ventured up the mountain and were the only two on the trail skiing on fresh snow.

Because of a lack of snow this year, Meyen says the moose in Alaska are able to run away from the wolves quicker than usual, causing the wolves to feed on neighborhood dogs. Because the wolves become more daring, the family has to be more cautious when hiking the mountain in front of their house. Although Meyen was apprehensive about snowshoeing, she felt safe with a helicopter watching them from overhead.

“When I was up there it was exhilarating and yet peaceful at the same time,” Meyen says. “I love being in the wilderness. Being able to share this with my family is truly one of a kind.”

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